Kiss me

Chapter 1

I wake up to Fly's scratchy tongue on my face.

"No, fly. Down girl" I yelp, a smile forming on my lips. This just encourages her.

I giggle and lay there for a few more moments until her paw jabs me in the gut. I jolt away with a grunt and frown in her direction. Not even two seconds later, I smile again and scratch her ear.

Who could stay mad at that face?

I roll out of my bed, internally groaning. The clock reads 7:00 am. Who needs an alarm when they have a needy dog? I smirk to myself and throw on a shirt, covering my exposed torso.

Fly eagerly jumps down from my bed and waddles towards the kitchen, her claws clinking against the hardwood.

I cross my room over to the attached bathroom to quickly brush my teeth and comb back my short red locks.

I glance up to the mirror and almost gasp when I see my reflection. My skin is paler than usual, which I didn't think was even possible, and my under eye bags are ever so prominent. I stare into my icy blue eyes and sigh. I look like shit.

Fly peeks her white snout in the doorway and let's out a whimper.

"You hungry girl?"

Her tongue lolls out of her mouth at my question and I take it as a yes.

I saunter through the short hallway to my small kitchen. The sun light is beaming in through the bay window, giving everything a warm glow.

I grab Fly's bowl from the counter and pour her kibble, cringing at the smell.

"Bon appetite."

I leave her to chow down, electing to skip breakfast. Yes, yes I know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I just don't really care.

Absent-mindedly, I throw on a pair of black skinny jeans. Glancing at my toned but lean form in the mirror. I run my fingertips along the two long scars on my chest before throwing on a maroon sweatshirt.

"Bye Fly! Be prepared for a marathon of the office when I get home!" I yell from the front door. I don't get a reply. Sometimes I forget that she is, in fact, a dog.

▪ ▪ ▪

"7:31 Maddox. What did I say about being late?" Ricky exclaims sternly from the counter as I push the glass door open, the chime of the bell ringing through the small shop.

"Cmon Ricky. You know you love me." I smirk with a wink. He let's out a hearty laugh and walks off to the storage room.

I've been working at Ricky's bakery ever since I was 16.

When I came out to my parents they had a... less than preferable reaction. Ricky took me under his wing. He's like a father to me.

He let me live with him until I was stable enough to move out and even went as far as to retrieve Fly from my parents house. I would probably be dead without him.

I grab the pink and white striped apron with my name printed in bold on the front and wrap it around my waist.

Taking my place behind the counter, I roll up my sleeves and prepare myself for the next 7 hours of baking and helping those in need of sweets.

▪ ▪ ▪

I burst up the two flights of stairs, excited to get home, and fumble with the keys for my apartment door. My breath is heavy from the sprint.

"I'm home baby girl. Did you miss me?"

Fly slides over to the front door, panting like a maniac. I envelope her in my arms, laughing at her adorablness.

"Just let me shower, then it's you and me for the rest of the night."

The steamy water rolls over my back, ridding my body of the sweat and bakery grime. Gross.

I start lathering up with lavender soap, stopping at my hips. I want to keep this day a happy one.

My stomach let's out a rumbling growl, startling me from my thoughts.

Did I forget to eat today?! Oh gosh. I'm horrible. My poor body. Skipping breakfast was a horrible idea, Madd.

I turn off the water and wrap a towel around my waist, gently running my fingers through my drenched hair.

Quickly, I slip on my favorite boxers and jog to the kitchen, swinging the fridge door open. I reach to grab the yogurt container when I'm distracted by the vibrating of my phone on the counter.

Glancing over, I see Ellis' name printed across the device. I slide to the right across my screen and put it against my ear.

"Greetings." I say through the phone.

"Salutations." I giggle at his response and proceed to tell him about my day.

"Oh my god, Madd. I met the best man for you today. He is literally a Greek god. His names Axel. Hot name for a hot boy."

I snicker at Ellis' excitement.

"Dick. You don't understand, he's litera-- you have to meet him. I have his number."

"I'd be down. You can never have too many hot people in your life. Now excuse me, Fly and I are in for a serious marathon of the office."

"Yea, yea. Cya."

I hang up and flop down on the brown couch, forgetting about food and flipping on the TV as Fly takes her place beside me. Relaxation, finally.

Not even 10 minutes later, my front door swings open and in walks Ellis. "Oh come on man, go put on some clothes." My eyes roll and I look to Ellis with a questioning glare. Maybe giving Ellis my spare key was a bad idea.

Fly jumps up from the couch and surrounds Ellis.

"Hey girl." Ellis bends down to give Fly some affection and looks back up to me. "Woah you look rough." His eyes looking me up and down.

"Noted."

"Take as much time as you need to pretty yourself up. We're going to meet Axel." My jaw drops. Of course. Leave it to Ellis.

"For real? No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Fine!" I throw my hands in the air for dramatic affect. I'm so, not happy.

I smugly walk away towards my room to at least try and make myself hot.

"Nice ass." He grins.

I jut out my butt and slap it before shutting my door to get dressed.

I guess I'm going to meet a hot boy.