Chapter 20: Snazzy James

"So how was it?" I asked Sidney as soon as I sat down at the lunch table. She refused to tell me or Cam or even Oliver about her date with Isaac until we were all together. Sam was sitting beside us, too, listening curiously. She looked down sheepishly, allowing her cheeks to fill with a pinkish tinge.

"It was fun," she muttered as she drew circles with her fingers on the table. "I liked it."

"What'd you do?" Sam asked and she repressed a smile.

"We saw a movie, went out to eat, and hung out in his car at the beach," she explained as she smiled down at the table.

"Well, did you kiss?" Cam asked the question we were all thinking.

"What do you think?" Oliver retorted. "This is Sidney we're talking about."

Sidney's face reddened completely and she let out a girlish giggle, nodding slowly. "He's such a good kisser."

I stared at the girl sitting across from me. Don't get me wrong, she's absolutely beautiful and she's an amazing person, but she's so shy. She's known Isaac for less than a week and here she is, kissing him nonchalantly; whereas I've known Axel for years and I'm just now making him aware of my feelings for him. I tucked away my slight jealousy and smiled, listening as she explained what happened. Oliver was plugging his ears like a little kid, not wanting to listen to Sid's experience.

"We were just sitting in his car talking and he asked me if I'd had my first kiss yet and I said no; then I added that I'd like to. He just looked at me and laughed, calling me innocent. When I asked him if that was a bad thing, he told me that it wasn't. I jokingly asked him if he'd had his first kiss and he gave me a sarcastic no before adding that he had never been a girl's first kiss. So I decided to be a bit daring and I asked if he'd like to. Then he asked what I meant by that and I told him that he knew. And before I could tell what was happening, we were kissing and it was great. I swear, we kissed for like, twenty minutes before my mom called and told me I had to head home," Sidney explained and I wanted to slam my head on the table. She made out with him. Stupid Axel, making me feel insecure about my lack in romantic activities, more specifically- making out. Now it seems like everyone's doing it but me, even my most innocent friend!

Sidney and Camilla went back and forth and I occasionally piped in with a comment, but I kept quiet for the most part. Oliver was more silent than me, whereas Sam made comments to keep the conversation rolling. I just wanted to get out of there. So when the bell rang, I moseyed on down to English, leaving behind my two friends who share the class with me with the excuse that I had to stop at my locker.

"Alexis!" Axel called from behind me just as I was about to slip into the stairwell. I moved out of the way, letting people make their way up the steps as I waited for Axel to reach me. When he did, he nodded towards the other side of the hallway. "Want to come with me to my locker?"

"Okay," I responded, following close behind him. When we made it through the crowd of people, we stood side by side and he looked down at me.

"What's wrong?" he asked curiously. When he saw my hesitation, he shook his head. "And don't lie."

I narrowed my eyes at him. This no lying thing is going to tear our friendship, or what's left of it, apart. "You made me insecure about my kissing skills," I retorted.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Apparently, I don't have a single clue as to what making out is," I responded. "I feel like I'm lagging behind my fellow teenagers."

"I was joking when I said that, Alexis," he replied. "And you shouldn't compare yourself to others, especially not when it comes to how far you've gone with another person."

"I'm not..." I complained. "I'm just saying that...Sidney has done it. Sidney— the most shy and most reserved person I know."

"Well, that's Sidney," Axel shrugged. "You're you. You shouldn't want to do something simply because other people are doing it."

"That's not why I want to do it!" I told him, watching as he unlocked his locker. "I just want to experience it."

He opened his mouth before closing it. "You can't because that means you're growing up and I won't let that happen." He patted my head and I scoffed, wondering what comment he was going to make before he went with the concerned parental figure approach.

Swatting his hand away, I stared at him. "Growing up is inevitable," I retorted.

"Well, I'll make it evitable," he replied as he closed his locker, turning and starting in the direction of the stairs.

"Why'd you ask me to walk with you to your locker?" I inquired. "The real reason, please?"

"Well, I just wanted to talk to you..." he trailed. He rubbed his neck as he avoided my eyes.

"About what?" I inquired.

"You know the rules you set?" he asked me and I nodded. "You're following them, too, right?"

"Yeah," I responded as we neared the classroom. "Starting today."

"And what happens if one of us breaks them?" he questioned and I shrugged.

