Axel's Daisy

40 • Destiny

   I was with Axel the entire time.

  The restless guy kept sitting, then standing up, then pacing back and forth until he almost beat up a patient. He was ticked off by the minute—his fists clenched, his shoulders stiffened, and his eyebrows drawn together. Then he sat down, bumped his knees, and repeated the same cycle. It was bad enough that the hospital had a horrible stench from patients who hadn't showered, and the only waiting seats were next to the bathroom.

  "I'm going to kill her," he sputtered out, his eyes filled with hostility as he pressed his lips angrily and breathed through his nose. "She didn't even stay with him; she called the ambulance and left him. Even my mother was not as messed up as she is," he exclaimed, his hands in the air before he glared at the nurses, who made sure to pass quickly.

  The doctor came out, and we all grouped around him as we waited for the results.

  "He just woke up; he's fine."

  Jade wiped her tears with the back of her hand as I hugged her firmly. Her body slumped against mine in relief as she murmured, "I didn't know what he was going through." Her guilt showed as she sobbed, and I traced my hands on her back to soothe the tension in her muscles.

  "It's not your fault; nobody knew," I consoled.

  We pulled away only to find that Axel was already in Brady's room. We followed and what we saw was terrible—in the stark sterility of the hospital room, he appeared as a portrait of tumultuous emotion painted in the subtle nuances of his expression. His eyes, usually serene pools, now shimmered with remnants of panic—widened and darting as if seeking an escape from unseen fears lurking in the corners. Above them, his brows were knitted together in a web of worry, a testament to the storm that had recently passed through his mind.

  His lips, normally poised in a gentle curve, were now slightly parted, exhaling shallow breaths that whispered of lingering anxiety. The air around him seemed charged with the aftermath of adrenaline, his skin alternating between pallor and a flush that hinted at the intensity of his inner struggle.

  "Do I look that bad?" he faintly muttered. Jade laughed through her tears as she launched herself at him, and he embraced her. She kissed his lips, cheeks, and nose.

  "You never look bad," she replied sweetly, her eyes softening at him when he kissed her forehead.

  "Welcome back from the dead, Brads," Axel slapped his shoulder.

  "Ouch, I'm still sick," he groaned.

  "I'm glad that you are okay now," I said, and he nodded with an appreciative smile.

  "Thanks," he told me before he looked at all of us and continued, "Should I always get sick so I can have all of you to take care of me?" He joked, and Axel rolled his eyes at him.

  "If you do that, I will trash your Xbox."

  "You wouldn't dare," he challenged.

  "Try and see for yourself." They shared a goofy smile, and I was glad things were getting better.

•••

  "Favorite memory?"

  It was my turn to ask Dad as he collected some snacks to put on the table for our father-daughter night. The nostalgia hit me when I realized that we had stopped doing our famous tradition: hard questions and snacks.

  My hand automatically grabbed the cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows while he chose his favorite cheese crisps made by his friend.

  He remained thoughtful before answering, "When we had that boat trip to Indiana, remember?"

  That turned me into mush. It was the day when the three of us rented a boat for an adventure with jazz music and games. Mom smiled widely with a captain's hat on, and Dad had his arms around Mom as they danced. I was a drooling teenager, at the ripe age of thirteen, fangirling over my parents' love story; they had been on the same track team in college.

  "Mine too," I grinned as I popped a marshmallow in my mouth.

  "Favorite song?"

  "Perfect by Ed Sheeran."

  "Wasn't it 'All of Me'?"

  "That changed."

  Dad raised an eyebrow with a cheesy smile on his face, and it wasn't from the cheese chips.

  "You have a bad case of the Axel Effect. Do I need to give him the warning talk?"

  "Dad, just don't start," I playfully warned.

  He shrugged. "He seems like a good kid; you two look great together."

  My lips involuntarily lifted into a smile as my mind recollected thoughts about Axel. We've known each other for a month now, and it has been perfect for both of us. He was with Brady and Jade right now. After making sure Brady was in a better mood, I had to head back since it was getting dark outside.

  I was Daddy's little girl at heart.

  My heart told me he was doing great—his eyes were bright and awake, and his faded wrinkles indicated he had gotten good sleep and was energetic. It was as if cancer wasn't there at all.

  "He's really perfect, Dad; he isn't like the rest of the guys out there. He is mature and overly sweet."

  He mimicked the soft smile on my face, happy for me as he took my hand in his.

  Then his smile faded, his eyes showing concern. "Destiny, you have to be careful. Don't get too attached to him," he advised gently.

  "Don't worry about me, dad," I reassured him, and he hugged me, giving me a kiss on the forehead in the process.

  The bell rang, and I went to answer it, thinking it was Axel.

  But when I opened the door, I saw a letter on the doorstep.

  I picked up the envelope; it had Violet's name on it.