Paxton Flynn

"I can't believe Jodi is your sister," I said after Jodi placed our orders in front of us and waltzed away. I was still awestruck by the information and the worst part is that it's not unbelievable, it's totally believable.

Now that I know I can see some kind of resemblance between them. How did I not see this? Does Ryder know?

"She is. A very annoying junior sister to be precise," he shook his head. "She's just a year and half younger and gets on my nerves every single time."

I giggle, "but she looks so sweet. Are you sure you're not the annoying one?"

"Ha, who's side are you on, Paxty?" He winked with a smile. "Finally got to use the name."

I scowled, "I hate it and I'm not taking any side, just stating facts. Case in point, you're annoying me right now with that horrible nickname."

"Get used to it," he started cutting his burger into squares. "Jordyn and I have different mothers, same father and we grew up together in the same home always fighting each other. Don't get me wrong— we love ourselves but fight happens to be part of the equation. And Jordyn doesn't see eye to eye with our dad while I do."

"Hmm, so you're a suck up?"

"No, she's just a stubborn goat." He said and I laughed.

"That's such a weird way to eat a burger," I state, watching his plate like a hawk.

"What? Why?"

"You won't get the joy out of that. You're wasting burger potential."

He chuckled, "how then do you max burger potential?"

"Like this," I pick up my burger and widely bite into it. The cheese sauce drips down my lip and I just swipe it up with my tongue. I grinned at Diego. "There, that's how it's done."

Diego smiled at me, looking at me in that deep strange way again. Then he leaned in and wiped at my chin with a tissue, I take the tissue from him and do it myself. "Absolutely didn't think you could be anymore cute and that's messy."

I swallowed, ignoring the cute compliment. With the amount of times I've been called cute one would think I'd be immune to it by now but now, still causes that little flutter that I'm ignoring now. "It's burger. It's supposed to be messy. That's the joy in it."

"Mmhm, there could be germs on your hands and chin."

"My hands are clean and if there are germs, they are my germs and won't kill me." I grinned. "Fact."

"Of course." He took a fork of burger, pointing it at me and making me shake my head at him. "They would affect you one way or the other and that's coming from me, the would-have-been doctor."

"Yeah, that," I bite more burger, chew and wipe my face. "Would-have-been doctor, what's that about?"

Diego shrugged, "I studied medicine for a year, then I quit. Nothing interesting about that."

"Uh-huh, I'm not letting you out that easy," I shake my head as if showing my defiance. "Why did you quit?"

Diego sighed and dropped his fork, "so my mum wanted me to be a doctor, dad supported her and that has been the dream— Dr Diego Royal. Then she died and I was going to fulfill that dream for her, really I was but..." He bit his lip and I could tell he was feeling a bit uncomfortable. "The idea I had of school coming was completely different from what I met here and it was time to let go anyway, it wasn't my dream and she isn't here to see it anyway." He picked up his fork again, forcing a smile on. "My dad supported me, that's a good thing I guess."

"Yeah, he sounds really cool already."

He chuckled, "he is."

"Dr Diego kinda sounds nice," I said, shrugging. He raised a brow. "But, I really don't see you pulling it off."

"What? Really?"

"Yeah, I mean with the jewelry," I gestured to his ear and nose. "And the hair and the-"

"What's wrong with my hair?" He asked, eye wide.

"It's all over the place man, not gonna lie."

"Shit," Diego abandoned his food and starts patting his head down.

"But it looks good," I complete, trying so hard not to burst laughing.

"Huh?" He stopped his failing attempt to tame his hair.

"It looks good, Simba. You can stop freaking out now," I laughed. "Are you a narcissist? You seem like a narcissist."

Diego rolls his eyes, "don't lie, you just said-"

"I know, I mean, nothing is wrong with your hair it just looks too good to belong to a doctor." I shrugged, avoiding eye contact. I just freaking gave a compliment!

"Oh," silence. "Oh." He added knowingly like it just sank in.

"Shut up." My voice sounded small.

"What," his sounded teasing. "Got something else that you like about me?"

"I never said I liked it!" I nearly screamed, making almost everyone turn to our direction.

Diego waited untill my face gradually turned to a stove, until everyone returned to their various food before he burst out laughing. I just wanted to disappear into thin air.

I focused on my food like it was the sun, muttering under my breath. "How annoying."

