Axel's Daisy

46 • Destiny

  It was Jade and Brady's scheme. I was the one who approved it—I reminded myself over and over that it was worth a try. We were both on the wrong ends of the stick.

  Throughout the excruciating two days, I realized one thing about myself: I didn't cope well with lies. I was a girl who valued honesty above all else, and my eyes reflected a deep disdain for deceit. My family was perfect; we were a truthful family, and that was part of the reason why lying didn't sit well with me.

  Axel got out of the car, and my heart stuttered. I was in awe of his muscles, which were somewhat visible through his white shirt. He looked like I felt when I decided to be hotheaded and pretended I wasn't bothered by the breakup, which edged me out even more.

  It was hilarious how Jade and Brady were the only ones fighting for our relationship when we should have been doing our best to keep it.

  Alex's penthouse was enormous as I nervously bumped my legs together on the side. Brady had a hand in this when he pushed Axel toward the right side, and I gripped his wrist with all my might—it was more of a gentle tug.

  His expression shifted from confusion to surprise as recognition dawned upon seeing me. He looked like he didn't want to be anywhere near me, which felt like a bullet to my heart.

  "Axel," my breaths were too short when I began, so I had to cough and take a deep breath. "Listen, I know what I did was a mistake. I just want you to know that saying sorry won't change anything, but I really want us to try to be together again." It was the first time I fought hard for someone. The only sounds were from the music blaring from Alex's house.

  His hands grasped mine. It was the smallest things that evoked a reaction from me, making me realize how much I missed the feel of his fingers around mine like a promise.

  I felt like I had lost something I once had with him.

  He stiffened when I got closer and hugged him. Vulnerability radiated off me, and my heart slowed when his arms enveloped me.

  "Destiny, this isn't working." He muttered into the cold air while he stroked my hair and placed his fingers against my cheek. "We can't keep going in circles. I will be moving out of Wisconsin."

  Tears cascaded down my cheeks like fragile raindrops as I absorbed the unexpected news from the boy I had held onto.

  "Why?" I quivered out like a broken plea. His cologne made the longing inside me shiver.

  "I have a scholarship in Oregon."

  "That's three hours away." I uttered, feeling his head nod at my words.

  I created some space as I looked up at him. His irises were glazed with sadness, but he masked it with a stoic gaze, as if I meant nothing to him.

  "I will make my dreams come true." The facade he was trying to maintain didn't convince me as I pulled away.

  "But this isn't what you wanted." I shouted through hot, angry tears.

  He tried to reach out to me, but I sprinted away with all my power, leaving the sidewalks echoing with whispers of sobs.

•••

  I had no boyfriends in my life. Why did it feel like I was a wrecked soul when I had one—keyword, had, as in someone special had exited my world, leaving me with scorched pain and tears of memories?

  Jade, bless her soul, was beside me, and I was in a peaceful place between her arms. I didn't cry this time; I was silent to the cold outside that matched my mood as I stared at the window.

  "It will pass, Des. You deserve so much better than that asshole," she said furiously, touching my cheeks. "Remember, boys can be replaced. Didn't you mention West Samuels to me?"

  "I just told you I had a get-together tomorrow with West and the others," which I wasn't motivated to attend. Jade could see that as she cupped my face and made me look at her.

  "Listen here, missy. The place you don't want to go is exactly why you should go," she said, as if trying to hypnotize me. "You will go to that place and chase your dreams. If he wants to give up on your relationship for his sake, then do that too."

  "You're right, I should. But why does it feel wrong?" I thought out loud, my fingers seeking warmth in Jade's as her other hand brushed my hair when I sighed.

  "Because it's new and fresh, but they can all go to hell. Heck, I'll even dump Brady for you," she declared, and I snickered at the fierce girl.

  "No, don't do that," I said with a small smile on my lips.

  She sighed dreamily. "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. He's so packed and romantic. You know we did around five rounds a night."

  I covered my ears. "TMI, JADE." I yelled, and she laughed at my reaction.

  "But seriously, you were willing to sacrifice your virginity to him for pathetic revenge. What were you thinking?"

  "That's the thing, I wasn't thinking," I said, tying my hair tiredly in a bun.

  Jade could tell I needed a good night's sleep. After covering me with soft pink blankets, I hugged her waist and placed my head on her shoulder. She went under the covers and kissed my forehead before she wiped the fresh tears that had dripped down my nose as I lay on my side.

  "I'm going to choose your outfit tomorrow. Make him see what he'll be missing out on."

  I slept to the sounds of his love murmurs, the night I let him slip away.