𝑴𝒚 𝑶𝒃𝒔𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑩𝒐𝒔𝒔

Ten

Upon taking the kids to school we met Axel in the parking lot with his iconic trio. He obviously went in for a hug but I stepped back.

"Oh?"

"I umm..." It's been five years. I've known him for five years, he's like an uncle, or that one friend that just doesn't know how to read the situation. I'm not really in the mood to be touched. And I don't like being touched all of the time.

Sometimes, I guess I can give him a few passes. But every time I'm seen? I don't want to be rude, but it's tiring.

"How about this?" I raised my fist and he gazed at it.

"Oh?" He's more curious, but he still touched fists with me. "Okay, fine with me. How's the drop off coming along?"

"Just a usual drop off."

"Same here." He laughs.

"See you later dad!" Bella hugged him.

"Later dad!" Then Flower.

"Have a nice day at school girls." He kissed their foreheads and they waved at me.

"Bye Mr.Mayor." I just waved, not expecting to be greeted and they went running off.

"Hey Flower wait up!" I hear Amper screech. He ran behind the two girls with Ashton following behind him.

"Wait on me!" They share the same braincells. Honestly. I'll have to teach them how to be more respectful when Axel is around.

"Those boys better watch themselves."

That got a laugh out of me. The action itself surprised me even. Axel grinned. I was about to say something until someone all too familiar caught my eyes.

She went for a peach color this time. Her dress stops at her knees and she's got on a pair of white tennis shoes. Her skin is no different and to be frank she made me feel as though I was looking directly at the sun.

Her hair is curled to perfection, looking to that of a cloud. I was awestruck. My heart did palpitations, my palms grew sweaty and my tongue dry. Something about you, Jasmine, something about the aura that follows you draws me in like a siren song.

A song that brings a gullible man to his unknowing death. And as if sensing my stare, she looked our way. Her steps caught up with her as she eased still. Her eyes looked closed, but I know they're not.

She's a walking photo that woman. A hidden gem amongst others. I don't know why I'm so curious about this woman, about wanting to know things about her, about wanting to know more on why she's here.

She said because it was safe. When I chose those words, it was because I'd been running from something. Could that be the same for her? Or is it something else?

I want to know about you. And I hate that I want to. It scares me that I want to.

"Dad!?"

"Huh?" I looked down and realized that Allen is holding my hand. Apparently he'd been tugging my jacket and pinky to get my attention.

How embarrassing. I was staring. I gazed over and Jasmine had disappeared behind the school doors.

"Yeah?" That's the loudest he ever spoke. Then a worrying look met his features.

"A-are y-y-ou scared of h-er?"

An unexpected question. "W-what?"

"Th-at w-w-w-woman...are you sca-red of her?"

"Scared of her?" He nods even though it was a rhetorical question. "Why would I be scared of her?" I dropped to level and pushed his hair back. And he's sure he doesn't want to cut it?