"Oh Lord, this is going to be so hard."

I peeked at him, "what is?"

Diego winked, "deciding which version of you I like better."

Argh.

*

Diego and I chatted and ate together way past lunch period. We just sat there talking and it was nice. Really nice even, I was glad I saw him after all. And he's kinda like Sebastian— they are very different and yet similar in some ways. Except for the daddy issues Sebastian had and the loving relationship Diego has with his dad. He adores the man and it's cute.

Oh my gosh, the word 'cute' doesn't even fit him at all. He's too— What's the word?— Manly. Yes, Diego is too manly for the word cute.

Anyway, we part ways when Sim finally calls me and I use that an excuse to also finally leave. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed his company but lunch must end and the fact that we even stayed more than expected was making me feel all weird. A kind of weird that I don't understand and can't explain.

"Hey what's up?" I asked Sim, as we meet up under at the fountain. He was looking so drained and exhausted.

"Hi," he looked behind me. "Who's that?"

Sigh. "A friend, Diego." I didn't look back. Yes, Diego decided to see me off and I let him because I didn't have enough excuses up my sleeve. Plus, he's a friend and friends do that.

"Oh." Sim turned to me. "I haven't heard of him and I know we aren't at besties yet but come on... I'm supposed to live vicariously through you."

I bursted out laughing, interlocking his hand like Ryder interlocks with mine. "Sim, fuck you, we're besties already. I've seen you take a shit for Christ sake."

"D-don't talk about that," he stuttered out, blushing already. I just laughed more although that day I didn't laugh at all. Sim behaved like he was going to die of embarrassment and I was feeling so sorry. Now, however, it's laughable.

"Well," I stopped laughing on his behalf. "We're besties and there's nothing to talk about Diego. We kinda just became friends today."

"'Kinda just'" he nods, "okay then."

"It's true."

"Fine," then he sighs so loudly. "I'm so hungry, I've been on my feet all morning. Did you eat?"

"A burger, two hours ago. Want one too?"

"Nah, I want home cooked meal."

"You're cooking?"

"Of course, you're not that great of a chef you know."

I gasped, "what, how dare you?"

Sim just shrugged.

"My dad's a chef."

"Congrats to your dad then."

"Oh my gosh, Sim!"

*

"Sebastian, you can't just shove and throw people around," I said, trying so hard not to laugh. "We talked about this.

"So what then happens when someone annoys me or talks crap to my ear?" He asked and I can tell he was amused too.

"Um, you try to ignore them and count to ten in your head, or even out loud. Like we practiced that time with the french journalist." I couldn't hold it in anymore and I burst out laughing.

Sebastian did too but quickly sobered up, "that's not funny Flynn."

"Oh yeah," I cleared my throat, then crossed my legs underneath me. I was outside the dorm, sitting on one of the benches that went around a big oak tree. "But it is a bit. Remember how you jacked that guy up by the collar and he started blasting french words like his life depended on it?"

Now he laughed, a deep rich laugh that made butterflies go crazy in my tummy. "I thought he was going to start foaming in the mouth and die."

"Yes and yet, you still didn't let him go."

"No, I was ready to watch it happen," he went serious again. "He was daft, stupid and making you uncomfortable. Had to be dealt with."

My heart went all warm at that. The french journalist incident happened back home, when we were seniors in highschool. Seb and I went for a walk and we holding hands and occasionally kissing and laughing— normal boyfriend things — and then this journalist guy walks up to us. From his look, accent and forced English we knew he was foreign. We weren't going to listen to him but he insisted and kept following us. I finally had enough and convinced Sebastian that we should listen to him. He thanked us and started asking if we were in a relationship and stupid questions like how it is to be gay.

The session got uncomfortable real fast and Seb just kept quiet, jaw locked as he let me do my thing— I was the one that wanted to give him a chance after all. I skipped questions but it just kept getting more weird and uncomfortable, sexual questions were even involved and that's when I stopped. Telling him we couldn't help him anymore but the persistent cow refused to let up. He continued following us and even grabbed me. That's when Sebastian boiled over and angrily grabbed the man by his collar lifting him off the ground. The poor man got so red in the face and started begging in french and crying. Sebastian refused to let him go and was even going to punch him or give his regular head butt. I had to beg on the guys behalf and introduce the counting stuff.

