First Love, Worst Love

Chapter 16 - Words And Actions

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey guys! Thanks so much @nirbhao_nirvair for sending in this gorgeous cover for today's chapter. I looove it! Def a contender for the official cover :D

Hope you like today's chapter - please comment, vote and help me spread the word ^_^

Big hugs, have a great week everyone!
Becky xx

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Chapter 16

Words And Actions

Tuesday. Wednesday, Thursday. And then finally Friday.

I don't know how I manage to wait that long, but somehow I do. My life trundles along as boring as ever, but it is littered sporadically with mysterious, sexy texts from my mysterious, sexy not-quite—but-almost-boyfriend.

When I used to speak to Kieran, we would exchange long friendly messages of flirty jokes and conversation. Jaxon is nothing like that. He is wild and erratic. He will go a whole day with no communication, then suddenly send me a brooding picture with his toned, bare stomach in shot. Or a wink face. Or the number of days until Friday night. I know he's counting down the hours, just like I am.

At first, it was hard to get used to his text patterns, but now I'm finding the Jaxon Stark rollercoaster totally thrilling. It's exciting. Unpredictable. I have to earn his attention, and when I finally get it I feel fireworks. No boy has ever made me feel like this before. Not even Kieran.

That's why as I'm standing outside The Fishtank, I can't stop my stomach twisting and turning in fear. There has been so much build-up to tonight and I really don't want to disappoint Jaxon in any way. Not after last time.

Annabelle looms over my shoulder. "You appear to have stopped functioning, Ash. Are we going in or what?"

All I can do is squeak in response. My nerves are overwhelming me and I can't even move.

"You can't get cold feet now," Sarah laughs behind me. She pushes gently against my back. "Come on, you can do this. We can ALL do this. The boys are going to be so happy we're here."

Since Annabelle has been seeing Dev and Sarah hasn't stopped speaking to Raj since our last meeting, we decided to go for a big group meet-up tonight. It made sense. Safety in numbers and all that.

Only now I'm standing beside my two best friends I feel more nervous than ever. They are dressed up to the nines and look stunningly beautiful. I couldn't afford a new outfit so I'm just wearing an old dress I've worn a thousand times before. I know Jaxon hasn't seen it before, but I suddenly feel so dull and drab in it.

We collectively take a deep breath and inch to the club's entrance, going through the same ritual as last time. We pass the row of fishtanks on the wall, buy our tickets from the bouncer and enter into the dark noisy room which is pounding with life and energy.

I scan the crowds of people the moment we're in inside. There are guys with Mohawks jumping into the mosh pit and clusters of tattooed girls in PVC outfits all drinking at the bar. But it's Annabelle who spots the guys first.

"Ooh, I think I just saw Raj," she announces, squinting her gaze to the back of the room. "They're all at the back, let's go!"

She forges her way fearlessly through the busy room, her long blonde hair flying out behind her. My heart is beating so hard as I follow her lead. I don't think I'm prepared enough yet. It's all happening so quickly! We get stuck temporarily behind a group of balding rockers who are blocking the way to the bar area and Annabelle uses the moment to speak directly into my ear.