Bonus chapter
The sound of Jax's sneakers hitting the pavement echoed as he approached Sarah, who was lounging lazily on a bench near the school courtyard. Her phone was in her hand, her fingers tapping impatiently against the screen, her posture radiating a mix of frustration and boredom.
Jax jogged up to her, holding the charger she had asked for, his usual calm demeanor masking any hint of irritation. "Sorry about the wait," he said, offering her the charger with a small, almost apologetic smile.
Sarah didn't even look up at him right away. She continued swiping on her phone, clearly uninterested in the small talk. "Took you long enough," she remarked with a playful edge in her voice, finally glancing up at him, her green eyes glinting with curiosity. "What took you so long, Jax?"
Jax scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little awkward under her sharp gaze. "Uh, there was a line at the tech office. You know how it is," he muttered, handing over the charger.
Sarah raised an eyebrow, not fully convinced but not pressing him. "Hmm, sure. You sure that's the whole story?" Her lips curled into a knowing smirk. "You weren't off getting distracted by someone else, were you?"
Jax flushed slightly at the insinuation but quickly tried to shrug it off. "Nah, just didn't want to deal with a bunch of people arguing over the last charger. Took a minute, that's all."
Sarah chuckled, clearly amused by his discomfort. "It's cute how you get all shy sometimes. You're usually so chill, but put you in a situation where a girl asks for something, and you get all flustered." Her voice was teasing, but there was a soft glint of fondness in her expression.
Jax glanced at her, feeling a mix of embarrassment and something else—something a little more complicated. "I'm not shy," he replied a little too quickly, trying to defend himself, but it came out more defensive than he intended.
Sarah just smirked, her amusement growing. "Yeah, sure. You're as smooth as glass, Jax."
Jax shifted uncomfortably on his feet, rubbing his neck. "I'm just trying to be nice. You know, help out. Can't have you without your phone."
Sarah leaned back on the bench, crossing her arms in a relaxed yet confident manner. "Thanks," she said with a teasing smile, "I'll admit, it was a bit of a crisis without it. But hey, you still owe me for the wait. Next time, don't take your sweet time, alright?"
Jax nodded, still feeling a little caught off guard by her playful attitude. "Next time, I'll be faster. Promise."
Sarah's smirk softened into something warmer, more genuine, as she glanced up at him. "You better. I'm not one to be kept waiting." But her tone was light, and her gaze was less playful now, as if there was a deeper layer of meaning beneath her words that Jax wasn't fully grasping yet.
Jax let out a quiet laugh, trying to shake off the odd tension that seemed to settle between them. "Alright, alright. I got it, Sarah. I'll be quicker next time."
Sarah stood up from the bench, now facing him fully. "Good," she said, her voice still light but with an undercurrent of something unspoken. "So, what are we doing after school? Got any plans?"
Jax glanced at her, momentarily thrown off by her sudden shift in tone. "Uh, I don't know. You tell me."
She shrugged, a playful glint returning to her eyes. "I was thinking of grabbing coffee, but if you're not into it—"
"I'm down," Jax interrupted quickly, relieved to move past the brief awkwardness. He gave her a small, genuine smile. "Coffee sounds good."
Sarah nodded, looking satisfied. "Great. Let's go then."
As they walked off together, Jax felt a strange mix of emotions—frustration, intrigue, maybe a little excitement. There was something about Sarah that always kept him on his toes, something he couldn't quite figure out. But, for now, the promise of a coffee and an afternoon away from the chaos of school felt like exactly what he needed.
As they walked side by side toward the coffee shop, Sarah smiled softly to herself, enjoying the simple quiet of the moment with Jax. He'd been a bit distant lately, though she wasn't sure why. They'd been growing closer in recent weeks, but there were times when he'd retreat into himself, almost like he was hiding something.
"So, how's Kelly been doing?" Sarah asked casually, trying to keep the conversation light but also curious. She tilted her head, watching Jax out of the corner of her eye as she sipped her coffee. "I haven't seen her around lately. You two still hanging out?"
