Did you say... more Flynn?

Okay.

Thanks to jueka1 and amiva0402 for already commenting on the last chapter. Another chapter coming in my morning.

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On Tuesday we had HPE first up. And as I grabbed the pads to set up the goal posts with one of my classmates, Ashton whizzed past, grabbing it from their hands and joining me on the trek across the oval.

Great, I immediately thought. What does he want?

"I spoke to Callie last night," he started without any pressing from me as I started to strap the padding around the post.

"Good for you," I said back, trying to sound nonchalant, meanwhile I was seething that he got to talk to her at night and I didn't.

"She said you two are friends again," he then said.

My hands immediately paused, heart thudding in my chest at his words. Ever so slowly, I lifted my gaze to his face, and even Ashton stopped what he had been doing, eyebrow cocked in surprise.

"What?" he asked.

"She really said that? That word in particular?"

"Which word?"

"Friends," I quickly said, wishing he'd just answer the damn question already.

"Yes?" he replied, voice bewildered.

And I couldn't stop the grin taking hold of my face. Maybe she was being gruff with me... but if she was calling me her friend to others... to Ashton of all people...

"Anyway, I wanted to sus out your intentions with her."

Brows pulling together, I turned back to the padding, strapping the velcro together. "What intentions and why do you care?"

"Because we became really... close while you were gone. I care a lot about her and don't want to see her hurt again."

I took a few moments to finish fixing the pad properly to the pole, all the while taking a couple deep breaths to calm my bubbling anger. But in the end, as I got out a response, I couldn't stop it coming through gritted teeth. "We're friends. That's it. That's my intentions."

"Nothing more?" he then said, keeping pace with me as I began to walk back to the class group.

"Nothing more," I confirmed, though my heart whispered that it wished it were different.

"But... Is that what you want?" he then questioned, as if he could hear my inner thoughts. But let's be real... it was probably as clear as day on my face.

I came to a halt, turning to look at him. "Look, if this is some 'trying to see if she's up for grabs for yourself' thing, then by all means Ashton, try pursuing her. But if you hurt her again then—"

"I'm not the one anyone is worried about. You are. You're the one who left such a big dint in her heart... That she felt the need to rebound with so many people hoping she would move on. That I ended up falling for her over again, wishing she'd forget you so I'd have a chance. That I let her make out with me whenever she..." He trailed off, eyes going wide as he realised he revealed more than he intended to.

All the while my heart began to knot at the idea of Callie kissing others.

I had heard about it from people since I had been back.

I knew the rumours of her finishing her kiss list.

But hearing it straight from Ashton's mouth... well, the only thing worse would be Callie telling me.

"I care about her," Ashton then said, eyes turning to the ground. "And damn... I hate admitting it to you of all people, but I like her so much that I'd be willing to just give up on her if it meant she'd be happy. But giving up on my chase of her for you depends on your intentions."

Also unable to look him in the face as I said it, I forced out of my mouth, "We're just friends, Ashton. By all means, chase her."

"But do you like her?" I could feel he was looking at me now, but I still couldn't bring myself to raise my gaze.

I responded with a slight shrug.

"You don't know?"

Heaving a sigh, I finally met his eyes, taking in his determined look. "What do you want me to tell you? That my feelings haven't swayed in the slightest since I've been gone? That I'm still crazy about her and don't know how to not want her? Is that really what you want to hear?"

"Yes," he said. "I need to know you're serious."

"I'm not going to try to—" I slammed my mouth shut before I finished that sentence, taking deep breaths as I examined the dew gathering on the blades of grass beneath my feet. "She doesn't want that with me. And I don't deserve her like that after everything I did. I just want my best friend back and I'll keep that role for as long as she will have me around, okay?"

"I don't think you should give up just yet."

Ever so slowly, I lifted my gaze until I was looking him square in the eyes again. "What?"

"Everyone deserves a second chance. Callie and I tried to form something between us... but she could never forget you. And in many ways I was more of a jerk to her than you were. All I'm saying is... if you promise to never hurt her like that again and let her be the one to push you away if it ever came to it... well... I just might have an idea that could help."

Pressing my lips together, I didn't say anything back for a long time. Instead, I let myself search his face. I let my eyes take in his posture. I examined every crevice of his being for the deceit lingering in his offer. But I came out empty. He seemed genuine. "Why would you do that if you like her?"

"As I said before... I like her so much that I just want to see her happy. And no one ever made her smile like you did."

"No one ever crushed her like I did either," I admitted in a small voice, dropping my gaze once more.

"But you won't do that again... right?"

I took another deep inhale and exhale before giving him a curt nod.

And that was all it seemed to take from him.

In my peripherals, I watched him turn his head over his shoulder, only looking up as he called out, "Luke! Lexi! Come here! Flynn's up for it."

At once, the pair jogged to our side. Our teacher had already began explaining the rules to the class, already having given up trying to get us to join and letting us know we will 'make up our missed minutes in our own time'. But none of us cared. Our last assessment for the term was an external exam, so this whole practical lesson was merely to get us stretching our legs anyway.

What was more important was fixing my connection with Callie.

The moment Lexi and Luke were by our side, Ashton said, "I think he's genuine. So let's get started on Operation Get Callie and Flynn Back Together."

After pressing my lips into a straight line, I then said, "This feels like we are deceiving her."

