~Chapter 5~

"I think I'm gonna throw up," Winter announced, running from her seat towards the nearest toilet. Liam got up and rushed after her, looking concerned while Axel just shrugged as he watched his friend disappear, stealing his drink.

We had come out to celebrate the end of Winter's photo shoot. Now all that was left was the launch which was happening at her fashion show in a couple of months time. I couldn't be more excited for my friend and she definitely looked a lot more relaxed now but I didn't think she was back to her usual self just yet.

Maddie was with us too but she wasn't drinking tonight. After that terrible night, she'd been trying her best to swear off alcohol. I didn't know how long that'd last because drinks were her vice but so far she'd been doing really well. We all offered to not drink tonight to show our support but Maddie waved us off saying that she didn't want to spoil our fun and that mocktails were pretty good too.

"Do you guys want to dance?" I asked the two people still sitting with me in the lively club.

"You two go. There's a cute blonde sitting by herself at the bar so I'm going to try and get her digits," Maddie said, looking as bright and perky as ever as she slid out of our booth.

"How does she have so much stamina? Liam mentioned that she almost always leaves with someone when she goes out. I'd burn out so quickly if I were her," Axel commented, looking both impressed and astonished.

I gave him a lopsided smile. "That's just Maddie for you. I swear, she never runs out of energy."

Axel chuckled, swirling the last of the liquid in his glass. Taking a leaf out of his book, I took a sip from Maddison's mocktail that she had left behind. "You know, Maddie was right. These are actually pretty good," I said as I handed the glass over to Axel.

Using the same pink paper straw that I did, he had a sip, nodding in approval as he handed it back to me. "Who would've thought. Maybe I'll start having these from time to time. They cost way less than actual cocktails anyway."

I liked how Axel wasn't one of those guys who refused to have a cocktail because it was 'too girly'. From what I'd seen so far he was very open minded and always up for trying new things.

Speaking of new things, I had recently found out something new. "Axel," I started and he hummed in recognition, taking another sip from Maddison's mocktail. "I was on the phone with my brother, Zack, earlier and he mentioned that you guys are good friends. How come you never said anything?" I asked, not bothering to beat around the bush.

When you grow up in a predominantly male environment you tend to start acting a bit more like a guy and adopt their mindset in a sense. I'd never understood why girls were so cryptic and liked to speak in some sort of secret code where they always dodged around what they were asking.

My brothers had always been very blunt with me and were all too stupid — bless their souls — to understand hidden meanings in words so I learnt very early on to get straight to the point.

He shrugged, not looking at all flustered by my question. "I didn't think it was that important," he told me but the way he said it had me raising a questioning brow.

That was too slow, too calculated. For once, I was actually thanking my media training for helping me spot lies and insincerity easily. "You're a terrible liar," I commented smoothly, taking Maddison's mocktail from him to have a sip. I really needed to find the recipe for this; it was amazing.

He watched me for a moment, looking mildly impressed. "No, I'm telling the truth."

"But not the whole truth," I said, not missing a beat.

His mouth broke out into that charming goofy smile of his and I could feel my resolve melting. "Alright, you caught me," he said, still smiling like an idiot — an adorable idiot. "I wanted you to like me for me and not feel forced to get on with me 'cause of Zack."

Was he blushing? Oh my god, he was actually blushing.

"Besides, we both know what Zack is like. I didn't want you to think I was like that. You know, for once someone couldn't prejudge me. I just wanted that chance — you know? To make my own first impression without my playboy friend or the media screwing it up. I know I can't change the media part but it was still better than nothing. I also didn't want you to think that I'd already made an opinion on you. What I told you was true: I didn't know what to believe when I met you for the first time but Liam wasn't the only one who had told me about you. Speaking of, Zack cares about you a lot. Did you know that? It's actually really cute 'cause he — oh god I'm doing it again, aren't I? Sorry, I get told I ramble sometimes," he said, breaking off his train of thought and blushing even harder. He shook it off quickly though, clearing his throat to mask his embarrassment.

It wasn't until he finished speaking that I realised I was smiling the whole way through his explanation, clinging onto each word he said. "Don't apologise. I like it when you ramble," I told him honestly, flashing him a bright smile. "And yeah, I totally get what you mean. Don't worry about it. Having someone judge you before they've even met you sucks but I guess we both picked the wrong profession if we wanted to get away from that."

