Around in a Circle

Chapter 6

Leah Cranston

"Paris, the city of love." Maddox mutters.

"Wow you know something for once." Chloe says jokingly.

"Well I can't believe you messed up the bus times again." Maddox says. Chloe thought we had plenty of time to catch the bus from the airport to our hotel but she was wrong, again. So instead of waiting for a few hours for another bus, we decided to walk it.

"Shut up Maddox you wouldn't have done any better." Chloe rolls her eyes.

"At least you admit that you and me are both at the same dumbness."

"No that is definitely not what I meant." Chloe says.

"So how long do you think it's gonna take to walk?" Austin interrupts and I glance up at him.

"No idea, hopefully not too long, my shoulder's killing me." I say, as I adjust my Nike sports bag with one hand, while pulling my suitcase behind me.

"Would you like me to carry it?"

"Oh, no, I'm fine." I say as I readjust my bag again.

"No, it's fine, honestly." He says as he grabs my bag from me and swings it over his shoulder.

"A-are you sure? It's gonna get heavy. I've got quite a lot of stuff in there."

"Nah it's fine." He chuckles and I smile. He's so sweet.

As we keep walking, I start talking to Chloe alone from the boys.

"Why haven't you been talking to Austin lately?" I ask quietly.

"I dunno." Chloe shrugs.

"Are you okay? You seem... I dunno, a bit off lately."

"Really? Do I?"

"Yeah. Is something up?"

"N-no. Nothing." She says as she kicks at a stick on the ground. I stay silent.

"You're lying." I say.

"What? N-no I'm not."

"You're lying." I say again.

"Guys, do you guys wanna stop for a quick break in this cafe?" Chloe says as she looks at a nearby cafe. I roll my eyes at her attempt at changing the subject. I'll talk to her later.

"Sounds good." Austin says. Maddox nods. We all walk in and order our drinks. We sit down, me and Austin on one side and Chloe and Maddox on the other.

"Seriously, how much longer is there to go?" Maddox groans as he leans back in his seat.

"Um." Chloe bites her lip as she looks down on her phone. "It's not too far..."

***

"Hey what about you, Lee? You have anyone you fancy at the moment?" Chloe asks teasingly. I roll my eyes. Don't ask me how we got into this subject.

"No." I say quickly.

"Really? Aw I'm sure you might have someone in mind." Chloe says.

"No, not really." I say, playing with the straw of my drink.

Everyone goes quiet. Why did I make this conversation really awkward?

"Chloe, can I talk to you real quick?" Austin says. Chloe nods and they both stand up and walk away.

"Wonder what that's about." Maddox says. I shrug.

"I dunno." I say just as a blonde waitress walks past.

"Cutie." Maddox says after she leaves.

"Ugh, get a room." I say as I take a sip of my drink.

"Do you reckon I could get her number?"

"That's literally all you think about when you see a girl isn't it?"

"Well, that's how you became mine." He says, slinging his arm around the seat next to him and taking a sip of his drink casually.

"Seriously?"I say, rolling my eyes.

"You know you want me." He says.

"What has gotten into you?"

"Nothin."

"Okay.... You're acting like, really weird."

"I am not." He grins.

"What's with the grin?"

"Hey. It's the grin that you 'melt when you see it.' Isn't it?" He smirks.

"Shut up. You really are desperate, for a girlfriend, aren't you?"

"Yeah. And I think she's sitting right in front of me."

"Maddox, just please, shut up."

"You know you want to be my girlfriend."

"Maddox, I-"

"Lee," he says as he gets up and slides into the seat next to me.

"W-what?"

"Do you still get nervous when I do this?" He says as he leans forward up close to my face. I lean back. "So you do." He says, leaning back.

"No I don't."

"Prove it."

"Why should I?"

"Duh, so you can prove it to me?"

"Fine." I say, but I hesitate for a second. What am I getting myself into? But I am not going to lose in this.

I lean in. Maddox's face remains unfazed. I lean in even more. He looks at me in the eyes. Oh, his eyes. They are one of the best features about him that I grew to love so much. Before I know it, my face is only inches away from his. Suddenly I feel a quick peck on my lips and Maddox pulls away.

"What was that for?" I ask.

"Well, you seemed to be asking for it so I gave it to you." He says cockily and smirks.

"Okay, listen Maddox. You're the one that cheated on me okay?" I say, just as the others arrive, and I look away.

"Sorry guys," Austin smiles as I look back at them. "Took a while."

"We were fine." Maddox says.

"So should we continue on?" I say, getting up and quickly.

"Sounds good." Austin says.

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Hey guys!! Oh my god it's been soooo long!! I'm so sorry I updated so late! I know this chapter is quite short and it doesn't have a lot happening in it, but I just wanted to quickly get this chapter uploaded! I have exams and ugh they're stressful but I'm going to try and make more time for writing this story!! xx

This chapter was dedicated to @mindy_kuuipo14 for voting for a chapter!! Thank you so much!! xx