moving on

2: AXEL

   Parker Astor stands in front of Axel, in all his glory, a smug smile on his features, "She fucking used you," The boy in front of him says, his voice calm and patronizing, "And you fell for it" Blood thrums in his ears. His eyes narrow. He shifts on his feet, delicate and light, a smile gracing his features. His smile isn't kind. It's deadly. Dangerous, almost. He can feel her, in his presence, her eyes, sleepy, her smile, vindictive. She's smiling, that wicked smile. 

"Do it," She says quietly. She isn't here. But he feels like she is. He doesn't think after that. He obeys. She's gone, but it doesn't matter. She would have wanted this. He knows she would. This is for her.

Before Parker can move an inch, Axel punches him. Hard. With all the effort he possibly can. Even when Parker is on that ground, he feels rage, guttural and primal, flow through him. He can't stop. He's a machine. His hands go up and down, up and down, pummeling Parker into the floor. He doesn't feel much. He feels calm. Hands grab at him, attempting to tug him off, and he protests. Someone is screaming. It takes him a few minutes to realize it's him.

When he regains his senses, he blinks. Lena is in front of him as someone holds him back. He tilts to glance at Eric's face, shoving him away with a disgusted look in his direction. He doesn't have the time or energy to deal with another one of them. The self-proclaimed Royals. The laughingstock of Los Angeles private schools.

"Jesus, Axel," It's Lena, her eyes narrowed in on Axel, "You can't be acting like this" Her eyes are wide, her face, grim. She looks exhausted. She must be, keeping an eye on everything Alexis left behind. An eye on everything Alexis ruined. He loves her, but he doesn't. She left him here, his hands are stained, and he can't breathe.

He ignores her, stalking off through the kitchen, through the backyard, until he's on the concrete road, his heart thudding fast, out-of-breathe, his eyes, wide. His feet move slowly, step by step, almost of their own volition. He can't stop his feet. He can barely think. He misses her. He misses her so much that he can't breathe. He forces the air through his lungs, trying to think straight, trying to process everything.

Lena catches up with him, her feet pounding on the pavement.

"Axel, she wouldn't have wanted this for you" Her voice is soft, her eyes, pained.

His gaze flickers to hers, "How would you know?" He laughs, unable to stop himself, "She's dead" When Lena flinches, sympathy courses through him. But he doesn't allow himself to ponder on it. He smiles at Lena, his eyes narrowing.

"Leave it alone, Lena. You can't fix everyone. You couldn't fix Alexis, you can't fix this" Her eyes dull. Her face twists into a grimace. And then, she smiles. A calm, courteous, smile. He can see the storm behind her eyes. He stands still as he awaits her words.

"If you stopped throwing yourself a pity party for one fucking second, you'd realize that getting mad at Parker doesn't help anything. He's a self-depreciating asshole who already hates himself. You keep this up, and another one of them will suicide. That'll just make this entire situation worse" She explains. He knows her words are true, but he doesn't care. He just frowns at her.

"Maybe he should," Axel shortly responds, "He's good for nothing anyways"

"To many people, Alexis was good for nothing" She reasonably responds.

 Axel's blood boils. He can feel it thrum in his ears. He leans closer to Lena, his eyes blazing, "Don't you dare talk about her like that" His voice is dangerously calm, but Lena doesn't seem phased.

Lena cocks her head, a smile playing on her lips, "Don't talk about her what way? Honestly?" She turns around and stalks away. Even Lena knows when she cannot win this specific battle. Axel watches her go, step after step.  He doesn't know what anyone sees in her, not truly. She's trying to fix everyone but she can't even fix herself. Her wounds are deep, and he can see them without even trying.