Axel's Daisy

32 • Destiny

Was he with her right now?

My thoughts swirled like leaves caught in a sudden gust, tossed between the allure of Axel's presence and the uncertainty that clouded my feelings. Each thought collided with the next, creating a chaotic mosaic of emotions that danced on the edge of my consciousness.

A whimper escaped my lips as I found myself entangled in a spiral of despair on the stairs of Indie's front porch. Jade had come as fast as she could, sitting beside me and enveloping me in a hug. Despite her warmth, I no longer had the energy to cry.

"I really thought he was with her," I said, my voice cracking in a way that felt foreign to me. "Jade, I didn't want him to see her." I raised my voice, her gentle kiss on my hair barely soothing my distress.

"Just tell me what happened," Jade demanded.

I recounted everything, from Violet's story to the text message. Jade's expression shifted from concern to rage as I spoke.

"It isn't your fault," she said, her voice firm. "He shouldn't have made it such a big deal."

I wiped my nose with the tissue Jade had given me and dabbed under my eyes as I sighed.

"I deleted the message. I should have trusted him. It was my fault for not telling him that Violet texted him," I said, disdainfully blaming myself, not for Violet's actions, but because I had concealed something from him.

The image of Axel's dejected face lingered in my mind, a painting of sadness I couldn't erase.

"You can always make things right with him," Jade said softly. "Just give him some time. He'll come around." She held my shoulder closely to hers.

"I'm sorry for ruining your hangout with Brady," I murmured.

She smiled and shook her head. "Don't apologize. He had to go to his friend's house anyway." I managed a weak smile, my face pale from tears. "So, ice cream and hot boys on TV?" Jade suggested with a quirky grin. I chuckled and nodded before she helped me up to drive back to her house.

The radio played some old James Arthur songs, and my mind wandered back to Axel. My heart burned with the deep, consuming flame of jealousy as I pictured him with another girl.

But Jade's soft hand resting on mine comforted me, and I looked at her compassionate face. Everything would be okay.

•••

Jade's house was a castle.

The last time I had visited was just before my mom's death, a week before. Jade's house had always been empty since her parents traveled the world. It was something she shared with Brady. We usually preferred hanging out at my place.

A grand chandelier hung majestically from the high ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room's centerpiece—a meticulously crafted coffee table of polished marble, adorned with tasteful art books and a bouquet of fresh flowers in a crystal vase.

Silken drapes cascaded down from tall windows, framing views of the city skyline. The walls, adorned with original artworks and tasteful mirrors, reflected the room's grandeur and added depth to its already spacious feel.

Every corner whispered sophistication—a sideboard laden with fine china and crystal glassware, a fireplace with a marble mantlepiece, and a grand piano standing sentinel in one corner.

Yet, it lacked laughter and coziness. It was true what they said: a house is not a home.

I could tell Jade felt it too. She tried to hide the longing in her eyes as she placed her keys on the table before we went up to her room.

At least she had designed her room the way she always wanted. Small, personal touches adorned the space—a handmade quilt from her grandmother draped over the back of an armchair, a gallery wall of family photos, her king-sized bed surrounded by magazines featuring hot boys, and her dresser filled with collections of makeup and sunglasses.

We agreed she would fetch the ice cream from downstairs while I washed my face and changed into something comfortable. I texted my dad so he wouldn't worry about me.

The sadness etched on my face was a stark contrast to the carefully applied makeup that now streaked down my cheeks in gentle rivulets. With each swipe of a damp cloth, the layers of foundation and mascara dissolved, revealing the vulnerability beneath. Tired, dimmed eyes looked back at me in the mirror, and I didn't recognize myself or what I had become.

"You are going to get your ass out there with a smile on your face," I told myself.

I closed my eyes one last time, then opened them with a forced smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. I was trying.

The oversized black shirt fell to my knees, and the shorts fit snugly at my waist. Jade was skinnier than I was, but I made it work as I walked out of the bathroom, laying my dress on the chair and my flats to the side.

"Oh my god, look at this guy!" Jade squealed, pointing to Ian Somerhalder on the TV. The screen displayed The Vampire Diaries, Jade's favorite show, and she shoved a spoonful of strawberry cheesecake ice cream into her mouth with elated sparks in her eyes.

"You cheater! I'll tell Brady about this," I playfully teased, and she nudged me with a laugh.

"He will definitely join in," she said with a cheeky grin and wiggled eyebrows, making me laugh. I grabbed another spoon and opened the chocolate ice cream tub as we settled on her plush bed.

The phone rang through the house, and we exchanged puzzled glances before standing up and heading downstairs.

"Did you invite anyone over?" I asked Jade, but she shook her head.

She peeked at the clock—it was nearly 1 a.m.—then scowled and turned back to me. The incessant ringing made my stomach churn and my heart stop.

"It's Axel and Violet," Jade said.