In Between Of Them

Azalea stirred slightly when she felt the soft tap on her head. "Wake up," a voice murmured, followed by a quiet chuckle that hung in the air for a moment.

Reluctantly, she pulled the sheet higher, cocooning herself away from the harsh light streaming through the window, and from the weight of the day ahead.

"Leave me alone, Jackson," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible.

A beat of silence passed before the sheets were suddenly yanked off, and Azalea let out a long, weary sigh.

"Come on, you can't hide forever," Jackson's voice was warm, almost teasing. "We need to grab our schedules. You've forgotten about school, haven't you, my dear friend?"

Azalea's eyes narrowed at him from beneath the tangle of her hair, her expression sharp, but Jackson only responded with a grin, his dimple making a quiet, unmistakable appearance.

A quiet sigh escaped him as he flopped into the blue beanbag on his side of the room. "By the way," he added, almost lazily, "Jett Fogger's throwing a party at his parents' loft tonight. It's going to be... unforgettable."

"Isn't that the guy that did a rollerblade stunt into his parent's pool dressed as spiderman and high on cocaine?"

"Yes and you should totally come to this one, don't want you missing out."

"A lot of things that happen during Jett's parties make their way to the internet somehow, so I don't miss much."

"But being there for the experience is way more fun, and this is our last year at Princeton. I promise to claim you as mine when we get there." He tease with a grin.

She smiles. "No."

His smile dropped at her answer and he frowned. "Party pooper." He mumbles.

Azalea sat up and itched her scalp, not caring about his reaction. She hates when he wakes her up early, but then again, he kind of became her personal alarm clock over the time she's known him.

Jackson 's grey eyes drift to her as she stood and stretched a yawn. Her shirt raised and his eyes went to the bit of skin that showed.

He smirks. "If I did know I was going to get a free show I would've prepared myself."

Azalea dropped her arms and flipped him off. "Pervert." Jackson clutched his chest, faking a pained expression.

"Well that was painful to hear. I'm far from a pervert."

"Ugh, sharing a room with you is painful."

"Okay now you're actually hurting my feelings."

"Good." She smiles. "Well I'm going to take a shower so just meet me under the tree." She says grabbing her bathroom bag from her drawer.

"Well hurry up, you know how I am when it comes to my studies."

"Well don't wait for me next time." She shrugs. Azalea placed on her shower shoes and fetched herself a towel.

"Well I care about you and your degree, that's what's called being a good friend Azie!" He shouts as she left mid-dialogue.

"Whatever nerd!" She shouts back. Jackson shook his head and their room door closed. When it did he reached over to his bedside drawer and pulled the top drawer open.

Jackson took the paper from its place and smiled. He took out his phone, snapping a photo of it.

"Oh dear Azie, it's already the first day and you're already falling behind. You know how I am." Jackson tore the paper in four and balled them up.

His eyes met her phone that's on her bed and he stood up. Jackson took her phone from the bed and grinned as he put in her password.

"This is going to be so much fun."

When Azalea got to the showers there were two girls already inside talking by the sinks. She noticed them as the two most known girls in college. Priscillia Sue and Megan Smith. Megan is the captain of the cheer squad of course and Priscillia is her...assistant?

Well the both of them are apart of the team and to be honest they're pretty good at what they do.

The both of them glanced at Azie as she walked in but paid her no mind as the girl found the cleanest shower there is.

If there is one thing she'd like to change about Princeton University is their dirty bathrooms. Ever since the plasmodial apocalypse, which lead up to the girls sharing the boy's showers, which wasn't that bad, she feared to let her feet touch the floor. Even the water for that matter, but she's got to deal with it.

Azalea set her things on the hook of the stall door and set her shower bag, which is made of plastic, onto the floor. She turned the shower on and relaxed at the hot water.

"Are you going to Jett's party tonight?" She hears. Azalea decided to tone out their conversation about Jett, finding it quite the bore already.

To be honest he's insane in her eyes. He's done a lot of crazy shit that'd kill a normal person. To her he's like a true Chad. Kind of.

"Of course I am, all of the hot topics are going to be there. Like, Chester Coss, Aria Red, Mindy Lowe." Megan explains.

Priscillia gasps. "Mindy Lowe? Like the model?" And by model she means Instagram model, nothing too fancy.

"Yup."

