8-Group project
Shawn's pov
I still can't believe Axel actually asked me yesterday to partner up for the French presentation.
At first, I was surprised when he asked but without thinking I slipped out a yes.
I still find it hard to believe that Axel Schneider of all people wants to work with me but still, it's actually happening.
Ok, I keep saying his name as if I'm not popular myself but I can't help myself. Despite eating at the same table every day, Axel never talks to me and seems unreachable, yes even if he's no longer at the top of the school.
I used to not care about Axel but ever since our last music club meeting last week, my curiosity about him has nearly doubled.
Yeah, he keeps getting more interesting, yet I can't understand why he's the only one who isn't keen on talking to me.
At first, I thought he hated me but it doesn't seem like it, especially for what he did for me. I still can't get over how he stood up to me in front of the others at the table. It felt like no one cared about my true self those days and it felt good. Though, I still haven't found the courage to talk to him.
Besides, I won't lie Jasper's accusation last week that I have a crush on him roamed inside my head despite my denial.
I mean how couldn't I? I've never really liked people before so, it's all new for me.
But I've thought about it and it's possible that maybe I do have a crush on Axel.
Though, I'm confused about my own sexuality now. I've never questioned it all that much but the idea that I like guys like my dads could make sense. I mean I don't trust Tessa and Grace I don't see her as a love interest.
So yeah, this sexuality dilemma is confusing. I can't conclude just yet. Maybe I don't like Axel romantically or maybe I do but I like girls or I'm just gay. I really don't know.
All I know is that Jasper has been pushing me to talk to Axel and of course, they were delighted when I told them Axel's my teammate for the French project.
Other than that, there's one thing that keeps on happening and I can't seem to get enough of it, Axel and I keep making eye contact. Eye contact! This means he does look at me!
Now that I'm partnered with him, now's my chance to talk to him and maybe get to know him. I'll also get to figure out whether or not I like him.
Regardless, Axel and I partnering, made things messy for the gang and it also made Jasper unlucky. I really thought Grace would team up with Tessa but Zayne decided to partner up with her. So, to Jasper's horror, Grace decided to team up with Jasper.
The idea of that frightens me. Grace never talked to Jasper before, why would she want to team up with Jasper? I want to believe Grace wants to get my twin but my gut feeling something isn't right.
As much as it scares me, it's not up to me to deal with that. Whatever happens, I'm sure Jasper will be fine, they know how to deal with that.
"So, how are you gonna do the project with Axel?" I flinch totally caught off guard.
"Woah, did I scare you?"
"Yeah, you did!"
"Hm, there's no reason for you to jump out of surprise, unless you've been thinking so hard that you forgot everything. Who knows maybe you were thinking that deeply about Axel." Jasper teases and I push them a bit.
"I wasn't thinking about Axel," I say a bit embarrassed.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Jasper smirks and that just makes me want to hit them.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Seriously did you decide yet?"
"Jasper, we haven't even entered school yet, of course, I haven't had the chance to talk to Axel."
"Oh come on, you could've texted him."
"I don't have his number." Jasper's smile drops and looks at me disappointed.
"Seriously? You eat at the same table but yet you don't have his number? Well, you'll be forced to have it for this project."
"Yeah, I know."
"You know if you're too shy to ask, I can ask him what is his number for you," Jasper smirks and I glare at them.
"No! Don't do that. You'll make things awkward."
"Fine, so you'll ask him yourself then?" Jasper asks curious and I sigh in defeat.
"Yeah, I will. I have no choice anyway. This project is the perfect situation for me to talk to him."
"Agreed, anyways, how will you do the project?"
"What do you mean?"
"Online, somewhere in public or at each other's houses." My eyes widen at the realization but I decide to keep it cool.
"We'll probably end up doing it on-call. I doubt he'd want to spend time with me alone." Jasper gasps.
"What? I beg to differ. This is the perfect opportunity to go to each other's house and get closer to him. It's also your only chance to see if he's willing to spend time alone with you. What other excuse will you have." I look at Jasper in disbelief.
"What the hell Jasper, why would we do that? Nowadays everyone does groups online, he'll never agree."
"You'll never know till you ask and that online thing, screw that, it's always better to do it in person." Jasper is kinda right but the idea is still quite insane.
"I mean yeah but still he might not like that idea you know?"
"Just ask him, if he doesn't want to then it's not that bad, you'll still get to work with him but online."
"Fine...I will."
We then finally get in and we go to our locker. The others are luckily not there.
