Cooking With The QB ✔️

F O R T Y T W O - "Thank you."

As if sensing my thoughts, I look around the crowd to see Brooke smiling at me. Waving to her, she sends me a knowing wink before the next dance starts.

Even though I was in high spirits, my mood wasn't invincible to coming crashing down. Seeing Blossom up there with her squad and the same girls who stood back and left me on the floor, leads to my mind being misted over with ugly emotions.

As the dance starts, my mind can't pay attention. Instead, her words that she last spoke to me bounce around my head like a bouncy ball that will never rest - they're inescapable.

Remembering how she sneered in my face.

How I thought I did well and then she tore me down, until my confidence was destroyed into a fine dust that was blown away by the gentle breeze.

You're just in that team because of Axel.

You really think you can actually make it? Please.

You have no worth here.

You are nothing like a professional dancer, leave now before you embarrass yourself.

You are nothing.

It was all you, you, you. But what Blossom doesn't know is that her little speech caused the the man of my dreams to come back to me with more fight than ever before. That her speech made me practice harder than I ever have on my life.  That I've got a dance team now that has a stronger connection than hers ever will.

I'm stronger, tougher and more determined now and the reassurance of that flows through my veins like liquid courage as I sit beside Axel - knowing that my life has taken a turn for the better.

••••

After Blossom's team danced the same dance (I actually saw a judge yawn) the judges take a twenty minute break to make their decisions and for the whole time, my heart did not slow down.

So when the moment finally comes to announce who's the next school's dance team, I'm nauseous.

I'm between Axel and Emma as they both clutch one of my hands tightly. Despite my cast, Emma holds my hand defiantly and I couldn't care less about the slight pain that it causes, I'm too distracted to even be remotely aware of it.

The judges walk back onto stage and we begin clapping in courtesy.

I make my way up to the stage with the rest of my teammates and stand in a line with them, knowing the judges in front of me hold my dance groups and I's future.

"Well, I think from that display we can see just how elite the level of dance is here at UCLA!"One judge cheers. "But unfortunately, only one could win."

Another judge continues, "That's right. Now, the winner of this dance-off becomes that school's representing dance team and they will get to go to dance competitions all across the state! It's a very high honor."

The final judge nods in agreement before beginning to speak, "Now, we're going to keep this short and announce the winner. Between 'UCLA all stars' and our new group lead by Brooke Martinez, 'The Sparks', I'm very pleased to announce that the winner is -"

I've never believed in God, but at that moment I was praying that somebody, somewhere was looking out for me.

"-'The Sparks' lead by Brooke Martinez! Congratulations girls!"

The uproar is immediate. The celebrations follow quickly. But my emotions bet them all as my face splits into a grin.

Jumping to our feet, I'm dizzy with excitement and relief that my group actually did it. Relief as cool as water runs through my body as I hug Brooke with a squeal of celebration.

Hugs are shared quickly and sensing my breakaway, I run back to my best friends. I launch myself at Emma and her arms automatically wrap around me, my excitement clearly shared. We break apart as Rob hugs Emma and I turn to Axel.

Shouts, whoops and words of joy are ricocheting off of the hall walls at this stage but they all fade out when I practically fall into Axel's arms, my body begging to share this excitement with him.

"I'm so fucking proud of you." He laughs as he hugs me tighter than he ever has before.

Breaking apart, but keeping our arms around each other, our lips connect in one of the most joyous ways yet. We break apart as Axel lets me go unwillingly.

Sending another grin to my biggest supporters, I make my way back over to Brooke as she motions me to the front.

There's no words spoken. Just the sight of our grins is more than words could say.

Because even as the team stands at the front collecting the certificate to prove that this was official, I have no words.

No words to describe how utterly proud of my team and I that we've actually done it.

We are now the dance team that represents UCLA.

••••

The music thrums across the whole floor. The drinks are free-flowing and the grins are unstoppable.

The night sky stretches before me as the mild California weather wraps me up with familiarity. The stars shine and I take a slow, deep breath of fresh air - trying to relish in this moment for as long as I can.

"What are you doing out here?" Asks a deep familiar voice.  "The party is for you and your team after all."

Wrapping his arms around me from behind, Axel places a kiss to where my shoulder and neck meet. I melt back into him with no hesitation and let out a sigh.

"I know, I just wanted a minute away from it all to appreciate this day." I smile softly.

After the dance-off, it was late afternoon. So after picking up some Chinese and getting changed, Emma, Rob, Axel and I all headed round to a party that was happening a few minutes away from Axel's flat that is being hosted for our team's success.

Hosted in a stunning grand house with white and gold decor, I immediately fell in love with the building. Finding my way outside onto an upstairs balcony, I bask in the happiness of today.

"I know what you mean, it can get kind of crazy in there." Axel murmurs before unwinding his arms from my waist and coming to stand beside me on the balcony.

The moment is calm, the air is still and the craziness inside is masked over by an invisible blanket, dulling out any loud noises. In our own personal bubble, I almost utter the words that have hung in my mind since Axel said them to me a week ago.

But, alas, our moment had to be broken.

But what happened next, did more than break it - it shattered it.

"Man, Maxwell keeps calling you. I thought you blocked his number? I seriously think you need to go to the police." Rob voice says, as he appears out of the shadows behind the door.

In a matter of seconds, Axel's body shuts down as he goes ridged beside me.

Rob, as if finally seeing me, drops his mouth in what looks like regret. Slowly handing Axel his phone, he avoids eye-contact with me for the first time since I've met him. Muttering what sounds like sorry, Rob walks away, leaving Axel and I alone.

I'm glad for the privacy, because my thought are are going at a million miles an hour. But I decide to voice my most prominent one.

"Axel, who is Maxwell?"

••••
Author's Note:

It's happening. It's so happening.

But to celebrate hitting a quarter of a million reads, it's a double update!!

See you in the next chapter,

Jade x