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𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
━━ ⌠ 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓 ⌡

CHAPTER FOUR ₊˚.༄⋆❀⋆
⟡₊˚ ───（ 𝟬𝟬𝟰. 𝙷𝙰𝙻𝙻𝙾𝚆𝙴𝙴𝙽 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟷 ）
╭ ·₊˚ ⛰️🍂🐎
╰ ✦ 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗔𝗚𝗢╭ 🂱 ✦
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❛ 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘺, 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘦. ❜

▎ 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙰𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰 𝙾𝙵 𝙵𝚁𝙴𝚂𝙷𝙻𝚈 𝙱𝙰𝚂𝙺𝙴𝙳 𝙿𝙰𝚂𝚃𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂
and the warmth of the ovens filled sofia's bakery
on this chilly and gloomy sunday in colorado.

adalie presley, sofia's daughter, found herself behind the counter, donning a festive apron adorned with pumpkins and bats.

the door jingled, announcing the arrival of a group of kids dressed in various halloween costumes. adalie couldn't help but smile at the sight of little witches, superheroes, and ghosts excitedly discussing what treats to choose.

the bell over the door jingled again, and in walked cole walter, the charismatic football player who had a knack for showing up at sofia's bakery just when things were getting interesting. his black leather jacket seemed to carry the scent of the autumn air, and his presence added a dash of excitement to the cozy bakery.

"hey, pretty girl." cole greeted with a grin, leaning against the counter in his usual casual manner. adalie couldn't help but be amused by his lack of a halloween costume.

"no costume, cole? you're breaking my heart." she teased, reaching for a pastry box.

he chuckled. "costumes aren't really my thing. but i'm here for the treats. anything special for your favorite costumer?"

adalie raised an eyebrow. "favorite customer, huh? you haven't even tried our pumpkin spice muffins yet."

as she filled the box with an assortment of pastries, cole's eyes stayed on her, the unspoken attraction lingering between them. the playful banter was a mask for the underlying tension that hinted at something more.

handing him the box, adalie couldn't resist a playful jab. "here you go, mr. no-costume. enjoy your treats."

"thanks, addie." he said, taking a seat on one of the stools at the counter. "got any plans later?"

adalie shrugged, wiping her hands on her apron. "not really. just the usual."

cole leaned in, his voice lowered as if sharing a secret. "how about a haunted house? dylan's been going on and on about it, and i thought it might be fun. downside is that it's about five hours away."

sofia, overhearing the conversation, chimed in with a skeptical look. "haunted house? five hours away? who's driving, and who's supervising these teenagers?"

cole, always quick on his feet, assured. "oh, don't worry, mrs. presley. dylan's dad is driving. it's all sorted."

adalie shot him a glance, a mix of amusement and curiosity. little did they know, this seemingly innocent proposal would set the stage for an unforgettable adventure and the beginning of something more between them.

as the morning progressed, the bakery took on a lively atmosphere, filled with the aroma of freshly baked goods and the laughter of customers indulging in the halloween spirit. adalie couldn't help but get caught up in the whirlwind of activity, all while stealing glances at cole, who seemed to effortlessly blend into the vibrant scene.

cole approached the counter for the second time, now holding an empty pastry box. "those pumpkin spice muffins you mentioned earlier... are they as good as you claim?"

adalie smirked, reaching for a plate and placing a warm muffin on it. "judge for yourself."

cole took a bite, his eyes closing momentarily in appreciation. "okay, you might be onto something with these. they're amazing."

adalie chuckled. "told you. now, are you planning to tell me more about this haunted house plan?"

cole leaned against the counter, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "well, i thought it could be a fun group thing. you know, dylan, a few others, and us. a little adventure for halloween."

adalie couldn't deny the appeal of the idea. "haunted houses, huh? isn't that a bit cliché?"

cole grinned, unfazed. "sometimes cliché are cliché for a reason. beside it's not about the scares; it's about the experience."

cole flashed a charming smile as he playful teased. "come on, pretty girl. you should come. we're all dressing up, and if i know anything about adalie presley, it's that she can pull off any outfit and any costume."

adalie raised an eyebrow, her lips curved into a smirk. "the cole walter is dressing up?"

he shrugged with a nonchalant grin. "i wasn't planning on it, if i'm being honest. but if it makes you decide to come, then i will."

adalie couldn't help but smile at cole's playful challenge. "oh, really? you'd dress up just to get me to join your haunted house crew?"

cole leaned in, his gaze locking onto hers. "i'd do a lot more than dress up if it means having you with us. but dressing up seems like a good start."

adalie felt a subtle heat rise to her cheeks, a mix of surprise and amusement at cole's unexpected admission. the idea of cole willingly donning a costume just to spend time with her was strangely endearing.