It worked and Sebastian let the guy go making him fall to his butt. The guy didn't even rest and immediately got up and ran, limping away.

Long story short, I got the silent treatment all through that day and I didn't even know he was upset because I got upset. How sweet is that?!

"See, how am I supposed to scold you when you're always being so sweet?" I ask, swooning all by myself.

"Don't scold then, although it's adorable when you do."

"Uh-huh."

"Have I told you I missed you?"

I chuckled, "yes, I think so."

"Okay," pause. "You're sure I have? Because it feels like it hasn't gotten across."

I laughed, "you have and it has, I miss you too."

"Okay," I hear some rustling and creaking of the door. "What's your plan for the night?"

"Ryder's coming over and then we'd go to library."

"This night?"

"Yup, it's open 24 hours."

"Not the point. You guys are going this night?"

I nod, stretching my neck from side to side. I have a turtle neck sweater on and I'm actually outside because I'm waiting for her and I didn't want to disturb Sim who was reading inside. "Yeah, her assignment got extended and scarier and I'm going to help her with it while I also do my readings for tonight."

"Whoa," I can tell by his voice that he's getting all worried and protective. "When are you guys going to come back?"

"Definitely after midnight or we'd just sleep there. Students do that all the time."

"Are you with a blanket or something?"

I looked at my hoodie on the bench. "Hoodie."

"Paxton, that's crazy. Sleeping in the library just you two."

Paxton. My heart leaps any time he calls me that, it's either he's being really serious or I've gotten into some kind of mess with him.

"There are other students there and we might come back."

"That's even crazier. Just you two walking alone after midnight, no way."

I rolled my eyes but I was smiling. "It'll be fine. There's campus security around. Nothing bad can happen."

"You don't know that. What are you with for protection? Pepper spray? Tear gas?"

"Seb," I laughed. "I'm not going into the evil forest. I'm out now and every where is calm, there are students around. I don't think the campus is ever empty at any time."

He just sighed and I could envision him stressing about it already and running his hands through his hair or pulling.

"Okay fine, I'd get a pepper spray and we'd sleep over at the library."

"Keep your phone on you and tell your girlfriend that if anything happens to you, I'm gonna—"

"Sebastian," I cut him off. "I can take care of myself you know."

He sighed deeper, "yeah, I know. Sorry."

"Enough about me, your plans?"

"I've to get back to the bar before midnight, took an extra night shift so I'd be home around 5 or 6 in the morning."

I sat up straight. "Why'd you take an extra night shift?"

I could see him shrugging in my head. "Needed the cash."

"For what exactly?"

"Nothing and the guy for the night shift is sick anyway. Plus I have nothing to do."

"Except sleep and rest before you're back out in the morning again before 9!"

"It's fine. I get plenty of rest in the bar."

I scoffed, "really?"

"It's fine."

I paused, "are you trying to suck up to your boss?"

"What? No."

"So you're just in love with the bar now and want to spend every waking moment there?"

"It's just one night shift."

I sighed, a headache beginning to form. "Sebastian you need rest. Like every other human being."

"And I would get it baby, promise. It's just one shift. Can't do much damage."

"Fine," the headache started disappearing. "Hope you're going to add reading and studying to your future plans because you can't forget everything about school if you plan on getting admitted next session."

"Y-yeah, sure. Reading, of course."

"Sebastian."

"I'd read. I want to get into school and be with you so, of course."

I see Ryder walking towards me, an old fur coat on with a beanie. She looked tucked and already tired, I almost laughed.

"Okay, I love you Seb."

"I love you Flynn."

"Ryder's here, I should go."

"Okay, please don't get burgled."

"I'd try. Goodnight."

"We'll both be awake."

I chuckled, getting off the bench. "See you in the morning."

"I'd call."

"Okay."

"Bye.

"Bye."

The call ended and I dragged the phone down to my chest, closing my eyes for a moment. I already missed him and we talk forever.

"Lover boy?" Ryder asked, throwing her arms around me.

I nodded, hugging her back. She smelled like strawberry. "You look ready."

"I do?" she looked herself over. "Phew, thank God I look it because I am so not ready. I want to sleep."

I laugh, grabbing my hoodie and bag off the chair. "What time are you submitting again?"

"7am sharp."

"Good, remember that and stay awake." We interlocked arms. "Oh, do you have a pepper spray?"

"Duh, two even."

"Perfect."

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