My Beloved

Why Today?

"Why today?" Zach asked Finley, and they sat on the couch. "What's wrong with today?" Finley sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "We were supposed to have tests all day, but now we don't know when, and I have to go home if the roads are better." Zach groaned. Axle comes down the stairs and sits next to Zach. "Zach, can I please have your jacket? It's a little cold in here." Finley squeaked. Axle looked at Zach, waiting for a response. After some time, Zach handed Finley his jacket. Finley took the jacket and smiled in gratitude, wrapping it around her as she shivered. Axle then found himself feeling jealous that his sister had Zach's hoodie while he didn't. Axle quickly tried to push the feeling away, telling himself that it was stupid to be jealous over something as simple as a jacket. Zach could tell that Axle wasn't thrilled about the jacket, so to try and cheer him up, Zach asked, "Axle, do you mind if I borrow more clothes?" Axle knew what Zach was doing and played along. "I guess I do, but are you smart enough?" Axle stops and whines, "Just come on, Dumbie." Zach runs up the stairs, with Axle following closely behind. Zach pauses at the top and turns to Axle, who was eagerly looking up at him with his big brown eyes. Axle opens the door to his room and invites Zach inside. Axle grabbed a pair of shorts and a hoodie so Zach could take a shower. Zach kisses Axle and heads to the bathroom to take a shower. While Zach is in the shower, Axle heads back downstairs. Finley is still sitting on the couch with Zach's hoodie on. Finley asked Axle why he was letting Zach shower and if there was something between them Axle replied with a chuckle that Zach just needed to get cleaned up and that there was nothing and would never be anything between them. Axle felt a pang of guilt as he said the words, and he noticed Finley deflate a bit, although she nodded in understanding. Axle knew Finley had a crush on Zach, and if Finley knew Axle and Zach were a thing, they would never be able to see each other again. Axle knew he was being deceitful, but he felt that it was in Finley's best interest if she didn't know the truth Axle put his arm around Finley and told her, "Hey, it will be ok. You are that pinball's only friend in the world, so if you try, I am sure you have a high chance with him." Axle hoped that his words of encouragement would be enough to keep Finley's spirits high, even though he was hiding a secret from her. Finley felt secure with Axle's arm around her, and his words of assurance gave her the strength to go on. "I think I'm going to confess when we go back to school." Finley nervously laughed. Axle gently squeezed her shoulder in support and said, "If that is what you feel is right, then I will be here with you no matter what." Finley could feel a wave of relief wash over her as she knew he would be by her side.