Axel

8

I S A B E L L A

I stood in-front of the mirror, in the staff bathroom of the cafe. Lifting my head up to get a better view of my neck, i brush my fingers over the covered purple bruises before bringing my blond hair over my shoulders, adding an extra layer to cover them.

I grip onto the sink and lower my head down, closing my tired eyes for a moment before lifting my head up and looking myself in the eyes.

I push of the sink, forcing myself to head straight for the door and get back to work.

I've been anxious to have to see Axel again, i wasn't sure if he would come order hot chocolate today. I hoped he wouldn't.

But there was still a chance he would, and my mind has been spiralling on what i would do. Would i act like everything that had happened last night didn't? Or would i be awkward and embarrass myself?

It hurt to know that all he wanted was a simple fuck, that he didn't want to be my friend at all. But i am trying to forget, I'm trying to move on and make other friends. People who'd actually want to be my friend.

So I remind myself that as I walk over to the cash register. Lucy gives me a tight smile as i walk past her.

We haven't had the chance to talk about last night, but i know we will at break.

I smile back at her, then grip onto the counter underneath the cash register whilst putting on a smile.

"Are you okay? " A soft voice comes from in-front of me. I blink, realising there was customer. She had her red hair in dutch braids and was wearing gym clothes. Her freckles complemented her face as she awkwardly smiled at me.

"Yes, I'm so sorry, what would you like to order today?" I straighten my back and fix my hair that was falling behind my shoulder.

"Just a regular coffee please." She says smiling once more and I can't help but smile back.

I place her order and give her change before she walks off to the side, waiting for her coffee.

I cant decide if I'm more anxious or relived when more customers come, this could mean Axel may not come or it could mean he's one person closer to coming. Maybe I'm overthinking it, he probably has already forgot about this the minute I left his car, and here I am not even doing my job properly because I'm too scared of seeing him again, and having to re-live the embarrassment. I'm stupid. A stupid stupid girl.

I grip onto the counter a little harder, till I felt like I couldn't grip any harder and my knuckles turned white. And when a bell rang, indicating someone had walked in, my eyes snapped to the tall figure. And i felt my face flush and my heart beat begin to pick up.

I kept the grip on the counter as he walked over, with his eyes glued to a small device in his hand. I took as many deep breathes i could before he came up to the counter. I even thought of just running away.

I hanged my head down to look at the floor, and when i felt his presence in front of me i squeezed my eyes shut and took one last deep breathe before looking up at him.

Here we go.

This is going to be so awkward.