You had received Axl’s message to meet him here, promising a “special” night. As you entered, your heart raced with anticipation. You searched the crowd for Axl’s unmistakable figure, but someone else appeared in front of you: Izzy Stradlin, with his ever-carefree expression and a cigarette dangling from his lips.

“Hey, kitten” (Axl’s nickname for you XD) he greeted you with a half-smile, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket.

Your confusion was immediate. “Where’s Axl?” you asked, not bothering to hide your discomfort.

Izzy let out a soft laugh, exhaling a puff of smoke.

“He lied. He sent me because he wanted... you know, us to spend some time together.”

You felt the heat rise to your face. It wasn’t that you had anything against Izzy. He had his own scruffy charm, but your heart was already taken by the red-haired boy with intense emotions.

“Why would he do that?” you replied, crossing your arms.

Izzy shrugged, but there was a glint in his eyes that betrayed he knew exactly why.

“I guess he doesn’t like competition.”