Jax stiffened, his fingers tightening around his coffee cup as her words settled in. He almost spit out the coffee he'd just taken a sip of, caught off guard by the question. "Uh, yeah, she's fine," Jax said, his voice suddenly a little more strained than he intended. He quickly took another sip to cover his discomfort.
Sarah raised an eyebrow, noticing his reaction. There was something off about the way he said it, like it didn't sit quite right with him. "You sure about that? You're acting a little weird when I mention her." Her voice dropped to a teasing tone. "What, you jealous or something?"
Jax chuckled nervously, trying to shrug it off. "No, it's not that. I just... wasn't expecting you to ask about her." He couldn't help but recall what he'd seen earlier between Kelly and Scarlet, the way they'd seemed so close, so natural together. It bothered him more than he cared to admit.
Sarah's eyes glinted with amusement as she nudged him with her shoulder. "I don't know, Jax. I thought you and Kelly were just friends, but if you're acting all jumpy over her... maybe there's something more going on?" She gave him a knowing smile, clearly enjoying how flustered he seemed.
Jax's eyes widened, and he stopped walking for a moment, glancing over at Sarah, unsure of how to respond. He hadn't expected her to be so perceptive. "I—what do you mean?" he asked, trying to sound casual. "There's nothing more going on with Kelly."
Sarah paused, a playful smirk curling at the corner of her lips. "Right, sure," she said, her tone light but with a hint of teasing. "Then why are you so on edge when I mention her? Don't tell me you're still hung up on her."
Jax felt a flush of heat rush to his face, his nerves buzzing. He couldn't deny the fact that seeing Kelly with Scarlet earlier had left him unsettled. Something about the way they were together had triggered something he didn't expect—something deeper than just friendship. "I'm not... hung up on her," he said, his words coming out a little too quickly.
Sarah, noticing his obvious discomfort, softened her teasing. "It's okay, Jax. I get it. Things aren't always clear, and sometimes, feelings sneak up on you when you least expect it. I know you've been close with Kelly for a long time, but it doesn't mean you can't be feeling something different now. It's natural."
Jax met her gaze, surprised at how understanding Sarah seemed. For a moment, he felt like he was being given permission to acknowledge his own feelings. But at the same time, he didn't want to complicate things with Sarah, especially since they'd been getting closer.
"I... I guess I don't know what to do with it," Jax admitted, the tension draining from his shoulders as he looked at her, feeling a weight lift. "I mean, Kelly and I have been friends for a long time, and now this whole thing with her and Scarlet—it just makes everything feel... messy."
Sarah nodded, her expression softening with empathy. She reached out, brushing his arm gently, a comforting gesture that made him feel grounded. "It's okay to feel messy sometimes. You don't have to have everything figured out right now. You just have to figure out what feels right for you."
For a brief moment, they stood there in silence, letting the simple connection between them settle in. Then, Sarah stepped closer, her eyes warm, and she smiled. "But, hey, maybe focus on us for now. We're still figuring things out too, right?"
Jax smiled back, his nerves finally easing as he felt the warmth between them. "Yeah," he said softly, his gaze meeting hers. "We are."
Sarah leaned in, brushing her lips against his cheek in a light, affectionate kiss before stepping back, her playful smirk returning. "Good. Now let's not worry about Kelly and Scarlet right now. Let's just enjoy the day."
Jax chuckled, the tension in his chest finally dissipating. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his as they continued walking toward the coffee shop, letting the moment between them speak louder than any lingering doubts.
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Kelly sat in her room, strumming the guitar with a rhythm she had been perfecting over the past few days. The song was coming together, slowly but surely. Her fingers moved expertly over the strings, each note a part of her thoughts spilling out into the melody. She hummed a few words under her breath, playing with the lyrics as they formed in her mind.
"I never knew that I could feel this way,
But you've got me wondering if I'm okay.
Maybe it's the way you look at me,
Or maybe it's the way you set me free..."
