How It Began (Axel x Olivia)

Chapter 19

Axel's PoV

"I don't know that answer." I said, looking down at the paper that Jesse was holding. Jesse smirked, pulling out a pencil and shoving it into my hand. "At this rate you're going, you're never going to graduate." he teased. "Yeah yeah, I know," I grumbled, writing the number '8' on the blank space.

Jesse was teaching me math, as per usual, during lunch. Since he noticed that math was not my strong point, he decided to teach me. "And the nine goes here." he drew a circle around the sum, and generally making me confused.

"I will graduate and whoop your sorry ass." I mumbled, pushing away the cup of lemon juice away in case it spilled all over my worksheet. "Ha." Jesse laughed. But at the same time, a roar of laughter echoed throughout the field, making Jesse and I look up. There was a crowd gathering at the edge.

"What if it's an animal?" Jesse asked, sliding off his seat and briskly walking over to the group. What if it wasn't? However, I ran after Jesse, wondering why was the crowd laughing and booing. "Excuse me." I said, nudging people out of the way. "Let me go," a familiar voice said and I saw Olivia facing Aiden.

There was already a bruise on the side of her face and Aiden had a black eye. Ouch. "We gotta help her.!" Jesse murmured, pulling me forward. "But Jesse... She looks like she's doing fine on her-." Jesse ignored me and continued pulling me towards the group. What did I do to deserve this attention?

"Leave her alone.!" Jesse commanded, making the crowd titter and whisper amongst themselves. Aiden grinned, as if waiting for this. "Well well well. If it isn't the little ragtag group which only consists of two people." Aiden sneered, making Jesse glare at him.

"For your information Aiden, not that you'll need it for your tiny little brain, but a group consists of three people. Can't you count?" Jesse shot back. I helped Olivia up, but signalling to her to keep quiet. She glanced at Jesse, who seemed to be doing fine with Aiden.

"Look, I've got better things to do." Jesse said, turning around to walk towards us. The crowd cheered as Jesse walked away. I looked up just in time to see Aiden raising his fist to hit Jesse. But I was too late.

"Watch it Aiden," a girl with auburn hair and a fierce glare caught his fist. "You don't want to get in trouble..." she glanced at Jesse, who was watching the confrontation. "Because of that nerd." she finished, throwing down Aiden's arm and looking at Jesse. But her expression was cold.

Jesse looked at Petra, "Come on. What nerd? At least the nerd could handle that idiot." he said, folding his arms. Petra looked at Jesse with one eyebrow raised and held his stare for a moment before walking away, the crowd parting for her. I looked at Jesse, who seemed a bit mad at Petra.

"I could handle myself." he huffed, turning to Olivia, who was holding her bruised face. "Where are the teachers anyway?" I asked, taking out my flask of cold water and using Jesse's handkerchief he always kept in his bag to press against the side of Olivia's face. She looked up at me but I was looking away, a little flustered. (I should draw this scene, it looks so cool in my head. You guys can too, if you want)

"Inside. It's almost time for school." Jesse said, glaring at The Ocelots, who were prowling around the school, threatening kids and bullying them. Jesse smirked at Olivia and I before gesturing that he would go ahead. He did have a different class than me for first period.

Olivia looked at the ground, taking the handkerchief from me and pressing it against her face herself. "Thank you. Axel." she murmured, tears welling in her eyes as she did. I looked at her, unsure. "Why are you crying?" I asked softly, looking up at the sky. I knew when girls cried, they didn't want to let the boys know or something like that.

"It's just.. I've never been good at taking care of myself." she murmured, slumping down on the bench. "Ever since I moved in from Florida. My siblings and I... we weren't used to the situation here and now.." Olivia looked at the street.

I twisted a twig in my hands, feeling it bend. "You can tell me anything Olivia. Come on. Even though we're... friends." I said, holding out a hand. Olivia looked at me. "So were really friends.?" she asked, looking down at my outstretched hand. I took her hand and smiled. "Definitely."

-End