WHAT IF! cole walter

CHAPTER SIXTEEN, confusing feelings & a cozy winter night

The next day, Julien picked Hollyn up as promised, and the two had a great time at the coffee shop. They laughed and talked, and it felt so natural and comfortable. Hollyn was definitely starting to fall for him, and it seemed like he was falling for her, too. After the coffee shop, they headed to school. Julien walked her to her locker and said goodbye, kissing her cheek before he left which caused her to duck her head shyly as her face heated up.

"You and the new kid seem cozy." A teasing voice speaks up from behind her and she turns to see Erin smirking at her. "He's kinda hot." She comments, watching as Julien walked down the hallway, greeting some of the art club members he knew thanks to Hollyn. "How do you two know each other?"

"We met at the art school I went to in France. He showed me around and we became friends." Hollyn shrugs, smiling a little. "Kinda funny 'cause now since he moved here, I'm showing him around now."

"You two look pretty close." Erin raises an eyebrow, her tone suggestive. "Are you sure there's nothing going on between you two?"

Hollyn feels a knot form in her stomach at Erin's questioning, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts and emotions. She didn't want to lie to Erin, but she also didn't want to complicate things further by revealing her true feelings for both Cole and Julien. "We're just friends, Erin." Hollyn replies, trying to keep her tone casual despite the unease churning within her. "Nothing more."

Erin shrugs, a sly smile on her face. "If you say so." She hums. "But for what it's worth, Shortcake, you two would make a cute couple." She added, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Hollyn's face flushes pink, her stomach fluttering with nervous butterflies. "Thanks, Erin." She mumbled, trying to ignore the fluttering sensation. ""But I just don't wanna hook up with him. I like him, and I don't wanna ruin that by having a fling." She sighs, closing her locker after getting the books that she needed. "I wanna have a real relationship, not a one night stand."

"Hey, I get that, trust me." Erin says, her tone sincere. "But you should at least give him a chance. Who knows, you might actually work out." She suggests, a small smile forming on her lips. "Just think about it, Shortcake. I know you and I know you haven't had a boyfriend before...You deserve to be happy, and he makes you happy. Why not give it a try?"

Hollyn pauses, chewing on her lower lip when she noticed Cole at his locker, talking to some of his friends. He looked really good, as always. But seeing him reminded her of the previous night during the storm. When she dared him to kiss her, when he started to lean in, when his lips almost touched hers. Her heart raced as the memory replayed in her mind.

"Hollyn?" Erin asks, seeing her stare at Cole. She follows her gaze, smirking when she realized who she was looking at. "Who would've thought that his best friend would be effected by the Cole Effect." She said teasingly, nudging her shoulder against Hollyn's. "I thought you were immune to it, being his best friend and all."

"I don't know." Hollyn murmurs, glancing at her. "Last night during the storm, something...Happened." She confesses, her cheeks turning red. "But it doesn't matter, nothing will come of it. He's your ex and my best friend, and I don't wanna ruin anything. Besides, I like Julien. I like him a lot." She confessed, but she couldn't help but glance back over at Cole. Her heart skipped a beat when she found out he was staring at her, too. He gave her a soft smile and a wave, and she couldn't help but smile back and wave.

Erin smirks, noticing the way they looked at each other. "Uh huh. I know you like Julien a lot, that's obvious. But it's also obvious that you like Cole, too." She tells her, a teasing grin forming on her lips. "I think you would be good with him or Julien. But it's up to you. It's your choice."