Azalea grabbed her shampoo from the bag and put her soap and towel back. She sighs, rubbing the shampoo through her hair.

"Oh, and Jackson is going to be there too." Megan follows up with a grin. Hearing his name made Azalea smile. She knows Jackson party's just as much as he studies.

"Who's Jackson ?"

She scoffs. "Are you serious? Blue eyes, black hair and dimple on his left cheek?"

"...I don't know who that is."

"Oh my gosh Priscillia, the guy who I had sex with in Quincy?"

Azalea opened her eyes and instantly regretted it. "Shit." She kept her eyes closed tight as she quickly rinsed the shampoo from her hair, then it was her eyes.

"Oh yeah, I remember him. But isn't he like a nerd though?"

"A hot nerd that knows how to fuck." Both girls shared a laugh and Azalea turned the faucet off. She can't believe that Jackson didn't tell her about Megan.

She knows he's popular with the girls and he always tells her of his sexual encounters with the girls he's swooned but why not the Megan Smith?

Azalea grabbed her towel and gave herself a quick dry. She dressed into the clothes she slept in but didn't care since she wanted to confront Jackson about it.

After getting dressed she grabbed her things and left the bathroom. She shot the two girls a quick smile before leaving the bathroom and jogging her way back to the dorms.

Azalea reached their room two minutes later and burst through the door. Jackson , who's still sitting on his beanbag, tossed something behind him and cleared his throat.

He gave her a once over, noticing that her hair dripping wet and she's still in the clothes she left in.

"Uh, quick shower."

"Why didn't you tell me you had sex with the Megan Smith?" She asks. First there was silence, then laughter.

"Woah, woah, woah, woah...how do you know that?"

"I overheard her and Priscillia Sue talking about it in the showers."

Jackson retrieved the phone he tossed behind him. "I don't recall."

Noticing that it's her phone she snatched it from his hands. Jackson put his hands up in defense and she crossed her arms.

"She said so herself, quote, "A hot nerd that knows how to fuck."

He smiles. "Handsome, smart and good in bed. Get to know me Azie."

She stared at him and motioned. Getting the memo he turned around so she could change.

"Why'd you keep her a secret?"

"Is Azie, the apple of my eyes, jealous?"

She scoffs. "As if. I just want to know why you didn't tell me."

He sighs, turning back around. She tossed her dirty shirt into his face and quickly dressed into the clean one. Azie took a seat on her bed and he tossed the shirt back to her, which she caught.

"Before school opened, I went to pick up a friend from Quincy, she was there and it kinda just happened." He shrugs.

She'd known him for nearly four years, and Jackson had never been the type to sleep with just anyone. So for him to say it had "just happened" seemed a little too easy, a little too rehearsed. Something didn't sit right.

"That's it?" she asked, her voice flat.

He nodded, almost too quickly. She shook her head, disbelieving, and stood up, the tension between them thick in the air.

"I'm going to get my schedule," Azie said, her words coming out more out of habit than anything else. She bent down to change her shoes, the soft scrape of her heel against the floor echoing in the quiet room.

Jackson didn't respond immediately. When he did, his voice was distant, like he wasn't really present. "Yeah... you do that," he said, as if the conversation had already moved on.

As the pissed-off redhead stormed back to the dorm, she couldn't stop thinking about all the ways she'd get back at Jackson. So, what was she pissed about? Well, not only did he drag her out of a perfectly good nap, but he also made her wait in a ridiculous line for two hours to pick up a schedule that he knew he had taken.

Yeah, she could buy a new one for a buck, but she had sworn off spending any more money here beyond what her tuition covered. She was already broke enough as it was.

Azalea burst into the room again, and Jackson, still sitting there staring at his phone with a frown, looked up at her. Yeah, he hadn't moved an inch. He needed to see her reaction when she realized he was about to make her last year a total nightmare.

"Where's my schedule?" Azalea demanded, her arms crossed over her chest as she glared at Jackson.

"Uh, the office?" he replied casually, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. He gave a soft chuckle, then snapped a photo of her, no doubt to add to his collection of annoyances.

Azalea's patience snapped. She snatched the phone right out of his hand and glared at him, her eyes sharp with frustration. She wasn't in the mood for his games today. Last year, he'd made it his mission to get under her skin-hiding her things, messing with their beds until she noticed the small changes, pulling every little prank he could think of. She'd known exactly what he was doing; he was just trying to get a rise out of her. And, for the most part, she hadn't given him the satisfaction.