"I don't know. I didn't exactly set a penalty. If we break one, then we just agree that it was a mistake and then start over," I told him. "For the sake of our friendship, you know."

"Yeah, I know," he mumbled.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Yeah I'm fine," he replied and I could tell he was lying. He made eye contact with me and just as I was about to ask what was wrong, he shoved open the door to the classroom and ushered me in. I went to open my mouth but he rushed off and dropped down in his seat beside Miles. I stared at him with furrowed eyebrows but he simply avoided my gaze.

Huh...odd.

+++

When I arrived at U.S. History, I found that there was a substitute teacher sitting where my normal teacher was supposed to be. I immediately asked for a pass to the library before making my way down to the book filled room. When I arrived, I began looking through the shelves for nothing in particular. I stared at the books, occasionally grabbing a title and skimming the back before returning it to its place.

As I moved to the next shelf, I noticed that Victoria was looking for a book. I hesitated as I was about to enter the space before deciding to just continue. I won't give her the satisfaction of avoiding her. Besides, there's nothing keeping me from yelling at her now. As I rolled my fingers over the spines of the books, the blonde behind me cleared her throat. I turned around and glanced at her. "Victoria," I greeted her dryly with no intentions of further conversation.

"Alexis," she responded. I turned my attention back to the books before being pulled into a conversation. "Don't you own any other sweaters?"

I looked down at the red sweater hanging loosely from my shoulders. I suddenly realized why she was asking. It's Axel's. I repressed the urge to grin at her triumphantly. Think of a witty response. Think of a witty response. "Do you mean in general or your ex-boyfriends?" I retorted.

"Keep his sweaters," she snorted. "I don't care." When I didn't give her a response, she continued. "It's not even a big deal anyway."

"Keep telling yourself that," I shrugged. "You lost something you didn't deserve and you realized that shortly after. Now you're bitter."

"He wasn't that special," she snapped.

"He's way too good for you; that's for sure," I retorted. She opened her mouth to speak but I was already talking. "And you're lucky I don't slap you in the face."

"What are you talking about?" she asked, staring at me suspiciously.

"He won't hit you but I will," I told her in an aggressive voice.

"Are you threatening me?" she asked.

"I don't know," I retorted. "Am I?"

She glared at me. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Just leave him alone. He doesn't want anything to do with you anymore," I responded. "And stop texting him. Your desperation is showing."

I turned and left the library, shaking my head in annoyance as I went.

+++

"Are you free this Friday?" Holden asked the question that would've made my day when I had a crush on him.

"For what?" I asked curiously as I shoved my textbooks into my bag. It seems as if recently I've been doing something every weekend. I assumed that this weekend, I'd be getting a break. But maybe not...

"It's my cousin's birthday and I wanted to invite some people," Holden nodded. "So I figured I'd invite you and the guys."

"Okay," I replied. "How old is he turning?"

"Nine..." Holden mumbled.

"Should I buy him something?" I asked. Maybe I'll get him a toy or something. "What does he like?"

"No, he's fine" Holden grinned.

"Okay, well, I'll be there," I told Holden as he slowly walked away. He nodded at me before turning and heading towards his class.

As the week flew by, I found myself relieved to get my Spanish project presentation out of the way that Friday afternoon. I was happy that Sam and I were prepared because when Isaac and Colton were called to present, they both looked at each other and asked: "That was due today?" Isaiah, on the other hand, completed his with ease and presented it well. I think Sam and I did fine; we followed the directions and presented at a good pace, just making the three minute mark.

In the parking lot, Axel told me that it would just be me, him and the twins going to Holden's cousin's party. Colton, Miles, and Demetrious didn't want to go to a child's party, I'm assuming. And my brother has to work, which he didn't seem too bummed about. I decided to just go to Axel's house after school before we made the hour long drive to Holden's cousin's house with the rest of the attending guys. We took the biggest car available, which was Axel's, though it wasn't any bigger than Holden's.

"So how old is he turning again?" I asked Holden from the front passenger's seat. He was squished in the back between the twins.

"Nineteen."

"Nineteen?" I asked him in shock. "You told me he was nine!"

"Technically he is...plus ten," Holden excused.

"We're going to a nineteen year old's birthday party?" I asked in shock.

"Wasn't that just clarified, Alexis?" Isaiah inquired from his window seat.

"You didn't know he was nineteen?" Isaac asked.

