[color=gray][indent][indent][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MpGzvUL.png?1[/img]
[sub]A [@metanoia] & [@Melissa] Collaboration
Featuring [color=steelblue]A Fool[/color] & [color=F29CA3]A Wise Blonde[/color][/sub]
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It was evident in the swiftness of Nicholas’ actions that he didn’t want nor care to see his sister straddle Leo like he was the latest teen heartthrob. He hated the visual of them, in any respect, together. It not only brought him to a state where he was nearly puking but the fact they both were into it, even to someone blind as a bat, Nicholas had no doubt in his observant mind there was [i]something[/i] between them. From the way they kissed, as much as he wished he didn’t look back at the circle when he found himself three-shots into a desire to block out the sounds of cheer and support he heard form those within the circle, he knew this was more than just embracing the unpredictability of that stupid game.

And he hated it because he was someone who should’ve been the star of this game. Nicholas had the sex appeal of someone twice his age. He kept his body in peak condition (for someone his age), he knew he turned heads, and the way certain people couldn’t keep their eyes off of him, he knew that he was on their minds a lot, too. Despite all of this, however, between Tyler Jane playing his own game (and doing better at it than him, at that) and getting cockblocked by Sol, who might he add probably didn’t want to be at this stupid party in the first place (yeah thanks Tane), the fact that Leo, of all people, had the spotlight shined on him when he didn’t deserve it. It almost made Nicholas revert to his worse impulses.

Meanwhile, another couple of shots of whatever cocktail was nearby entered his system, a seething glare sent towards Leo in the process.

Somehow Nicholas lost some time. Between giving Leo the equivalent of the bird and a few extra rounds of the mystery meat equivalent of alcohol and he heard Tyler Jane announce the second game was on its way. He smiled -- well, smirked really -- at that announcement. [color=steelblue]“Seven minutes in heaven?”[/color] He repeated back to himself, a shot glass touching his lips. He didn’t drink or sip it, though; he merely brought his gaze on Tyler Jane, fixating on her for a slow, dramatic moment. Somewhere in the part of his chest where his heart was, he thought maybe he should quit the poor attempt of a Game of Thrones-worthy attempt at being cruel and just take his desired ginger by her slender arm, take her into the nearest closet, and have his way with her ...in whatever version of real life their minds had allowed them to imagine.

But, if he did that, would Nicholas truly be the petty person that he had always been? Absolutely not. He needed a victim -- a patsy, really. Sadly, the pickings were slim. Savannah knew his games and in her current state, if he was so much in her area code, she might literally bite his dick off. [color=steelblue]“As tempting as that might be, no, definitely not her.”[/color]

Nicholas scanned the room and saw another blonde. She was a lot friendlier than Savannah was at the moment and, if Nicholas was being honest with himself right now, twice as attractive. [color=steelblue]“She’ll do just nicely.”[/color]

He strutted his way across the room, budding between Sam and Alexis, making it obvious who he was interested in talking to. [color=steelblue]“My apologies, Alexis.”[/color] His tone, though clearly influenced by his recent intake of alcoholic content, had a soothing texture to it, almost as though Nicholas had decided to turn on the charm. He took the blonde’s hand. He remembered how easily swayed she was. Despite how things ended between them, he remembered what he needed to get his desired results in a timely manner. [color=steelblue]“I cannot believe it took me so long to notice you were here.”[/color] He allowed himself to frown for her benefit. [color=steelblue]“Allow me to make it up to you. Would you, if it pleases you, Alexis, join me in this closet for seven minutes?”[/color] He asked, keeping a soothing tone.

