Axel's Daisy

20 • Destiny

  I was over the moon about both his achievement and mine. Everything seemed to fit into place so perfectly that it was hard to believe it was real. As Axel and his team headed to shower and change for the after-party at Brady's mansion, I was with Jade while she chatted with a girl.

"Axel was hot with the ball in his hand," the brunette said, looking at Jade with stars in her eyes. "I don't know what he saw in that redhead on the field. Anyway, I'm sure he'll dump her in a day or two."

They didn't recognize me because my back was turned, but worse was that Jade was my best friend.

"That redhead you're talking about is worth more than every girl in this world, and Axel is loyal. So shut up and go back to your little fantasies about him."

The girl laughed and then leaned closer to Jade. "Just ask him about Violet and Brooke."

My stomach dropped, and doubts began to cloud my mind. I felt queasy as the girl's daring stare lingered on us.

"You're a jealous liar. It's obvious," Jade retorted, while I remained silent beside her.

The girl scoffed and showed us a picture on her phone. It was blurry but unmistakably Axel's face with another girl in a garden, kissing.

"That's Violet and Axel," she said.

She then flipped to another picture of a blonde girl with crystal-colored eyes. "And that's Brooke. She was his girlfriend at that time."

With a smirk, she closed her phone and walked away. I felt bile rising in my throat and a cold wave of disappointment. Jade wrapped an arm around me, trying to comfort me.

"We don't know the whole story, but I don't think Axel is a cheater," Jade said as we looked out at the open field scattered with roses and signboards.

She was right. I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I needed to hear Axel's side of the story.

"I'll head to the bathroom," I said as we walked down the hallway.

"I'll wait for you in the car," Jade replied as we hugged, and I headed to the bathroom.

Most of the partygoers were already at the party, leaving the hallway deserted and dimly lit, like a scene from a horror movie. As I entered the bathroom, I noticed one of the cubicle doors was slightly ajar, and I didn't realize someone was inside.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my scalp as someone yanked me back into a cubicle. The door was locked, and a pocket knife was pressed against my neck.

"If you scream, I'll slit your throat and enjoy doing it," a voice slurred.

It was Betty, looking drunk with her bloodshot eyes and tangled hair. I barely recognized her.

"I won't scream, Betty. You're not okay."

"Shut up," she dug the knife deeper into my skin. "You're going to tell them you're giving up this opportunity to me, or your dad will be in serious danger."

My blood boiled. I grabbed her wrist and twisted it, causing the knife to fall. Nobody talked about my dad and got away with it.

"Listen here, miss cheater," I said, narrowing my eyes at her, "if I see you around me again, I'll call the police, and you'll be in jail for the rest of your life. This is your last chance. Stay away."

She collapsed against the wall, sobbing. "I just wanted to be a florist and live my dream. I don't have anything—I don't have a family. I wanted something to live for."

My heart shattered for her. I knelt down and held her knee. "It doesn't have to be this way. You can be better than this. I'll see what I can do to help you."

She looked up, astonished. "You'd do that for me?"

"Yes. Just give me your number."

Her hand trembled as she gave me her phone, and I added my number. "Thank you," she whispered, her lips quivering. I felt for her, realizing how different her life was from mine. My family had always taught me to be kind, and this experience made me appreciate them even more.

I hugged her, and she embraced me back, sharing her pain.

After the ordeal, I left the bathroom and saw Axel in the parking lot with Jade and Brady.

"This jerk made me late to my own party," Brady grumbled, his arm around Jade's waist.

"Why were you late? I was worried," Jade asked as Axel took my hand.

"Nothing. There was a problem with the sink," I lied, my gaze following the girl who walked out of the side door of the school, now wearing a hoodie.

She smiled, and I smiled back before we got into Jade's car.