"No! I would've said no! There's bound to be bad stuff there!" I responded, whipping around in my seat. "Did you know he was nineteen?"

"Yeah, Holden told me when he invited me," Axel explained with a shrug.

"Holden!" I retorted, turning to the blonde crushed between the twins.

"Yes?" he asked with a fake, innocent expression on his face.

"Why did you lie to me?" I asked.

"Because you wouldn't have come," Holden answered. "And Axel said he wouldn't go if you weren't going."

I turned to Axel, who shrugged. "True," he admitted.

"You should've told me!" I sighed.

"I needed more people there. It would've just been me and the twins!" Holden explained and I put my head in my hands. I was surprised Dylan didn't tell me not to go.

"Hey!" the identical pair yelled in unison. "We're not that bad!"

"Shut up," Axel groaned.

"You shut up!" they rejoined simultaneously.

+++

As soon as we pulled up to the large house, I wanted to take control of the car and start heading home. There were people already there and it was barely eight o'clock. Though we were leaving at ten, I still felt like it was going to feel like forever. I saw groups of people hanging outside with beers in their hands and I wanted to sink lower in my seat. "Come on," Axel started as the rest of the guys got out of the car. "We can just sit in here if it's that bad."

I looked at him and sighed as I got out of the car, following after my best friend. Holden approached a group of people, grinning widely. "Henry," he greeted.

"Hey, Holden," his cousin responded. He definitely wasn't nine. It was hard to believe that he was nineteen, though. He looked to be at least 23 or 24. He was sporting a short, well-kept beard. He was good looking and I could tell that it ran in the family. "You brought some friends."

"Yeah, this is Isaac," he introduced one of the twins. "And this is his brother, Isaiah."

"I thought it was his sister," Henry sarcastically responded, earning a snort from Isaac.

"You know Axel," Holden responded, waving a hand as Axel nodded at Henry.

"And this is Alexis; she's Dylan's little sister," Holden introduced me.

"Hello," I greeted Henry quietly as I tried to hide behind Axel.

"Are you nervous?" Henry asked with a chuckle.

"No..." I trailed.

"She's just shy," Axel answered for me.

"You two a thing?" Henry asked curiously. As if my face wasn't red enough from being put on the spot, it was definitely red now.

"No," Axel answered simply.

"Oh," Henry replied.

"Mind if we go inside?" Holden asked.

"Oh yeah, go in. Help yourself to whatever's there," Henry nodded towards the house. As a group we made our way to the front door. Holden opened it and waited until we were all inside before trailing in after us.

"I'm thirsty," I muttered and Axel looked at the guys.

"We'll be back, we're going to get a drink," Axel excused and they nodded.

"Sure you are," Isaac winked and I narrowed my eyes at him before following Axel as we searched for the kitchen. We walked down a hallway before turning back the other way. When we finally reached the kitchen, Axel opened the fridge.

"Beer...beer...half-filled bottle of water...another alcoholic drink...beer," he trailed. As he continued to list the contents of the fridge I found a large jug of fruit punch on the counter. I poured it into a red solo cup, taking a large sip. It burned a little as it went down and I looked at it. Maybe because it's warm and I haven't had a drink since lunch. Well, it tastes good. I continued to quickly drink it as he searched through the fridge, slowly moving to the freezer. I wish it was colder, though. I poured myself another cup, watching as Axel continued to search for a drink.

"I think there's a gas station down the street if you want to just drive—," Axel started as he turned around. His eyes fell on the cup in my hands, which I was replenishing with the fruity drink, and he furrowed his eyebrows. "What are you drinking?" he asked me and I looked at the red, room temperature liquid in my hands.

"Juice..." I trailed as I looked at the large bottle on the counter beside me. He grabbed my cup from me, bringing it to his lips. He immediately dumped it into the sink and I frowned. "My juice..."

"How much of that did you have?" he asked me and I shrugged.

"Three cups," I answered.

"In five minutes?" he asked with wide eyes.

"I told you I was thirsty..." I mumbled. "If we stopped at Burger King like I suggested..."

"Oh no..." he started.

"What?" I asked, growing annoyed. He just dumped out my juice.

"That was vodka and fruit punch," he told me and I looked at him. So that's what the burning was...

"Well it didn't taste bad," I told him with a shrug and he stared at me.

"Alexis..." he muttered before grabbing my shoulders and leading me back to the guys, mumbling obscenities under his breath. Henry was alongside the guys, conversing casually. "Guys..."