Alexis had been enjoying herself as she sat there next to Sam. He was just as bewildered by the kiss they shared as she had been- the passion they both felt evident- which was endearing and sweet. Afterward, she had propped herself even closer to him, almost hearing his heartbeat pounding from a few inches away. From what it looked like, they were cozy. Well, she was cozy until Nicholas decided to grace them (or so he thought) with his presence. A chill in the air almost could be felt, and the blonde couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

There was a point a few months ago when the mere sight of the dark-haired boy made her go weak in the knees. He had a way about him that was intoxicating, but now, all she felt around him was sober (even though at the moment, she was getting drunker by the minute). Alexis desperately wanted to roll her eyes- what did Nicholas want to do with her after he ended things? But, it was only seven minutes, and it was a game- she could swing that. [color=F29CA3]“If it pleases me?”[/color] She joked, and then her lips settled into a small forced smile. [color=F29CA3]“Sure, lead the way.”[/color] The blonde looked back at Sam and whispered quietly in his ear loud enough for him only to hear. [color=F29CA3]“I’ll find you after, I promise.”[/color]

As the two walked over to the closet, Alexis felt numb. She didn’t want anything to do with Nicholas anymore, and she had thought he was the same way… so why had he asked her to go with her in the first place? She was dumb, but she wasn’t completely stupid. It was clear that he wanted something, and was scheming in some way. As the door shut behind them she sighed deeply. [color=F29CA3]“So… here we are.”[/color]

They had found themselves with more room than Nicholas had thought they would but it was still tight. He reached over him to find some kind of light switch. After a few moments, he grabbed what felt like a hanging string. He tugged on it and a clicking noise went off, illuminating the dark closet with some semblance of light. “That’s better,” he muttered, finding his eyes adjusting to the new-found light and reacquainting himself with her face. Those gentle features, the soft skin he had fond memories touching, and her hair. Nicholas had always preferred blondes (though TJ was the only exception). He didn’t know why but the way their hair shined in the light and how the paleness of their skin complimented well with it, that was an aesthetic that did everything right for Nicholas Grey. 

[color=steelblue]“God, you are as stunning up close as I remember.”[/color] In his attempt to kill the awkward silence, he caressed her arm, sliding it up in an almost gentle stroking motion, his gaze fixated on the blonde.

Alexis squinted as the light flooded the closet, a moment necessary for her eyes to come into focus before settling on Nicholas. As he spoke sensually, his hand making contact with her skin, she was transported back to the first night they spent together- the way he looked at her, teased her, and the passion with which he kissed her fresh in her mind. But that was then, and this was now. She didn’t move an inch, but instead of feeding the fire, three words escaped her lips instead. 

[color=F29CA3]“How is she?”[/color]

Of the list of things he thought she was going to say, a vague question like that wasn’t even in the top one-hundred. [color=steelblue]“She who?”[/color] He repeated back, puzzled.

The blonde sighed, brushing a piece of hair out of her face as she slipped her arm away from his grasp. [color=F29CA3]“You know- [i]her[/i].”[/color] Alexis stated, [color=F29CA3]“The girl you said that you were interested in when you ended things.”[/color]

[color=steelblue]“Oh. [i]That’s[/i] who you meant.”[/color] Nicholas’ voice fell flat all of a sudden as he expelled out a sigh. [color=steelblue]“Well, you might be ecstatic to know that she’s currently not talking to me at the moment.”[/color] He let out another sigh, though this one had a mixture of disappointment and regret attached to it.

Alexis could tell by the tone of the boy’s voice that he was clearly in a debacle, and it didn’t take an Einstein to know that. [color=F29CA3]“Oh, I see…”[/color] Gently, she pried for more. [color=F29CA3]“And why do you think that is?”[/color] The blonde asked, knowing how debonair and confident the boy usually was and how this must not be a result of that. Nicholas had the ability to sweep a girl off her feet- Alexis was well aware as she had been one of them before- so she knew it wasn’t because he wasn’t forward enough. 

Nicholas shrugged as he leaned against the wall behind him, hands sinking into his pocket. [color=steelblue]“I’m not even sure there [i]is[/i] a why. Maybe I was wrong about her.”[/color] He knew that wasn’t the truth but, the more he thought about it, maybe it was and he had been wrong about Tyler Jane all this time. Who is to say where the truth resides and where the lie is?

