Miles Away (A Squad Fanfiction)

Chapter 15

"Oh no no no no no."

"Oh yes yes yes yes yes."

I gave her the stink eye. "Fine."

Then, I let all the giddiness overwhelm me. I couldn't stop smiling. "Well?" Tes pressed, trying to suppress her obvious grin.

"Is it-?" "I think I'm in love with Ariel." I blurted out. Blood flooded my cheeks, warming them up as I blushed deeply.

Tessa squealed. "I knew it!"

"Did you guys have moments? Did you guys touch each other?"

"Tes." I laughed.

"Have you held hands? Did he do anything sweet? Did he-?"

"Tessa." I warned whilst laughing. "Stop, I can't hear you." "Oops sorry." My friend replied though she had a wide grin across her face.

"He comforted me last night after our run-in with James, and also this morning after my nightmare. He wrapped me into a burrito." I laughed, smiling softly.

I considered telling her that Ariel kissed my forehead three times, but I decided against it.

Some things should be kept secret.

"You do have moments!" Tes giggled. "Oh my god, Lexi, I'm so proud of you!" I looked down, smiling, my word doc forgotten. Tessa continued to chirp happily and I nodded along but my mind was elsewhere.

Does Ariel have feelings for me?

"Anyways, Sky's here. I need to go. See you later, Lexi. Love you loads." Tessa smiled as her boyfriend leaned in to kiss her in greeting. I grinned and waved hi to Sky. They were such a cute couple. "M'kay. Bye, Tes."

I ended the call, closing my Skype tab as well as my word document. I was going to plot a new book, but all I seemed to be able to think of was Ariel.

That man was seriously driving me crazy.

- - ❁ - -

I was in George's room with him. We were sitting on his bed, both of us focused solely on our phones.

I smiled a little at a message I got from Tes. It was a photo of Sky, standing awkwardly, dressed in a tuxedo.

Went shopping and made him wear this. He looks super cute!!

I clicked out of the app and tossed my phone on the bed. "There's nothing to do." I complained to George who switched off his phone and turned to look at me.

"Well you could head up to your room to chat with Ariel. I'm sure he's willing to chat." George smirked.

I shook my head, shifting closer to George. "I want him to catch up in sleep." I replied, wringing my hands and flexing my shoulders.

George fell silent and I straightened up, looking over at him. I caught his bright gaze. We stared on and dimly, I was aware of a little voice in my head, telling me to break the eye contact. This had never happened before.

In a haze, I closed the gap between us, leaning over him, my body flushed against his, and pressed my mouth to his.

I felt George push me back gently almost immediately. My eyes widening as I realised what I had done and scooted back a couple centimetres. Guilt flooded through me and I searched for signs of disgust and rejection but I found none.

All I saw was George's concerned face. "Lexi, are you ok?" He frowned.

Am I ok?

"No." I admitted. He nodded. "No wonder you didn't want to go back. What's wrong? Why did you kiss me?" He asked. The way he stated it plainly, acknowledging what had happened, caused relief to flood through me. He wasn't mad.

"I- I don't know, George." I told him. "But you got me thinking of Ariel... And suddenly... You're the only dude here... I... " I tried to explain helplessly, unable to find the words to form a complete sentence.

"How does Ariel make you feel?" George cocked his head. "It's the best feeling in the world. He makes me feel safe and protected. Loved. Giddy. Happy. It started off as a crush, one that I thought would fade away, but unlike the ones I used to have, I'm drawn to him. It's like we're connected. I- We- The feeling's just... You can't put it in words. It's amazing." I told George, smiling softly as I twirled my hair around my finger.

My friend nodded once. "Lexi, I think you wanted Ariel so badly, that, for a second, your body thought I was him, and you acted like that." George tried to explain.

I blushed, adverting my gaze. "Sorry George... I didn't mean to do that."

Surprisingly enough, George had the nerve to laugh, sitting up straighter and ruffled my hair.

"You must really love Ariel, don't you?"

I sighed, scratching my cheek. "I guess." George smiled sympathetically. "If you ever decide to give it a go, just remember that whatever happens, Ariel's not that kind of guy, and don't forget that I'll always to beat him up for you." He added, grey eyes glittering with amusement.

He wasn't specific, but I knew he was referring to my catastrophic incident with James.

I wrapped my arms around his torso, resting my head on his chest. "Thanks George. I'm really lucky to have you as a best friend." I murmured.

- - ❁ - -

"No George, I'm not going. I want to stay here." I rolled over on the bed to look at him, who was standing in the doorway.

"It's just a trip to Walmart. Please, Lexi." He begged me. "Yeh, that's what I thought so too, last time." I grumbled.

You have to put James behind you, Lexi. You can't do this forever. I chided myself.

"Sorry George." I looked up. "Didn't mean for that to come out as it had." I apologised.

"It's good. I know it's hard on you." George sighed. "I'll come with you." I gave in, feeling guilty about what I just said, regardless of what George said.

"Are you sure?" Ariel asked.