Her voice was soft, almost melancholic as the words came together. She closed her eyes, lost in the melody, when her phone buzzed on the desk beside her. She reached for it and saw Sarah's name flashing on the screen with a new text message:
"Hey, bitch. Up for a party this week? Miss ya so much!"
Kelly smiled, her fingers still strumming the guitar, but she couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her. She typed back quickly:
"You know I'm always down, I miss you too. Where's it at?"
Sarah's response was instant:
"I'm hosting at my place. Come over tomorrow. You need to get out more. We're gonna have so much fun!"
Kelly felt a slight tug of hesitation. Parties weren't really her scene anymore. After everything that had happened, she preferred the quiet moments of playing her guitar or writing. But Sarah had a way of pulling her in, making her feel alive again, even if just for a night.
The next day, Kelly arrived at Sarah's house, feeling a little out of place but excited nonetheless. Sarah greeted her at the door, looking effortlessly stunning in a skin-tight outfit that screamed confidence.
"Damn, you look good!" Kelly said, giving Sarah a smile.
"Thanks, babe," Sarah replied, her eyes scanning Kelly with a grin. "But, uh, you're wearing that?" She motioned to Kelly's green army jacket and flared jeans combo. "Come on, you can't hide that body under all that."
Kelly raised an eyebrow, feeling a little defensive. "I don't know, Sarah. I mean, I'm not used to the whole... revealing thing anymore. I just don't want people to think I'm..." she trailed off, unsure of how to explain it.
Sarah rolled her eyes, crossing her arms with an exaggerated sigh. "Girl, who gives a shit what people think? You've got a killer body, and you should show it off. Honestly, you'll slay. Trust me. No one's gonna judge you, especially not at my party."
Kelly hesitated but finally let out a small sigh. She knew Sarah was right—Sarah always was, even if her methods were a little pushy.
"Fine," Kelly relented. "But don't expect me to go all out like you."
A little while later, Kelly found herself in a white mullet dress with a bow on the waist side that add a princess flare to her. She looked at herself in the mirror, still feeling a little out of her comfort zone, but something about it fits just right for her, that she has to wonder if Sarah already knows she's meant to wear it, then Sarah's words rose up. "You're gonna slay, Kel. You got this."
At the party, Kelly felt like a different person. Sarah had pulled her into the chaos of flashing lights and music, introducing her to a crowd of familiar faces. The drinks were flowing, and the laughter was contagious. Sarah was in her element, leading the group in fun conversations and dancing with a wild energy that Kelly had missed.
Kelly, though quieter, was still enjoying herself—dancing a little here and there, talking to old friends, and letting herself relax. She felt a surge of confidence she hadn't expected. Maybe it was the outfit. Maybe it was the vibe of the night. But for the first time in a while, she felt free.
By the time the party started winding down, Kelly had let go of her inhibitions more than she had intended. She and Sarah were sitting in the living room, talking about everything and nothing. Kelly's phone buzzed. It was a message from Adam, her producer:
"Yo, I've listened to your track. I think we need to meet. Got some ideas I want to talk to you about. Can you come by the studio tomorrow?"
Kelly's heart skipped a beat. She'd been working on the song for weeks, but she'd almost forgotten about it after getting lost in other things. She had sent him the melody for the R&B track she'd been writing—"Only u"—the one she had originally intended for Scarlet.
"Sure," Kelly texted back. "I'll be there."
The next day, Kelly walked into Adam's studio, feeling a bit nervous but excited. She was still on a high from the night before, and now she was about to dive back into her music. Adam was sitting behind a desk, headphones on, tapping along to something playing through the speakers. When he saw her, he smiled and motioned for her to come in.
"Hey, Kelly," he said. "You ready to hear what I've done with that track?"
Kelly nodded, her hands slightly trembling as she took a seat beside him. "I'm nervous. It's meant a lot to me."
Adam chuckled, turning the music up. "You're gonna love it. Trust me."