But this year? She wasn't going to take it anymore.

"You're not pulling this crap again this year and getting away with it. I'm fighting back," she declared, her voice firm with resolve.

Jackson raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Really?" he asked, his voice sounding like a kid who'd just been told they were going to Disneyland.

Azalea couldn't help but smirk, her determination growing stronger. "Watch this." Without another word, she turned and walked toward the door, ready to make her exit.

Jackson blinked, then scrambled to his feet, clearly caught off guard. "Wait, where are you going?" He followed her into the hallway, calling her name. "Azie!"

Azalea turned back to face him, a sly grin on her lips as she continued walking backwards. "We're going swimming."

With that, she spun around and took off down the hall, her footsteps quickening as she made her way toward the pool. Jackson stood there for a moment, his smile fading as the realization hit him. Swimming? Was she serious? The words had barely sunk in before his pace slowed, the full meaning of her words processing in his mind. What exactly was she planning?

"Wait. Azie!" Jackson took off behind her, passing the few people in the halls. He pushed past the red double doors and hopped down the five steps leading down.

Ahead of him is Azalea who's absolutely sprinting across the grassy terrain to get to whatever building she's targeting on the other side. He's completely forgotten that she's actually athletic. Him on the other hand? Definitely not. Couldn't run a mile to save his life.

"Azie!" He shouts as he tried to avoid knocking into people and causing them to fall. Some of them did voice their few cents but he ignored them.

Jackson sprinted across the grass, leaping over a picnic table that was probably occupied by a couple enjoying their lunch.

"Hey, watch it!" the person yelled, barely dodging his flying feet.

"Sorry! Damn it, Azie, why are you so fast?" he muttered under his breath, frustration creeping into his voice.

As he ran, Jackson couldn't help but gripe about the one thing he'd never understand about Princeton University: its ridiculous campus layout. Why did every single thing have to be in a separate building? The library was in one, the dorms in another, the pool in yet another... It felt like they were all miles apart. Why not just make everything a little more convenient?

"Azie!" he yelled, but she was already disappearing through the double doors leading to the indoor swimming pool and locker rooms. Jackson cursed under his breath and pushed himself harder, finally reaching the building and bursting through the door.

"Fuck," he exhaled, his chest heaving as he caught his breath. He glanced around, his eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway. There was only one door at the end of it, the one she'd gone through.

He jogged down the hall, his shoes squeaking loudly against the polished floor as he approached. When he entered the room, it was almost eerily quiet, except for the soft echoes of his footsteps bouncing off the walls. And there she was-standing on the right side of the fifty-meter swimming pool. Jackson couldn't help but shake his head. He thought the whole thing was absolutely ridiculous. Who needed a pool that long? What was she even planning on doing in there?

His eyes narrowed. Whatever it was, he had a feeling it wasn't going to be easy to stop her.

But then again Princeton University isn't famous for nothing. It's huge and the expectations are always met. Funny how it's a public college other than a private one.

Very unique.

"Okay fire ant, calm down. We could talk about this." He finally says.

"Two hours wasted and I got up early for nothing."

Jackson slowly made his way towards her. She took a step back and he stopped.

"Okay okay, I give. I'm sorry. But Azie, it's the new year and it's still same you."

"You know what, you're right. This is very immature. I should learn how to get up early and make it to my classes on time and know when to get my schedule."

Jackson sighed a breath of relief and smiled. "Yes. I'm glad we're on the same page."

Azie sighed and handed out his phone. Jackson pranced over to her and when he got close enough she tossed it.

"No!" The ravenette watched as his phone made a 'ploop' sound when it touched the water and sank. He reacted quickly and pushed her in. His turmoil turned to instant happiness.

"That was for my fallen comrade!" He laughs. Shocked, she emerged to the surface.

"Are you serious?! My phone is on me!"

"Well would you look at that, similarities," he grins.

Azalea exhaled a breath and held up held up her hand. Jackson grabbed her hand to pull her out but she had other ideas and pulled him in with her.

"And now we have similarities." Azalea pulled herself out and squeezed water from the hem of her shirt. Jackson came back up a moment later and wiped his face.

"Your schedule was in my phone by the way, but don't worry I've already memorized it. Also, does this mean we're up for Jett's party tonight?"

