I met Her on Facebook

The Unspoken Truth - Part V

Axel's POV:

I'm walking to the small café near the campus where I work part-time. My mind is buzzing with thoughts of Mikee. She's been on my mind nonstop lately. It's only been a few weeks since we started talking, but it feels like I've known her much longer.

As I step inside the café, I spot Sandro sitting at a table near the corner. He's always here after class, claiming it's "his spot." I walk over to him, trying to shake off the thoughts of Mikee.

"Hey, man," I greet him, sliding into the chair across from him.

Sandro looks up from his phone and gives me a lazy grin. "Yo, Axel. What's up? You look like you're in a zone."

I can't help but laugh. "Nah, just tired. You know, school stuff and work. Same old."

Sandro raises an eyebrow. "You sure about that? You're looking at your phone a lot. Is it that girl again?"

I try to play it cool, but he knows me too well. "Mikee? Yeah, we've been talking. Why?"

He chuckles, picking up his drink. "Just saying, man. You've been quiet lately. Didn't expect you to be the type to settle down."

"Who said anything about settling down?" I retort quickly, but it comes out more defensive than I intended. "We're just talking. Nothing serious."

Sandro shrugs, taking a sip of his coffee. "If you say so. But I gotta tell you, man, be careful with girls like that. They're not all what they seem."

His words hit me like a punch, and I try not to let them bother me. "You don't know her, Sandro. She's different."

Sandro smirks, looking at me with a knowing expression. "Yeah? We'll see. Just don't say I didn't warn you when it all blows up in your face."

Mikee's POV:

I'm at work again, barely awake after a long night. The mall is a little quieter today, thank goodness. I'm walking down the aisle when I hear someone call my name. I look up to see my old friend JacJac waving at me from the other side of the store.

I walk over, grinning. "Hey, Jac! What's up?"

JacJac is one of the few people I trust with everything. She's been my best friend since high school, and she's the one person who's always had my back. She pulls me into a hug.

"Girl, you look exhausted. Are you sure you're okay?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

I chuckle and shrug. "Just the usual. Work, Khea, life. You know how it is."

JacJac crosses her arms, looking concerned. "I swear, you need a break. You're working too much. Don't forget to take care of yourself."

"I'm fine," I say, though I'm not entirely sure I believe it. "You know I have to provide for Khea."

JacJac nods but looks at me seriously. "I get that. But I'm starting to think you're avoiding something. You've been talking to someone lately, right?"

My heart skips a beat. I've been talking to Axel more and more these days, but I haven't told JacJac about him yet. I don't want her to think I'm jumping into something too soon, not after everything that happened with my ex.

"Uhh, no, not really," I reply, trying to sound casual.

JacJac raises an eyebrow. "Mikee, I know you. You're smiling like an idiot whenever you check your phone. Don't even try to hide it. Who is he?"

I sigh, pulling my phone out of my pocket. "His name's Axel. We met on Facebook a while ago, and we've been talking ever since. He's actually a nice guy, Jac. I don't know, I just feel like... there's something real there."

JacJac looks at me intently. "That's a good thing, Mikee. But you know I've got your back if he hurts you. I don't trust anyone easily, especially after all that's happened with your ex."

"I know," I say, feeling a weight in my chest. "But Axel isn't like him. I can tell. He's different."

JacJac's expression softens, and she places a hand on my shoulder. "I just want you to be happy, girl. If you feel something, go for it. But just be careful. Trust is earned, not given."

Axel's POV:

The rest of my shift goes by in a blur. My thoughts are stuck on Mikee. I can't help but wonder if things will work out. It's been weeks since we started talking, but I can't shake the feeling that she's hiding something from me. She's been distant at times, and I don't know if it's just her being careful or if there's something more going on.

I finish up, clean the counter, and step outside for a breather. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see that it's Mikee.

Hey Axel, I'm off work now. Wanna chat for a bit?

I smile and type back quickly.

Sure, I've got some free time. What's up?

Not much. Just finished with a long shift. Khea misses me a lot, but I'm doing okay. How about you?

I pause for a moment, trying to find the right words. Then I send my message.

Same here. It's been a long day. But it's been good, I guess. You've been on my mind lately, Mikee.

She doesn't reply right away, and I start to second-guess myself. But then, her message comes through.

You're always on my mind too, Axel. I've been thinking a lot about you lately. About us, I mean.

I feel a rush of excitement and nervousness at the same time. Really?

She replies after a short pause. Yeah. It's just that... I don't know. I'm not sure I'm ready for something serious, you know? I've been hurt before, and I don't want to make the same mistake.

I get it, I reply. But if you give me a chance, I'll prove that I'm not like the others. I want to take this slow, but I want to be real with you, Mikee. I just want you to know that I'm here.

Her message comes quickly this time. I believe you, Axel. I really do. Let's take it slow. I don't want to rush anything either.

My heart swells. She's willing to try, and that's all I need.

Mikee's POV:

I put my phone down, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. I know it's still early, and we're just getting to know each other, but there's something about Axel that makes me feel safe. I want to trust him, but I know it won't be easy.

JacJac's words keep echoing in my mind. "Trust is earned, not given." And maybe, just maybe, Axel can earn that trust.

Axel's POV:

I walk back to my dorm, my mind still on Mikee. Something is shifting between us. I can feel it. I don't know what the future holds, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like I'm on the right path.