Axel - ON HOLD

Chapter 4

Maya

I've been on edge all day. 

From the moment I woke up in my dorm this morning, until now, as I step into Thornton House with a bottle of water clutched tight in my fist. 

I don't know where Axel is, I have no idea what he's doing or where he's staying, and I'm too worried about bumping into him. My stomach is in knots and I almost kinda just wanna get it over with so I can freak out internally then move past it. It's gonna happen, I can't avoid him forever. 

"There you are." Lyra swings into the foyer with a playful grin on her face. "I didn't say anything on the phone earlier because I needed to see the look on your face when I told you, but... we have a surprise guest this evening."

The knots in my stomach tighten and I swear I'm gonna throw up. This soon? We're meeting Axel already? I thought that was supposed to happen at the party in a couple days? Not tonight!

"Wh-what?" I stutter, hating myself for letting my nerves show. 

"Relax, you're gonna love this, I promise." Lyra grabs my free hand and leads me to the main living room, practically giddy. I'm shaking and my knees are knocking together as I allow her to usher me forward.

"Get ready to meet the newest member of the gang!" Lyra whispers excitedly as we enter the living room. My heart stutters, but when I look around I see absolutely no sign of Axel. All I see is Tristan standing in the kitchen with a girl. 

Oh. 

"Her name is Camila, and apparently he loooves her!" Ly informs me as I watch Tristan leaning into the girl where she's backed up against the island in the kitchen. They look very smitten indeed, and me? I'm relieved. 

He isn't here. Thank god. 

"Hey, T!" Lyra calls out. "Maya's here, introduce her to your girl!"

I smile as we walk towards them, watching as Camila turns to look at us. She's very pretty; long blonde hair, white skin, bright blue eyes. She's pretty similar to Lyra, which I guess is a little awkward considering Lyra and Tristan were a thing not so long ago. Clearly, T has a type.

"Nice to meet you." I give Camila my warmest smile and she smiles back at me, but she seems unsure about this, and more than a little nervous. "How long have you and Tristan been dating?"

"Um..." She looks around at T hesitantly and he laughs while shaking his head. 

"It's pretty new." Tristan informs me, then he's frowning at Lyra playfully. "Stop telling people she's my girl, you're gonna scare her off."

"Excuse me, but you literally said those words to me. She's my girl. I'm just passing on the message." Lyra replies just as playfully. It almost feels like they're flirting, actually. I smile at Camila again, sensing how awkward she feels. I wanna help her out a little, if I can. 

"Well, Tristan is super sweet. Just make sure you keep him fed. His stomach is a bottomless pit."

"Oh, for real." T laughs at my comment and Camila smiles up at him. 

"I know, we went out for lunch today and he ate enough for the both of us." She giggles and Tristan shoves her lightly in the side while grinning down at her. I cut my gaze back to Lyra and find her smiling as she watches them. 

Yeah, I'm not buying that. 

"Is Drake around?" I ask Tristan. "Or Ryan and Dash?"

"Yeah, yeah. Everybody's out back." Tristan waves a hand absentmindedly. "This was supposed to be date night but Drake rudely interrupted us. We're going upstairs to watch a movie or something."