Fade (On Hold)

Chapter Six:

     "How's Lover Boy?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin as I whirled around to face Jason, stumbling. Jason's arms shot out to catch me, setting me upright, a smile tugging at his lips.

"You scared me," I gasped, shooting daggers at him.

"Not my intention, angel," he murmured, keeping one hand planted firmly on my waist as the other reached up to adjust the beanie that was slipping off my head. Oh right—my hair was gone.

I felt my cheeks redden as his intense gaze swept over my face.

"You're embarrassed," he observed. "Why?"

My mind went into a brief overdrive as I tried to think of a response. "Your zipper's down," I blurted, and Jason's eyes flickered down to his pants.

"You suck at lying," he grinned, amused. "What is it really?"

I lifted a hand to gesture towards the lack of hair on my head, and Jason smiled. "Don't be embarrassed about that," he murmured lowly, his thumb starting to trace circles on my hip. "It means you're a fighter. Don't ever be ashamed about that."

I surprised myself when I reached up to wrap my arms around his neck, giving him a loose hug. He went rigid for a moment before snaking his arms around me, tightly pulling me into his chest. His heartbeat was unsteady, erratically beating against his ribs.

"Thanks for that," I whispered, before releasing him.

"No problem," he coughed. "Here comes Lover Boy."

I turned to see Baxter approaching us, his expression unreadable. "Hey," he said as he reached us, giving me a tight smile. "Can I talk to you?"

I shot Jason a frown, but he merrily shrugged in return, waving me off. "I'll be here when you're done."

Nodding at Baxter, he led me around the corner to an empty spot against the wall.

"What do you want?" I demanded, and he takes his fingers through his hair, tugging at it lightly out of frustration.

"I miss you," he voiced, his usually carefree tone was now spilling with trouble and torture, "I hate not talking to you, I hate not hanging out with you, and I'm sorry, God, I'm so sorry that I jumped to conclusions. I didn't know the context and I didn't know what happened and..."

I held up a hand to stop his rambling, the corners of my mouth quirking up into a tiny smile. "Shut up," I advised, and an unsure grin erupted onto his tan face.

"We're okay." And I meant it. Baxter was my best friend, and not talking to him wasn't easy. Not thinking about him was hard, and I found myself sulking in bed whenever something reminded me of him.

"Thank God," Baxter praised, and with one step he closed any distance between us, his warm breath fanning my neck as he bent down, gently tilting my chin up.

     "Were you just gonna ask me for forgiveness?" I teased, and his lazy smirk informed me that no, he didn't just want my forgiveness.

     "I have something to give you," his chocolate orbs sparkled mischievously as he lowered his mouth to my ear. "Close your eyes."

     I obeyed, and I was pressed against the wall, Baxter's fingers running down my cheekbone, tracing my neck and my collarbone. "Wha—what are you doing?"

My eyes flew open and Baxter chuckles, grabbing my hand. "I'm not gonna hurt you," he reassures me, and after giving him a long, skeptical look, I finally relax.