"well, mr. walter, you've got yourself a deal." she said with a teasing grin. "but only if you promise not to bail on the costume idea last minute."

cole raised a hand, feigning a solemn vow. "scout's honor. i'll even let you choose my costume if it seals the deal."

as they bantered back and forth about possible costume ideas, neither of them could foresee the significance this halloween plan would hold for their evolving connection. little did they know, it would be a night that etched memories in their heart, laying the foundation for something beyond the ordinary.

adalie rummaged through her closet, searching for the perfect denim pieces to complete her britney spears look. cole lounged on her bed, observing the organized chaos of her room. the shelves adorned with theater memorabilia and the faint scent of vanilla candles gave a cozy feel to the space.

"got anything that screams early 2000s pop sensation?" adalie joked, holding up a denim skirt for cole's inspection.

he chuckled, "well, i'm no fashion guru, but that looks like it could work. maybe add some silver bling, and you'll be the spitting image of britney."

adalie raised an eyebrow, eyeing him playfully. "oh, so you're an expert on britney's fashion, mr. walter?"

cole grinned, feigning seriousness. "absolutely. i've studied the greats. and britney's is, without a doubt, one of them."

as adalie continued her search for accessories, cole couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in her room. it was a familiar place filled with memories of laughter, shared secrets, and the unspoken connection they had always shared.

"so, timberlake, what are you wearing?" adalie asked, pulling out a collection of silver accessories.

cole leaned back, pretending to ponder the question. "i'm thinking denim-on-denim, just like jt. can't go wrong with a classic."

adalie chuckled, "you're brave. not everyone can pull off the tuxedo."

"well, if anyone can, it's me. and with you as britney, we'll be the talk of the haunted town."

as adalie continued to assemble her britney spears ensemble, cole couldn't resist the opportunity to playfully flirt with her. he lounged on the bed, admiring her choices and offering his expert commentary.

"you know, i must say, britney would be lucky to have a fashion consultant like you." cole teased, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"adalie shot him a mockingly skeptical look, oh, really? and what makes you an authority on britney's fashion sense?"

cole leaned back, adopting a confident pose, "well, i've seen my fair share of music videos. plus, i've got a natural talent for recognizing style, especially when it comes to someone as stunning as you."

adalie rolled her eyes, but a playful smile played on her lips. "smooth, cole. but i'm not falling for your charm."

cole feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart. "ouch, addie, you wound me. just trying to appreciate the art that is your costume choice."

as adalie chuckled, cole couldn't help but revel in the easy banter they shared. their friendship had always been sprinkled with flirtatious exchanges, but tonight felt different — an undercurrent of something unspoken lingered in the air.

the eerie glow of dim lights bathed the exterior of "the frightmare compound," casting an ominous aura that seemed to stretch beyond its foreboding walls. adalie hesitated for a moment, the anticipation building in her chest. the distant screams and the menacing hun of chainsaws from behind the walls only heightened the anticipation. this was no ordinary haunted house; it was a renowned fright fest that had become a halloween staple in denver. and now, under the cover of a chilly october night, she was about to dive headfirst into a realm of chilling scares.

"are you sure about this, cole?" it sounds... intense." adalie commented, her voice laced with both curiosity and a touch of concern.

cole, ever the fearless charmer, flashed a reassuring grin. "don't worry, princess. if you get scared, i'll let you hold my hand." as he leaned against his truck, he gave her a mischievous grin. "ready for this, pretty girl?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

she took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "as ready as i'll ever be." adalie replied, determination mingling with a hint of nervousness.

as they approached the entrance, adalie felt a strange mixture of excitement and trepidation. cole, being his charming self, stepped up to the ticket counter. "two tickets, please." he said, handing over a crispy fifty dollar bill.

