Axel

Chapter 15

Maya

~ North Bridge University's graduating senior class proudly presents, for the first time ever, our spook-tacular SCARE FAIR. North Bridge Park West, Saturday 30th October. This flyer admits one ~

I look up from the flyer in my hands, throwing the music student that just thrust it into my chest a bemused look.

"Scare Fair?" I ask him doubtfully as he swings his guitar strap around his shoulder, readjusting the guitar on his back.

"Totally. Should be cool. There's gonna be, like, a haunted house and rides and shit." He shrugs his shoulders as he shoves some more flyers at a couple of guys walking by us.

"Is this an approved NBU event?" I ask him doubtfully as I turn the flyer over. The back is completely blank, and it's not very professionally made. Chord, Scar or Jax could have done a far better job of the artwork.

"Nah, just something the seniors cooked up, I think." The guy replies, scratching his chin like he's unsure. "The annual Halloween dance died a fucking death a couple years back, so we thought it'd be cool to start up a new tradition. So, we give you; the Scare Fair. Enjoy! And remember to wear a costume!"

And with that, he trudges off to hand out more flyers to the students loitering around the quad. I frown at the flyer again.

He's not wrong, the annual Halloween dance is a thing of the past now, thanks to it being cancelled during my freshman year. It was cancelled due to staff concerns around the South Bridge Stalker, and they just never bothered starting it up again.

I quirk an eyebrow, then before I can overthink it, I haul my phone out and text Axel quickly.

Me, 2:27pm: You know you ruined Halloween for all the students at NBU, right?

I lock my phone and practically throw it back into the depths of my bag, because the thought of him replying to me straight away fills me with nerves, anxiety, and - much to my shame - excitement.

And yes, I know he didn't personally ruin the Halloween dance. His father did. But, whatever. He played a part in that whole mess, I suppose.

Seems I'm just clutching for straws and looking for reasons to text him.

How odd.

"You're not over me already, are you?" Zak's voice hits my ear as he slings an arm around my shoulders. I smile, turning to face him and shaking my head as he chuckles. "Didn't think the musicians were your type."

"I don't really have a type." I counter, cocking my head as we start walking towards the Sports building together. We agreed to meet here and grab a coffee. We need to strategize before going public with the break up.

"Right. You go from tall, rugged ballers to creepy prison weirdos in the blink of an eye." Zak laughs to himself and I bristle slightly.

"How is Joe, anyway? Still writing him?"

Oh, shit. He was talking about Joe. Of course he was! Why the hell did my mind instantly snap to Axel at the mention of creepy prison weirdos.

Because I just texted him, that's why. No other reason.

And I only texted him because I'm being mature about this whole 'letting bygones be bygones' thing. He wants to play pretend and act like we're all cool, then fine. I'll play his game. It's just easier.