Mysterious Chime (Book #1)

C H I M E 5

⁵|MAKEOVER

It was a difficult task eating the ice cream with Axel staring at me in wonder at every bite I take as if he's marvelled by the eating habit of an alien. Not to mention he kept posing random questions at me which took a while to answer, hence delay my attention on the ice cream. It made me think if an ice cream with Axel by my side takes forty five minutes to eat, imagine going for diner at a posh restaurant. It would take a day. This isn't criticism coming out of me, in fact I was complimenting Axel since it's my first time being with a person who's interested to sit and talk with me up all the while I munch my face in caramel. He's basically the first boy I've spoken to.

Wiping my mouth carefully with Axel's handkerchief I stood up to inspect my dress, finding if there's any spot that I missed to conclude that the dress is ruined. I gasped at the dried mud stain on the left side. Oh no!

"Hey, something wrong?" Axel inquired noticing my face that would have probably gone ashen faced.

"No, just a spot I missed," I dismissed his look of concern by showing the stain.

Axel pulled me back to the bench with such force I hurt my back. He flicked me in the forehead and told,"You can get that off if you put it to the laundry or simply use some detergent when you get home."

Home. There came the other pressing matter that got my fingers fiddling nervously, with my head down. What am I supposed to tell him-that who he's dealing with currently is a person with Amnesia?

I felt cold fingers grasping my chin forcing me gently towards Axel's direction. My eyes met his- filled with softness. "Are you in some kind of trouble?" He asked.

He's a stranger whom I would never cross paths with again. Why even bother asking?

"Are you always this fascinated to find out the sob stories of every lost soul you stumble up on? It's like your daily quest?" I told jokingly.

"You must be thinking that its pointless talking things out with a stranger. You are scared to create a bond knowing it won't last longer. I assure you, Nora, I won't let you down. Consider me as your friend from now on instead of a stranger."

I couldn't believe what he was saying. Is he willing to do that? How could one easily be friends with someone they met minutes ago? The dangerous possibilities like he could be a criminal completely rubbed off of my mind when a familiar feeling of likeness starting building towards him. His thought may actually be pure. More than having the need to create a friendship I had something else on top of my priority list which is Survival.

Survival requires someone to depend on. If I'm to depend on Axel I will have to let him in but it doesn't have to be entirely. With that idea in mind I nodded. "Yeah, I'm trying to figure some things out. I'm a lost cause, Axel. I have no idea what I'm doing here."

Placing his hand on top of mine, Axel squeezed it reassuringly before stating,"Whatever that's got your mind riled up, you can talk to me alright, love? Together we can figure it out."

As reassuring his statement sounds my mind easily got distracted-clinging to one word. Love? I blushed thinking how his charming endeavours are going to get me in danger one day.

Axel got up hurriedly with a huge smile on his face. Turning to me with his hand stretched towards my direction he said,"Come on, No-Ra, I've got a place in mind which I'm sure you'd love."

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"Oh I hate crowded places," I groaned staring wide eyed at what stood in front of me. The number of legs walking in on this place was no where near to the beach crowd but double that amount maybe even triple. Out of all the small places Axel had to bring me to a Mall. I could sense my anxiety leveling up just by standing in one place.

Axel chuckled noticing my distress and pushed my worries away by guiding me towards the entrance whilst taking a hold of my hand with his. His warm palm covered my quivering ones entirely. I hoped this weird feeling would fade away.

Once inside, I was hit by the smell of air-condition and luxury. There were three floors- each occupied by people like an army of ants inside a candy jar. Most were teens in groups living upto their freedom. An old lady passed by with a knowing smile as her lingering gaze locked on to our hands. Considering the situation with Axel and I, people would assume of normalancy. A loving couple. A blush creeped all the way across my cheek like fire fueled by gasoline.

A good riddance it would be if I faint and wake up for the fourth time with people out of sight.

Axel paused and turned to me making me halt on track. "Let me do the honors of helping you get whatever you fancy. Sounds good?" I looked at his smiling facade as though he's grown three heads.

"Are you crazy? I don't have the kind of money you do." I started again but was cut off by Axel's warm gesture. He placed his hand on my shoulder giving it a gently squeeze. Smiling he stated, "Don't fret, love. It's all on me."

"No, I can't let you keep on treating me like this," I shook my head stubbornly not wanting to accept his helping hand.

"Like what?" He asked with concern.

I looked down before answering quietly,"Like I'm some charity case."

Axel's piercing eyes bore into mine with seriousness. "If I'm helping you willingly that's a choice I'm making, Nora. You shouldn't feel this way. We are friends remember and this exactly is a friend's duty."

"I'll repay you somehow, soon."

Nodding at my statement Axel grabbed my hand and led us to the women's apparel section which was on the second floor.

"Let's start from here," Axel directed me to the section which consisted of dresses. If it wasn't for the stain we wouldn't be here. That darn stain! I scolded mentally. Axel disappeared to the next aisle with a small "be right back."

My eyes caught the sight of a pretty dress and like a moth drawn to a flame I walked towards it but something stopped me dead in my track which brought me no further astonishment since I knew it was coming somehow. Out of nowhere a loud, ear screeching noise rang in my ears making it unbearable to stay put. Dashing to the fitting room I curled myself into ball at the very corner. Tears flowed freely down my eyes as the haunting sound kept ringing over and over. I covered my ears tight hoping the sound would go away but it didn't. Instead a blurry memory started flashing through.

"Nora!" Axel busted the fitting room door open, his breath coming in pants as though he's been searching for me.

"Axel," I cried out in relief. "Axel- I-" I tried talking but the lump in my throat denied letting my voice out. Hushing me Axel knelt down slowly bringing my pale face to his chest.

"I got you, love," He murmured as his warm hands kept rubbing circles at my back which surprisingly calmed the uncontrollable thudding of my heart.

"Let's get out of here,"He whispered in my ear softly.