The Stare Games (editing)

31

Friday.

Finally Friday.

Most people would be thrilled that it was finally Friday because it was the end of another tiresome and exhausting week. Normally, I'd reciprocate those feelings, especially when it came to me sleeping for the entire weekend, but today was different. Today I didn't know how to feel.

Was it because today was the day I was running away with Axel?

A part of me knew that I should be glad and excited to get some alone time with my boyfriend, and I was very glad and excited. But, I was also scared to leave. I was scared for Karyn. Who else was she going to scream at in the mornings if not me? I was scared for Nyler. Who was going to cheer him on the benches if not me? I was scared for Nate. Who was going to be there for me at all times of need if not me? I was scared for myself. Never ever in my life have I done anything so rebellious, so dangerous before so I didn't know what quite to expect.

At the same time, I was also scared for Axel. With the mafia group finding out his secret hiding spot, he was now on the run to find somewhere safe. God knows how scared he must truly be, although he didn't show any of it to me. This double life of his was starting to grow larger and larger and soon, it might just eat him up alive if we aren't careful enough.

I pray that Amine has a plan when we get to San Jose because we sure don't.

Axel's uncle was so nice to lend us a getaway truck. I do admit that it was suspicious he didn't come with, now that his house was sought after, but I guess it was all to protect Axel and I was eternally grateful to whoever protected him.

"Hey, gumdrop. Would you like a gumdrop?" someone said while holding a gumdrop in front of my face that made me jump an inch off the ground. Slowly, I took the sweet from the stranger's fingers and spun myself around to meet my candy hero, careful to not hit the door of my opened locker.

"Oh, hey!" I greeted, wrapping my arms around his waist as he pecked my forehead. "You look happy for someone about to run for their life." I wouldn't usually make jokes about him on the run, but from his upbeat behaviour, I saw a clear green light.

He chuckled before letting go of me so I could carry on getting my books. I watched as he leaned on the locker next to mine and ran a hand through his silky hair. "I missed you too."

Seeing him all happy-go-lucky made my heart swarm with butterflies until there was no longer any room for the nervous bees to come back and attack. Hey, this was nerve-wrecking stuff to ditch life as you know it to start a new one with your boyfriend. Most people would blame the parents, but who was to blame if they weren't even around?

Although it was such a beautiful sight to see a happy Axel free from the creases his frowns would make, it was really weird given the circumstances. I decided to ask him about it.

"So, what's with the-"

I was cut off mid-sentence as Isa and gang bounced their way into the conversation. As Ryan carefully placed a cap, which read 'I'M A BOOK NERD' with a caterpillar hanging off of the 'K' in book, on both Axel's and I's heads, making sure not to hurt his ex-mentor especially, and Ashton blew his whistle as loud as ever, I managed to plaster on a smile as Isa began his 'speech'- he always made a speech. Because of all the chaos they were making in the halls only after second period, the three musketeers managed to gain a crowd.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as promised by Mrs. Karen herself, the booth with the highest money made at this year's Book Carnival will get two very special gifts," he said with a little accent and a proud grin on his face."It is with honour and pleasure that we award these two hats to the makers themselves, Seth and Aeryn! A round of applause, please!" Then, he leaned into my ear right as everyone started clapping around us. "Remember us, okay?"