KISS

2-Butterflies in My Stomach

Iris and her mother took their usual seats at the nail salon. Iris smiled as her mother did all the chattering with the manicurist.

"Iris you should try the gel nails, it's all the rave."

Iris sighed. She knew this was coming. Her mother had been trying to get her to try it for ages. She just didn't see what all the hype was about. She preferred her natural nails. She saw the flash of disappointment in her mother's eyes once again and cave.

"Fine."

I'm such a pushover.

She was starting to think her mom wanted her to be a glass doll.

"Are there any interesting guys at school?" her mom asked her. Iris immediately fought the blush that threaten to sweep her face. She had the biggest crush on Axel. He was the most popular guy in school and all the girls were crushing on him. He had raven colored hair and a pair of the lightest blue eyes she'd ever seen. He made her heart melt.

No. No. No! Why was she asking me about boys? I'm practically invisible. He probably doesn't even know I'm alive. I'm not even sure of my feelings. It's not like there's butterflies in my stomach or anything. It's just a phase. I'll get over it. Oh no! I'm sweating. Damn. Keep cool.

"Not really," she said avoiding eye contact with her mother. Axel intrigued her. It wasn't his popular status or his good looks, okay that may have something to do with it; but it was those moments when she saw him alone and pain reflected in his eyes. He was human just like everyone else. She often wondered if popularity came at a cost. Oh well not her business.

"What about college? Do you know what you want to study?"

It was a good question. She was only sixteen but she often thought about the future. The only thing that called her was nature; maybe she could go into agriculture. She didn't have a clue.

"I don't know. I like nature. Maybe I could be a marine biologist or go into agriculture."

"Those are interesting things. You don't want to go into medical field?"

Iris really didn't have a remote of interest in the medical field. Why would she?

"Baby, you could try, especially with that IQ of yours."

"Maybe," she said to placate her mother. She couldn't wait to be done so she can hide away in dad's studio. It made her think about Axel. She wondered what his parents were like and what he did in his spare time. If her mom ever found out she was crushing on a guy she would die.

Iris already had the figure of an adult woman. She blamed her voluptuous mother. She'd been as her mother would call it blessed with the same curves. She had round hips and wore a D cup bra. She knew there were girls out there who would kill for a body like hers, but honestly they could have it. If she got any bigger in the chest area she was going to be cursed with back problems.

Her mother decided to stop at a grocery store to her horror. She hoped, she didn't run into any of her classmates. They probably wouldn't recognize her anyway. Somehow this idea was supposed to cheer her up but it immediately caused her to sink into a slight depression. School sucked anyway...stupid stereotypes. Exiting the store she was ready to scream for joy, when a woman collapsed on her way into the store. Naturally her mother's response as a doctor was to go aid the woman.

She watched as her mother reached for the woman. She turned the woman on her side and told Iris to call 911. Iris did as she was told. They were starting to get a lot of attention.

"Stand back, I'm a doctor," her mother yelled as she started to pull her stethoscope out of her purse. Iris had no ideal her mother carried such tools in her purse. She had a small first aid kit too. Was that thing connected to the wizarding world?

Her mother reported all of the woman's stats and information to the emergency personnel when they arrived. Iris watched as the woman grasped her mother's hand and asked her to stay. What the hell was this? Where was she supposed to go? The woman on the stretcher then pointed at someone else Iris hadn't noticed. It was her son.

Axel Rotterdam.

She sat in the passenger side of the car as he drove behind the ambulance towards the hospital. Iris had dreamt of this moment forever; somehow it wasn't exactly what she hoped for. She wanted to fill the silence, but what should she say?

Gosh I'm such an idiot. He's hotter in person and up close. Sheesh. The flames of hell are licking at my heels.

Axel's eyes slanted over toward the gorgeous girl beside him. He'd never seen her before. Her amber colored eyes gazed cautiously at him before returning to her lap. Did she go to his school? She had beautiful blond hair that matched the woman who provided emergency care for his mother. Axel was terrified of his mother going into an episode. She was sick. He didn't want to think about it, so he asked a question to fill the silence.

"What school do you go to?"

"Same as you," she replied back effortlessly. This was new. He wasn't used to being treated with indifference when it came to women. Axel had been around the block a time or two.

"How come I've never seen you before?" he asked perplexed.

"You have. I'm just not usually dressed this way. This little ensemble was to please my mother."

"I would have remembered your face if I've seen it." He definitely understood about the whole parental thing where they try to impose their will upon you. Parents always chuck it up to them knowing what's best for you. Axel called it bull crap.

"Look, I'm sorry about your mom," she whispered.

"Yeah me too."

Axel swore he would find out who the girl was in school.

"Can I give you my number?" he asked her. He wanted to slap himself. Why would he ask? Most guys would just write it down and slip it to her, but he instinctively knew that wouldn't work with this girl.

"I don't know, can you? You're just infatuated with what you see now. This isn't the true me. This is who my mother wants me to be. Find me at school and then...maybe I'll take your number," she said smiling at him.

He pulled up to the emergency entrance and parked the car. He really looked at her and his heart stumbled in his chest. She had the most carefree smile he'd ever seen. It was a very unique smile. He'd like to think she reserved it just for him.

"Deal."

They both exit the vehicle and preceded towards the hospital where chaos was bound to ensue.