As I stepped into the living room, I laughed as Braxton quickly shot up from the couch and folded his pad over so I couldn't see what he was writing.

A devilish smirk slowly spread on his lips as he appraised Elijah and me.

"Ayy, New York! Just wait and see what I have in store for you." He was bouncing on his feet, and his head resembled that of a bobblehead. I tried to suppress the fit of laughter that I knew was begging to burst out. That highly creative and original nickname he just bestowed upon me didn't help when it came to keeping my composure. "There's no chance you'll deny the superiority of my next contestant." Elijah chuckled and wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

Sean, who was sitting next to Braxton playing a video game before he dramatically acknowledged my presence, let out an exasperated groan as his head flew back.

"Duuuuude, you gotta stop! It's been days!" Braxton's face scrunched up in annoyance, and he lightly kicked Sean's legs.

"Come on man, you know this is a big deal. I got a reputation to uphold! This title is muy importante." I snorted at his very American accent. He didn't even attempt a Spanish pronunciation, which probably would've sounded even more ridiculous.

"I think I remember that you already lost it the other night, Bra." Sean spoke mockingly as he teased the giant athlete in front of him. I think the guy must've had a death wish. Braxton was bigger and way more muscular than Elijah's other roommate, and I didn't think provoking him by calling him "Bra" would be a smart decision, as funny as it may have been.

This time, Braxton didn't hold back as he pounced on him and started to roughhouse, causing them to roll off the couch.

"I hate when you call me that!"

They were wrestling on the floor in the middle of the room, leaving the furniture in disarray.

I looked up at Elijah to see if he would do anything, but he was just laughing hysterically at the altercation in front of us.

"Hehe, you've probably never even seen a bra. I bet that's why you like saying it so much." Braxton was on top of Sean and was slapping him lightly on the face as Sean tried to gain the upper hand.

"Yeah right. You're just jealous because I've done - " Elijah cleared his throat and stared at them with a closed-lip smile, successfully cutting off their banter. They all turned to look at me and, of course, I was blushing profusely at their subject of conversation.

It was just a little awkward.

Only a little bit.

Yeah, it was really awkward.

I didn't need to, nor did I want to, listen to two guys one-up each other about their... experiences. No, thank you.

"Okay guys, Sara and I are going to do some work. We'll be in the other room for a few hours." Braxton was still pinning Sean down on the floor, and they both nodded, looking like two little boys. The thought made me smirk.

"Oh, Hudson. I almost forgot. Natalie is coming over at two to hang out for a while before practice. Just wanted to let you know."

When he spoke about his girlfriend, his expression changed. I could tell he really cared about her. It was sweet. However, the idea of Natalie coming over to Elijah's place while I was there didn't sit well with me. It apparently didn't sit well with Elijah either, because I felt his arm tense around me.

I didn't want to see Elijah get uncomfortable and upset again because of how we interacted. When I was in her presence, the whole mood and atmosphere changed. I didn't want to bring that to where Elijah lived. It would probably best if I left early to avoid her altogether.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Elijah gently rubbed my shoulder and gestured towards the hallway with his head.

He led me into his room and shut the door behind us before he started to unpack his books and laptop from his backpack.

His room was pretty neat and organized compared to... well, I honestly didn't know what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised.

As he unloaded his belongings, he glanced at me and gave a small smile. "You can put your stuff wherever. I don't really mind."

I nodded silently and played with my fingers, suddenly aware that we were alone.

The sound of intense music and clashing was muffled by the door. The boys must've resolved their little spat because I could tell the noise was Sean resuming his video game.

"So, I think we should start with outlining the next chapter. I already did some of chapter 6 when I finished the last unit's work because I had a few hours to kill before practice a few days ago."

"Umm, yeah. I was able to get through about half of chapter 6 before I had to go to the research department for my work study meeting. Oh! I almost forgot! I have a work study assignment to finish."

Elijah's head shot up. "Cool! Want some help with that? I can be an extra set of eyes or an extra pair of hands if you need me." He was really eager to help. It warmed my heart because I knew not everyone was willing to volunteer their time and sanity to do extensive reading, writing, and research. He turned his desk chair to face me and sat, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and his hands hanging between his legs.

"That's very sweet of you, but I think I can handle it myself. Plus, I have all the paperwork at home." At that, his smile faltered faintly.

"Do you have to go now?" And there was that adorable puppy look again. Elijah's brows furrowed ever so slightly as he looked searchingly into my eyes.

His disappointment made me smile. "No, not yet. I'm yours for a few hours."

His resulting smile was so bright, it brought a glint to his eyes. He reached towards me and grasped my wrist, pulling me to his lap. I giggled as his hands met my waist, tickling me.

"Say that again." His voice was low and full of amusement.

"I said, I don't have to go right away. I can stay for a few hours." His eyebrows shot up. I was still giggling in his arms, as he noticed my reaction to his fingers on my waist and continued to tickle me lightly. He is so cute.

"Nope! That's not what you said." I was now struggling to speak as my laughter got more intense. "Say what you originally said."

"Come on! Ugh... can you... stop... can't speak if I... oof... can't breathe!" The tickling ceased, but his grip on my waist didn't loosen.

"Speak now or forever hold your peace." I felt his smirk against my ear as he whispered to me, feigning seriousness. I could tell this was very entertaining for him.

