Axel's Daisy

42 • Destiny

   Ever since I was a little kid, I had learned to be kind and gracious to everyone who did me wrong—I never retaliated, and I never made anyone's life miserable. It was just the way I was programmed. But today, I felt a desire for revenge. I felt my darkest side taking over as I saw the ferocious boy who had scored the last goal.

  He had been practicing relentlessly; I was confident he would win. They had one more game with the Lions before the final celebration, where scouts would choose their next champions.

  Jade screamed some more. I didn't burst her bubble as she waved wildly to Brady while other people danced and threw popcorn under the seats. I traced the hem of the jersey I wore, his jersey to be exact, with volcanic rage.

  "He will regret it," I promised as I faked a smile at Jade, the clueless girl beside me, when she handed me the buttered popcorn.

  My fingers twitched around the pieces, and the drumming sound in my ear made me want to claw myself out.

  As the announcement boomed through the speakers, the fans erupted and threw flowers onto the field—flowers they didn't deserve. I saw their loved ones, who stormed onto the football field with heartwarming smiles. Among them was Jade; she slithered through the crowd to make out with Brady.

  I was behind when Axel tried to look for me. My improvisation was as clear as day as I plastered on the brightest smile while he held me and kissed me. Somewhere deep inside me, I wished it was real. But none of it was real.

  The stale coldness inside me coursed through my body even as he lifted me, and my lips molded to his.

  "I'm proud of you." The fake words that tumbled out of my mouth sounded defeating, but the look of happiness on his face, as he serenely grinned down at me with his arm around my waist, made me angrier.

  "Thanks, Daisy. My talented florist," he cheekily complimented, and I gave him a forced smile.

  The scouts came to support the players as they grouped to take a team picture. Brady had a necklace of sunflowers around him from the die-hard fans, with a photograph of him in the middle. Jade had an ecstatic gaze at Brady as she clasped her hands under her chin.

  What they had was real; they had no lies and no secrets. All I had were broken promises and hidden obstacles.

  If he had told me from the beginning, none of this would have happened. It was the cherry on top. I felt beyond irked as it prickled my skin, and I wanted to go back home and cry.

  But this was another kind of redemption when he whispered that he wanted to take a shower and meet me in the car—just me and him.

  "This was amazing," Jade cheered for the millionth time while Brady gleamed euphorically at his girl. They had an unmatched chemistry as he told her he wanted to shower too.

  He hopped onto Axel's back as they celebrated with loud chants while the people stormed out of the stadium for the after-party.

  My best friend jumped around me and kissed my cheek.

  "Guess who's getting laid tonight?"

  "Who?"

  "Me and you."

  I figured that out from the lust in Axel's eyes.

  "Gee, thanks for the heads-up," I scoffed dryly.

  She squinted at me, examining me.

  "What's got your panties in a twist?" She asked thoughtfully. "There is something wrong with you."

  "Nothing."

  I answered too quickly, and Jade caught it. Thankfully, we were interrupted by Jade's not-so-close friends as they chatted her up while I waited with crossed arms.

  I couldn't help my heartbeat pace when Axel showed up looking as fresh as ever in a hoodie and denim jeans, showing his broad shoulders.

•••

  He carried me in his arms to Brady's house. My lips softly pecked his neck as he nuzzled his nose against my cheeks. He lightly unlocked the door with his other hand and wasted no time taking me upstairs.

  He set me down before closing the door, the soft click echoing.

  "You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, Daisy."

That was why you lied to me.

  His fingers trailed along both sides of my body to remove his jersey.

  "You are so beautiful, baby." His vulnerable voice made tremors erupt on my skin as he gently laid me down on his bed.

  "I love you."

  The trailblazing kisses on my neck and down to my tank top made me close my eyes to savor the final moments.

  I couldn't stand it anymore. I needed out. I pushed him off and grabbed the letter in my pocket. The turmoil in his eyes was evident and dimmed when he saw the letter.

  "Screw you. I'm breaking up with you." I ended it and wanted to run as far from him as possible.

  "You don't get to do this." His hand stopped my arm from opening the door. I still had my tank top and pants on. As for his jersey, I didn't want it.

  Rage surged within me like an unchained tempest, a wild, untamed force that roared through my veins with primal intensity.

  My fists clenched, trembling with seething energy that threatened to shatter the fragile calm around me. The air crackled with the electric tension of my wrath, a palpable aura that sent tremors through anyone daring to stand in my path.

  "You fucking played me for some stupid letter." The accusation in his tone infuriated me. Hot tears cascaded down my cheeks when I turned to him.

  "A stupid letter that said you made her pregnant," I pushed his chest as I neared him. "You almost had a baby with her; you lied to me." I screamed, and he gripped both my hands and pushed me against the wall.

  "Do you think I was happy about that? I was fucking scared, okay? It wasn't supposed to happen." He yelled at me, his eyes piercing with a pain that struck my heart.

  "You kept it from me; you told me there would be no secrets—"

  "Because I was embarrassed by it. It was something I wasn't ready to share!" He exclaimed. It was good that there was no one downstairs. "You were willing to sleep with me and then dump me to feel what you felt." He read my thoughts aloud as disappointment dripped into his voice. I sobbed and shook my head hysterically.

  "Just go. I'm used to it anyway." He coldly finalized as he unlocked the door.