———————-
The entire day has passed and unfortunately for me, I haven't found a single way to talk to Axel alone. I'm always with the group and when I'm not, he's either with them or nowhere to be found.
This concerns me, already a day wasted to work on the project.
As for the girls in the gang, they are mad that Axel is teaming up with me but after complaining they finally let it go. However, Tessa was only complaining about teaming up with Zayne but Zayne would try to reassure her everything would be fine.
Regardless, I was sure I lost all hope to talk to Axel alone but no, Jasper and I were about to leave the lockers when I noticed that Axel had arrived at the lockers. No one else is there, maybe it's my chance!
"Go, I'll wait here."
"Ok"
I walk back to the lockers and awkwardly get closer to Axel, he notices me as he takes out his skateboard.
"Um...hey about the project..." I say awkwardly and I already curse myself.
"Yeah, the project. What about it?" Axel asks with his usual nonchalant tone and it only makes me more anxious.
"Um...I need your number..." He looks at me confused and I must become red as a tomato with how embarrassed I am.
"Oh, no, no! Don't misunderstand, it's for the project..." I release a breath and he looks intently at me for a few seconds and then finally answers.
"Yeah, I figured."
He takes out his phone.
"What's your number?"
I tell him my number and he types it in on his phone.
"I sent you a text, did you receive it?"
I take out my phone and check, then I notice his text saying hey.
"Yeah, it worked." I smile relieved.
"So I guess we'll be able to work on the project now." Then I suddenly remember what Jasper told me earlier this morning.
"Um, about the meetings...Where do it?" I say anxiously.
"Oh, we can do it online if you prefer." I'm about to agree but then I take all the course left in me to propose something else.
"Oh uh, I was actually thinking of...doing it in person...?" I ask and I want to hit myself for making it sound like it's a question. His eyes widen a bit but it come back to normal as soon as it appear.
"Ok, I don't mind but like where do you want to do it?"
"Um...maybe we could...do it at each other's house so we'll have more privacy..." He looks at me confused and I'm about as ready to die of embarrassment but to my surprise he accepts.
"Yeah, I doubt others want to hear French and besides open places really aren't the best location to practice a presentation." My eyes widen in surprise and he frowns.
"Yeah, yeah I agree too."
"Ok, so which house?"
"Um, yours maybe?" I attempt.
"Yeah no, I prefer going to yours if it's an option."
"Yeah, sure," I say anxiously and he frowns again. Oh no...
"Ok, it's settled then." Then he tries to leave again and my brain goes into alarm mode as I remember another important thing.
"Wait! We haven't settled a date yet!" I blush at the word even if I know damn well it isn't the case.
"Right, are you good for tomorrow? It's a Thursday and I know you're like nerdy and all but I'm not interested in working on Fridays."
"No, that's fine. I don't like it either..." He seems surprised to hear that.
"Ok, then if anything changes, text me."
"Um yeah, I'll ask my dad if he doesn't mind driving you back home with us."
"Yeah, sure. See ya."
He leaves alongside his skateboard and once he does I join Jasper.
"I did it!" I say excitedly.
"You did! I'm so proud of you!" Jasper hugs me and eventually, we stop hugging.
"So what is the verdict?" Jasper asks dead serious.
"I got his number and he agreed to come to our house tomorrow to work on the project."
"I knew he'd say yes and it'd worked out for you!"
"Yeah, I'm glad too but I almost messed up!"
"Oh no tell me."
I ended up telling everything to Jasper until our dad Brandon arrived and we left the school.
————————
It's Thursday and it means Axel is coming to my house.
I still can't believe this is happening. I haven't invited anyone home in ages let alone in this new town but it's changing today.
I feel so nervous because it's not anybody that will be at my house, it's Axel! I'm not that close to him so I worry about how it will go.
I almost thought the first person from Selcan High that I would bring back home would be
Tessa or even Grace but luckily they never asked and it never happened.
Even if I barely know Axel, I still feel more comfortable around him than the two girls, especially more than Tessa.
Of course, my dad Brandon agreed to let Axel join us in the car.
And honestly, I don't know what to expect.
Jasper has brought friends back home in the past but I rarely do. So, I don't know maybe in a way I hope my dad will like him.
Anyway, my nerves reach an all-time high when the bell rings signalling the end of classes.
As usual, I leave the class alongside Jasper and we start to head to the lockers.
Luckily the others didn't talk to me for long as they headed for their football practice and cheer practice.
"Ok, they're gone now," Axel says.
