Axel's Daisy

47 • Axel

  The night with the boys was a blur to me. It wasn't anything fun, just the occasional bad boys trope they embraced as they bragged about scoring dates with random girls. I tuned them out as the image of Destiny flashed in my mind. I found myself torn about the choice I was about to make, but my mind pushed me to do the right thing.

  I hated doing the right thing. I wanted to do something wrong for once, but my rational nature made it harder.

  Screw this. I'm making the phone call.

  I distanced myself from the guys who were watching the movie.

  "What's up, buds?"

  "I've thought about it. My answer is yes. Can you sign me up, or do I have to?" I didn't give him a choice as he drew in a breath.

  "Well, I guess I will. Tomorrow, though. They're probably out lounging somewhere."

  "Alright, see you later, coach."

  I decided my fate, but my eyes seemed to betray me when they wandered to the beach where we had our first date.

  Don't even think about it. My heart told my brain.

  There was one more person to tell. I postponed it in my mind as I watched Brady being tackled by Reign, with Alex and Jack defending him from behind as they pinned him down.

  I leaned against the wall, watching my friends laugh and exchange dirty jokes. I would miss them for sure.

  Look on the bright side; you have one more week. My conscience reassured me.

  I could already imagine a shaken-up Brady, left alone like his parents had left him, and an even angrier Jade, furious for her best friend.

  My jaw tensed as my mind clouded with multiple scenarios. It was a dilemma for all of us. My compliant heart thwarted the decision by telling me to drop the whole situation and stay.

  Parts of me dreaded the unending cycle of my monstrous past. I had changed; I really had changed for her and for myself. But nobody felt what I felt, nobody tried to walk in my shoes, or imagined what it was like for me.

  It wasn't just a secret I could easily let out. It was like a ton of bricks threatening to fall apart—the bricks were my willpower and the fallen remnants were the unwanted reality.

  They will never understand; just give it up. My darker thoughts intervened, making it easier for me to lift myself away from the wall and walk to my friends.

  "Man, that was one time," Reign grunted when Alex poked him with his words.

  "But you were still a wimp to even say hi," the mischievous guy taunted.

  "I wasn't; she had her mom around," the other guy countered.

  Brady and Jack watched the entertainment unfold.

  "You didn't have the right tactics."

  "Her mom had moles on her face. Of course, I was scared," Reign exasperated.

  We laughed as Alex leapt on Reign, and they fought each other with pillows.

  But the wonderment of what Destiny was doing now haunted me. It wouldn't leave me alone.

•••

  "Don't do something you'll regret."

  Cole told me this after seeing me play hard on the field. He was the wisest of us all, though I wasn't very close to him. I didn't have to be to know I liked this guy. Not only was he smart in almost all our classes, but he also brought a vibrant energy to our team.

  I dried myself off as he passed a towel to me. I had a puzzled expression on my face as I looked at the kind-hearted guy.

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Look—whatever is hurting you—let it out. I can set you up with my uncle's boxing club. But don't keep it inside." He said, his ruffled hair falling over his eyes as he forced back his curls.

  He saw me inside more than anyone else. "I'll be fine," I sighed. "Besides, I have distractions." I wasn't sure if I was convincing myself or him.

  Cole scowled at me, his eyes alight with persistence. "Well, here's the card if you change your mind." He handed it over, and I took it before closing my locker.

  He was gone the second I turned around.

  I stifled my sighs as I walked home. It was almost six PM, and my day had been uneventful with boring classes. I avoided the girls who tried to get close and focused on my studies to keep up my grades.

  So far, so good.

  I let out a tired exhale; my legs could barely carry me, and the house was still ten minutes away.

  The two familiar figures made me look up in an instant. It was Destiny and Jade, wide smiles and hand in hand. I couldn't take my eyes off her. The angelic girl sparkled like a star in her stunning silver dress, which caught and reflected every glimmer of light. The dress, adorned with delicate sequins, shimmered with each movement, creating a mesmerizing dance of light.

  Jealousy shook my insides when I remembered why she was dressed so beautifully—and for whom. It was powerful enough to snap me out of it, and I took long strides to reach her.

  But it was too late. She stood in front of West Samuels at the gate, as he grinned at her before his eyes undressed Destiny. A pang of hurt and regret made me step back to watch how her life would be without me. I couldn't be in her way; I didn't have the right.

  With all I felt, I turned away and called the boxing club Cole recommended.