Boy Next Door||Axl Heck

The Floating Anniversary

   I walked down the halls to my third period, stopped by the familiar arms of Rick wrapping around me.

   "Guess who?" He said playfully.

  "The boyfriend of a very angry girlfriend?" I said, turning to face him.

  "What? What did I do?" Rick asked defensively.

  "More like what didnt you do. You forgot to call me, all weekend." I said, walking off.

   "Hey Mackenzie come on! I got busy." He yelled running after me.

  "Whatever." I said picking up my pace and going to class.

   I had always hated History, and Geography was kicking my ass this semester. I mean why should I bother memorizing every country in Africa? When would I ever need to know that?

   As I stressfully looked over my notes, trying to memorize what I needed for the quiz we had tomorrow, a pencil poked it's way into my shoulder.

  I ignored it, knowing it was Axl.

  "Kenzie, hey Kenzie."

  "What could you possibly want from me Axl?" I said, turning around.

  "So my mom and I had this big talk about how I need to be more independent and stuff, right? Anyway I told her I would start making my own dinners but the problem is I cant cook so I was wondering if you could come over tonight and help me out?" Axl asked me.

  "Wasnt showing you how to use a washing machine torture enough?" I asked sarcastically.

  He looked upset by my comment so I quickly added, "I'll be over at seven."

  The bell rang, saving me from any further conversation.

  The rest of the day went by pretty fast, I didnt have much homework, just my Geography quiz to study for, and of course teaching Axl how to cook for himself.

   As cheer practice ended, I quickly shot Axl a text to make sure it was still okay if I came over. He immediately responded with a yes.

  Later:

   I stood on the Heck's front porch with a lump in my throat. I hadn't been inside the house since this summer. I knocked quickly before I could change my mind.

  "Hey Kenzie, Axl is in the bathroom fixing his hair. I think he actually took a shower without our mom nagging him to. Come on in." Brick answered the door.

  "Oh Kenzie hey, kitchens this way." Axl ran into the living room when he heard my name.

  Axl explained he wanted to make mac and cheese, and I showed him how. Right after I made fun of him for being fifteen years old and unable to make mac and cheese of course.

  "Do you know how to use a dishwasher?" I asked, only half joking.

"Duh you put the dishes in and click the button." Axl said, putting his dishes in and then clicking 'the button'.

   "Right well the dishes were clean so congratulations, you're an idiot." I said laughing.

   I noticed it was getting late, and my mom would be home from work soon, so I bid Axl goodbye and got my bag.

   "Wait, I'll walk you out." Axl rushed to open the door for me.

  We walked to my house in a comfortable silence. Until we got to my front porch.

  "I've missed this." Axl said, as he sat in my porch swing.

  "Well come over and sit on it anytime you'd like." I joked.

  "No I mean. We don't hangout anymore. I didnt think I'd miss you this much." Axl said thoughtfully

   As I thought of what exactly to say to that, Axl interrupted my thoughts.

  "Hey your dad hasn't put out his haunted house stuff yet, is he still doing that?"

  My heart clenched at the mention of my father. Be had been in the hospital for the past few weeks, after trouble breathing. None of the doctors seemed to know what was wrong with him, so hes been staying there until they did.

  "Uh no. He's kinda in the hospital right now so. Yaknow." I trailed off.

  "Oh my God Kenz, are you- is he- are you okay?" Axl said, getting up out of the swing.

  "Yeah I'm okay. I'm just.... Nevermind." I answered

  "No cmon tell me. You can tell me anything Kenzie."

  "Can I? I mean God Axl we used to be best friends. We had bracelets and everything! And now we hardly even speak. And you keep popping up and acting like nothing is different but everything is different! You were my best friend and ever since you've left it's like I have nobody!" I let out everything I had been bottling up for the past few weeks all at once, suprising Axl.

  "Kenz I dont... I don't know what to say." Axl said, putting his arms around me.

  "You dont have to say anything." I said, pulling away.

   "I guess I just thought that being in high school you wouldn't want to still be best friends. That like a girl and a guy can't be best friends without it being like weird or whatever. And I got caught up in the being whole star of the football team thing. I guess I kinda let it get to my head." Axl explained

   When I didnt respond he pulled out his keychain and put it in my hands.

  I turned it around to see the charm from our friendship bracelets hanging on it.

   "You still have it?" I asked

  "Or course Kenz. You're still my best friend. I promise to start being a better one from now on." Axl responded.

  As I went to bed that night I felt truly content for the first time this year. Now that I had Axl back I felt anything was possible.