To the Left- A Novella

Why (8)

The weekend finished with me working on finishing out homework and get ahead for the next few weeks. Anything to get my mind off of the party and what happened with Axel. I am perfectly fine with Max knowing, he's been like a brother to me the past two years, but Axel? Axel is new. Although, I do feel this draw towards him, he has this bad boy apparent, I will burn the world down for you, vibe and it feels good to be on the receiving end of that. Monday rolled around and I tried my hardest to stay away from him and his friends. I was almost successful, until mid-week when Mr. Donnaly gave me an extra assignment for class. Pulling myself under the carriage of the car, I get to work. Humming to myself as I work on looking at the strut assembly, I could feel a presence by my feet, and I knew it had to be Axel. Rolling out, I look up to see Axel with an amused look on his face. Crouching down he runs a thumb over my cheek. "Looks like you need to start cleaning up, Princess."

I glance towards the clock and see that there are only 10 minutes left of class before my eyes fall back to his. "Oh, uhhh, thanks..." I bite my lip. Hopping up to quickly replace my tools, I start putting them away on the wall and then run over to the sink to wash up. Unfortunately, there are no mirrors in the shop to see if I had anything else on my face or neck. There are too many tools around and after an accident about three years ago, they were all taken out. Apparently it was a bloody mess.

Axel comes up behind me, his palm slides across my back to my left hip, sending shivers down my spine. Turning me slowly, Axel raises his hand with a face wipe and lightly starts to clean off my face. His eyes are soft, calming. I can feel his concern as he continues to wipe my cheek gently.

Closing his eyes briefly, like he is holding back from saying something, he opens his eyes with renewed determination. "I want to show you something this weekend." His head nods as if he is confirming with himself. "Be ready on Saturday night at 6." He says as he backs away and out the door. "What?..." The trance I was in left me but he was already out of the workshop, leaving me standing there confused.

I leave shop and run to my locker and stuff my bag with the materials I need for my next class. The day seemed to roll by just the same. Class, locker, class, locker. The occasional chat with Rory or Max, or someone else from the popular crowd- don't ask me who, I don't really try to keep them straight. I ran into Zander on the way to my last class, but he seemed to be in a rush, just waving his acknowledgement of my presence. By the time the day was done I was just ready for the weekend to be here. Consumed by my thoughts of what Axel may want to show me.

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Saturday afternoon, I told Rory about the get together or whatever you want to call what Axel wanted to do. She obviously insisted on getting me ready for it but not before asking what the dress code was. I didn't know, so I told her a mix between casual, party, and date. I internally laughed at her face as it scrunched up in distaste. I think I broke her.

"Why am I just finding out about this! That does not help, Kat!" I laughed out loud, snorting at her disbelief. He need for fashion specifics were just over the top in this situation. In the end she settles on a pair of ripped black skinny jeans, some caramel booties, and a maroon off the shoulder chunky sweater- completed with a strapless bra- duh.

We are in the main house in Rory's room, so when the doorbell rings I am able to hear it. I look at Rory with a concerned face. My stomach turning in knots, "You should just tell him I am sick.."

"Oh, no you don't.. You are going!" She ran down the stairs almost smacking into the door and opened it wide. Axel filled the doorframe. His broad shoulders, chocolate eyes, mocha hair, and bright smile were on me the moment he spotted me on the stairs. His body was accented with his usual uniform of black on black. His eyes roam my frame and I can currently feel myself blush under his gaze. "You ready to go Princess?"