catching feelings | paxton hall yoshida |

five

word count: 775
tw: none
*unedited*

*****

"Hi Paxton," Georgia chirped with a small smile gracing her lips as the boy stepped into the kitchen, a full trash bag in his right hand.

He set the bag on the floor beside him and smiled with kind eyes, leaning against the counter. "Hey, G," a small smirk grew on his face. "How are you feeling?"

Georgia rolled her eyes playfully, "I'm fine, the hangover is fading, I think." All of the trash in the kitchen was cleaned up and she continued her current task of wiping down the counters.

Paxton raised his eyebrows, "I'm surprised. You seemed pretty wasted by the time we left the party."

She shrugged, "Yeah, but like you said, I'm a lightweight."

He chuckled, "That you are." He gently took the towel she was cleaning with from her hands and took over for her. She smiled graciously and took her turn leaning against the counter. "So... crazy night."

Georgia froze in her spot. Did he want to talk about the kiss?

He continued, not looking at her. "Can't believe Devi got bit by a coyote."

Nope. He wanted to talk about Devi. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She shook her head at herself. "Yeah, I know! I'm really glad she's okay," Georgia said sincerely.

Paxton turned to her and smiled, "Me too." He set the towel on the counter. "I'm glad you were there... and that I didn't have to take her to the hospital by myself."

Georgia felt her cheeks heat up in a blush and desperately hoped he didn't notice. "Sorry I was so drunk," she said weakly. "It probably didn't help much."

"Nah," he waved off. "Seeing the attached sobered you up, I think." He held her gaze for a moment. "I..." he trailed. "I really appreciated what you said last night. To make me feel better. I needed that."

She twiddled her fingers nervously. "Of course! That's what friends are for."

He smiled and nodded, "Yeah. You're a good friend, Peach. I'm glad Trent brought you into the group."

Georgia's heart skipped several beats at the nickname coming from his lips. "I'm glad too," she said quietly.

It was then that the two heard a high pitched scream from upstairs. They looked at each other before booking it up the steps. "Trent?" Paxton shouted.

"Are you okay?" Georgia called out as they opened each door to find their friend. They finally opened the master bedroom door to see Trent standing over something by the bed.

"Dude, what's wrong?" Paxton asked, worry covering his face.

Trent looked up with a look of disgust. "I found a used condom... but I don't think it's from the party."

Georgia looked to the floor in front of Trent, and her hand flew up to her mouth and she fake gagged. "Oh my god, that's disgusting." She gagged again. "Who just leaves that on the floor??"

"My parents, apparently," Trent shrugged nonchalantly. "So anyway," he continued. "I invited some people over to swim with us."

"Oh dope, who?" Paxton inquired, leaning against the doorframe.

"Just the inner circle, Markus, Luke, Zoe, Zach."

Paxton nodded, and then the doorbell rang. "I can get it!" Georgia offered. "You guys can deal with... that," she nodded  to the condom on the ground.

"That's all you bro," she heard Paxton tell Trent as she left and jogged down the stairs to the front door.

Georgia reached for the door handle and pulled it open, letting a warm smile fall on her lips, "Hey Luke!" she greeted, cheerfully.

Luke seemed thrown for a moment. "Oh hey Georgia," he combed his fingers through his floppy, blonde hair. "I didn't know you'd be here." He smiled brightly down at her.

She stepped aside and motioned him in. "Yeah I was just helping clean."

"Oh you're staying to swim though, right?" He turned to face her.

"Um yeah," she said, her confidence faltering. It seemed like he really wanted her to be there. "Yeah definitely."

"Cool," he nodded. "So how are you doing? I was hoping to talk to you at the party last night, but I barely saw you around."

"Oh I'm good!" she told him. "First hangover, but not too bad," Georgia informed, giggling as she did so.

Luke chuckled softly, "it's gotta happen sometime, right?"

"Right," she agreed, looking away from his intense blue eyes nervously.

"So um, I wanted to ask you if -'' Luke was cut off by a sharp knock on the door, and the sound of the boys' feet stomping down the stairs.

"Pool timeeee!!!!!" Trent threw his arms around the two and led them to the back door while Paxton answered the front.

*****
there is almost 700 reads on this i can't believe it 🥹
who is your favorite nhie character??
mine is probably trent, he always kills me w his out of pocket comments lol