Boy Next Door||Axl Heck

Siblings

   It was now December, which meant it was another holiday season without my dad. He hadn't been improving any and the doctors didnt have hope he would make it to Christmas. I was glad I had Axl and cheer to distract me.

   Basketball season was in full swing and Axl was yet again the star of the team. I loved being his girlfriend, but sometimes I couldn't help but get jealous at the thought of every girl in school drooling over him as he scored for our team.

   "Hey Mackenzie, you look well." Mrs Donahue spoke as she entered the gymnasium.

  "Hi Mrs Donahue! How are you?" I answered politely.
 
  "Super, hows your dad holding up?" She asked, growing serious.

  "Oh you know, he has the holidays to look forward to now so that'll be good for him." I told her.

"Glad to hear it. Now you just let me know if you or your mom need anything alright?" She said, patting me on the back

  "If you hear from my mom you let me know." Is what I wanted to say, but I didnt.

   "Girls get out there!" Our coach ushered us onto the court.

  We preformed our fight song and a few cheers to rally the crowd. The sight of the Heck family waving at me boosted my mood.

  The game went by in a flash, we were already to halftime. We preformed our routine, I looked to the locker room door for Axl, he always blew me a kiss for goodluck, but he wasn't there. I knew he had forgotten, being preoccupied with the game so I didnt let it bother me.

   "Mackenzie are you riding with us?" Courtney and Deb asked me after the game.

   "No I'm actually doing something with Axl after this." I declined, I had no plans with Axl but I wanted to wait and see him.

  "Oh have fun." The girls said as they pranced off.

   I waited until the team got let out of the locker room, Axl was the last to leave.

   "Hey, you waited for me?" Axl said when he noticed me sitting in the stands.

   "Yeah, I didnt see you much tonight." I said, getting up.

   "Oh yeah. Well um we sorta have plans, the guys and I. So maybe we could-" Axl started.

  "No yeah that's cool. Just um, call me tonight?" I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder.

   "Yeah for sure." Axl answered.

  "Hey ready to go?" A cheerleader from the other team asked Axl.

  "Yes... uh yeah give me a minute." Axl looked between me and the girl awkwardly.

   I turned around and walked out the doors to the gym. Of course. How could I ever think that the "Ax-man" would be able to settle down and have a serious relationship.

  Tears built up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall until I was safely in my bedroom.

  "Kenz! Wait please!" Axl chased after me.

  When I didn't slow down Axl ran even faster, grabbing hold of my shoulder.

  "Kenzie it's not at all what you think." Axl said, trying to catch his breath.

   "Axl, I dont think it's anything. I trust you. I just..." I didnt quite know how to out what i was feeling into words "Axl, every girl in school would love to have a chance with you. And part if me cant help but feel like-"

   "Woah are you accusing me of cheating on you? Because that thing with Deb was all her, I'm telling you she came onto me!" Axl interrupted me.

  "Huh? No Axl I'm just saying that- Wait what thing with Deb?"

  "Uh there was no thing. Who's Deb?" Axl tried to backtrack.

  I rolled my eyes. "Whatever Axl, go have fun with that girl, and then tomorrow go have fun with Deb. I'm done." I said, walking away.

   "Really, sweet. You're like the most chill girlfriend ever." Axl cheered.

   "I'm not your girlfriend anymore Ax. You're not ready for a serious relationship right now. Maybe some other time, when you've matured a little bit." I tried explaining, but it was no use Axl was already halfway down the hall.

  That night I decided to visit my dad. I rode the bus in my cheeruniform, earning a few looks from other passengers.

  ***

I walked to the front desk to check in. I was greeted by a different women than usual.

  "How can I help you?" She asked.

   "Um I'm here to see my dad. Room 205?" I told her nervously, she made me nervous the way she kept looking me up and down.

   "Theres nobody in that room sweetie." She said, typing away on her computer.

  "Oh yeah i- yeah thank you." I said leaving the hospital.

   What a great end to the night.