The Elementals

Chapter 5.5: Cuddle Struggles

The group made their way through the last half mile of forest in no time. Elizabeth fell in step beside Kyle to check on the sleeping girl and Noah took the lead, Brandon and Candice in the back. They have been travelling for about forty minutes, and they were starting to see signs pointing in the direction of Wanborne.

"It should be in our view in a little while," Noah called over his shoulder.

"Should we wake Alexis up?" Candice yelled from the back. "If I have to room with her again she won't even go to sleep since she's resting now." The blonde stopped walking and turned around, flicking his gaze to the girl in question.

"Didn't you say that when you tried to wake her up she went straight back to sleep?" Kyle asked, stopping in his tracks.

"If she doesn't get up I'll just slap her a few times," Elizabeth said with a shrug.

"No one's slapping anyone. The moment she wakes up we'll get her on her feet and moving around," Noah said as he walked up to Kyle. "Move your face." He rolled his eyes and turned his head to the side, Alexis' chin resting comfortably on his shoulder. She mumbled something when he moved and her legs shifted, a motion that seemed like she was trying to roll over. Kyle adjusted his hands on her soft skin and lightly squeezed the back of her upper thighs, hearing a small hitch in her breathing as a response.

"She's pretty much awake already," he said. Again, she mumbled something and sighed. Noah pressed his hand to her forehead and held it there for a moment, then put it against her cheek.

"She feels a bit warm. I hope that's because of you and not the water," he said as Alexis started to nuzzle his hand.

"Want me to put her down?" Candice chuckled at the question and crossed her arms, shaking her head at the question.

"Have fun with that. I wasn't joking when I said she was a hardcore cuddler."

"C'mon, it shouldn't be that hard," Brandon said, dropping the things he had. He walked behind Kyle and put his arms between the other boy's lower back and Alexis' hips. Giving a small tug, the girl's body rose but instantly went back to its original spot.

"Kyle, let go of her legs," Noah said. He did as he was told and stood straight, the girl sliding down his back. Brandon got a better grip and pulled again, Alexis only groaning and tightening her hold around Kyle's neck and waist.

"I don't want to go, the bed is really warm today," she whined, burying her face into the curve of the boy's neck. Kyle's face burned red as a shiver went through his body and he put his hands on Alexis' knees, pushing down on them.

"How does she have so much strength in her legs?!?" he exclaimed. Candice and Elizabeth laughed at their efforts and Candice placed her hands on her hips.

"Thought I wasn't serious, huh?" she mocked, pouting her lips. "You think that just because you're guys you have the strength to do anything! This of all things should be sooo easy, right?" Elizabeth nodded and shifted her weight to her right leg, jutting out her hip.

"Get it over with boys!" she said with a chuckle. Noah sighed and grabbed one of the sleeping girl's arms, pulling gently enough so that he didn't have to worry about hurting her. Brandon pulled from the back once more and her legs gave way, the sudden jerk making the tall boy nearly fall back. He strengthened his hold on her and wrapped his arms around her hips like a hug, holding her against his stomach.

"Alexis this isn't funny. You can get off now," Kyle said nervously, grabbing the forearms wrapped around his neck. He pried her off and the rest of her body started to slide down his back, but her small hands tugged at the rim of his dark jeans.

"I'm still tired..." she mumbled, attempting to lift herself back onto him.

"Can I slap her now?" Elizabeth asked, standing beside Brandon and examining the situation. Noah grabbed Alexis' wrists and removed her hands from Kyle's pants.

"I said no slapping. We just need to get her on her own two feet," he said, throwing one of her arms over each of his shoulders. Brandon let go of her lower half and she almost hit the ground, but the other boy lifted her up. When her legs were properly under her, Noah rested a hand on her lower back and pushed her against him to straighten her up. Her body was extremely warm compared to his and she was starting to latch onto her new surface. She nuzzled his chest and squeezed his shoulders, her long nails lightly digging into his skin as she stretched out her short legs and flexed her back. A relieved sigh came from her and she lazily opened her brown eyes.

"Good morning sunshine," Candice said. Alexis blinked a few times and stared at nothing, not acknowledging the sarcastic greeting. One of her hands slid down Noah's chest and she felt around his stomach, looking alarmed. Abs?

"Is there a problem?" he asked, the vibration of his voice in his chest rattling Alexis' ears. The small girl glanced up at the boy she was being held by and met his soft, deep blue eyes. Their gazes locked for a moment, her brain slowly processing the situation she was in. Becoming more aware of where his gentle hands rested on her body, she pushed away from him with a yelp and jumped back.

"Whoa! Slow down there girl," Elizabeth said, catching her as she tripped over her own feet.

"Don't worry; I'm sure a lot of girls are scared of that face," Kyle said with a smirk. Noah glared at him but managed to force a smile onto his lips.

"Funny.." he said through gritted teeth, turning his gaze back to Alexis. "Are you feeling okay?" he asked as he walked towards her with her bag. She nodded and averted her eyes from his, quickly taking the item. He kept his stare on her for a moment, unaware of how nervous she was getting. Before it could get any more awkward, Kyle butted in and bumped his hip against his opposite's, wrapping an arm around his neck. His happy, light brown eyes seemed to smile at Alexis when she looked up at him and she visibly relaxed.

"Lucky for you, you don't have much farther to go. The next town is practically around the corner," he said. Noah rolled his eyes and removed Kyle's arm from around him.

"Really?!? How long was I out??" she asked.

"Forty-five minutes," Noah said as he turned his back on the two.

"And I carried you the whole time. It couldn't have been easier," Kyle said, raising his chin triumphantly. Elizabeth snorted at that and Candice gave him an are-you-kidding-me look.

"Really? Please explain how easy it was for you to hold her properly without freaking out about where your hands went," Elizabeth said, crossing her arms.

"Yes, please do Kyle," Candice prompted. The boy glared at the two and turned around, starting to walk away.

"Easy enough!" he said. Brandon patted the confused Alexis on her back and clipped her daggers back around her thighs. He put an arm over her shoulders and pulled her along as the group continued to push forward.