I met Her on Facebook

The Past Can't Be Erased - VII

Axel's POV:

It's been a few days since Mikee and I talked about our pasts. I can't stop thinking about her. Every time my phone buzzes, I hope it's a message from her. I want to get to know her more, hear about everything she's been through, but I know I need to be patient. I won't rush her. I promised her that.

As I walk to work, the weather's been cold lately, and my thoughts drift back to the conversation we had. She's been through so much—betrayed by the one person she trusted the most. And yet, despite all that, she's willing to take a chance on me.

I can't let her down. I won't.

I step into the café and start my usual routine—greeting the regulars, making drinks, wiping counters—but my mind is far away, still thinking of Mikee.

My phone buzzes.

Hey, Axel. How's it going?

It's her.

I smile and quickly reply. Hey! It's good, just busy with work. How about you?

She responds quickly. Same. Been thinking about what you said the other night. You're really different, Axel.

I grin, feeling my chest tighten. I'm glad you think so. I really like talking to you, Mikee. More than I thought I would.

Her reply is almost instant. You're easy to talk to. I like that. I've been wanting to tell you more... about my past. I don't know if I'm ready, but maybe soon.

Whenever you're ready, I text back. I'm here for you. No pressure.

Mikee's POV:

I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling. Axel's message is still fresh in my mind. The way he says he's here for me, no matter what, makes my heart beat a little faster.

But the truth is, I'm scared. What if I tell him everything and he can't handle it? What if he sees me differently?

The past isn't something I like to talk about. It's painful. It's complicated. But Axel—Axel's been patient with me. He hasn't pushed me to open up faster than I'm ready. And that's what scares me. The fact that he's been so understanding makes me want to tell him everything. To trust him.

But is it too soon?

I'll talk to him when I'm ready. I tell myself that. But deep down, I know that time's running out. I don't want to hold back forever.

Sandro's POV:

I'm sitting at a table, trying to focus on my homework, but it's hard when your friend is a complete mess. Axel keeps texting someone, and it's obvious who it is. He's been looking at his phone non-stop, and I can see how happy he looks when he checks his messages.

But I know him better than anyone. That's not the Axel I've seen before. I've never seen him this serious about a girl.

I lean across the table and nudge him. "Yo, bro. What's going on with you? You're acting like you're in love or something."

Axel looks up at me, startled. "What are you talking about?"

Sandro laughs. "I'm talking about Mikee, man. Don't tell me you're not falling for her."

Axel's face turns a little red. "I don't know... Maybe?"

"Maybe? Dude, you've been texting her nonstop. You're smiling like an idiot every time your phone buzzes. So yeah, I'm pretty sure you're falling for her."

Axel leans back in his chair and runs a hand through his hair. "It's just... she's been through so much. She told me about her past, Sandro. She's scared to trust people again. And I get it. I really do."

Sandro raises an eyebrow. "So you're trying to be the knight in shining armor now? You're gonna save her?"

Axel shakes his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "No, I'm not trying to save her. I just... I want to be there for her. I want her to know she can trust me."

Sandro shrugs. "Well, if that's what you want, then go for it. But don't put her on a pedestal. She's still a person, man. If you try to be her savior, that's gonna backfire. You're in this for the right reasons, right?"

Axel thinks for a moment. "I am. I'm not trying to fix her, Sandro. I just want to be someone she can count on."

Sandro gives him a thumbs-up. "That's all anyone can ask for."

Mikee's POV:

It's late afternoon, and I'm sitting in the living room of my boarding house, staring at the chat with Axel. My phone keeps buzzing with notifications, but I can't seem to focus on anything other than the conversation we had earlier.

I'm still processing everything—his patience, his kindness. How he hasn't judged me for my past, how he's been understanding and supportive. And yet, I still feel this deep fear that he'll see me as damaged. That once he knows the full extent of what happened with my ex, he won't want to be a part of my life anymore.

I pull my knees to my chest, hugging them tight. I'm supposed to be getting ready for work, but my mind is consumed with thoughts of Axel. I can't deny it anymore. I like him. A lot.

The door to my room creaks open, and Angie walks in, her face scrunched in confusion.

"Mikee, you okay? You've been staring at your phone for like, half an hour," she says, her voice soft but full of concern.

I look up at her and smile, but it doesn't reach my eyes. "Yeah, just thinking about stuff."

Angie raises an eyebrow. "Stuff? You're not gonna tell me it's about Axel, right?"

I laugh, though it sounds more like a nervous chuckle. "How did you know?"

"I know you too well. You've been smiling like an idiot every time your phone buzzes. Girl, I swear, if you don't tell him how you feel, I will!"

I bite my lip, feeling the warmth rise in my cheeks. "I'm scared, Angie. What if he's just... playing around? What if he doesn't really like me the way I like him?"

Angie sits beside me and places a hand on mine. "Mikee, if he didn't like you, he wouldn't have stuck around this long. He wouldn't be texting you every day. I've seen how he looks at you. Trust me, he cares. But if you keep holding back, you're only hurting yourself."

I look at her, her words sinking in. She's right. I've been holding back, trying to protect myself, but in the process, I'm pushing Axel away without meaning to.

"I don't know if I'm ready to tell him everything yet, though," I say, my voice trembling slightly. "There's so much... baggage. I don't want to scare him off."

Angie shakes her head. "Mikee, you're not a burden. You're not your past. And you deserve someone who will accept you—baggage and all. If Axel's the one, then he'll understand. But you have to give him the chance."

I nod slowly, her words giving me a sense of clarity I didn't have before. Maybe it's time. Time to be honest. Time to stop letting the past control me.

Axel's POV:

As I walk home after my shift, my phone buzzes again. It's Mikee.

I'm ready. I want to talk. Can we meet up tonight?

My heart leaps in my chest. I quickly reply. Yes. Let me know when and where. I'll be there.

As I wait for her reply, I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nerves. Tonight is the night. She's finally ready to open up.