Axel laughed, trying to take Maddison's drink but I shook my head defiantly at him, having another sip. He gasped in mock exasperation, grabbing the orange paper straw from his drink to put in the mocktail. "Now we can share," he grinned boyishly.

I winked in return, gently nudging him under the table with my foot. "I have a feeling we'll be sharing a lot of things in the future," I said, unable to stop the slight suggestiveness in my voice. I wasn't sure whether to blame it on the alcohol or on being an untameable flirt.

"Oh, really?" he asked, easily matching my demeanour.

I nodded, smiling bashfully. "Yep," I said, bringing the pink straw to my lips. "I've been told I'm great at it."

"We'll have to see about that," he said lowly, taking a sip as well. "But I wouldn't mind you showing me."

I looked at him over the glass between us. "Maybe if you keep smiling like that..."

Unable to hold it in any longer, we both bursted out laughing, the sound fizzling out around us.

Zack was right, I really was a flirt.

~*~*~

"Oh fuck off," I scoffed at Liam from where I was sitting at the back of the car.

I could see that smug grin on his face through the rear view mirror and if he wasn't driving I'd definitely have strangled him by now.

Liam laughed wholeheartedly as he parked the car, slipping out of his seat and going to grab the suitcase from the back. Axel also got out from his seat next to me, smiling to himself, probably going to help Liam.

I heard Winter groan from the passenger side, resting her head against the window. "Win, are you okay?"

"No, my head is pounding. You three go ahead. I'll wait in the car," she mumbled at me.

Sighing, I reached to the front of the car to give her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "But you won't be able to say bye to Axel otherwise."

She groaned again, pressing the button to wind down her window since, luckily, Liam left the keys in the ignition. "Hey, Axel," she called and he turned his attention to her. "I'm not feeling great so I can't come in with you but bye you idiot. Hopefully Liam isn't too much of a terrible influence on you."

Axel grinned at her, pulling her into a hug through the window. "I'll see you soon, Win, and don't worry I'll try and whip him into shape for you."

Winter chuckled, waving goodbye as he went back around to the back of Liam's car. "Done. Now, please don't wake me up until we're back home."

Rolling my eyes fondly, I got out of the car and caught up with the boys who were wandering into the airport at the pace of snails.

"So, how did you find your stay?" I asked Axel, poking at his side to get his attention.

"Pretty good. I might've even come back again but then I'd be stuck with both of you," he said in mock horror.

Liam shoved him lightly, smirking at his friend. "Nah you love me and would've been dead bored without me. Can't say the same for Harper though. That girl can get hella embarrassing when she's drunk. I told you about when we first met right? She—"

"I think that's enough, Liam. No need to remind Axel of that atrocity," I said, grimacing as the memories flooded back to me.

Axel chuckled, smiling teasingly at me. "How could I forget that story? Definitely one for the history books."

I groaned in annoyance, glaring at both the idiots next to me. "I'm so not coming to drop you to the airport next time," I said to Axel, sticking my tongue out childishly at him.

He pulled me to his side, holding me a bit tighter than I was expecting. "No, Harper, you'd never do that to me. I thought we became best friends. How could you?" Axel gasped over dramatically, that teasing look still on his face.

The smile I was trying to hide escaped and I turned to hug him because we'd gotten to the point where we'd have to leave him. "Seriously though, come visit again soon."

He grinned, hugging me back. "I'll try my best but I have a feeling we'll bump into each other anyway."

"I wouldn't hold your breath on that one. This earth has over seven billion people on it."

"True," he said as we pulled apart, grabbing his suitcase and carry-on from the trolly Liam had gotten. "But the universe has a knack for creating the situations you'd least expect."

Liam cleared his throat loudly from beside us. "If you two are done with your lovey-dovey talk, I'd like to say bye to my friend if you both wouldn't mind." His voice was layered with sarcasm.

Liam patted him hard on the back and Axel returned the gesture with equal enthusiasm. "I'll see you soon, Axe."

"Like you could keep me away for that long," he said to Liam, winking.

"Don't miss me too much," Axel called to both of us as he walked away, waving one final time before disappearing around a corner.

Strangely enough, I probably would miss him.

~*~*~

Chapter 5 is done guys! I hope you liked it.

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See you next week 💜💕