Axel's Daisy

13 • Axel

   The last time I was seriously attached to a girl was back in ninth grade. Violet was attractive and unafraid to speak her mind. I used to invite her for a Capri Sun when we'd sit on the parking lot curb. We never asked each other out; we just shared drinks until her parents decided to move to Seattle, and I never saw her again.

   As I watched Destiny, who had just picked up the furball with an elated smile, I felt a pang of stress about asking her out. She seemed too innocent for this world, and I silently promised to protect her no matter what.

   It was the perfect time for a movie night. We prepared some blankets in the spacious lounge since we weren't allowed to go out any time soon. Jade cooed to the kitten in Destiny's arms.

   "Let's vote. The Final Destination or The Outsider?"

   Jade had to weigh in on this one.

   "Neither. I want to watch Legally Blonde."

   "Absolutely not."

   The courageous blonde girl flashed a seductive smile as she fluttered her eyes at Brady and licked her lips. Brady tried to resist her charm when she trailed her fingers on his arm, but my lenient best friend easily lost the battle.

   "Fine. Just put the damn movie in." He gave in, and Jade squealed as she set up the movie.

   They snuggled together as soon as I flicked off the lights and the screen started. My gaze moved to the girl with the bowls of popcorn. I took one from her hands and slipped a longer kiss on her soft cheek, enjoying the moment since we weren't under scrutiny.

   Since when had I become addicted to kisses on the cheek?

   She had changed so many things in me just by being herself. She was a kind soul, and I felt like a fool for it. She didn't have to be anyone or anything unlike me. At least one of us got to be who they wanted.

   She blushed again, and I liked it a little too much. I enjoyed making her feel that way as she looked down at her socks.

   I gave a bowl of popcorn to Jade and Brady, then sat next to Destiny on the couch while the couple lounged on the floor in front of us. Every time I grabbed a piece of popcorn, the devil kitten would snatch it away with a meow.

   Destiny was so engrossed in the movie that she didn't notice Daisy squirming on her lap, practically looking like she wanted to pounce on me. I didn't understand why kittens hated me, but it was worth it to see Destiny giggle as I watched her.

   "Eyes on the movie," she told me.

   "I have a much better view."

   She blushed again and kept her eyes on the screen. She did that whenever I flirted with her. Daisy the kitten poked her hand to play with her fur, and purred in relief as Destiny brushed her fingers through the kitten's hair.

   The movie was incredibly boring.

  We reached the part where Reese Witherspoon was at her first court case, and her ex's fiancée hated her guts. I really didn't care much about it and tried my best not to doze off.

  Jade and Brady had fallen asleep on each other as the heavy rain began. I clutched the remote and turned off the movie.

  "Why did you have to do that? We were almost at the thrilling part," Destiny chastised.

   "It's literally the same thing. She wins the case and falls in love with a member of her legal team," I reasoned, exasperated. Destiny looked defensive as she jokingly glared at me.

   "It never gets boring," she defended, but the yawn that followed told a different story.

   "Look, it's eleven p.m., they're already asleep, and we need some rest after what happened today."

  She nodded and then called my name softly, "Axel?"

   "Yeah?"

   "Were you afraid that you were going to die in that accident?"

   "No, at least I would see my dad down there."

   "You'd see my mom too."

   There was a moment of silence as the rain's trickles made the windows chatter from the heaviness.

   We couldn't see each other clearly in the dark, but our outlines were obvious as she placed a pillow and one of the blankets on the couch.

   "I might not know your mom, but she must be really proud of you," I said, unable to hold back my words. I saw it affected her as she took a deep breath.

   "Your dad would be proud too," she responded as we lay on opposite sides of the L-shaped couch. She placed the kitten on the blanketed floor.

   "Goodnight, Daisy."

   "Goodnight, Golden."

   "Why Golden?" I couldn't help but ask quietly, trying not to wake the lovebirds.

   "Because of your eyes. They turn golden around the people you accept."

   A part of me warmed at the sweet gesture, and I knew that better days were ahead—with her by my side and a career in football.