CH6

After classes, Jackson and Azalea decided to head to their usual spot under the tree to knock out their assignments. It was their go-to place because, recently, they both found their rooms a bit... suffocating. Being outside, in the fresh air, felt like a relief.

But today, even the quiet under the tree felt loud—maybe even louder than it ever had before. They had been sitting in silence for the past twenty minutes, neither one of them speaking a word.

Jackson had thought getting her a coffee would ease the tension, maybe help break the silence, but instead, it seemed to make it worse. She'd only taken one sip when he handed it to her, and since then, the cup had just sat there, forgotten between them.

Jackson shaded in his triangle for his mathematic question and finally took a glance at her. When he did she quickly looked away, grabbing her cup of coffee and took a long sip from it.

Jackson couldn't believe it. Had she been staring that entire time? The young boy couldn't shake the question of her recent actions.

"Were you just staring at me?" He blurts. Jackson is always bold, the never sugarcoats anything when it comes to anyone, but in a moment like this and questions like that, she wished he was just a little bit standoffish.

"Nope, I happened to take a glance and the moment I did you looked at me and I didn't want you to think that I was staring so I averted my gaze." She said all in one go without looking at him.

"Riiiight. You talk about my weird behavior lately but you've got weird behavior of your own."

Still, without looking at him she answered, "Oh yeah, how so?"

"Like how you're somehow worried about me coming in late, mom." That made her look at him. But it was an 'are you serious?' look.

"Not only that you keep zoning out for long periods of time now." He wouldn't use the phrase 'stare' since he wants to keep that mystery tension at bay for now.

"And now you're talking fast. Is there something you'd like to tell me, Azie?" Jackson crossed his arms and chewed on the clicker of his pen. His query came out a bit, taunting and soft. Almost as if he caught her in some sort of lie and wants her to spill.

"Um, no?"

The wind blew, rustling through the leaves above them and turning the pages of their notebooks. Jackson's gaze met the leaves above and squinted slightly as a bit of sun beamed through a crack in the leaves above.

"It's always so peaceful when you're around." Another smooth, yet bold, statement.

Upon hearing that the girl felt a skip in her chest and her head got hot. Jackson returned his gaze to her and again they were both sucked into that tension of mystery.

"What's this tension we have?" He asks lowly. Could he not ask the obvious questions? Azalea could only plead silently in her mind for him to stop it with the questions she's also been asking herself.

But Jackson really wanted to know. It was only the start of the year, and already, things were happening—whether good or bad, he wasn't sure. But something was off.

"I-I don't...know what you're talking about," Azalea stammered, her gaze dropping to her book as she tried to shut out the thoughts racing through her mind. She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to clear her head.

Jackson, however, leaned over and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. The sudden gesture caught Azalea off guard, and her heart skipped a beat. She felt her face heat up, and it felt like the world around her was spinning.

"You're all red. Could be getting a sunburn," Jackson remarked casually, his voice teasing, before sitting back down and starting to pack up his things.

Azalea was still frozen for a moment, trying to steady her breath. She couldn't help but wonder why his touch still affected her like that.

"W-where are you going?"

He grunts, stuffing the books and other materials into his bag.

"I was finished ten minutes ago," he admits. Of course he was, he's the prodigy after all. The one with all the brains but acts like he's got nothing but brawn.

"Okay?"

"I've got to prepare you for tomorrow. I wouldn't to ruin this dare." He smiles. She didn't return it though. "See you tomorrow babe." Azalea watched as the young man walks off, and when he was completely out of her gaze and exhaled a long, agonizing groan.

"What the fuck is this?" She complains. She touched her hair, blushing strongly. "I hope whatever this is, is a phase." She whispers to herself. "I can't like a guy like you."

Once Jackson reached their dorm once more he plopped himself onto his bed. He's got built up frustration and he needs to think. The only way he gets through with all of it? Edging.

Jackson reached over by the foot of the bed and unzipped his bag. He rummaged through it in desperation and a few seconds later finally found what he was looking for.

Jackson popped the cap of his baby lotion and drizzled just a bit inside of his palm. He laid back down, undoing his belt with his left hand.

Jackson pulled out his erection and got to work. When the cool substance touched his skin he relaxed instantly. Jackson stoked himself slowly as he breathed heavily through his nose.

Everything that's been attacking his brain lately surfaced as he tried to come through with a conclusion or concrete answer.

Like, for starters, his father. Why in all hell is this man teaching at his college? Is it to torture him further, to take away his freedom and fun like he did all those years prior?

He thinks so, and when he heard that he was here, teaching at the school, he was furious.

Jackson's pace got quicker and this time a puff of air left his mouth. He moaned lowly and exhaled dryly.

Then there's Azie. The tension between them, that unrecognizable tension. What is it from? Why does she stare at him for so long now? What is she thinking?

Jackson trailed off in his thoughts and whimpered a moan. He opened his eyes, catching a semi-blurry glance at himself.

The back of his head hit the pillow as he felt himself throb and twitch inside of his palm.

"Fuck." He breathlessly states. Jackson's mouth gaped open, his brows knotted and he quickly stopped. Everything that nearly spilled out of him came to a screeching stop.

Jackson clenched his jaw as he tried to ease himself through the taunting feeling of a release.

After a moment he finally softened and the boy sighed. He propped himself up on his elbows and shook his head.

His bad habit seems to be getting worse these days. He doesn't like to call it a kink since he thinks the word doesn't fit him. But it is a habit. He always did it, never knew at first but he enjoyed the feeling of finally getting a good one out when there was an upcoming test.

Seemed to made him focus better.

Jackson rummaged through his bedside drawer, finally finding the wipes at the bottom. He cleaned himself up quickly and buckled his belt, trying to push the thoughts from his mind.

He liked Azalea, he really did, but the question lingered—did she like him?

His gaze shifted over to her side of the room, and he tilted his head, contemplating.

"Do you?" he whispered to himself, the question hanging in the air, unanswered.