"What?" Isaac asked as he looked between me and Axel.

"She just downed three cups of fruit punch and vodka in five minutes," Axel explained and the guy's eyebrows shot up.

"It was good, right?" Henry asked with a smirk. "We didn't skimp out on the alcohol."

"I didn't notice..." I mumbled.

"How didn't you notice?" Holden snorted.

"I didn't know it was alcohol," I muttered.

"It didn't burn your throat or anything?" Isaiah asked in disbelief.

"I just thought my throat was really dry," I responded quietly, feeling like an idiot.

"So what are you going to do?" Isaac asked Axel.

"I don't know. What should I do?" Axel replied.

"Wait for it to kick in and then record her," Isaac grinned as his eyes flitted between both of mine.

"No, I don't want to be recorded," I responded.

"Have you ever gotten drunk before?" Holden inquired and I shook my head. "Well...there's a first time for everything."

+++

A half hour later and I was snickering while I stared at Axel. "What?" he asked and I just shook my head, proceeding to giggle like an idiot.

"What?" I drawled out the word in a deep voice, wearing a grin. My impersonation of him only caused more laughter to flow from my mouth.

"It definitely hit her," Isaac noted and I looked at him and laughed, throwing my head back.

I stretched out across the bed, seeing as we were all in one of the bedrooms. Holden was sitting on the floor, texting while the twins sat with their backs against the wall. I was on the bed, sitting beside Axel, who was staring at me with a confused look on his face. "What?" I drawled, repressing the urge to laugh.

"Dylan is going to kill me," he noted.

"Why?" I asked him. "You didn't do anything."

"I let you get drunk," Axel responded. "That's pretty bad."

"You didn't let me do anything. I make my own decisions, mister," I told Axel.

He put his head in his hands. "Dude, chill. Just let her sleep at your house tonight and take her home tomorrow. No one's going to say anything," Isaac suggested.

"Dylan specifically asked me to keep an eye on her," Axel responded.

"I don't need a babysitter," I told them. "Never mind three."

There was a silence as everyone looked around. "There are four of us, Alexis," Holden blurted.

"I thought I was seeing doubles of them," I pointed at the twins before tipping my head back and laughing loudly. No one else seemed to find it funny so I laughed for all of us.

"You know, she's right. She doesn't need all of us watching her," Axel started. "You guys should go have fun."

"Axel...you sure?" Isaac inquired as he looked at me.

"I'm fine. We're just going to stay in here," Axel explained.

"Okay...just text us if you need anything," Holden trailed as he got up, following the twins out of the room. They closed the door behind them and I looked at Axel, laughing again.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Why'd you tell them to leave?" I questioned and then answered before he could. "So we could be alone?" I raised and dropped my eyebrows twice.

"Alexis," he started.

"You're my babysitter right?" I asked as I rested my head against the wall. He slowly, cautiously nodded. "Hottest babysitter I've ever had." I winked at him, clicking my tongue when I did so.

"Thanks," he responded as he stared at me. "You're going to regret this so much tomorrow."

"What's there to regret?" I asked him. "It's true." I reached out and dragged the tips of my fingers along his face. His eyes followed my hand was it traced the outline of his sharp jaw. Before pulling my hand away, I plucked his nose lightly. "This," I ran both of my hands lightly down his face, grazing his lips as I did, "belongs in an art gallery."

"Wait until I tell you everything you're doing tomorrow..." he trailed. I laughed loudly and he looked at me. "What?"

"I was just thinking about my chances with you," I responded. He furrowed his eyebrows as I allowed the tips of my index finger and thumb to meet, holding it up in front of me. It formed a big, fat 0. He laughed loudly as he shook his head. "I don't know why I've liked you for so long knowing that I don't have a chance with you."

"You're so self-deprecating," he told me with a shake of his head.

"I'm so whatty-what?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.

"You're so harsh on yourself," he clarified.

"Someone's got to be honest," I responded as I crawled to spot beside him, allowing my arms to find their way behind my head. "Do you know what I think about a lot?"

"What do you think about a lot, Alexis?" he inquired in amusement as he looked at me.

"Okay, first of all," I started, "why do you call me Alexis?"

"Because that's your name..." he trailed in a voice of confusion.

"Everyone calls me Lex," I responded, "everyone but you."