"Yeah, anyways, our dad should arrive soon," Jasper says.
"Ok"
It remains silent for a few seconds but luckily Jasper always comes to the rescue.
"Let's go wait outside, it's fresher today than the other days."
"Yeah, September air," Axel says.
So we go outside as promised and wait not too far from the doors.
Again things are awkward but Axel surprises us by cutting the silence.
"How's it going with Grace so far?"
"Oh, she's a handle. We haven't started working on it yet but already she's a pain on text." Jasper complains and I expect a smile but to my surprise, Jasper seems serious.
"Yeah, I figured. I still don't get why she teamed up with you." Axel says. Does he know more about Grace than we don't?
"Me neither but oh well." Jasper shrugs.
Then luckily Dad arrives not too long after.
We get in the car and as usual, Jasper goes in the passenger seat and I stay behind but it's different this time since Axel is sitting with me.
"So, that's your friend?" My dad questions as he turns around to look at Axel.
"No, he's not, he's just my group partner," I say denying it, we aren't friends, maybe Axel doesn't want to be friends either.
"Mm, so who do I have the pleasure to meet?" My dad smirks and I stare at him nonplussed.
"Axel," He says shortly and it surprised me.
"Axel, cool name. What's the special occasion to dye your hair red?" I look at my dad as if he's dumb but he ignores me.
"Oh, I wanted to try something fun, so I dyed it Red.
"It suits you well." My dad smiles and I grow even more embarrassed that my dad is doing that.
"Thanks, Sir." Wow...sir. He calls my dad Sir...
"Oh please don't call me that. Call me Brandon."
"Yeah ok,"
My dad finally starts the engine and during the entire drive, he asks random questions making me even more embarrassed. Through, Axel surprisingly doesn't mind because he answers all the questions and he seems to get along with my dad already. It's a relief but it's also a pain. Getting along with my dad Brandon means signing a deal with the devil.
Anyway, we finally arrive and we get in the house.
"If you need any help, you can ask me." He smirks. Oh Nah, my dad is the worst when it comes to homework.
"Sure"
Then my dad leaves leaving us 3 alone but of course, Jasper has to leave us too, now leaving us all alone.
"Ok, so...we could start working on the project in my room..." I say uncertainly.
"Yeah, let's do that."
We go up the stairs and just by luck, we come across my younger sister, Alice.
"Oh, who's this cool-looking guy?" She says smugly as she looks at Axel up and down, this startles me.
"He's my partner for my group project in French," I say but she only stares at me intently not buying my words, ugh what a pain.
"You sure he's not possibly more than that?" She smirks mocking me as she puts her hands on her hips, such a traitor. She really is Satan I swear.
"Nah, he's not lying he's just my group partner," Axel says and I get relieved.
"Sure, sure, my bad." She leaves to her room but not without smirking obviously not buying it.
"Sorry about her, she's a pain."
"It's fine most younger sisters and brothers do that all the time."
"Yeah, but she's literal Satan." I find myself surprised at my casual tone.
"Maybe." He chuckled and my heart skipped a beat.
"Let's go work on the project!" I panic and he frowns but seems to forget it.
"Yeah"
We get in my room and I wait patiently for Axel's reaction.
"Cool room, you have posters and wait, you have a keyboard?" He questions as he walks to the keyboard.
"Yeah I do, I play it sometimes."
"Nice." He smiles nonchalantly as he continues to look intently at my keyboard.
"So...are you good at French...?" I question and he turns around to look at me.
"Well, I'm not bilingual but I know a few words."
"Really? Then maybe it could be useful." I smiled awkwardly but to my surprise, he smiled faintly too.
"Yeah, it would be."
———————-
Working on the project went better than I thought. I was so anxious at first but quickly it became casual between us. I don't know what it is with him but he always has this aura of casualness around him, I just can't help but join in.
I didn't have the chance to question him too much but we did a decent job with the project, we have our theme and a few ideas. I'm surprised that we're such a good team.
Regardless, dinner has arrived and it's time for him to go.
We go downstairs but are surprised to see my dad Garrett in the living room and he looks at Axel in surprise.
"Who's this fine young man? Is he your boyfriend?" My dad says and I blush flustered but I'm annoyed, why does everyone think he's my boyfriend?
"Axel and I are just Shawn's partners for the project." My Dad gasps in surprise.
"Oh! Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed."
"It's fine."
"Are you heading off?"
"Yeah, I am."
Then my dad looks at me and I can already feel trouble incoming.
"Do you mind staying for dinner?"
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