The Next Day

Waking up earlier than Lily- as she had expected- Skylar prepared herself for the day, grabbing a granola bar before leaving a note for Lily and leaving the apartment. Her intentions were set on simply relaxing by the pool before anyone were to occupy it. She pursed her lips as she entered the pool area, seeing as a tall brunette already sat on the concrete edge. Before the blonde could retreat to the confines of the elevator, a gentle voice broke the silence.

"Don't go. Come back." James requested, his eyes gentle. Skylar sighed and she hesitantly walked to him. She stood, waiting for any reaction. "You can sit" James shrugged, gently chuckling. The blonde faintly smiled, sitting beside her long-time friend. The simply closeness brought chills down James' spine.

"What are you doing up this early?" James asked, facing Skylar. She smirked as she shoved his shoulder, "I could ask you the same." Shrugging, James smiled. "The two of us were early risers when we were little." The smirk remained on Skylar's face as she began, "You were. I only woke up early to see," she paused, anticipation rising to James. "To see...?" James trailed off, raising an eyebrow and quickly gesturing for her to continue.

"To see you." Skylar mumbled, a blush creeping on her pale cheeks. James smiled in satisfaction, scooting closer to the short girl. The blonde turned to him, her eyes innocent. "Don't do that" she shoved his shoulder once more. The smile on James' face widened, his eyes lighting up. "Do what?" James asked, confusion painting his face. Squinting her eyes, Skylar shoved the pop-star once more, "You're doing it! You're making that face!" she giggled. If possible, the brunette's smile grew in cockiness "What face?".

Releasing an agravated sigh, Skylar threw her hands in the air. "That face!" she pointed to James' face, her hand shaking gently. James chuckled, satisfied he had frustrated her as he always had. The two burst into a gentle fit of laughter, smiling to eachother. Their smiles remained as the laughter subsided, simply happy to be sharing laughs as they always had.

Skylar smiled in sadness, yearning to re-live her's and James' childhood; The times when James was her James, when he was carefree and loving.

The brunette noted the ending of her laughter, his eyes filling with concern. "Sky, are you okay?" he asked, leaning closer to Skylar. The blonde recovered herself, nodding and sending him a quick smile. "I'm fine" she shrugged. Having known Skylar since he could remember, James knew when the blonde was hiding something. Even having not seen her in six years, he was still in-touch with almost all of her feelings.

"Sky, I know you're lying. I'm not that stupid." James sighed. He found the blonde's gaze, offering a quick smile. Giving into James' melting gaze, Skylar looked to her feet swaying in the cool water.

"I miss how we used to be." Skylar whispered, her attention remaining on the water. Wrapping a careful arm around Skylar's thin shoulders, James brought himself even closer to her, their knees now gently brushing against each other. The duo sat in comfortable silence, Skylar releasing a quiet sigh once in a while. The silence was broken as James brought his face closer to Skylar's ear, "So do I."

The blonde shivered, chills racing down her spine and a blush tinting her cheeks. Finally mustering up her courage, Skylar sighed. "Why did you change?" she whispered, her eyes being glued to her feet in the water. "Sky, I already told you. If I couldn't," the brunette was cut off as Skylar shook her head "I've heard that already. I want something else." she argued.

James' face remained a mere cenimeter from Skylar's ear as he spoke, "How can you want more? That is why I changed." Skylar's shoulders slumped in defeat, her head hanging in hurt. "How can that be it?" she whispered. She waited in silence for James' response, anticipation rising. "I don't understand it either. But remember what you promised me." James finally said. This time, it was Skylar who brought on the silence. "You're not taking it back, are you?" James asked, hurt filling his whispered voice.

"Of course not!" Skylar vigorously shook her head, truth is her gentle voice. The blonde could almost see the faint smile growing on James' lips.

"Good." his whisper sent even more chills down her spine as his hot breath blew on her ear. Skylar attempted to be strong and ignore the longing to let herself lean against James for suport, to once again feel how amazing it was to be in his arms. She resisted the erge, her muscles tightening in restraint. She only allowed for a brief scarlett red to paint her cheeks.

"I always knew how to make you blush." James chuckled into Skylar's ear, earning a shove from the small blonde. He chuckled once more, this time, earning a glare. "You did not." Skylar argued, a small smile playing on her lips as well. "Sure, whatever you say." James shrugged, leaning his head on Skylar's shoulder. The sudden contact suprised the blonde, her muscles tightening once more before loosening in comfort. Hesitantly, Skylar shifted closer to James, their thighs now pressing against eachother.

Without thought, a smile graced James' lips. And at that moment, the popstar realized that he would eventually be forgiven.

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After roughly an hour, the two teens returned to their own apartments. Skylar quietly slid through her apartment door, hoping Lily hadn't woken yet. Her thoughts came true as the brunette sat widely awake at the kitchen counter. happily munching on her bowl of cereal. She looked up from her bowl, green eyes lighting up in curiousity. "Where were you?" she chirped, cocking her head to the side in question. Skylar chuckled as she sat across from Lily, a blush creeping on her cheeks as she began.

"I was just at the pool" Skylar shrugged, averting Lily's gaze. Catching on quickly, Lily raised an eyebrow. "You were with somone. Who?" the brunette pressed, leaning against her elbows on the cold granite. Skylar sighed in defeat, smirking lightly. "It was only James" she shrugged. "Only James?" Lily smirked.

"Shut up." Skylar grumbled, tossing a stray cereal piece at her friend.

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This was a very fluffy chapter in my opinion. I was super excited to start writing about James and Skylar getting closer! No worries, more to come:)