Charming Taylor.

Chapter: twenty-four.

I found Monroe at the football field, running up and down the field, his face was red, his shorts hung low on his waist, his hair was full of sweat sticking out at every angle. I’ve never seen someone so gorgeous.

Monroe's bare chest glistened under the sun showing off his perfect six pack and v-line. I smiled making my way to the bottom bleachers, not wanting to interrupt Monroe, I sat there and waited until he was finished.

I wasn't really sure how Monroe was feeling after his depressing birthday.

I mean I wouldn't want to relive the past either. Monroe noticed me after three laps, he jogged toward the bleachers pulling his headphones out of his ears.

"How'd you know I'd be here?"

"Lucky guess?" I said smiling at him.

Monroe grabbed his Gatorade chugging down what was left of it.

"Well, what's up?" Monroe said sitting next to me on the bleachers.

"I just wanted to know how you were doing."

"Fine." Monroe said shrugging his shoulders. I nodded my head sucking in a breath, I intertwined my fingers together not looking up from the ground.

I still had so many questions about Blake, but knowing how Monroe reacts each time, I just didn't want to push my luck.

I leaned back on the bleachers, closing my eyes. My hair blew in the wind surrounding my face, I pulled the sleeves of my hoodie over my hands.

"Blake died in a plane crash."

"Coming home from spring break, I flew home a day early because my brother was flying in from Paris. I should've stayed that extra day, and boarded that plane with her but I didn't."

I kept my eyes closed not saying a word, my heart went out to Monroe and Blake's family it was a terrible story. I couldn't imagine how they felt, let alone still feel.

"That was the worst phone call I ever received."

" I called her phone over a hundred times, hoping, praying that it wasn't true."

"But each time it went to voicemail, reality sunk in, it hit me. And when it did.. It me hard, I haven't been the same since."

My eyes snapped opened, I turned my body facing Monroe.

"Monroe, thank you for telling me." it was a relief knowing Monroe was actually starting to trust me.

"It felt good telling someone else besides River and Zaylin." Monroe said dropping his shoulders.

I nodded my head, turning my attention back towards the field.

"Monroe?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm truly sorry."

"Don't be. Sometimes I blame myself." Monroe said folding his hands together.

"Monroe." I said placing my hand over his.

"Don't ever think for a minute that this was your fault. It wasn't, You didn't know."

"I couldn't even attend her funeral. I didn't want to believe it. I'm such a coward."

"You're not a coward."

"That was my first time visiting her grave Chanel. First time in four years."

My eyes widened, as Monroe poured his heart out to me, no one deserved to feel this pain, not even Monroe.

"You know Monroe, you're the strongest person I know. Even though you don't believe in yourself.. I believe in you, I always will." I smiled at Monroe, squeezing his hand.

Monroe smiled at me, leaning over pecking my lips lightly, it started off soft and gentle, but something clicked the need for Monroe was unbearable, I wanted to get close to Monroe as much as I possibly could. I know Monroe felt the same way, as Monroe gripped my body pulling me closer to him, this wasn't just any kiss, this was a mixture of emotions. Emotions I couldn't figure out yet. But it felt damn good.

Monroe pulled back placing his forehead on mine, Monroe licked his lips looking straight into my eyes, making my heart go crazy.

"Thank you." Monroe whispered placing a kiss on my forehead.

"For what?"

"Believing in me." I smiled at Monroe pecking his lips lightly before pulling back, I shifted my body laying my head on Monroe's sweaty bare chest.

I had to tell Adrian and Zoe I didn't want to fall through with this plan anymore, before we leave to Paris.

I didn't want to lose Monroe,

I wanted this to be real.