This chapter is dedicated to @cuteandinnocent for voting and commenting! Thank you so much!

••••

"Shut the fuck up!" I shout, a smile on my face.

"Nope. Known him for eight years, why don't you believe me?" He questions.

"Because you're so happy and polite and he's so...." I make a face, scrunching up my nose.

"Cocky? Arrogant? Acts like a child?" He suggests, a teasing tone beneath his words.

"Exactly." I say, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, but he's alright once you get to know him."

"You sound so convincing..." I drawl, rolling my eyes, a playful smile still on my face.

"You're just gonna need to figure that out yourself then."

••••

I wake up the next morning at seven am and quickly hop in the shower. After that, I dry my hair, brush my teeth and get ready for the day.

I'm dressed in Adidas trainers and Nike sports leggings with gold writing saying just do it along my calf. For my top, I quickly throw on a grey, loose crop top and set off out of my dorm room.

We're also in California, so there's no need for a jacket even if it is September.

Damn you climate change.

Rob also sleeps like he's in a coma, with no chance of waking up, so I wasn't worried about disturbing him.

I set off on my small walk to my recently found gym/dance building.

I discovered it around three months ago and have since then continued to go twice a week. If you phone up the owners, a old and very cute couple, and tell them when you want the dance studio, they'll book it out for you. For free.

The only good thing about being a student. Sympathy.

The only payment is a mention whenever you perform.

Alright for some, I suppose.

The walk takes around five minutes and I listen to music on my headphones whilst I walk along the moderately quiet streets of California.

As I push open the doors to the building, I'm immediately greeted by a welcoming voice.

"Morning, Skylar. Here for the dance studio?" The receptionist, Chloe, who I've come to know through my many visits, beams at me with her usual bright smile.

"You know it. Can I go straight up?" I ask, eager to go and start dancing.

"Yep, you know where to go!" She says.

I love her enthusiasm and everything, but it is still half seven in the morning...

"Damn straight I do." I laugh, trying to match her happiness but miserably failing.

I go up the two flights of stairs and pass the gym. The stairs have a wall of windows going up and looking into the gym, meaning anyone can look in.

Hello, insecurities.

I push open the wooden door to the dance studio, already finding myself smiling and feeling ready to dance.

A pine wood coats the floor. The walls are all white, with one covered in mirrors and one at the back completely made of windows. There's a stereo by the wall of the windows and I immediately walk towards it.

I set up my phone and bring the remote for the stereo with me as I begin to warm up.

After five minutes of stretching, I grab the remote off the floor and press play.

That's what I like by Bruno Mars fills the air and I let out a breath.

I close my eyes and begin dancing, my body easily recognising the familiar routine.

I keep my eyes shut as I dance, letting the music guide me and cancelling out the rest of the world.

In regular performances I try to keep my eyes open and put some kind of expression on my face, but when I'm by myself in the studio, there's no point.

The dancing continues for my set hour until the last song comes to an end and I'm drenched in sweat.

Changing my t-shirt to a spare one in my bag, I head back down the stairs.

I begin slowly walking down the grey concrete stairs when something stops me in my path.

Axel.

Working out.

Sweet baby Jesus I was not ready.

He's on a cycling machine, right by the window that allows people to look in while they pass by.

His head is down, but his curly brown head of hair is easily recognisable.

Sweat covers his arms, I can slightly see a bit of his tanned forehead, it too covered in sweat.

His muscly arms seem tense as he grips the handle bars of the bicycle. He's shirtless, only wearing a pair of loose shorts, meaning every one can admire - I mean look - at his arms.

Okay I look like a stalker.

I must have been standing here for a good thirty seconds.

As I take another step down the stairs, I go to grab the handle bar.

But I miss.

I quickly come clattering down. The world spins off axis but fortunately I only fall down one step before landing on my ass.

The sound of me falling into embarrassment must of been louder than I anticipated because I look up shamefully to see Axel looking down at me.

He grins at my position on the stairs. Both of my legs are resting in a weird position and one of my arms are on the step that is behind me.

I'm practically lying on the stairs.

Realising my awkward position, I quickly stand up and hurry down the stairs. Making sure to keep my hand on the handle.

Ignoring Axel completely.

After I make it down, I quickly throw a smile to Chloe, the receptionist, before hurrying out of there.

The whole walk back to my apartment, my cheeks are burn red and my hands shake.

Reminding myself that it was only Axel who saw (hopefully) I try to brush off the embarrassment as I walk into my dorm room.

Rob lies on his bed, looking sad. But as soon as he sees me, he begins laughing.

"Who lit the fuse to the tomato bomb?" He asks between his chuckling.

"Shut up." I point a finger at him as I plop down on my bed.

"What the hell happened?" He asks.

"Nothing, I went to practice my dance and I fell where people could easily see me. It's fine." I shrug, not wanting to talk about what just happened.

"You dance?! That's so cool!" He exclaims.

He clearly redirects the conversation to dance, and I'm very grateful.

Sitting up on his bed, he leans against the wall looking excited.

"Yeah, since I was like six. Not that big of a deal." I shrug.

"That's so cool!" He repeats, looking as though he still doesn't believe me.

We slowly lapse into silence. I look back at Rob to see his sad expression has returned.

"Why are you so sad?" I ask.

"Nothing. Family shit." He shrugs, trying to brush it off.

Not gonna happen, hon.

"Tell me." I state, wanting to know how I could help.

"Well you know how I'm gay right?" He starts off as my eyes widen. "Does that bother you?"

"No, not at all. I don't know why people think it's such a big thing, it literally shouldn't change someone's opinion on them." I say, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Okay, thank god you think like this! So basically, I told my mom I had a date next week and then she told my dad. Long story short, my dad doesn't agree with me being gay." He frowns, looking up at the ceiling.

I immediately get off my bed and go and encase him in a hug. "People have their own views, it's your choice wether to be affected by them or not."

He gives me a reassuring squeeze. "Thanks cupcake, I appreciate it."

"Cupcake?" I ask.

What is it with these boys and giving nicknames?

"Because you're sweet." He winks.

"No." I say, shaking my head.

"Well you're stuck with it now, better get used to it," Rob stands up and goes to reach for the door handle. He then turns back and says "Cupcake." Before winking and slamming the door behind him.

At least he's feeling better.

••••

The rest of the day goes slowly, I attend a lecture and then head home again.

I really need a social life.

That night as I lay in bed on my phone, a text message arrives.

Your cute butt alright?

Perfectly peachy, thank you.

Good, be careful next time you're near me - I can be distracting ;)

I think it was the ugliness that made me fall...

His username begins to annoy me.

Cocky ass he is.

So I quickly change it, when the next message comes in.

Ooft, harsh.

So, am my your nighttime booty call? Cause if I am, I'm going to have to kick you where it'll hurt.

Leave my balls out of this. They don't deserve that.

Seeing that this could go on for a while, I quickly try to end the conversation.

Goodnight, Axel.

Goodnight, my balls and I wish you a very lovely sleep.

I sigh in relief as I power off my phone and turn around in my bed. I sense myself smiling and immediately make myself stop.

No need for that.

My mind wanders and I can't seem to get any sleep. Classes, assignments and boring social life drama can't seem to get out of my head.

As I finally drift off to sleep, a sudden thought occurs to me. I haven't seen my roommate since nine am.

Where is Rob?

••••

Well....where is Rob?! What are our feelings about Skylar and Axel's late night text messaging? ;)

I would love to know what you're thinking!

Plus, Skylar's fall. Ouch.

But something I would probably do, I'm so so clumsy....

Also, the photo at the top is how I imagine the dance studio!

Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter!

Much love,

Jade x