"Am I not allowed to call you Alexis?" he inquired.

"No, you can, but it's formal," I told him. "I'd expect my best friend to have some cool nickname for me, like Snazzy James."

"Snazzy James?" he asked with a chuckle.

"Yeah, why don't you call me Snazzy James, Axel?" I inquired.

"Because your name isn't James, Alexis," he responded. "You don't have a nickname for me either, now that I think about it."

"Because there isn't much to work with when it comes to your name," I told him. "Axel... I can call you Ax but that's stupid."

"Thank you," he muttered.

"No offense," I added late.

"None taken, Snazzy James," he responded. "You never did tell me what you think about a lot."

"Oh..." I trailed. "It's a secret."

"I think I'm pretty good at keeping secrets," he informed me.

"Are you sure?" I asked him and he nodded. "Like super sure?"

"I'm pretty sure," he answered.

"That's not super sure," I informed him.

"Okay, Alexis-," he caught my stare and he sighed, correcting himself, "Snazzy James, I'm super sure."

"Alright..." I started. "You."

"Me?" he asked.

"Yes you," I confirmed. "But more specifically..." I looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. He looked around too before glancing back at me. "Kissing you," I hissed in a whisper.

He smirked at me. "You think about kissing me?"

"A lot," I nodded.

"How often is a lot?" he asked.

"Every day," I told him before lowering my voice more. "Even now."

"Like right now?" he asked me and I nodded.

"Right now..." I informed him. "Come here, I have to tell you another secret."

"Another secret?" he asked as he leaned down towards me. I quickly pressed my lips to his cheek and he chuckled. "Was that the secret?"

"Was it not good enough for you?" I asked.

"It was fine, Snazzy James," he smiled.

"Good," I mumbled. "Because I'm done with secrets. I'm going to sleep."

+++

I woke up the next morning in Axel's house, more specifically his bedroom. I sat up, looking around as I ran my hand through my hair. I crawled out of bed to find myself in the clothes I wore last night at the party. Speaking of the party... My eyes immediately widened when the events of the party traveled through my mind. Oh boy. The more I thought, the more my face reddened. Oh boy.

I left Axel's room, peeking my head around. Are his parents home? I shoved open the guest bedroom, coming up empty. Evan's bedroom door was closed so I assumed he was still sleeping. His parent's bedroom door was open. Maybe they're downstairs? I listened for any noise, coming up short. Where is Axel? I walked to the bathroom, intent on peeing and washing my face. I heard the shower running as I approached the door. I sighed and turned around, heading back towards Axel's room.

I found my phone on the floor beside the bed. I lifted it and crawled back underneath the blankets, yanking the covers up to my neck as I scrolled along my social media, suddenly becoming aware of two things, one of them being my pounding headache and the other being my hunger. My stomach was growling noisily but I was too lazy to go downstairs and get a bowl of cereal or some other breakfast food. About ten minutes later, the door was shoved open and Axel entered with a towel wrapped around his waist. My eyes widened when I noted that he was shirtless and wet.

"What are you doing?" I asked hesitantly as I contemplated whether or not I should just pretend to be asleep to avoid an awkward situation. Luckily, I decided against it. What if he'd dropped the towel because he thought I was asleep?

He turned around and looked at me, allowing the towel to swing with him. I quickly covered my face with the blanket to avoid seeing something. "I just have to grab a few things."

I sighed as I remained under the blanket. I heard footsteps head towards the door and I immediately peeked my head out. "Axel, wait!"

I saw that he had clothes in his hands. He turned to look at me, quirking an eyebrow as his wet hair dripped water along his face and neck, finding it's way down to his chest. The water made its way to his stomach before being absorbed by the towel and I suddenly realized that I was gazing at his body. I immediately snapped my head back up so I was staring into his eyes. He was watching me and I knew he'd witnessed me basically scan his body.

"I'm hungry," I finally managed to peep, wishing I had something else to say. Coming out of my mouth after I basically checked him out, it sounded perverted.

"You know where everything is," he replied. "Go downstairs and make something."

I stared at him, unsure of what to respond. My head was swirling as I faintly remembered calling him hot last night. Cringe. "Okay..."

"How are you feeling?" he asked me.

I struggled to keep my eyes on his face. I immediately looked at the wall and shrugged. "I have a headache."

"That's kind of what happens after you drink," he told me with a nod. "Just give me a minute and I'll bring you some medicine after I change."

