Sommerstall Academy

Chapter 28

Florence

"So, Snow White, how was your night beneath the stars?"

"Liam, shut the fuck up and get your own nickname," Elija snaps. I stifle a laugh. Liam might not be my favorite person but I don't want to make him feel bad.

The guys and I are at our hangout again. Benji, Liam, and I came here after the race, not before they forced me to get late breakfast though, and the others just joined. They wanted to take showers first which I more than appreciate as the scent of Elija's body wash wafts over me. Not sure when it happened but it kind of became one of my comfort scents. Does that sound weird? Probably but I don't care. If my thoughts can't be weird then what can?

All the guys look at me expectantly so I tell them. I'm sure they all remember the last trip so I just tell them I wanted to do that again. They didn't really question it.

"You should have just told us. We totally would have been down," Benji tells me.

"Speak for yourself," Liam mutters though he gets ignored like usual. I flash him a quick smile since I feel bad before turning to Benji.

"I didn't plan on doing it and you guys were busy." I shrug but don't miss the looks the guys share. Love to feel excluded.

"Next time, no matter how busy we seem, you tell us where you're going or at least make sure your phone is on," Orion tells me. I smirk at that.

"I knew you guys loved me," I tease them. "Especially you, Elsa. There's a soft heart hidden beneath all that ice, isn't there?" I add towards Orion. The guy's just a big softie using some strong sarcasm to keep people from coming too close.

"You wish, Lorence," he tells me but I'm already on my feet. "What are you doing?" He asks with narrowed eyes.

"You just need a hug to melt away some of that ice, don't you," I say playfully, enjoying the way his eyes widen slightly. It's a fun game, not going to lie.

"Lorence, if you hug me-" I don't give him time to finish his threat but wrap my arms around his neck.

"Don't worry, Elsa, it's okay to care about others." I stroke his hair in a jokingly comforting manner.

"Don't touch my hair, you hag! Guys, help me!" he yells even as his arms gently stay on my back.

Deciding I've tortured him enough, I finally release him.

"Anyone else?" I ask the guys. Before someone can react, Jamie swoops me up in a hug.

"Ha! My flower girl, I got her first!" he announces proudly, squeezing me tight enough to make it hard to breathe. I won't complain though, not when he's this cute.

"Actually, she was my friend first! Give her back!" Benji protests. Soon, all of them start bickering like little boys. At least I stop being the topic quickly so I can sit down next to Elija.

"I swear sometimes it feels like we're ten again," he mutters. The affectionate expression as he watches his friends tells me he all but minds.

"You're lucky to have each other," I say a little wistfully. I didn't mean to make a remark but it just kind of slipped. Elija obviously heard it since he turns to look at me. Way to ruin a nice moment, Florence.

"I'm pretty sure they like you more than me," he tells me, making me laugh. "I'm serious. You should have seen them when they found out I lost you last night." He lets that sink in for a beat. "I'm sorry for that. I should have said it earlier but I somehow tend to be on my worst behavior around you. Either way, it was really sucky of me to act that way last night and I'm really sorry."