"No."

"Come on please, this is y- our last year and I want you to have fun. I promise I won't mess with you after this."

She sighs. "Fine."

"Yes," he celebrates. Azalea smiled faintly and shook her head.

"By the way you owe me a new phone. And I'm only staying an hour since classes start tomorrow."

"Deal. By the way, wear green, it'll made your red hair pop."

"...uhuh."

With that she left. Jackson glanced around the quiet room and dipped into the water to get his phone. He came back up a minute later and inhaled sharply.

Jackson pulled himself from the pool and checked his phone. When the screen lit up he chuckled.

"Waterproof iPhone for the win."

Azalea glanced at her reflection in the mirror, eyeing the outfit she'd picked out. The green dress she had originally considered was absolutely ridiculous, so she tossed it aside in favor of something bolder-a red one that at least made her feel like she was in control. She wasn't thrilled about tagging along to Jett's dumb frat party, but she figured it was better to play nice, especially since Jackson had her schedule. She needed that schedule-desperately-since classes started tomorrow and she was already behind on a few things.

And if that wasn't enough, after the whole pool fiasco, Azalea had to track Jackson down again to ask which books she needed for her classes. It was like having a damn parrot on her shoulder for the rest of the day, him repeating the same thing over and over just to get under her skin.

"Oh, come on, Azie," he had said, that smirk still plastered on his face. "This is just me having fun."

She'd rolled her eyes. "No, actually, this is you trying to annoy me, which is extremely childish."

"...let's see how you get the rest of your books."

"I thought you cared about my degree." She poured.

"Fine, but we have Chem together so we're sharing books." Jackson walked off with a smile and she sneered.

"I'm going to fucking kill him."

The door creaked open, pulling Azalea out of her thoughts. She looked up to find Jackson standing in the doorway, dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, his expression a mix of impatience and that usual smugness she could never quite shake off.

"What in the world is taking you so long? Let's go," he said, waving a hand in her direction.

Azalea frowned, setting her brush down with a huff. "Sorry for getting ready."

Jackson flashed a grin, the corners of his mouth curling up in that infuriating way. "You look beautiful, Azie, but the clock's ticking. Let's bounce."

Azalea rolled her eyes and grabbed her purse from the bed, tossing it over her shoulder with a resigned sigh. She really shouldn't have agreed to this. She could've just spent the damn dollar on a new schedule and avoided all the stress Jackson was putting her through. But, it was her last year-her final year. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to slack off just a little bit.

Besides, she had to admit, part of her was curious about Jett's insane parties. The guy was legendary around campus. He'd practically had every freshman and sophomore in heat when he first came to Princeton, turning every party into a wild spectacle. Maybe she could finally see what all the fuss was about.

Jett was the kind of guy who didn't just walk into a room-he owned it. He was the "Chad" Princeton never had but somehow always needed. Now, whenever anyone mentioned Jett Fogger, everyone's ears perked up. It was like hearing a legend's name, and it was the first thing people talked about at the start of every weekend.

Azalea and Jackson finally made it to the school parking lot, and Jackson stopped in front of a car.

"Whose car is this?" Azalea asked, eyeing the sleek, shiny vehicle with raised brows.

Jackson glanced at her like she'd just insulted his firstborn. "What? Mine," he replied, clearly offended by the very question.

"For as long as I've known you, I've never seen you drive a car. Or even get into one, for that matter," Azalea said, eyeing him with suspicion.

Jackson shrugged, as if the whole thing were no big deal. "Well, we do live on campus, so there's not much need for one. But tonight's a different story. It's our little night out, so I figured, why not?" He opened the passenger door for her with a grin.

Azalea hesitated for a second before slipping into the seat. "Uh, okay..." she muttered, not entirely convinced. The door clicked shut, and Jackson was in the car seconds later, starting it up and cranking the AC.

He looked over at her, adjusting the mirrors. "Okay, so since we're only going to be at the party for about an hour, we're hitting McDonald's afterward. I know for sure I'm going to be starving." He gave her a playful grin, obviously already thinking about his post-party meal.

Jackson reversed out, heading to their destination.

"Do you eat anything else aside from McDonald's?"

"Eh, I usually go their for the fries. It's like they're salt is made of crystal meth." He grins. Azalea shook her head at his response and settled down.

It got quiet as they drove. It was peaceful and mindless. After a few minutes of driving Jackson shot her a gaze.