About ten minutes later, I was handed medicine and a glass of water. I quickly took the pills, wishing it'd take away the throbbing pain of my headache immediately. However, it did not. Instead I was left standing there in shame as I recalled faint portions of what I'd said to Axel last night. "So..." I trailed.

"Are you still hungry?" he asked me and I nodded. "I can run out and grab us some breakfast because I don't feel like cooking and I doubt you do."

"Yeah," I nodded. Yes please.

"Okay. Your toothbrush is in the bathroom still and any clothes you've left here in the past are in that bottom drawer," he told me and I nodded, watching as he grabbed his keys.

I quickly freshened up, cringing every time I remembered something. I can't really recall anything from after I fell asleep. I faintly remember requesting to be called Snazzy James. I waited patiently for Axel to return with food and when he did, I joined him downstairs at the kitchen table.

"Thanks," I mumbled as I stared at the meal in front of me. I paced myself as I ate it and he stared at me.

"How is it?" he asked.

"It's fine," I muttered before snapping my head up to look at him. "I'm sorry about last night."

"What do you mean?" he replied curiously.

"I didn't really mean to get drunk. It just kind of happened and I feel bad that you had to miss out on any fun just to watch over me," I blurted.

He shrugged as he cut up his omelet. "I didn't mind. You were funny," he responded.

"More like embarrassing," I mumbled, shaking my head.

"You remember what you said?" he asked with a smirk.

"Some of it," I told him.

"Yeah, what do you remember? I'll fill you in on what you don't," he told me, staring with a smirk.

"I remember calling you cute-," I started but he cut me off.

"Actually, it was hot, but okay," he corrected.

My face reddened as I continued. "And I remember asking you to call me Snazzy James. And I was laughing...a lot."

"You also kissed me," he added.

I began to cough as I stared at him. I kissed him...and I didn't remember?! "What?" I asked.

"It was on the cheek-," he started.

"Oh," I responded and he laughed.

"What? You wanted to kiss my mouth?" he asked and before I could answer, he did. "Never mind, you told me you always think about kissing me last night."

I closed my eyes and had a moment of silence for the loss of my dignity and self respect. "Is that all I did?" I asked him.

"Yeah...well that's all you did before you fell asleep," he responded as he glanced at me. Please don't tell me I farted in my sleep.

"Did I do something while I was sleeping?" I asked.

"No," he shrugged. I sighed in relief.

"When I woke up?" I asked. I don't remember that.

"Yeah, to head to the car when we were leaving but it was pointless to wake you because I ended up carrying you anyway," he shrugged and I wanted to crawl into a ball and fling myself into a deep fryer.

"Oh..." I trailed. "Did I do anything else?"

"Yeah," Axel chuckled as he moved around the food on his plate and I stared at him with wide eyes. The guys were in the car. Please don't tell me I said anything embarrassing.

"What did I do?" I asked him and he chuckled, earning an annoyed grunt from me. "Axel!"

"Okay so we got into the car and you couldn't buckle your seat belt so I had to do it for you and as I was leaning over you," he started to laugh as he covered his mouth, "you bit my neck, giggled, and then said 'kinky' before winking at me."

"Are you serious?" I asked with wide eyes as he nodded with a grin. "Did they see it?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "But that's not all."

"Oh no..." I muttered as he continued.

"And then when we were driving and you said your hands were cold so I was going to put on the heater but you asked if you could just put your hands in my pockets," he said through choked laughter. I stared at the ceiling as I contemplated whether or not I should just move away. "And then a short while later, you grabbed my thigh and just wiggled your eyebrows at me."

"I hate my life," I announced as I stared at the table. What are the cons of moving away? Having to transfer schools and leave my friends. And pros? Not having to deal with this embarrassment.

"Oh yeah, you also kept making suggestive hand motions while singing inappropriate songs," he replied.

I was too scared to ask what he meant by suggestive and inappropriate. "Axel..." I trailed as I put my head in my hands.

"And when we dropped everyone off, you told them that you loved them and that they need to stay safe and hydrated and take care of themselves," Axel explained and I sighed a bit. In my sober state, I wouldn't be caught dead admitting to caring about the guys, so it's a weird thought but I prefer doing this rather than grabbing Axel's thigh.

"I have to leave the state," I told him. "There's no way I can face them now."

I would've rather farted in my sleep.