The blonde gave the dark-haired boy a knowing look. After spending so much time with him at the beginning of the year, she knew it couldn’t be nothing. There had to be [i]something[/i] that Nicholas was doing that caused the girl of his desires not to talk to him. Even after they had gone their separate ways, Alexis was often still tempted to speak with him, but she always stopped herself in order to not get into a sticky situation. He had this way about him that drew people to him, not push them away. [color=F29CA3]“I highly doubt that’s true.”[/color] Alexis replied, leaning against the wall of the closet. [color=F29CA3]“What did you do, Nicholas?”[/color]

[color=steelblue]“What makes you think [i]I[/i] did anything?”[/color] The question lingered and Nicholas looked at Alexis. It would only take a few short moments before he exhaled in a somewhat defeated way. [color=steelblue]“Alright, fine, there might have been one too many emotional games played that made her snap or whatever have you. But it’s not like I’m the only guilty party here. Tyler Jane did the same thing. I’ll even go as far as to say that she did it [i]slightly[/i] better than I did.”[/color] Just the thought of that made the hairs on his arms stand up with anger.

[color=F29CA3]“Tyler Jane, huh…”[/color] Alexis nodded, gritting her teeth in order to hold back any emotions she was feeling at the mention of [i]her[/i]. Up until this point, she had only heard rumors and seen signs, but this was the first time that Nicholas had spoken her name, uttered the person who he decided to toss the blonde aside for. And she had to admit, she could see why the boy was interested in her. Silky hair, pretty face, slender frame, long limbs. But, what was more amusing was that she seemed to have him wrapped around her little finger… the redhead just didn’t realize it yet. [color=F29CA3]“Emotional games are truly your strong suit, aren’t they Nicky.”[/color] Alexis forced a small smile before continuing. [color=F29CA3]“Why though? Why are you playing games with her if you already know what you want?”[/color]

He found it strange that on a list of three people, Alexis had found a way to render Nicholas speechless and not in the usual ways she did. Mr. Hale and Billie were the only ones in his life that had ever gotten him to think about anyone that wasn’t him nor what he wanted on a superficial level. They had been the only ones to get through to him, yet here was Alexis surprising him in ways he didn’t think were possible. It both brought a smile to his face and bothered him. On some level, he wished [i]this[/i] Alexis had been present back when she held his interest in that way, but at the same time, she was bringing him back to the conversation he had with Kaleb.

[color=steelblue]“You know, you’re not the first person to say that.”[/color] His admission was followed by a laugh. [color=steelblue]”But, I honestly don’t know why. I guess because I like to see what reactions I’ll get,”[/color] Nicholas shrugged and chuckled as he looked down somewhat.

The blonde could see the wheels turning in the boy’s head. Her simple questions clearly struck a nerve, and she wondered if anyone had ever been so plain and straight with him instead of beating around the bush with metaphors. Alexis wasn’t smart enough to use big fancy words. She couldn’t cite poetry by memory or recall quotes from famous books that could direct someone’s path. What she did have though was her heart, and even if it broke her up again inside to tell Nicholas what she tried to express to him a few months back, she forged onward and gave her last tidbit of advice to the boy. 

[color=F29CA3]“Isn’t what you feel for her enough?”[/color]

Her question produced a sharp chuckle. “What I feel?” He repeated back, partially dumbfounded at how Alexis thought it was that simple. He couldn’t tell if that was sarcasm or if she truly believed what she was saying. [color=steelblue]“I’m not saying it wouldn’t be enough. I’m sure anything I say would work, but I haven’t even the faintest of ideas on how to tell her...these things, especially not after how royally I probably screwed things up.”[/color] Regret hung to his words like it was the only thing keeping it from falling into despair. [color=steelblue]“Do you really think it’s a simple matter of me telling Tyler Jane just how crazy she drives me?”[/color]