"By the way I like the red."

Azalea tore her gaze from the passing trees and empty road to look at him. She smiles upon seeing his faint smile.

"You really think I was going to fall for that shit again? You had your fun calling me poison Ivy on Halloween. I am not going to give you the satisfaction again."

He grins, taking a right. "I see that you're on your game this year."

Azalea let out a little chuckle, her gaze drifting to the window as the car cruised down the road. "I remember the first time you tried to talk to me," she said, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "The first thing that came out of your mouth was, 'Oh my gosh, you look like Poison Ivy. You should wear green more often.'" She mimicked his voice, causing Jackson to raise an eyebrow.

Azalea continued, "And at the time, I was wearing my green nightdress to bed. And I don't know if you've noticed, but... I never wore green after that."

Jackson shot her a look, trying to stifle a laugh. "Now that you mention it," he said, his smirk widening mischievously, "where is that green nightdress you stopped wearing?"

Azalea rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "I'm not showing you, if that's what you're asking." She shot him a look, knowing full well that he'd never let it go.

"Hey if you're not going to use it then you might as well let me."

"Okay stop talking."

The both of them shared a laugh. She remembers meeting him for the first time at Princeton. He just came to the room one day with bags in his hands.

"Oh, nice. Glad to have a girl as my roomie. Oh my gosh you so look like this character called poison ivy, but like with hazel eyes. Which, you should wear green more often, it suits you. By the way are you a freshman here at Princeton or...?"

No answer.

"Okay, not much of a talker." He glanced around, taking in the room more. "I'm Jackson by the way, nice to meet you."

Azalea closed the book and left the room in silence.

"Okay, tough crowd."

He tried his hardest to get a reaction out of Azalea after that, and the only way he succeeded was by pulling his usual stupid pranks to get under her skin. He'd hide her things, switch her stuff around-anything to get a rise out of her. She never let him off easy, but that was part of the fun for him.

Then, he started hanging out with her on a daily basis, and Azalea quickly learned that he was actually pretty smart. Like, prodigy smart, even if he played it off like he wasn't. And now, thinking about it, they'd spent so much time together, but they never really talked about anything outside of college life. It was always about classes, assignments, professors-never anything personal.

It was always assignments, parties, girls, or food. That's pretty much all they talked about. Outside of that, it was the same routine: they'd stay in their room, eat cafeteria food, or sit under the tree at the far back of campus, getting some work done and chatting about anything except their personal lives.

Up until now, Azalea hadn't even known Jackson owned a car. She stared at him, her thoughts drifting as she found herself wondering more about who he really was outside of school-the person behind all the pranks and sarcastic comments.

Before she could think much further, Jackson pulled the car into a parking spot and killed the engine. "We're here," he said, as if snapping her out of her thoughts. He quickly got out of the car, and Azalea followed, her steps slow as she took in the unfamiliar vibe of the night. Without missing a beat, Jackson wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her toward the entrance of the party.

"Move your hand before I break it," Azalea snapped, her tone sharp as she shot him a look.

Jackson didn't even flinch. "Did you forget about the deal we made?" he teased. "You're mine for tonight, babe, so I advise you let me do the talking."

Azalea shot him a look, unamused. "Enjoy the hour," she muttered under her breath.

With that, Jackson grinned, clearly amused, and the two of them walked up the pavement, side by side. To be honest, Azalea hadn't expected the party to be this big. It was sprawling, way larger than she'd imagined- and the place had a much more luxurious feel to it than she'd anticipated. Jackson definitely wasn't the broke college kid he liked to pretend he was. He was richer than she thought.

Young adults were scattered around the front of the house, smoking weed, drinking beer, and chatting in loud, carefree conversations. The bass from the music thumped so hard Azalea could feel it vibrating through the ground beneath her feet. She couldn't believe she'd actually let herself get dragged into this-sin central in full swing.

"We're going to have so much fun," Jackson beamed, practically bouncing in place like a kid on their first rollercoaster ride.

Azalea shot him a side-eye as he led her around to the side of the house, earning a few curious looks.

"Don't worry," Jackson said, rolling his eyes at her, "I'm not gonna ask you to shag on the side of the house." He grinned at her reaction. "This is just an easier way inside. If you choose the front door, you'll be standing out there for at least three minutes just to get let in."

