C4 Four

The hustle and bustle at the square was something I was not used to. So many people were on the street today although no activities were planned. It was just a normal Saturday night.

If it wasn't for Caden, I wouldn't even be here. I would be at home in my bed, playing music, editing my story, or watching Korean drama and drooling over Kim Soo-Hyun.

"You always act like that. You tell me all day long that you are coming and when the time arrives you want to cancel. Do you know what I'm going to cancel? The subscription to our friendship when you don't show up!" Caden had yelled after I told him I was in the midst of

a breakdown because I didn't know what to wear. I was staring at my closet full of clothes to wear, but I didn't have an outfit. That was a valid reason not to go out tonight.

"Bitch, put on something and bring your fat ass over here. I've told Axel you're going to be there, so you better show up." He was trying to play cupid for me and Axel, something I wasn't really fond of.

Axel and I have been talking every day after we hung out, but he was still unsure of what he wanted. I don't want to pressure him into something he was not ready for and I definitely did not want to be a rebound.

My phone vibrated and I swiped my thumb across the screen to see who it was.

Zion.

I let out an annoyed groan before deleting the message. I didn't even bother reading it.

Zion was a childhood friend who always had a crush on me. In the eight years that I've known him, he never stopped shooting his shot at me.

Every time I needed him, he was always there for me. Like a gentleman. And every time he needed me, I ignored him. Like a bitch. Like today.

"What are you thinking about hotness?" said a familiar voice behind me. I turned around and saw Caden grinning at me. "Outfit approved."

"You're late," I muttered with my hands across my chest. I inspected his outfit. A redshirt paired with a black leather jacket, blue ripped jeans, and red Nike shoes, he was definitely dressed to get laid tonight.

"I need to tell you something before we go," Caden fumbled with the zipper of his leather jacket as he continued, "Axel brought Lilah with him." The last part sounded more like a whisper, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

I narrowed my eyes at Caden as I grabbed my phone out of my back pocket. I should have known. "I'm going to call Zion."

Caden grabbed my phone out of my hand. "Are you that desperate? You and Landon hang out together even though y'all have a history. So why can't Axel and Lilah?"

"Landon is not my ex and I'm not stuck on him." I hissed, trying to grab my phone back. Can this night get any worse than this?

"Axel came here for you. You've already disappointed three guys tonight for not going out with them, don't make Axel the fourth." Caden said in a matter-of-fact tone. Oh, I can if I want to.

Instead of fighting Caden, I decided to just let it go and roll my eyes at him. "Fine."

It was a chilly night and the cold breeze pierced through the thin black fishnet bodysuit I wore. I really need to start checking the weather before choosing an outfit next time.

Landon and Quinton were lazily leaning back on Axel's car with a joint between their

fingers when we arrived. Lilah was sitting on the trunk talking to her brother who, as Caden told me, is a close friend of Axel.

Axel however was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly I felt a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer from behind.

"Hi, Noodles." A voice I knew too well whispered, his icy breath tickling my neck.

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

Axel

"Hi, Noodles," I whispered, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She turned around and a pair of arched eyebrows looked up at me. It was a pleasure to see her flowing, raven-black hair and plump pouty lips again.

The last time I saw her was a week ago when I took her out for a drive to the beach. We've texted and called each other every night since then and I've learned how different she was from all the other girls I have ever met.

Aulia was completely unexplainable. I thought she was a good girl, but once I got to know her, I realized she was everything. She was crazy, funny, smart, and honest.

"You smell like vodka, Sunshine," she said, narrowing her eyes at me. She looked so cute when she did that. "Have you started drinking already?"

Sunshine. That was her oh so clever nickname for me.

"Why do you never smile in pictures?" she had asked during a round of twenty-one questions. It was almost three in the morning and I had work tomorrow, but I couldn't get enough of her crazy questions.

"Who even smiles in pictures?" I laughed, "I need a reason to smile." "You always look angry, smile a little."

"I look like a clown to you, Noodles?"

