"Oh. Yes. Can you just imagine this with a pair of blush heels, maybe the ones with fluff covering the strap?" Carrie fingers the material of the sheer pink bodycon hanging on the rail- with her spare hand- the other with hangers draping off every finger.

"It's cute but do you really need another pink dress. You're being incredibly cliché right now... and so am I telling you that..." Vixxie sighs leaning on a sale rack that Carrie's just badgered her way through. She twirls one of her tight black curls around her finger and lets it drop, overly bored with the fact we're entering our sixth hour of shopping. Even my feet are hurting and I live in bone-crushing pointe shoes. I'm not objective about shopping either, in fact, I quite enjoy it but shopping with Carrie is... well it's harsh.

Emily suggested we do something just the four of us today since the boys are having a 'guys day' which she informs me is just drinking, eating pizza and playing stupid video games, she says they'll come crawling back to us when Brady's mom kicks them out of his basement to get some fresh air. Although when Carrie suggested we head into Atlanta to do some shopping I didn't think it would turn into this. I feel like it's survival of the fittest, Vixxie lagged out after two hours, Emily four and I'm reaching my breaking point at six.

Emily nudges my calf from her space on the floor where she collapsed half an hour ago whilst Carrie was looking at shoes. She then proceeds to crawl under the clothing rack Carrie is looking through. Vixxies brows furrow, ceasing conversation as she watches our friend disappear... then-

"BOO." Emily shoots up in-between the racks, Carrie leaps backdropping the hangers to the floor catching the attention of a sales assistant behind the counter. Vixxie and I dissolve into a fit of laughter drawing more unwanted looks of disdain from fellow shoppers.

"You bitch!" Carrie cries holding her chest but the corner of her lips tip up as she starts to laugh. Way too loud than what is socially acceptable for someone shopping In a department store. A few more assistants peer from the counter as Carrie picks up the clothes from the floor.

"As much as I love you, I don't love this and I am starving. Can we please go grab something to eat now?" Vixxie whines, clutching her stomach. Like a call and response mine whales at her words- I haven't eaten since this morning and I'd completely forgotten to have lunch. I spy a few more department store workers walking towards us, talking on their headsets and walkie-talkies.. flanked by two beefy security guards. Whoops.

"Yeah I think we should... uh... leave." The girls look behind them at the flurry of staff not so slightly following through the clothing racks to us. We rush to grab our bags and dart out into the mall, fast walking until we're passed a few more shops. Chatting we make our way through the upper level of the mall passing other groups of teenagers doing absolutely nothing productive. It's so dull that the mall is such a hot spot for teenagers, especially when we're all strapped for cash. We keep walking, Vixxie rambling on about this girl she met at one of Rutherfords partys...but something feels weird.

Like someone's watching me?

I turn subtly and assess my surroundings, a group of girls follow behind us heads engrossed in their bags gawking at each other's purchases, a guy giving out vouchers stands outside a food stall, a few more people pass by with headphones on and hands full of bags but nothing out of the ordinary. The air feels cold as a chill runs through me, I suppress a shudder facing back to where I'm walking. I just feel like their eyes are on me, crawling across my skin. Maybe I'm just being paranoid but I... I felt like this earlier... like someone was... following me? It's been on and off throughout the day i-

"Atlas? Hey?"

"Earth to Atlas?" I blink looking to find three faces, brows scrunched looking at me with concern.

"Sorry? What did you say?"

"Are you okay?" Vixxie clutches my arm tighter, her coloured streaks of hair flowing behind her as we walk.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm fine. I just zoned out. I was practising late last night." Not a lie necessarily. Vixie's stare penetrates me like she's disbelieving of my excuse but lets it drop with a squeeze of my arm.

"I was asking if you'd heard anything from Julliard yet?" Carrie smiles timidly, she's already heard back from NYU- Starting her fashion course after graduation.

"No. Not yet." And it eats at me every single day. I feel like everyone knows where they're going, what they're doing and we're only a few months from graduation. I still haven't heard back from my audition and every night I fall asleep making a mental list of all the things I did wrong when I did my audition.

"Well, I wouldn't worry. You'll be getting that letter soon. I'd bet money on it." Emily smiles reassuringly and it doesn't look fake, she looks genuinely sincere. My heart beats with the hope I've been trying to the damper.

"What... what are you going to do about... you and Blaze...?" Emily asks looking at her feet, we've had conversations about this before. Rutherford has been offered all of his college choices and Emilys been offered the one, like me, she dreams to do photography at Rhode Island School Of Design. Rutherford doesn't know where he wants to go yet and is in two minds about whether to stay with Emily and go to school in the same state as her or go somewhere else with a better offer.

"Uh... I... we'll uh... cross that bridge later. I don't even know where I'm going yet and I'd never want Blaze to give up anything he's worked for. He belongs at Alabama and... there's planes and stuff." I sigh, it's something I've thought over but at the same time pushed it away. There's too much to worry about now and the thought of Blaze... leaving... makes me feel sick.