Alexis frowned, her eyebrows furrowing. [color=F29CA3]“I told you how I felt, didn’t I?”[/color] The blonde delicately stated, deciding to sit down on the ground of the closet and leaning her back against the wall, looking up at Nicholas. [color=F29CA3]“I said to you that night that I wanted to be something more. I put all my cards out on the table, and you said no.”[/color] The girl recalled the evening they had spent together in the dark-haired boy’s room, lying in between the sheets and talking for hours. He was easy to talk to- a bit dramatic, but he always had something good to say. But when Alexis brought up their little relationship, nothing good came out of his mouth.

[color=F29CA3]“I picked myself up, got dressed, and I left knowing that I said everything I could have. And then I moved on. It’s not that hard to be honest with someone, and if you don’t try that’s your own fault.”[/color] The blonde picked a piece of dust and fluff off of her outfit, tapping her feet together out of instinct.

As he listened to Alexis, hearing her speak with an insight that was refreshing to see, he couldn’t help but think back to that night. How he had disregarded her in the worst of ways. Looking back, there was a lot he did wrong and not just with her. He made a myriad of poor choices both in how he acted and how he treated people. It was rare for him to entertain the concept of being wrong, but it was rarer still that he could admit it to himself. Nicholas was wrong to play games with these girls’ hearts.

Sliding down so he was more at an eye level with Alexis, he flashed a gentle smile at her. It came from a place of gratitude. [color=steelblue]“Alexis, I don’t know what to say. I guess, really, is thank you.”[/color] His voice was low and it exposed him to a feeling he never thought he’d experience: being vulnerable.

Well, those were words she never thought she’d hear Nicholas Grey say. Him thanking her for being honest? Revolutionary. The girl put her shock aside to offer him a small smirk in return, [color=F29CA3]“You know, I should be thanking [i]you[/i]. If you hadn’t ended things, I wouldn’t have kissed Sam tonight and that sure was something.”[/color]

Nicholas laughed when she mentioned Sam. [color=steelblue]“Well, you’re welcome, I guess.” He didn’t know what else to say other than that. “Wait, did you say [i]you[/i] kissed him?”[/color] Nicholas asked, feeling he might’ve misheard her.

[color=F29CA3]“I did say that,”[/color] Alexis proudly replied, letting a hand drift up to her hair to twirl a strand around her finger. Thinking about Sam gave her a feeling that she never got when she used to think about Nicholas. Sam made her feel giddy, happy, excited. There was something about him that was comforting as if he truly saw her for what she was. 

Shaking out of her quick little daydream, the girl prepped her exit, [color=F29CA3]“Speaking of, I should get back to him. Don’t want Sam to think I was in here for too long with you, Mr. Casanova. After all, you do have quite the reputation that precedes you.”[/color] With a quick sigh, the blonde stood up quickly, dizzily taking an extra step to the side and offered Nicholas a hand. [color=F29CA3]“So, what are you going to do now?” [/color]

He grunted somewhat as he stood up. [color=steelblue]“Assuming Tyler Jane can stomach the sight of my face for more than five seconds, I might just do what you and a couple of others have advised me to do.”[/color] He laughed through a half-grin. He didn’t know that someone like him would actually feel optimistic for something so foreign to him as telling the truth for once. It frightened him to the point where his bandaged hand was shaking, though he managed to get a handle on it. [color=steelblue]“Then let’s get back to the party. I hope we both can celebrate tomorrow -- in public, of course.”[/color] That little tease resulted in a laugh to escape his lips. Nicholas just couldn’t help it.

Alexis tried her best to hold back a giggle, but couldn’t stop it as she opened the door to the closet, music from the party loudly revealing itself as they were forced back into reality. The blonde propped the door open and looked back at Nicholas, [color=F29CA3]“I hope so too”[/color] she stated, before disappearing back into the crowd. [/indent][/indent][/color]