the attendant, wearing a macabre mask that sent shivers down adalie's spine, exchanged the moment for two tickets and motioned for them to enter. the heavy door creaked open, revealing a dark corridor adorned with grotesque decorations. they waited for dylan and the two other football players, jace and devin.

once inside, the atmosphere changed dramatically. dim lights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the wall. the distant sounds of ominous music and echoing screams intensified the foreboding ambiance. cole led the way, and adalie followed, glancing nervously at the unsettling scenes that awaited them.

at the first turn, a sudden burst of air accompanied by a blood-curling scream made adalie jump. "cole chuckled, his eyes gleaming. "you're in for a treat, princess."

the haunted journey continued with unexpected scares, including sudden movements, eerie whispers, and masked figures lurking in the shadows. adalie, on edge yet intrigued, tried to maintain her composure. the adrenaline rush was palpable, heightened by the unsettling ambiance carefully crafted to induce fear.

they ventured into a room draped in darkness, the only illumination coming from a flickering strobe light. adalie felt a chill down her spine as eerie whispers surrounded them. a faint glow revealed grotesque figures hanging from the ceiling - an unsettling spectacle that sent shivers through her.

just as she was getting accustomed to the spine—chilling atmosphere, a sudden burst of water caught her off guard. a woman, her face obscured by wet, tangled hair, emerged from a tub of murky bloody water. adalie gasped, and without thinking, her hand shot out, unconsciously grabbing onto cole's arm.

cole, startled by the unexpected scare, jumped back. adalie couldn't help but tease him through her nervous laughter. "oh, come on, cole. it's just water. you're not afraid of a little splash, are you?"

he grinned, trying to save face. "of course not. just caught me off guard, that's all."

their journey through the haunted house took them through dark corridors, twisted hallways, and rooms filled with unimaginable horrors. adalie, gradually becoming more accustomed to the frights, found herself feeding off the adrenaline. the true test awaited them as they entered a room that seemed to echo with the menacing growl of a chainsaw.

adalie's eyes widened as a menacing figure, wielding a chainsaw, appeared from the shadows. the deafening roar of the chainsaw filled the air, drowning out the distant screams. panic set in, and adalie instinctively sprinted away from the menacing figure, the sound of the chainsaw echoing behind her.

she turned a corner, her heart pounding, only to find herself face to face with another dark corridor. the menacing figure was closing in. with no other option, adalie raced back towards where she came from. the chainsaw-wielding character relentlessly pursued her, the road of the chainsaw escalating.

in her frantic escape, adalie sprinted straight into cole's arms, seeking refuge from the relentless pursuer. she clung to him, breathing heavily, the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

cole, caught off guard by adalie's sudden appearance, couldn't help by tease her. "you know, princess, running into my arms is the oldest trick in the book. trying to steal a scare or just using me as a human shield?"

adalie, still catching her breath, shot him a playful glare. "oh, please. i just needed a momentary escape from your haunted friend back there."

he chuckled, wrapping an arm around her shoulders protectively. "well, you found it. but remember, you owe me one for the dramatic rescue."

the dimly lit corridors of the escape maze added an eerie atmosphere as cole, adalie, dylan, and the two other football players cautiously navigated the twists and turns. unbeknownst to them, lurking in the shadows were actors with grotesque makeup, armed with unsettling props.

the tension escalated when the first actor emerged, wielding a menacing machete. panic set in, and the group instinctively scattered in different directions. cole, quick on his feet, instinctively took adalie's hand, pulling her behind a row of tall tins for cover.

in a chaotic whirlwind of fear, cole and adalie found themselves ducked behind the tall tins, trying to catch their breath. suddenly, another actor, wielding a large hammer, emerged from the shadows, sending a new wave of terror through them.

reacting on instinct, cole tightened his grip on adalie's hand, and they sprinted inside into the mazed home, seeking refugee from the relentless pursuit. as they entered, cole gave adalie a slight push, urging her to go first. little did he know, this may not have been the best move, given adalie's heightened state of fear.

inside the maze, the disorienting twists and turns only added to adalie's anxiety. "i hate you so much right now, cole!" she gasped, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration.

