Boy Next Door||Axl Heck

Pilot

It was now September of my freshman year, and so much had changed since the summer.

I hadn't spoken to Axl since the first day of school when we carpooled. Big suprise, the next day Axl rode with some guys from the football team.

Being a cheerleader had its benefits however, I had gone on a few dates with sophomore from the football team, Rick Rogers. Nothing serious, just a few dates. I was almost positive he was planning on asking me to the homecoming dance this Friday.

"Hey Mackenzie? You okay, you're like totally spaced out?" Deb said, pulling me from my thoughts.

"Yes sorry, just thinking." I said, digging back into my lunch

"About how you're gonna get rid of that zit on your chin?" Deb asked.

The thing about Debbie was that she was very sweet, but also very self centered. She thought mainly of herself, cheerleading, and boys. Other than that she was a great friend.

"Girls let's go, its showtime!" Courtney said, referring to our lunchtime show.

Every Friday at lunch, the cheerleaders hosted a game and did a few cheers for school spirit. Most of the cheerleaders were only cheerleaders for the shirt skirts and invites to parties, but I loved getting people pumped and excited for our school. I mean we are the Orson Hens right?

"Okay for this game we need two volunteers. Preferably big strong football boys." Deb said into the microphone

"Okayyy, how about Rick and Axl!" Courtney said, pointing the two out.

Rick came up to the stage, giving me a kiss on the cheek "for luck" and took his place next to Axl.

"Okay gentlemen, this is a game of tug of war, and the winner will win two tickets to the homecoming dance this Friday!" Deb explained the game while Courtney gave the boys each an end of the rope.

"Okay ready and.... GO!" We all yelled, signaling the start of the game.

We all knew Rick would win, he was older and bigger, so it was no suprise when he made the final tug, pulling Axl to the ground.

"Annnd we have a winner! Rick, here's your tickets, any special lady you'd like to ask to the dance?" Deb said, handing him the tickets.

"Well since you asked, Mackenzie would you like to be my date?" Rick asked, putting his arm around me

"You know it." I said, leaning into his side.

As we cleared the stage for our dance, I caught Axl's eye. His face looked disappointed, maybe it was because he lost the game in front of the "hot high school chicks", but I sensed it was more than that.

I shook it off, he didnt concern himself with me all year, so why should I worry about him? It wasnt like he was gin a ask me to homecoming.

"Okay ladies! 'Fired Up To Win' ready?"

Later:

"Bye Deb, seeya Court!" I yelled to my friends as I got out of the car and walked up my front yard.

As I was walking I caught sight of Sue Heck sitting on her porch, looking upset.

"Hey Susie-Q, what's up with you?" I asked, taking a seat next to her.

"Hi Kenzie. I tired out for the schools choir today, and I'm pretty sure it was the worst audition to ever audition." Sue said, with her head in her hands.

"Awe come on Sue, it couldn't have been that bad." I said, rubbing her back.

"No it definitely was."

"Well if it makes you feel any better, when I tried out for the cheer squad, I fell on my face AND I even tripped the head cheerleader." I said, trying to comfort the girl.

"And you still made the team?" Sue asked

"Yep, top of the pyramid. I like to think that's because I'm the best on the team, and not because I'm the smallest." I joked.

"Thanks Kenzie, I've missed you." Sue said, bringing me in for a hug.

"Me two Susie-Q." I said into her shoulder.

Even though we lived next door to each other, I hadn't really seen much of Sue, or any of the Hecks for that matter. I made a mental note to check up on Sue more often, growing up we were like sisters, and she clearly still needed big sister advice.

And I had missed having dinner with the Hecks. Ever since my dad got put into the hospital, my mom had been working a lot, and I almost always ate dinner alone in my room.

And I missed Axl. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I had really missed the boy. Growing up we were so close, but now it was like we were strangers.

So far high school had been one big lonely letdown.