"Alabama's quite far though Atty. Did you know that only like one in ten high school couples survive college?" Six eyes glare at Vixxie, my heart echoing in my ears, "What! Just facts! It's college. A new level of freedom and the chance to be your own person you know. Be sexually free and hook up with..." If looks could kill Vixxie Joy Richmond would be fricking dead... times three, "Whoops. Sorry." She bites on her bottom lip, the thing I love the most about Vixxie just became the thing I hate- sodding honesty. She's right. College isn't high school... it's different... bigger. What if I do hold Blaze back from that? He should get to have those opportunities right? "Ignore me. I'm just sour because I'm single." She giggles and picks up on another topic trying to sweeten the dense mood but the solemness follow us deep into the mall. I try and focus on what they're talking about, Carrie and Emily seem to fall back into a decent mood but I can't rid the niggling feeling in my mind, eating away at me like it's been there for a while.

My phone pings in my back pocket.

I frown at my phone... he's meant to be at Brady's.

I don't have time to look up from my phone before a bellow sounds across the floor and a stampede of feet get louder coming in our direction. I'm swept off the floor with a squeal and just from the floppy blond hair dangling in my eyes I know it's Brady. He places me on the ground as a hand shoves him back, another one drawing me into a hard chest keeping me stable.

"What are you guys doing here?" VJ punches Brady In the arm for good measure.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm the only one who's not pussy whipped and can't go a few hours without being in the embrace of their beloved." He mocks and I can't help but laugh. If looks could kill Brady Jenkins would also be lying in a puddle of blood on the floor... brutally from the guys. "Although I don't oppose hanging with my Atty."

"Watch it asshole," Blaze growls, the sound reverberating through his chest.

"Ooo possessive daddy." B whispers in my ear, heat covering me in a deep red. He chuckles and winks at us both, Blaze's hands tightening against my back, "Though we could grab some food at Rubys together." B leads us through the mall, my hand swinging in Blazes as we pass the shops.

"Can you really not spend a few hours without me?" I tease pinching his undeniably hard abs- doubt he even felt it.

"Eh." He shrugs.

"EH? Is that it? Maybe I will go hang with B." I say smugly and start walking ahead of Blaze.

"Like hell you will." He demands and pulls me back to his chest. I giggle into his black T-shirt. "Of course I can't go a few hours without you. It may be fucking embarrassing but I'll own it like I just won the Superbowl."

"That's a compliment right?"

"Damn fucking right Blondie." His hand moves lower on my back. We get to the entrance of the mall and that horrible feeling that someone's watching me returns, my hand tightens in Blazes' feeling overly hypervigilant. "What's up?" He stops us just outside the doors, the warm night air hitting my skin making me clammy. It's not dark out yet, the sun just beginning to set as we're nearing the summer months. I scan behind me and again nothing seems out of place. I'm probably just tired.

"Nothing. Just hungry." I kiss his cheek and pull us across the lot until I spot his car.

Blaze hits the steering wheel for the third time in the last five minutes. His knuckles are white as he groans.

"Fucking traffic." He mutters, eyes narrowed on the Toyota in front.

"Calm down, there's nothing we can do." He swivels around and shoots me the same cold glare. One that would most likely scare the shit out of any passersby, one I've seen far too often before people run in the opposite direction or meet his fist but I just chuckle. "Screaming bloody murder is not going to make us move any faster." His eyes soften and his head falls back against the headrest in the mustang.

"Sorry." He mumbles moving one of his tensed hands to my thigh, squeezing on the bare skin. Car horns blare around us and I can feel Blazes fingers itching to hit the damn wheel again. "Wait." Blazes hand leaves my thigh, my skin immediately feeling cold again, "I can take the back roads. It'll take a few minutes longer but at least we'll be fucking moving." He does a three-point turn in the queue of cars, flipping off a few fellow road users in the process and revs down the other side of the road before swerving onto a side road that's shrouded by vast woodland. The sun is setting above us drawing in a light dusting of stars. Cool spring air flutters my hair around the seatbelt as Blaze turns the volume up on the radio before moving his hand back to my thigh, my skin pimpling under his warm touch. He smirks, eyes still on the road but moves his thumb in circles. My stomach tightens as a shiver runs deep.

"Are you sure you're okay, you seemed kind of freaked out at the mall?" His eyes drift between me and the road, barely any other car users on the stretch of tarmac.

"Yeah... I just... I thought I saw something but I didn't, must have been the dusk playing tricks." Or someone saw me. Blaze looks at me sceptically but I change the subject before he can further press, "How was Bradys?" He shrugs, a stand of his ink hair falling over his forehead.

"Eh, it was alright. Same old."

"That's it?" I nudge his bicep, Blaze has a way with words but seemingly they've abandoned him right now.

"Everything's boring if you're not there anyway." His hand squeezes my thigh and I resist the urge to squeeze my legs together.

"Oh god Blaze."

