Axel's Daisy

39 • Axel

  I was there with Brady through everything—when we hit puberty, when we had birthday parties together, when we played football through our childhood, and when we rode bikes together. I spent most of my first experiences with him. One person was in our way, but she couldn't do anything to our friendship, no matter how hard she tried. We were as close as a nail to a finger.

  What was the key to why we lasted as brothers and best friends?

  It was because we knew when to give each other space. Things often got fixed when I gave them time and space.

  I sensed that now was that time—a time for confrontation between him and his mother, who looked guilty towards her neglected son.

  "Hello, Axel. Long time no see." She greeted, with disdain forming on her face. She hated my guts because she had a strict "family only" policy, and though she never admitted it, it showed on her wrinkled face.

  "Yes, hi, Mrs. Cassie." I addressed her curtly.

  Destiny was behind me, but my hand softly rested in hers.

  Brady wasn't himself, and I could see that they needed to sit down and talk seriously since she hadn't been around for half of his life. She fixed her gaze on all of us, especially at Jade.

  "Hi... um, I'm Jade." She introduced herself, holding her hand out. Mrs. Cassie didn't bother to shake it, retracting her hand quickly. Brady's mother was met with my best friend's glare.

  "These are my friends. We were just heading out," I added roughly before I gave Brady a nod. He knew what I meant by it, as he squeezed Jade's hand and purposely kissed her cheek in front of the disapproving lady in the grayish suit before we walked out.

  "What's up with her? Can you believe she ignored me?" Jade exploded as soon as we were out of there. I mentally prayed for Brady and hoped she didn't cause him problems.

  We definitely didn't need that before the game.

  "Don't mind her. She's always been like that around me. She's even worse than my mom," I said disgruntledly. Destiny held my arm to comfort me, and I placed my hand on top of hers, telling her it was fine.

  "Oh, I'm sorry you guys have messed-up families—even I have a pretty bad family too." Her deep blue eyes were downcast as she took a breath before Destiny held her hand too.

  "Let's go to a nearby beach," Destiny suggested.

  "Yes, I need a mental break," Jade groaned, and we laughed at the moody girl.

  I took one last glance at their animated shadows before we got into Destiny's car. I drove us to Bayside Beach.

  After blasting "Somebody to Love" by The Beatles and trying to tame Jade's outrageous vocals, we finally arrived, with a big headache and an apologetic smile from Destiny to me. She wasn't the one who had to cover her ears with one hand and drive faster so Jade could quiet down. She was used to it and shrugged with a sheepish smile.

  We got out of the car as Jade took Destiny's hand and sprinted toward the beach, with Jade shouting "woohoo" and Destiny letting out an "ahhh." I left my mind with Brady as I texted him.

  Should I call the cleaner now too?

  I pushed my phone into my pocket and walked over to the silly girls as they swayed their hips with their arms above their heads.

  I couldn't take my eyes off my girl's hips as she slowly rolled them. She was too engaged with Jade to notice me. I internally groaned at my tight jeans as I shifted from one leg to the other.

  Luckily, nobody realized when Destiny turned around with a laugh and placed me between her and Jade. They both hugged me sideways and swayed me with them.

  I chuckled as they held my hands from opposite sides and circled me around like a game of musical chairs.

  "I'm getting dizzy; we should probably sit down."

  They helped me sit on the sand, and I bent my knees as they joined me.

  The beach weather was sunny and warm, with clear blue skies overhead. Gentle breezes kept the air cool and pleasant while the waves rolled gently onto the shore. It was a perfect day for lounging on the sand or taking a refreshing dip in the ocean.

  Destiny's back leaned on my chest when I opened my legs so she could sit between them. Our fingers intertwined perfectly, and her head nestled in the middle of my chest.

  "I'm still worried about Brady. I hope he makes it out alive from the devil's clutch," Jade dramatically stated.

  "It's his mom; she won't beat him up," Destiny dismissed, then looked up at me. "Right, Axel?"

  "Well, she did when he was a kid. I haven't seen her in ages," I replied.

  I would beat her if she did anything without the women's rights people knowing.

  Destiny's best friend played with the sand, her brows darkened with worry. "Brady didn't deserve this."

  "Let's hope she travels again today," I countered.

  My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I untangled my hand from my girl to fish it out. I answered immediately when Brady's name flashed across the screen.

  "Axel, Brady had a panic attack, and I didn't know what to do."

  My best friend's panic attacks had stopped in seventh grade. His mom triggered him, and I was sure my phone was going to break in my hand.

  I hung up before I slurred any curse words at her. Jade looked alarmed when she saw my face, and I quickly stood up with Destiny.

  "We need to go back to Brady. He had a panic attack."

  We heard the ambulance as it passed by.