"now is not a good time to be discussing this!" cole shouted, glancing back to see the masked, hammer-wielding figure in hot pursuit.

the narrow passages of the maze seemed to close in on them as adrenaline fueled their escape. adalie's heart raced, her breaths quickened, and the echoes of their hurried footsteps reverberated off the walls.

the adrenaline-fueled escaped continued as adalie and cole navigated the maze, desperately searching for the exit. as they turned a corner, adalie found herself at a dead end, with the only escape route being a large dual-wall pipe attached to the wooden walls.

without wasting a moment, they immediately started crawling into the pipe, and cole, trying to shake away distracting thoughts, couldn't help but comment, "hey, babe. the view is nice, but i need you to hurry up!"

babe. the word hung in the air, momentarily capturing adalie's attention, but there was no time to dwell on it. frustrated, she rushed to climb through the slippery pipe, aware that the masked figure was closing in on them.

"i'm going as fast as i can, but it's slippery!" she exclaimed, determined to make it through.

finally emerging on the other side, adalie spotted the exit hallway. turning back, she saw cole closing in. "i see the way out. come on, cole." she urged, ready to make their final escape.

before cole could respond, a sudden jolt ran through him as someone grabbed his left ankle. "go on without me... looks like you win." he managed to call out before being forcefully pulled back through the pope.

adalie's heart skipped a beat as she watched cole disappear from her sight. fear and adrenaline surged through her veins. the masked figure had separated them, and she found herself torn between escaping to safety and going back for cole.

they wouldn't actually hurt him right? she thought to herself momentarily.

with a heavy heart, she sprinted towards the exit, hoping cole would manage to find his way out. the maze had turned from a thrilling adventure to a nightmare, and adalie couldn't shake the worry that cling to her thoughts.

outside the maze, she scanned the area for any sign of cole, dylan, jace, or devin. minutes felt like an eternity as she anxiously waited. finally, he bursted out, disheveled but unharmed. cole was accompanied by dylan and the others. one of the masked actor trailed behind them, a crying baby sticker prominently displayed on their jackets with the words 'i didn't survive the haunted maze.'

a mixture of relief and amusement still playing on her features as she see's them. "you guys really didn't make it, huh?" she teased, unable to contain a half laugh, half-sob.

"hey, it was intense in there." cole defended, his voice laced with humor. "that guy literally dragged me out of the pipe. he slammed his hammer just inches away from my face."

before adalie could respond, the masked actor with the hammer pushed past cole, placing a green sticker on her denim jacket. 'i survived the haunted maze!' adalie's face lit up with triumph.

"looks like i'm the real champion here." she teased, tapping on her sticker on her jacket. cole playfully scoffed.

as they walked away from the haunted maze, cole couldn't resist throwing an arm around adalie. "you know, the sole reason you survived is because i let you go first. but let this be a reminder that i'll always put you first, pretty girl."

adalie grinned mischievously. "whatever you say, babe." she emphasized the nickname.

cole chuckled, shaking his head. "you love it, don't you?"

"maybe i do." adalie replied, her voice carrying a subtle warmth. the word 'babe' lingered in the air, casting a hint of a promise for something new and exciting between them. it was a small spark, but sometimes, that's all it took to ignite a flame.

as cole pulled into her driveway, the clock striking four in the morning, rain began to pour down. adalie, exhausted but content, reached for cole's blue cowboy hat left in the truck, a relic from his justin timberlake costume. placing it on her head, she looked at him curiously, "where are you going?"

cole, reaching to open his door, smirked. "to walk you to your door."

adalie protested, "cole, it's pouring out there. you're going to get wet."

he chuckled, the raindrops tapping against the truck's roof, "i'm going to get wet either way when i get home."

she sighed, "alright then, chivalrous jt, lead the way."

cole grinned back at her and stepped out into the rain. adalie followed suit, the chilly droplets instantly soaking her. the halloween night had turned into a memorable adventure, and even the rain couldn't dampen the spirits that lingered between them.

midway, cole's eyes caught the sight of adalie donning his hat, and a mischievous grin crept across his face. he swiftly snatched the hat off her head, holding it just out of her reach. "i think this belongs to me."

adalie pouted playfully, attempting to snatch it back, but cole, with his height advantage, kept leaning back just enough to keep it from her grasp. as he held the hat aloft, she couldn't help but notice the blood on his left forearm and the remnants on the left side of his cheek.