I heard her giggle on the other side of the line. "What a ray of sunshine you are." She said

followed by a short pause. "Sunshine." she breathed out after a while. "That's it. That's going to be your nickname."

"Oh come on, I'm the opposite of sunshine." "Well, I meant it sarcastically, Sunshine."

"I may have already drunk a cup or two," I told her as I brushed her hair to the side. "Do you want me to make you a drink?"

She nodded her head.

I walked over to the passenger seat of my car. There was a bottle of vodka and a bottle of sprite waiting for me there.

"Making a drink for your lady friend?" Quinton asked, looking at me with an amused expression on his face.

I chuckled and shook my head. "Yes, I am. Are you jealous babydoll?"

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Quinton asked after a while. I could hear the distress in his voice.

I nodded my head at him. It was today or never. I'm not going to get a chance like this again. "Yes."

︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵

"Caden, I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to steal your friend away for a bit," Axel announced, holding out a hand to me. "Wanna go for a drive, Noodles?" It was getting late and everyone had already drunk enough to even remember tonight.

Lilah was looking at me with a blank expression on her face when Axel asked me the question. I hesitated, unsure of whether to accept his offer.

When I was about to place my hand in his, Lilah jumped off the trunk. "No!" she yelled out, shoving Axel off me as I watched the whole scene unfold in a Shakespearean drama.

"Get in my car, Aulia!," Axel yelled at me while trying to shield himself from Lilah's hits. I couldn't move, I was shocked. I saw them arguing in the distance, Lilah yelling and

screaming at him.

"Get in his car," Quinton grabbed me by my arm and shoved me in the passenger seat of Axel's car.

"What have I done?" I looked up at Quinton with a worried expression on my face. I didn't want to fight with a girl over a boy. That's so middle school.

And I can’t fight, but that’s beside the point.

Quinton chuckled and shook his head. "You didn't do anything, you're a lucky girl."

Lucky girl my ass.

"Where's Caden?" Only now did I realize that Caden was not in the car with me.

"He's riding with me," Quinton said, "Let me go help my poor cousin and your friend boy from that psycho."

I watched how Quinton was playing referee between the two ruffs. Wait, did Lilah just try to hit him? Holy shit. This was even better than a Shakespearean drama. If only I had popcorn right now.

After what seemed like hours, Axel finally made his way towards the car. Thank god, I was dying to know what the fuck was going on.

He let out an exasperated sigh as he plopped down in his seat. "Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry," he whispered, reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his hand lingering there for a few seconds. "She realized what she lost, but it's too late now."

I was so taken aback by the contact that I was unable to move for a moment, wondering when this shift between us happened. I couldn't help but ask myself if I was reading this situation wrong, but how else was I supposed to take his gaze lingering on my lips and his touch on my jaw?

Part of me screamed that this shouldn't happen, not with Lilah standing outside banging with her fist against the window. But another part of me wanted this to happen.

"That's a shame," I said when I finally found my voice. "I can treat you better."

I was worried that I had said the wrong thing when I saw the surprise written across his face, but it soon morphed into a shade of awe. "We will see about that."

Before I could ask what he meant by that, his lips were on mine. I was taken aback.

It was a tease of a kiss as if he was testing the waters before going for a jump, but when his tongue brushed my lower lip I realized he was not the type to wait for long.

So as Lilah was throwing a fit outside, I gave in to him. She didn't deserve him and I'll show her what regret feels like.

Deep down I knew I was going to hell for doing it, but I didn’t care because all my friends were going to be there also.

I got lightheaded as Axel’s mouth moved against mine. His hands were warm and firm on my waist. We broke apart only to draw in shaky breaths but quickly came back to each

other, too desperate to waste a moment. His fingers were tracing delicate patterns on my arm while my own tangled his hair.

I can hear Lilah outside screaming and yelling at him while hitting the window, constantly repeating that she still cared about him.

It's then when he finally pulled back and stared up at me like I was some dream come true. This night couldn’t get any better.

"I'm sorry," he exhaled, eyes locked on mine as his thumb brushed against my cheek.

"Trouble never looked so goddamn fine."