"What?" I chuckle shaking my head.

"Firstly that was so cringy and secondly I refuse to be the catalyst in ignoring the whole bros before hoes thing." Blaze barks out a laugh turning towards me with sparkly eyes.

"Bros before hoes?" He mocks, his white teeth gleaming in the retreating sun.

"Yes! And I hate that word." I purse my lips, I hate such derogatory words. If girls want to have as much sex as they want they should be able to do so without being embarrassed and humiliated for it. Boys get off with a pat on the back and a sense of being 'a man'. Blaze chuckles again.

"I know you do. And that wasn't what I meant. I... like spending time with the guys... I just meant I can't do this when you're not there." His hand moves up my thigh slowly until it's sat under the hem of my skirt.

"What... what are you doing..." My voice comes out as more of a whisper when his fingers move closer, dancing around the inside of my thigh. Blazes eyes remain on the road, his smirk being the only sign he's still present. "You're driving... you can't..." His fingers reach the top of my thighs, between my legs grazing across the now damp material. The only barrier between my arousal and his touch.

"Tell me to stop then." Blaze's voice is deep and rich, his throat bobs but his eyes still don't stray from the road. The words catch in my throat... he's driving! Someone could... they could see... could they...? But... stop...? "I didn't think so." He drawls as his fingers push my underwear aside teasing gently as they reach the bundle of nerves aching for attention. I grip the door handle as my head flies against the headrest. "So wet." Blaze mumbles, sucking air in through his teeth. My spine curls, blood rushing through me with one agenda. My stomach tightens trying to catch enough oxygen to breathe normally but as his finger slides down and slips inside me I let out a disgruntled moan. Keeping his thumb going in a steady motion he pumps in and out with his finger. "Wider Blondie." I look over at his command, slowly letting my knees fall apart. His free hand is gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles. The sensation inside of me burns with a need clawing at my core, I cry out again as he adds a second finger pumping faster. My nipples, hard and heavy brush against my bra trying to push free painfully. I glance over at Blaze, the veins in his neck pushing against his bronzed skin, biceps tight. I glance down and notice the unmistakable bulge in Blazes jeans. I reach across the centre console and palm him through his pants, a whoosh of air tumbles from his wet lips. "Fuck." His breaths are heavy as I rub up and down the thick length, my own desire building. "Harder." He whispers leaning close to my ear, his voice mixed with my arousal brings me closer to the edge. I rub against him harder feeling him grow even firmer beneath me. "Are you close?" He asks again and I bite on my lip trying to stifle the moans spilling from me. "Answer me."

"Yes." I can feel myself on the ledge, muscles clenched tight as a rush surges up through my stomach. I carry on rubbing him through his jeans, faster and harder but missing the contact of his skin. I want to feel it warm and hard in my hand. Blaze lets out a sigh of curse words, jaw locked tight, he grunts again, eyes fluttering. Suddenly the fire inside me stops, his warm hand pulls back and I let out a whine of frustration. He chuckles deeply and I realise the car's slowing, pulling onto the side of the road, almost like an alcove surrounded by forest.

"Patience Butterfly." He smirks and turns off the ignition, before I can ask what he's doing his hands land on my thighs and he yanks me so my back is against the door my legs up in front of him. I blush a deeper shade of crimson but he places a gentle kiss on the inside of my knee and reaches up to tug on my underwear, "Lift your hips for me Blondie." He instructs and I do as he says using the door to push myself off the seat. He slides them down my legs and leaves them on the gear stick, cool air rushes to the wet flesh in between my legs, tingling in anticipation. He lowers himself pressing kisses to the inside of my thighs.

"What are- what are you doing?" I ask breathlessly. He peers up in between my legs and places his hand on my cheek.

"Trust me?" I nod, "I'll stop if you want?" He asks again tenderly but I shake my head, a wicked smile cresting his lips. He moves further up my thigh until his lips meet my nerves, I let out a cry of pleasure hands grabbing onto his head, fingers tugging on his ink roots. He chuckles and I feel it inside of me building again with more ferocity. He nips and licks, bites and soothes all the while I writhe with sensation. He plunges his touch inside of me and every ounce of restraint goes out of the window. My hips buck up but he keeps a steady hold of them with his large hands. Every inch of self-consciousness has evaporated with my ability to think rationally.

"I,- I'm close," I whine gripping his hair, if he minds he hasn't let on. He adds his fingers, one under his tongue the other playing with my overly sensitive nub. The pace quickens and I feel myself climbing the ledge, fire burning deep. With one final bite, I tumble from the edge, a loud cry falling from my lips. Silenced when Blaze's lips land on mine, his tongue sliding into my mouth. I can taste myself on him and I don't think I should love it as much as I do.

"What- what about... uh you..." I pull away, Blaze cups my chin kissing the edge of my mouth.

"I'm ashamed to say you took care of that earlier Blondie." He chuckles, "I very well might need to change my jeans before we get to the diner." My cheeks flame with colour. Oh.

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