"cole, you're bleeding." she exclaimed, concern etched across her face.

he glanced down, only now realizing the source of the stains. "it was probably from being dragged." he nonchalantly replied.

adalie, unfazed by his nonchalance, motioned for him to follow her towards the side door that led into her room. he hesitated, trying to neglect the situation, but adalie spoke sternly, "it'll get infected if you don't clean it correctly. and knowing you, you'll just wipe it off with a napkin."

cole rolled his eyes but reluctantly followed her inside. the rain-soaked cowboy hat still in hand, he took a seat in her room, glancing around as if he hadn't been there a hundred times before. adalie grabbed a first aid kit from her drawer.

before she could start cleaning his wound, adalie realized that cole needed to remove his long-sleeve shirt for her to clean it properly. she hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to speak up, "um, cole, i need you to take off you long sleeve."

cole, always the tease, raised an eyebrow, smirking as if he could read her thoughts. "oh, is that what you want?" he replied with a playful glint in his eyes.

adalie rolled her eyes, trying to keep the situation light. "don't flatter yourself, cowboy. i just need to clean the blood off your arm."

cole chuckled, enjoying the banter. "well, if you insist." he said, his fingers working on the buttons of his shirt.

adalie couldn't help but steal glances as cole took his shirt off to clean his forearm. the casual flex of his muscles didn't go unnoticed, and she found herself momentarily captivated. cole, ever perceptive, tried to hide a grin, knowing he had her attention.

once the shirt was off, adalie focused on the task at hand. "hold still." she instructed, gently dabbing at the dried blood. cole winced slightly but kept his eyes on her.

adalie worked diligently, her touch careful and precise. she couldn't deny the intimacy of the situation, and a subtle tension lingered in the air. after finishing, she reached for a clean bandage to cover the wounds.

"there, good as news." adalie remarked, the teasing tone returned to her voice.

cole grinned. "i knew you just wanted to get me out of my clothes, pretty girl."

she couldn't help but laugh, the playful banter serving as a familiar comfort between them. "dream on, cowboy. just remember, it's your own fault for trying to be a hero."

cole, still shirtless and sporting his mischievous grin, responded, "well, what can i say? heroes don't always wear capes. sometimes, they're just dressed as justin timberlake in all denim and let pretty girls clean up their mess."

adalie couldn't help but shake her head with a playful smile. "you're not a hero, cole walter. you're just a troublemaker with a charming smile."

cole chuckled, reaching for his shirt. "maybe so, but at least i've got the charming part down, right?"

as he was buttoning up his shirt, adalie rolled her eyes. "charm can only get you so far, cowboy. now, let me clean your cheek so you can get out of here before you cause any more trouble."

"you know you love the trouble, babe." he winked.

as she focused on cleaning his cheek, cole's gaze lingered on adalie. he found himself drawn to her ever feature — the way her hair fell in gentle waves because of the rain, the curve of her lips, the sparkle in her eyes. there was a magnetic pull, an undeniable attraction that had always lingered beneath the surface but seemed more palpable in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

adalie, catching onto his lingering gaze, met his eyes. the unspoken connection between them crackled in the air. cole's heart raced, and in that moment, he felt an overwhelming desire to close the distance, to bridge the gap between them and feel the softness of adalie's lips against him.

yet, he hesitated. the complexities of their relationship and the unspoken history held him back. the storm outside seemed to echo the turmoil within him.

adalie, breaking the intense gaze, cleared her throat and finished bandaging his cheek. "there you go, all patched up."

cole, feeling the weight of unspoken words, broke the silence, a softness in his voice that echoed the sentiment. "thanks for taking care of me, adalie."

the air between them shifted, charged with unexplored possibilities. she met his gaze, a hint of vulnerability in those blue eyes. "always, cole."

the magnetic pull lingered, leaving both of them suspended in a moment that felt like a crossroads. cole couldn't deny the growing feelings, and adalie, aware of the silent tension, wondered what could unfold next.

the rain outside continued to pour, a rhythmic backdrop to the unspoken desires and untold stories that hung in the room. the night had taken them through haunted mazes and unexpected twists, but the real journey, it seemed, was just beginning.

-ˋˏ -ETERNALLYSATURN SPEAKS ! ˎˊ-
⋆⛰️·˚ first week of this semester went alright. not looking forward to any of my assignments tho 🥲

important note 🪴—— enjoy this flashback.
the next few chapters i think will consist of adalie and cole and how their situationship began!