Axel's Daisy

23 • Axel

    She scurried inside like a frantic cat, and I resisted the urge to pull her outside to talk, but our classes were a priority for both of us.

  The time couldn't pass any slower. I tapped my pen on the desk, my impatience growing as Mrs. Bourne droned on about Statistics. Bored out of my mind, I lazily doodled stick figures fighting each other.

 "Alright, class, lesson is over. Make sure you turn in your homework tomorrow."

  This was my signal to approach Destiny's table. I set both hands on her desk and leaned in. She avoided my gaze, offering a nervous smile. Her mind was clearly in turmoil, but one thing was clear: she needed to skip a class with me.

  As our classmates disappeared for their next lectures, it was just the two of us. Jade and Brady had left us alone too, making it the perfect moment for a one-on-one.

  "You don't have to run from me, Daisy. I enjoy a good chase, but we need to talk about this," I teased.

  "Just forget it. I don't even remember what I said."

  "Let's get out of here. Maybe some fresh air will help you remember."

  "No, I can't. I have a chemistry final after this lesson." She argued as she got to her feet.

   "Well, you do know we have the same final tomorrow, right?" I retorted with a hint of sarcasm. Her eyes widened as she realized she'd been caught, and I couldn't help but smirk.

   My mischievous side took over as I hoisted her over my shoulder. She yelped, "Axel, what are you doing? Let me down!"

  "No can do, princess. There's no running away."

   I strode out of the classroom, carrying her behind the building. She soon surrendered to the situation, and I set her down as she fixed her ponytail, which accentuated her round face.

  "Listen, Axel—you know how I get when I feel sleepy. It doesn't matter." Her words didn't align with the jealousy in her eyes, as if she were trying to convince herself more than me.

  "It matters to me. You're important to me," I said, intertwining my fingers with hers and pulling her closer. Her eyes sparkled, and I felt like the luckiest guy. "I don't want any secrets between us if we're going out. I know Violet from when we were kids... we used to be together. She was my first crush, and I loved her."

  She turned away, biting her lower lip. I brought her attention back to me by gently stroking her hair. She responded with a reassuring smile.

  "Then Brooke showed up and drugged me so I'd cheat on Violet. They took pictures of us at a campfire party. I wasn't even at Brooke's school, but the scandal spread everywhere." The pain in Violet's eyes when she saw those pictures still haunted me, making me feel guilty even though I hadn't intended any of it.

  Destiny noticed the turmoil in my eyes and wrapped her arms around me. My voice quivered as I relayed the events: "I tried to reach out to her, but she never responded. She even attempted to end her life over something I had no control over, but her parents intervened and took her to another city."

 "Hey," she said, gently tracing her hand under my chin, "it's not your fault. None of this is on you." Her voice was soft and reassuring.

  "I wish I could believe that," I sighed.

   "At least she's better off somewhere else," she murmured as I held her close.

  "I hope so. I just wish I'd known the whole truth before she left."

  "You're right, but dwelling on it won't change anything," she said somberly.

  "It feels like something is missing, like unfinished business. I tried calling her, but she changed her number. I even tried to reach her brother, who also hated me, but I couldn't find anyone." I poured my feelings out to someone who truly cared. "I didn't think I could feel anything anymore with all the guilt I carried. My focus was on games and studies to keep my scholarship. But then you came into my life, and I'm glad you did."

  "I'm glad too. Now we don't have anything to talk about on our date," she joked as we embraced amidst the cold breeze.

  Her head rested on my shoulder, my hand on her lower back. Our heartbeats seemed to sync, bonding our souls. I felt a strong urge to hold her every time we were together.

  "About that date tomorrow night, be sure to wear something comfortable," I said as we pulled away.

  "Where are you taking me?"

  "That's for me to know and you to find out."

  "You tease."

   I chuckled at her playful glare and gave her a peck on the cheek.

  "I got two passes from the office so we can get back to class." I'd planned this out to avoid risking our grades.

  She stared at me, dumbfounded, and I winked before we walked back to school.

  There was something I still needed to keep from her, but it was for the best. A big part of me felt unready to reveal it, even though I hated keeping secrets from her.

  Some things needed to remain hidden as we entered the class and handed in our passes, earning us a few curious glances.