Azalea snorted, crossing her arms. "Okay, part analytic," she muttered, unimpressed by his 'practicality.'

The both of them reached the back of the house which is where the pool is, and of course people are already in the pool, making out or just swimming. She noticed a grill and a hot tub on the far left.

Jackson's hand dropped from her shoulder to her wrist and he lead her inside through the sliding door that walks straight into the open kitchen and living room.

Again Azalea was left speechless by how big the space is. She sure there about a hundred students here.

Jackson opened the fridge and took out two cans. One of beer and the other of root beer soda. He flashed them to her and smiled.

"I am going to make your drink. Also, party 101, never leave your cup unattended. And don't let anyone watch it aside from me, okay?"

Azalea watched as he grabbed two red cups from its stack on the marble counter and began filling both cups with the separate drinks.

"I know that, I'm not a kid."

"Just looking out. Wouldn't want to beat anyone to death for my best friend." He smiles and handed her the cup of root beer soda. "It's the root beer," he whispers to her. "Want to make you look cool you know."

Azalea rolled her eyes and took the cup from his hand. "To your first party."

"Hm, to my first party... technically." She dinked his cup and took a sip. The both of them held each other's stare with a smile. Azalea didn't know what it was, but she was sure his gaze held a look of admiration.

"Oh my gosh, Jackson?"

Jackson arched an eyebrow and turned around to see none other than Megan strolling up. Azalea instinctively took a step back, leaning against the counter. Someone passed by, reaching for a bag of chips displayed alongside a bunch of other snacks, but Azalea barely noticed, her attention fixed on the girl who had just appeared.

"Oh, Megan, hi," Jackson said casually, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"Hi," Megan grinned, looking like she had just stepped out of a glossy magazine. She was wearing a pink dress that barely skimmed her thighs, clear heels that made her legs go on for days, and her makeup was flawless. Everything about her screamed Barbie-the kind of girl who was always on the hunt for her Ken.

"Liking the hair," Jackson said, gesturing to Megan's new platinum locs.

Megan chuckled, running a hand through her hair. "Thanks," she said, flicking the shiny locs over her shoulder. "It was a last-minute decision. I was looking like strawberry ice cream dipped in yellow paint earlier, so... I had to do something." She laughed, clearly pleased with her new look.

Priscillia had to assist the girl with dying her hair and it came out pretty good.

"Thanks, I did it earlier. A girl can never be too prepared for a party."

"Totally."

Azalea glanced on the outside when she heard a splash. Apparently someone just cannonballed into the pool from the roof.

"Want to head upstairs for a bit?" Megan bit her bottom lip, taunting the boy with the look of seduction. Jackson stared at her, studying her features.

Her dark green eyes flickered from his mouth back to his eyes. She pressed her body into his, wanting him to get a good whiff of that strawberry cheesecake perfume she bought earlier.

Jackson smirks, taking a sip from his cup. The blond has no idea how he does it but everything about him, his demeanor, his looks, the dimple that shows every time he smiles, laughs or smirks, him being smart. Everything about him drew her to him.

And after that night at Quincy she had to get him as hers. Megan trailed her hands under his shirt and kissed him.

Jackson stopped her and set his cup down. "Sorry to disappoint you, Megan but, tonight isn't about me."

Jackson wiped his mouth and stepped away from her. He grabbed Azie by the hand and dragged her out of the kitchen.

"Okay, what do you want to do first?" He asks. Azalea shrugs.

"It's a party. There's just drinking, drugs, dancing, having sex and causing pure chaos in the pool," she sums up.

"Why do you make it sound boring when you say it out loud?"

"It's the norm, Jackson, you of all people should know that."

"Okay fine, play me in a game of beer pong. I can hold my liquor."

She stops, looking at him. "I'm not drinking."

"Just one game," Jackson said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Ten cups. Five filled with soda, the other five with the strongest alcohol in this place. If you can make it past all of your soda cups, you win, and you get to dare me. But if I finish all of my alcohol cups first, I get to dare you."

Azalea paused, considering the challenge. The idea of outdrinking Jackson sounded both tempting and risky. After a moment, she smirked. "Fine. I think I could get you to drink all of your beer cups."

"Dare pong it is, then," Jackson grinned, extending his pinky.

Azalea raised an eyebrow, but without hesitation, she hooked her pinky with his, sealing the deal. "You're on."