Unorthodox Love

》CHaPTeR teN《

I stormed out of the diner, to my relief Kaden didn't follow me. This was one the worst dates I have ever been to, instead of getting even closer to Kaden I only felt more distanced than I was before.

I thought his first remark would be the only one but sadly the other followed after the other, then another, and another, and it goes on and on that I could barely hold my patience.

Throughout the meal Kade would bring out topics that he asked my opinions for, but in the end he only shoots it down. So far, he's called me dumb, stupid, crazy, naive, and more. And we were only sitting on that table for around and hour and a half.

I desperately wanted to go home but walking would be too far and it looked like it was going to rain too. I was already around the corner of the diner, away from the entrance so Kaden won't see me. I huffed out a breath, "Calm down, Ava. The night will be over soon. Just calm down..." I blew another breath and calmed down.

"Seriously? Who on earth talks to themselves?" A distant voice spoke from afar.

I looked around and saw a guy wearing a grey hoodie and some faded pants, nothing too special. But his face was slightly unrecognisable due to the distance, although his voice vaguely reminded me of...

"Axel?"

He stepped closer and closer to a light where I could see him right and my guess was indeed correct. He even confirmed me with a silent 'Bingo'.

I furrowed my brows, this part of town was kinda the unknown area, I bet most kids at my school don't even know about this place. But, apparently, Axel does.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, curious about his presence.

He shrugged. "What are you doing out here?" I couldn't make out his face clearly but his voice held such seriousness it made a shiver pass through my body.

I bit my lip while silently debating whether to tell him the truth or not. He took my silence as a decline to answer his question. He tilted his head, in this angle I could see his face more clearly and his emotion showed he already knew my answer.

"Trouble in paradise?"

I managed to force a tight smile. "If that's what you call it." I chuckled.

His stare was driving me insane. As I shifted in discomfort the cold air blew harshly. I rubbed my arms to create more heat but unfortunately it didn't help the slightest bit. I silently cursed Cayenne for her pathetic idea to leave my jacket. She said, surely Kade would give me his jacket. She thought it would be cute like the couples in cheesy novels and sappy books.

"Here." The sound of Axel's voice startled me slightly. I turned to him, he was still in the same spot but now he was only wearing a white V-neck with his hoodie in his outstretched hand.

I stared at him, then his hoodie, and back at him. He rolled his eyes, "Take it." I hesitantly walked over to him. I slowly and reluctantly reached for the fabric.

I must've taken so long because Axel muttered "Jesus." Then took two long strides to me he shoved the hoodie into my arms. I nearly dropped it at his sudden movement. I glared at him but wore it anyway.

I was immediately granted by heat, and his strong scent of cinnamon. His hoodie was too big for me. It reached mid-thigh like a dress and the sleeves passed through my hand, burying even my fingers in warmth. I fought back the urge to smile at how I felt so comfortable. Instead, I looked at Axel who's lips twitched in the slightest smile. I couldn't hold it back because I fell into a fit of giggles then into laughter, Axel chuckled along with me.

After a couple of moments I simmered down and breathed the cool air, I haven't laughed for no reason for a while.

"Here,let me help." He stepped closer and reached the end of the left sleeve. He folded it releasing my hand then he pushed the sleeve further up my arm, his fingers grazing my skin leaving tingles. I ignored the rush of heat that crept up my face and did the same with the other sleeve.

His hands dropped to his sides as we were both engulfed into an awkward silence.

"So..." he drawled.

"So..." I mimicked him.

After more silence I decided to give a suggestion. "Wanna walk?" He nodded.

We walked side by side for a while. Just basking in the peaceful breeze with the faint honks of cars and the rolls of thunder of the upcoming rain.
"Let's play twenty questions." I blurted out as the silence drifted to a slightly annoying one.

"Sure."

A smile made it's way to my face. This could help me, I could ask him a butt load of questions to figure him out. My thoughts flurried with ideas and advantages I could get from this.

"Who exactly are you?" I asked with a hopeful tone.

He looked confused but answered anyway. "I'm Axel Maverick, eighteen, my hobbies are..." he drifted off.

"Are?"

He looked up with knitted eyebrows, "Why am I answering so much for one question?" He narrowed his eyes playfully.

I shrugged with a mischievous grin. "If I answer then you'll lose a turn." I smirked. He glared at me even more.

He huffed and looked ahead. "What's your favourite color?"

I gave him a deadpanned look. Who would ask me that? Axel would. "You do know I'm colorblind?"

He looked at me with a blank expression. "Yeah, I know. But you know all the colors, hue, and Shit.  You even know how to blend them well. Then you probably know at least their names. So if you were able to see which one would you want to see the most?" He looked genuinely curious and not to mention serious.

What would I want to see?

I looked up he clouded night sky,threatening to fall to the earth as water. Drenching everything in its perimeter. All of it.

And like the clouds I too wanted everything. I wanted all of it.

"All of it." I stated sharply. He raised his eyebrow, beckoning me to continue. "Like I said. I'm colorblind. With all the colors everywhere why one earth would I just choose one? Sure, you could have favorites since you could see it all over and over again. While I," I chuckled as a tear fell from my eye. "I would do anything to see color, not just one."

The silence was agonising,  even more than before. So I decided to continue the game. "How about you? What's your favourite color?"

He looked taken aback by my question then scanned my face. First my hair, then my lips, and lastly, my eyes. And it stayed there.

"Probably something like blue... or maybe green." He mused. We remained like that for a while. Him staring into me, and me returning the stare.

"Maybe blue-green." He finished.

I couldn't help the curiosity bubbling inside me. I can't stop it, I mean everything has it's re sons right?

"Why?" I blurted before I could stop myself.

He smiled, not a smirk but a smile, a genuine smile with dimples and all.

"You'll find out soon."