"Callie sometimes needs a push where she doesn't see it," Lexi then said with a wave of her hand. "Besides, watching you two from the side last time was infuriating. We don't have long left of the term, and I'd like to see you together before it's over. It just means we have to meddle a bit. But no one will care when you two are happy again."

"What makes you think Callie even feels that way about—" But I couldn't even finish my sentence.

Because, in unison, all three turned their heads to look at me with a deadpanned expression marring their faces.

"Point taken," I mumbled. Though my heart was bouncing in delight to think that, even after all this time, our connection was still there for her... If only I could just get her to give me one more chance. "What's your plan then?"

Lexi turned to look at me next, face serious as she said, "You need to ask her to the formal."

Brows furrowing, I replied, "I thought she wasn't going."

Ashton spoke next. "That's because everyone around her has a date and she refuses to go alone."

Puzzle falling into place, I heaved a sigh. "You really think she'd say yes to me as a date?"

"It's our best shot," Lexi countered.

Shaking my head, I said, "I guess it is, but I can't go."

"Why not?" Luke asked.

Pursing my lips, I turned my head to the ground. After a few moments passed, I finally admitted, "I can't afford the tickets. Let alone a tux."

But all three started laughing.

Head immediately lifting up in shock that they'd have such a reaction, Luke then said, "We've got that covered, bro. Don't sweat it."

"I can't—" I started to say, but Lexi wasn't having it.

"My sister is coming to the formal. And if you're the only way to get her there, then that's what we are doing. She deserves her chance to party with her friends and dress up really pretty for the night and have someone dance her around the room. Regardless of whether we are getting you two back together, you're the only one left who can ask her to go. So if that involves paying for your ticket and tux, then I will do that, okay?"

Unable to argue with a determined Lexi, I gave her a short nod. But then the self-doubt kicked in once more. "And how do you suggest I even get her to say yes? We've only just become friends again. If I ask her now—"

"It's going to be close," Ashton said, "But you're going to have to build up to it. Slowly be more present in her life. Casually do more things that wow her. The usual. But then, a couple of weeks out, hit her with it. She needs just enough time to still get a dress."

"So that leaves me... like..." I tried to do the maths... but we all know that's not my strong suit.

"Formal is at the beginning of week eight. We are in week two. External exams are in week five... so either you have to ask her just before exams or in the week right after. And after might be cutting it pretty tight."

I heaved an exasperated sigh.

"Do it when the time feels right," Luke then said. "If it feels right before, do it then. If not... drag it out. But as Lexi said, not too far... if time cuts it too close, then you might just have to shoot the gun and hope everything up to that point has been enough."

I slowly nodded my head as I mulled the words over in my head. "So for the meantime... I just have to... 'woo her heart' again?"

"Exactly," the three said in unison.

"And how do I do that?" I asked, dumbfounded. Because, honestly, everything before was through luck.

But Luke this time shook his head. "Dude, the usual ways. Gentle touch. Getting the door for her. Appearing at every outing... Complimenting her on the daily."

Though while Luke was sure on his suggestions, worry immediately washed over Ashton and Lexi's faces.

"What?" I asked them.

"Touch with Callie right now..." Lexi started.

And Ashton finished, "Is a little difficult."

"What does that mean?" I wondered, thinking back to dance practice last week. Was it because I was too forceful then?

"She's... let's just say... not open to men right now," Ashton said, casting his gaze down.

Feeling a bit of venom sneaking into my mouth, I hissed, "Did you overdo it in your makeout sessions or something, Ashton?"

His head snapped up in shock, a various concoction of emotions crossing his face. But then he settled on solemnness. "It wasn't me."

"It wasn't..." I slowly began to think over his words. And then it hit me. "Did someone do something to her?" I asked, glancing between Ahston and Lexi, while Luke seemed as clueless as me.

"That's for Callie to tell you," Ashton began to mutter.

But then Lexi said, "Yes. Something did happen. But as Ashton said... the details are for her to share. Just know that... she flinches away from any guy touching her right now."

Mind going over our time in the library yesterday and in maths... and even when I dragged her out of her chair... nothing seemed to stir me as strange. But she had been different... more distant since I had come back. Though I just thought that was a me thing.

"Who?" I then asked.

But both of them shook their heads. "You don't need to know," Lexi said.

"I do. And I can go teach them a—"

"She won't want that and you know it," Ashton said. "Trust me... I tried. I got an earful once I told her what I was going to do to him. She just wants to forget it happened."

Feeling that familiar burning rage return, I then demanded, "Was it Fraser?"

Luke barked a laugh. "Fraser hasn't been anywhere close to us in a long time."

But because Luke had been unaware of this, I then turned to Ashton and Lexi for confirmation. They both seemed in agreement.

Meaning it was someone else.

But... who?

"Okay... win her over," I repeated, trying to not let my mind fester on figuring out who harmed a hair on her head and trying to not plan the murder of this faceless figure. "But don't touch her. Great. Easy as... Especially with the girl who knows how to hold a grudge better than anyone I met."

"Hey..." Lexi then said. "If she forgave me... She will forgive anyone."

Deadpanning at Lexi, I said, "And it took you how many months to get her trust again? I have only three to four weeks..."

"May the odds be ever in your favour?" she asked.

But then the three of us heaved a sigh.

The odds certainly didn't seem to be favouring me.

But damn I'd try.

Memes were requested so here:

Though that chapter is coming tomorrow morning... because I need to sleep now.