Chances

Gemma

I had to admit, Axel was growing on me.

It was like I was living with a mold.

A mold that was noticeably taller than me and had dark ruffled hair.

A mold with a bright and one-sided dimpled smile and an enchanting laugh.

A mold with magical dark brown eyes.

"What was so hard about moving to the house next door?! It was right there!"

A mold who wasn't a fan of horror movies because he thought all the main characters did was make illogical decisions.

I laughed. "What was gonna be the fun in that?"

For the past week, Axel and I talked way more than ever.
Sometimes, when he called from work to ask for reference on something, our conversations would elongate and branch off.

"It's sixty two at the end," I said one time over the house phone, shouting out the serial numbers on the back of a lamp he was returning. "Not fifty."

He chuckled. "Got it. God I'm getting old."

"You're pushing fourty at twenty three? Bit too early for that if you ask me."

"I'm gonna become a stay-at-home guy. Pretty soon it's gonna be my back."

"Okay...Axel's twenty fourth birthday gift, a walking stick. Got it."

"The ones with the little tennis balls at the bottom?"

"Whatever you want buddy."

He laughed. "Hey Gemma?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think of a movie night?"

"But today's Wednesday. You still have work tomorrow."

"Not today. Like...over the weekends. We'll take turns picking out the movies and we'll have lots of snacks. Sound good?"

I blushed.

"...yeah."

And just like that, Friday night became movie night.

"I don't know but if you told me that three generations of one family died on the porch, I'd be having second thoughts."

"Says the guy living in the middle of the woods."

Axel chuckled and placed the bowl of popcorn back in between the two of us.
"It's not in the middle of the woods, it's a five minute walk to town."

"Still in the woods," I chuckled. "I'd assume a guy living on his own would like the company of neighbours for you know, safety?"

Axel chuckled and paused the movie.
"The house was a perfect fit. I'd hate to get caught in the everyday drama of neighbours and neighbourhoods and neighbourhood kids kicking footballs right through my window."

"Speaking from experience?"

"I was the kid. Once upon a time."

I laughed.

"And besides, there's nothing to be afraid of really," he continued, turning to look at me. "I've got you now."

I hated that he could see me blush with the light of the television set in the dark living room.

I didn't do anything but smile.

He hoisted himself to lie on his side.

"There," he whispered as he reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear, slowly resting his hand on my jaw afterwards.