As the melody filled the room, Kelly closed her eyes, letting the rhythm seep into her bones. The song, her song, had taken on a life of its own. Adam had taken her raw melody and added layers to it—smooth basslines, slick percussion, a dreamy, hypnotic sound. It was everything she had hoped for. The song now felt even more powerful than she had imagined.
"Wow," Kelly breathed, opening her eyes. "You've really turned it into something amazing."
Adam grinned. "You wrote it, you gave it soul. I just gave it a little polish."
Kelly smiled, feeling proud and excited for what the song was about to become. She could already imagine it—this track playing in clubs, on the airwaves, with the people she cared about hearing it and understanding exactly what she had poured into it.
"Thanks, Adam. I really needed this," Kelly said.
"No problem," Adam said with a wink. "Let's get this ready for the world."
As Kelly listened to the track one last time, she couldn't help but feel a little more confident about herself, her music, and the direction her life was heading. She had come a long way since that night she first picked up the guitar. And with a song like this, she knew that the best was yet to come.
.......
Few days later
Kelly walked into her house, the excitement still buzzing in her chest after the studio session with Adam. The conversation had gone well, and she was eager to hear how the song would evolve. When she flicked on the light in the living room, she was startled to see a familiar figure sitting on the couch, back to her, with headphones in.
For a moment, Kelly stood frozen in the doorway, surprised, but then a smirk crept across her face. Quietly, she stepped forward, moving toward Scarlet and reaching out to snatch an earbud from her ears.
The sound that filled her own was unmistakable: her song. Her song. The melody she had sent to Adam with the request that no one hear it, especially not Scarlet, yet here it was, playing through her own headphones in her living room.
Kelly froze, shock and confusion mixing in her chest, but Scarlet didn't miss a beat. She slowly turned around, a knowing smile playing at her lips.
"You're more sneaky than I thought, little bird," Scarlet teased, her voice laced with amusement.
Kelly, still holding the earbud in her hand, narrowed her eyes, trying to process what was happening. "You're the one sneaking into my house for no reason," she shot back, crossing her arms over her chest. Her heart still pounded from the surprise, but there was a hint of playful irritation in her voice. "Yet, I almost thought you care about your DJ set more than me."
Scarlet's lips curved into a laugh, the sound rich and genuine. "Didn't know the girl who sulks at me could be this deep and sentimental," she teased, her tone warm but playful, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth between them.
Kelly rolled her eyes, though her lips curled into an unwilling smile. "I'm not sulking," she muttered, though she knew Scarlet had a point. There was something about the way she could read her so easily, and it both annoyed and delighted her. "But seriously, Scar," Kelly continued, now with a hint of vulnerability creeping into her voice, "Why are you here? You didn't even give me a heads-up." Her gaze softened for a moment. "I didn't expect you to... care about this."
Scarlet, noticing the subtle shift in Kelly's tone, tilted her head slightly. She pulled the other earbud from her ear, giving Kelly an amused yet tender look. "I care about you, Kel," she said, her voice low and serious, a stark contrast to the teasing earlier. "More than you think."
Kelly blinked, her heart skipping a beat at the sincerity in Scarlet's words. "But you still snuck in and played my stuff without asking," Kelly said softly, a teasing edge to her voice as she folded her arms.
Scarlet smiled, leaning back a little against the couch. "You should've known I was gonna hear it eventually, right?" she said, a mischievous glint in her eye. "And... it sounds good. Real good."
Kelly smiled faintly, relieved by the praise but still unsure about the situation. "I told Adam to keep it quiet, you know," she said, her tone a little defensive, but Scarlet just raised an eyebrow, clearly unbothered.
"You know I can't stay away from good music," Scarlet said, her voice teasing but with a touch of sincerity. "And it's not just good, it's... you."
Kelly let out a soft breath, the tension between them easing a little. For all the push and pull, the teasing and contradictions, Kelly could never deny how Scarlet's presence affected her. "Well, guess you're getting an early preview," Kelly said with a shrug, her tone light again, though her heart was still caught in the moment. "I'm planning on making it even better, but yeah... thanks."
