Axel's Daisy

14 • Destiny

   The weather forecast blared through the TV, announcing that the storm had stopped and everyone could resume their lives.

  Jade waltzed into the kitchen and climbed onto the long wooden table in the center. "Yes, we made it through the storm! I feel great already," she declared, starting the moonwalk and wiggling her hips.

   "Now, that's a sight to wake up to," Brady said with starstruck eyes, clapping for her as she hooted and danced even more.

  Jade was thrilled by his reaction and danced for him. I refrained from killing their buzz. They had an undeniable chemistry, and I hoped it wouldn't fade away anytime soon.

  Sunlight streamed through the double glass doors leading to the backyard, welcoming us with warmth. Fortunately, the storm hadn't been too severe. I had woken up a few times due to the whooshing sounds, but the power had stayed on.

   "Wisconsin High states that there is no school today for caution purposes," Axel read from his charged phone and then looked at Brady. "That's awesome; maybe we can go to football practice."

   "I'll check with the team later."

  They nodded at each other. Jade widened her arms like a child, and Brady, amused, picked her up.

   "To your r...living room," she said with an anxious giggle, correcting her order with a playful point. They shared a look and seemed to forget we were there as Brady confidently walked out with her in his arms.

   I turned to the stove where my pancakes were cooking. I needed to wake Brady to ask where he had put the griddles. The kitchen was a chef's dream, with a pastry station, high-quality appliances, elegant finishes, and ample storage.

   Food was the last thing on my mind, but I needed to eat to prepare for today's floral class review, which was in two days. My stomach churned at the thought.

  What if I didn't get the chance? What if they didn't like my designs?

   My intrusive thoughts were interrupted by Axel's breath on my neck as he flipped my mini pancakes with a spatula. I had forgotten he lived here and was already familiar with the house.

   "There you go," he murmured as he stacked the pancakes, "bon appétit." He drizzled maple syrup and added a butter cube on top.

   Our eyes locked in an electric stare, our faces inches apart. He gazed at my lips, then my nose, and finally smiled when he reached my eyes, as if he were studying or photographing me in his mind. My stomach was in knots, and I felt zaps on my arms, wanting him to close the gap between us.

   "I wanted to ask you something," he rushed out, his voice creating a glow in my heart as his eyes waged an internal battle. "I want to get to know you better, Daisy. I want to be the lucky one in your life. Will you go out with me on a date?"

   I was pretty sure I had forgotten how to speak English.

   He melted my heart in every way possible. I forgot about the pancakes and the singing duo in the living room. I forgot about my review and my finals this week.

   Heck, I forgot everything when I dove into his eyes, not worrying about taking a breath.

  'Lovin' can hurt.

  Lovin' can hurt sometimes.

  But it's the only thing that I know.'

  Ed Sheeran had to ruin the moment again. The phone buzzed angrily on the counter, and Axel waited for my response, but the phone rang again. He huffed, grabbed the phone, and saw the name Alex pop up as soon as he unlocked it.

   "Fucking Alex," he muttered under his breath, silencing the phone so he could hear my response.

   "Say yes, you moron!" Jade yelled from the other room. They both listened in and ran into the kitchen. Jade had a giddy smile on her oval-shaped face as she placed both hands on her cheeks.

   I was pretty sure I looked like a tomato as I weaved my fingers with his to give him the easiest answer.

   "Yes. I would love to go out with you," my mouth blurted, "but not now because I am going to the center... of course, we can hang out any other time, like on Monday, right? Or Tuesday night? Err... I have an exam—"

  He silenced my rambling by placing his palm over my mouth. Jade gave me an exaggerated look, and Brady laughed.

  "Breathe, Daisy. We have all the time in the world," he said, calming me down as he squeezed my hand. Our smiles matched the tranquility of our friends' cheers.

   "I made Axetiny happen," Jade boasted to Brady, then opened her palm to him. "Give me my twenty dollars."

  We looked at them in disbelief as Brady grudgingly handed over the money.

   "Wait, what did you guys bet on?" I asked.

   "I came up with the perfect scheme to get you two alone in the kitchen, and Brady was my partner in crime," she said, holding the money high and smirking at Axel. "Thank you, Axel, for making this happen."

   She embarrassed me for the second time. Axel didn't plan on letting my hand go; he grasped the plate in his other hand.

   "You just had to do it today, didn't you, man?" Brady grunted as Axel glared at him.

   "Shut up," Axel snapped before cockily smiling and adding, "Girls, Jackie had him jacked off to her hairstyle."

   "You what?" Jade's astonished voice sounded before Axel dragged me out of the kitchen.