"Okay, okay! I don't have to leave yet. I'm yours for a few more hours."

"Now say that second part again." He pulled away to look at me, grinning. I knew what he wanted from me, but I had to play with him just a little bit longer. I couldn't give it to him right away. That would be too easy. I wanted to have just as much fun as he was having, and teasing him was the way to go.

"I'm yours for a few more hours." I played with my bottom lip, trying not to laugh.

"Now just the first part." His gaze went from my eyes to my lips, then back to my eyes. "Come on! Tu me tues, mon biche."

And... there goes my heart!

I felt like I was going to melt right in his lap.

"En inglés, por favor. Yo no hablo francés." I playfully poked his chest and pouted grumpily because I couldn't understand him. If only he knew how much him speaking French affected me. Although, I'm probably lucky that he doesn't because he would use it against me.

To be honest, I don't think I'd have a problem with that.

"I said, you're killing me! Please..." He urged me to say it with his eyes, and I knew what I had to do next. I looked into his eyes, our faces only inches apart, and whispered.

"I'm yours." With that, my breath hitched and my heart fluttered in my chest. I felt his warmth envelop me when he caressed my back delicately. I felt so fragile just then, like I had just become breakable. Elijah was being so gentle and sweet, and it was then that I realized the sentiment was mutual. I was his just as much as he was mine.

As if he had to confirm what we both already knew, he broke the silence.

"Je suis à toi." His voice was barely a whisper. I was able to interpret the statement rather easily due to my Spanish fluency.

It struck me right in the heart, causing it to beat like crazy. I leaned even closer and placed my hand on his chest, directly over his heart which was beating as fast and erratically as mine.

He continued to look into my eyes as he covered my hand with his own, which was warm and larger than mine.

Everything was so still and quiet. I wasn't paying attention to anything but our turbulent heartbeats.

When our lips met, I knew it wasn't initiated by either one of us, but rather both of us at the same time. Our breath became one with just as much passion stemming from my end as his. That moment was incomparable to anything I've ever experienced or even heard of before, and it was so powerful that it canceled everything else out entirely. Everything but our heartbeats.

I hadn't heard Sean's video game or the apparent knocking at the door until Braxton's deep voice pierced our haze.

My mind felt fuzzy and dazed as Elijah slowly pulled back and looked longingly into my eyes, which took everything I had to open, yet again. His eyes were glazed over, and it looked like he was in the same state of mind as I was.

"Wow." That's all he said as he traced the knuckles on the back of my hand with his fingertip.

"Did you hear something?" His gaze was moving back and forth from my eyes to my lips as we tried to focus on our surroundings. That's when we heard the incessant knocking.

I sighed as Elijah looked over my shoulder towards the door. I stood up so he could answer, but had to quickly sit down on his bed because I was so lightheaded.

"Wow." That was all I could say as I zoned out into space. Elijah's chuckle brought me back to reality. I repeatedly blinked to try and "wake myself up" and looked over at him. He stood at the door and smirked at me knowingly, causing me to grin and touch my lips lightly with my index finger and thumb.

I guess that just brought more attention to my lips because when I looked back towards Elijah, he was staring at them intensely. It wasn't until Braxton knocked rhythmically against the door, yet again, that we were jolted back to the present.

And sure enough, there Braxton was, standing in the doorframe with his fist in the air as if he were about to start knocking again.

His eyes widened as he looked from a flushed Elijah at the door to a flustered me sitting on his bed.

"Oh, uh, sorry. I didn't mean to... um... interrupt. I-" He looked embarrassed but not nearly as embarrassed as I was at that moment. Even Elijah was blushing at Braxton's suggestiveness, which told me that Braxton wasn't in this position before, at least not when it came to Elijah.

"Um... I just." He came in and grabbed a textbook from Elijah's dresser. "Bye." He rushed out without looking at either of us.

When Elijah shut the door, I let out a deep breath and just looked at him as he did the same. Then, we burst into laughter. I think the level of awkwardness that we both just experienced was so high that this was the only way to relieve the tension.

"I guess I'm going to have to have a serious conversation with Braxton later. Maybe give him 'the talk.'"

That just made me laugh harder. I laid down and gripped my stomach with my arm. Just the thought of Elijah and Braxton in that uncomfortable situation put a fantastic image in my mind.

Elijah sat on his desk chair next to me and chuckled lightly, shaking his head. He had to have been thinking about the implications of what he'd just said.

"I love how that friendly giant is really just a little kid." Elijah grinned at my comment.

"Yep. That's Braxton for ya." He looked down at the floor, thinking to himself, as I stared at him adoringly.

He caught my gaze and squinted at me. He could apparently see the gears turning in my head.

"What are you thinking?"

I smiled knowingly.

"I think it's about time I surprise you with a date."

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Hey guys! Thank you so much for your continued support! It does not go unnoticed and I greatly appreciate each and every one of you!

I hope you all liked this chapter! Please remember to VOTE and COMMENT if you enjoyed! I love hearing your thoughts and communicating with all of you! It always makes my day.

You got to see some more of Sean and Braxton this chapter. I want to know what you think of them!

What do you think Braxton's next "contestant" will be?

What are your predictions for the date Sara will plan? She's already so excited!

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Well...