Scarlet smiled, her gaze softening. "Can't wait to hear the finished version," she said, her eyes lingering on Kelly for a moment before she stood up, closing the distance between them. "But for now, how about we focus on what's right in front of us?"
Kelly, despite herself, felt her pulse quicken at the closeness. "What's right in front of us?" she asked, her voice quieter than before.
Scarlet stepped even closer, her smile growing, her eyes locking with Kelly's. "Something much more interesting than your song, I think."
Kelly's breath hitched slightly, her thoughts spiraling. She should be asking why Scarlet was here—what this meant—but the way Scarlet was looking at her made it feel like the world had narrowed down to just the two of them, and nothing else seemed as important anymore.
Scarlet didn't wait for a response, her hand gently reaching up to tuck a strand of Kelly's hair behind her ear, a soft, almost tender touch. "You know, you don't always have to hide away, Kel. You've got something special. And I... I'm not just talking about the music."
Kelly's heart thudded in her chest, but she couldn't quite find the words to say. Scarlet was so close now, the air between them charged, but Kelly wasn't sure if she was ready. Still, the pull was undeniable, and when Scarlet's lips hovered just inches from her own, Kelly felt everything inside her surge.
"What are you trying to do to me, Scar?" Kelly whispered, barely audible.
Scarlet chuckled softly, brushing her lips against Kelly's cheek before pulling back slightly. "Maybe just make you feel something."
Kelly pulled away with a playful grin, her eyes sparkling as she stepped back a little. "And now that you've gotten into my stuff," she said, her voice teasing, "you can go home with your beloved DJ set. You've had your fun."
Scarlet blinked in surprise, the playful tension hanging in the air. She couldn't help but smirk, though she could see Kelly's subtle shift from the moment. It was a challenge she wasn't quite expecting. "Hey," Scarlet said, raising her hands in mock surrender, "I didn't mean it that way." She leaned back against the couch, trying to regain her composure. "I just want you to be professional with my set, that's all. You know how much it means to me."
Kelly watched her for a moment, studying her face carefully. There was a softness in Scarlet's eyes that wasn't always there, and Kelly's heart skipped a beat. But she wasn't about to let her off easy.
"I'm just messing with you," Kelly said with a shrug, her grin turning more sincere, though there was still a hint of playful mischief in her voice. "I know you're protective of your set. I mean, I did kind of mess with it before."
Scarlet chuckled, the tension easing between them as she stepped closer again, her voice a little quieter now. "I'm sorry for making you think it bothers me," she said, genuinely apologetic, though her usual edge never completely left. "It's just... I care about it. And, well, I care about you too, Kelly."
Kelly met her gaze, the words catching her off guard, even if she had known it on some level. There was something unspoken in the way Scarlet looked at her—something deeper than just their playful banter, something that Kelly hadn't quite let herself acknowledge until now.
"You don't have to apologize," Kelly replied, her tone softer than usual. She gave a small shrug and then added, almost to herself, "It's just... hard to believe someone like you would care about me."
Scarlet smirked, a little chuckle escaping her lips. "Maybe that's the problem, Kel. You never give yourself enough credit." She stepped forward, placing a hand lightly on Kelly's arm. "But I do care. A lot more than you know."
For a brief moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of the words hanging in the air. Maybe, there was more to this than she was willing to admit.
Scarlet's voice broke the quiet, her tone teasing again but with an undercurrent of something more serious. "Now," she said, taking a step back with a small smirk, "what do you say we get that song finished? I'll help you make it even better."
Kelly smiled, feeling a flicker of excitement mixed with the lingering warmth of the moment. "You think you can handle it?" she asked, her voice playful.
"With you? Always. You're my girl, remember?" Scarlet replied with a wink, her confident smile returning.
"Right, I'm so stuck with you." Kelly smiled as she picked up her guitar again, the familiar sense of camaraderie and unspoken connection between them settled in, and she couldn't help but wonder just how far this would go.
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