The words I meant to say

07- Occupied

Axel didn’t know how to react to this. Yes she was beautiful, but could she be his? Everyone liked her instantly, she had a special charm to her personality. How would Louise react to this, and what was his relationship with Louise? Surely they were more than friends. He turned to his right, and could see Louise, poised so elegantly. Even as she sat she brought such jealousy to Axel’s heart. Why did she have to be so perfect, or at least, perfect in his eyes. 

Danielle was different, her glossy black hair and black eyes made her look determined. She was short, awfully short for someone who was good at sports. She had this little mole at the corner of her eye, that made her seem intelligent. Axel didn’t feel jealous of her, he just felt attracted to her. He felt the need to want her, the need to own her. To make her his. He was so conflicted, unsure of what to do. But one thing was for sure, he couldn’t stop staring at the marvel that was Danielle. 

Casper caught his stares, but not the ones at Danielle. He knew that he could destroy Danielle in a matter of moments, she was easily defeated, she was weak. He caught his longing stares toward Louise. Louise, she was the competitor. The one everyone was rooting for. Sure she was so perfect and all, but he was the match for Axel. No one else would take the place in his heart. Not even Louise. 

It was recess now, he knew where Louise would be. Louise stood on the rooftop garden of the school. The breeze felt nice against her face. She leaned against the barrier that prevented people from falling off, it was only half her height though. She took a moment to enjoy the peace, and then took the next moment to think of Axel. The one that made her happy. 

Casper walked ever so silently towards her, his face grim. He tapped on her shoulder, making her flinch and turn around in shock. She wondered if the boy could read her mind, but it was something she only hoped Axel would have the ability to do. Casper wanted to scream his lungs out at her, but he kept his composure, for Axel. 

“Stay away from him.” Casper threatened, his voice hoarse and high pitched. He did his best to glare at Louise, but she returned with a stare so menacing he stopped. 

“What the hell do you mean.” Louise was prepared to walk away, deep down she did know who he meant. But she refused to admit it, admit her feelings for him. They were something that she’d rather keep in the dark, for as long as she pleased. They were something that she’d rather leave for another day, where if everything was so perfect, she would confess. But she knew she would never do that, she was too afraid. Louise, afraid. It seemed impossible. 

“I mean Axel. Stay away from him. He’s mine.” Casper spoke in an obnoxious manner, he rolled his eyes at her as if she were stupid. Louise couldn’t stand this, what right did he have to tell her to back off. Axel was a human, and definitely not his property. Besides, she needed him more than he would ever need him. 

“I don’t see your name on him.” Louise spat out sarcastically, her eyes filled with a dark rage. She was about to walk away when Casper stopped her once more. He grabbed her arm and forced her to stay put, his grip was awfully strong for someone that skinny. 

“If you’d stop interfering you soon would. He’s mine, no one else can have him. Especially you, he’s too good for you.” Casper stated rather blandly, as if it were obvious. He was now treading on land no one had dared walk on before, Louise’s limit. Louise shoved him, making him fall and land on his knees and elbows. She redid her hair as she looked down on him, as if he were a pest. Casper stood up on instinct, slapping Louise immediately. The impact made her fair cheek red, leaving behind the imprint of his hand. When Louise looked back up her eyes were red, and watery. 

“Yes, he might be too good for me. I know that. He’s too good for everyone. But you don’t need him, I do. He’s the only one I can depend on, the only person who actually can stand me. You’d never understand that feeling, you’d never know how tough it is to have the world hate you. You’ll never understand, the special bond we have.” Louise sang the last words of her rebuttal, she rubbed her eyes and ran. She had had enough of this. She could feel her limbs trembling from nervousness and her vision become fuzzy as she thought more about it. She did depend on him, he was her sole pillar. Since when did he occupy such a big space in her heart, that she never knew existed. She felt so betrayed by herself, yet the epiphany she felt upon realizing this was so great. She could feel her body become lighter, as light as helium, as she finally understood her own feelings. She kept on running, and with each step, she felt slightly closer to Axel.

Slightly closer, to him. So she could tell him the words that she now knew she had to say.

Slightly closer to him. So she could tell him the words she meant to say. 

She turned around to face Casper, who just stood there dazed. Though she was a few metres away from him, she spoke in a voice that would allow the entire world to hear her. 

“Thank you. I now know my feelings for him. I love him, and there’s nothing you nor I can do about it. Face it.” She laughed at the end of her confession, her smile so bright, her happiness so strong it could break the toughest of walls.

It was a true pity Casper could outrun her. He ran to her at top speed, and just when she was at the staircase...

He pushed her.