b r e a t h e

Chapter Thirtyone

Alex leads me quickly and steadily through the thick, wooded forest. "Look," he whispers pointing at two people pulling the flower and failing.

"Do you have a shovel?" I ask, glancing at Alex.

"Why would need a shovel?" He looks at me, confused.

"Dig up around it. I bet someone placed the flower in a pot with dirt and the pot is in a block of cement." I explain quickly. "It's always been on my bucket list to break an urban legend."

"You're crazy."

"And you're in love with me. Come on and help me."

"It's not like your wrong so whatever."

"So you're gonna help me pull the flower out?"

"Let's just go home." Alex groans, annoyed.

"Come on, please!" I beg. "Please just help me with this one thing."

"Will you do something in exchange?"

"As long as it doesn't cross any boundaries, sure." I nod and drag Alex over to the flower.

We dig for a long time. We use our hands and our feet, anything that could help us. We finally make it through a couple inches and all I see are roots, no cement. "Told you so."

"This is creepy, let's go. Right now." I take Alex's hand and sprint out of the forest and through the town.

We get back to Alex's bike and we both quickly hop on. I wrap my arms tightly around him. "Don't worry, princess. You're safe with me."

"I know I am." I mumble back to him. We drive the rest of the way in silence. When we get home, we go straight to my room.

"You look awfully shaken up. I thought you don't believe in the crap."

I don't. "That flower gives me the creeps. I feel like I've seen it before."

"Weird..."

"What's the stupid thing I need to do in return now?"

"It's fine, put it on hold... Let's just watch cartoons and make out." Alex grabs the remote from my bedside table, flipping through Netflix and putting on The Powerpuff Girls.

"You always know how to make me feel better." I smile at him.

"As do you." He gives me a smile back. "Bed?"

I nod and crawl in after him. We spoon casually, watching The Powerpuff Girls. "What's the thing, Alex?"

"This." He moves closer, pressing a hand against my thigh and kissing me softly. His hand moves slightly up, but doesn't go any further. Alex pulls away after a moment.

"You don't need to help me dig up a flower for that."

"I know. That's all I ever really want though. Aside from spending actual fun time that doesn't involve us making out."

"It feels different with your lip piercing." I smile. "A good different. I mean, I love both."

"Good to know." He smiles, glancing at my lips.

"I never wear them but it doesn't close up." I explain.

"That's not why I was looking at your lips."

"Not shy at all now, are you?"

"Nope, and definitely not with you." He chuckles, blushing a bit.

"Blush indicates nervousness." I pinch his cheeks.

"Doesn't mean I'm shy." He smiles, leaning in a bit.

"Hold your horses." I smile.

"Is your mom home?" He presses his hand onto mine.

"I don't know. We can't be loud though."

"You're the loud one of the couple." He smirks.

"That's only because you bite down on my neck more times than either of us can count."

"It can't hurt that much." He rolls his eyes.

"Oh really?" I tempt, inching towards his neck. I lay a quick and soft kiss before biting down with my front teeth. Alex moans loudly, slapping a hand over his mouth.

"Jesus Christ, princess." He pushes me over, towering above me, supporting himself with his arms. "You sure know how to turn a guy on."

"Thanks." I wink at him, tracing my finger in spirals on his arm.

"Do you even try?" He laughs, bringing himself closer.

"Try what?" I stare at him, innocent confusion filling my face.

"My God, princess." He smirks with a quick eye roll.

"Are you talking about this?" I roam my hands down his chest and to the waistband of his pants. My fingers rest comfortably there and lift up his shirt a little. "Do I even try to do this?"

Alex's face reddens and my ring finger draws little circles on his stomach. "Yes, that."

"Oh, then no. I don't try." I smirk at him and give a quick wink.

"Ella Gone, you're really skating on thin ice. This might become something you don't want if you don't stop."

"Oh really now?" My index finger slides under the waistband of his pants a tiny bit, almost unnoticeable. Almost.

"Shit, Ella." He pulls himself close to me, laying kisses down my neck. "Stop what your doing."

"Make me."

His hand runs to my waistband by my hipbone. One, two, three, four, five fingers slide under. "Is this gonna make you stop?"

"Nice try." I couldn't give two craps. Or three. Or one. He hasn't gone anywhere near No Man's Land.

"I won't be able to stop myself, princess." He mumbles into my skin, kissing my 'sweet spot'.

"Alex, stop." I laugh, taking both hands and pushing them on his chest. "I was just teasing."

"And teasing turned me on." Alex rolls his eyes.

"Is there a switch to turn you off?"

"Doubtful. Being Ella and all."

"Dammit, Reed." I roll my eyes. I look to both sides of me and his arms are still blocking my way. "What do I have to do to be able to leave?"

"The usual." He chuckles, leaning down and kissing me.

The Powerpuff Girls play in the background and by the end of the episode, Alex pulls away. "May I watch my cartoons now?"

"Yeah," Alex sits up, handing me the remote.

"Thank you," I smile at him and rewind a couple of episodes.

"No problem, princess."

"I love that nickname, but I'm gonna die if I don't find out what it means soon."

"Wait till I'm drunk." He chuckles.

"You said you won't..."

"Exactly."

1.21.16-1017 Words

EVERYONE GO WISH @squidsrawesome A HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY AND I NEED TO FINISH THIS BOOK BEFORE IT ENDS SO GET READY FOR LIKE FIVE BACK TO BACK CHAPTERS

-glo