Broken Without You

CHAPTER 18

Emily's pov

I am stunned by his affectionate gesture. My face is crimson red and my eyes wide, but a few seconds later I wrap my arms around his neck and return the hug.

We stay there in each other's embrace for I don't know how long, I wasn't counting.

After a while I rub his back gently, back away and look at him, his arms still around my waist.

When I see his eyes I'm heartbroken, he looks like he's on the verge of tears but trying so hard to fight them back.

I feel my eyes sting as well. Not being able to withhold my emotions, treacherous tears escape my eyes.

"Axel it's okay, you can cry. I would be balling my eyes out if I were in your situation."

"But I'm not a pussy..." He says, and a tear rolls down his cheek.

"Of course you aren't. You are so strong for handling all this information so well." I say softly.

"I guess." He whispers and looks away.

I quickly hug him one last time.

"Now come on, we have to join the others, we've been in here for a while. God knows what is going through their heads right now." I say and blush.

"Let them think whatever they want." He smirks.

"They'll never guess we're in here turning on our waterworks." He chuckles lightly.

I smile, grab his hand and gently pull him off the stool.

"Come on." I say and exit the kitchen.

When we get back to the table everyone is already finished and waiting for us.

I frown, but... I didn't finish my food and now it's cold!

I help my mom and Mrs. Andrews clear the table and wash the dishes while Max and Axel hang out in the living room.

When we finish, we all join them on the couch.

"Oh I know what we should do!" Mrs. Andrews chirps.

"I'll be right back." She excuses herself and goes upstairs.

We all look at each other with confused faces.

Mrs. Andrews returns with a book in her hand.

She sits down and opens it to reveal a photo of a baby boy in diapers with green eyes holding his feet and smiling at the camera.

"Is that Axel?" I gasp and lean in to look closer.

"Why would you show this to them Grams?" Axel whines and buries his reddening face in his hands.

She ignores him and flips the page.

"Look! This was taken when I walked in his room and found him in his bed, peeking his head out of a towel." She tells us excitedly.

"I had no idea you were such a cute baby Axel." I smirk and nudge him with my elbow.

He doesn't look up, just buries his face deeper into his palms and huffs.

After a while of going through baby pictures, Axel stands up.

"Okay, that's enough pictures for today. I've endured enough torture to last me a lifetime." He says, takes the book from Mrs. Andrews' hands and goes upstairs.

"Thank you for the delicious dinner Jane, we have to head out now." Mom stands up and hugs Mrs. Andrews.

"Oh don't mention it Claire, you guys are welcome anytime." She says and smiles brightly.

She kisses us all on the cheek good night and we leave.

I go to my room, change into gray sweats and a t-shirt, and go to my window to close the blinds.

When I grab the blinds, I can't stop the urge of my eyes glancing over at Axel's room. I see him laying on his bed with his eyebrows furrowed and eyes fixated on a book in front of him.

I can't help but smile. I love the fact that he enjoys reading like I do, and doesn't mock me for it.

I finally close the blinds and get into bed, instantly falling asleep when my gead hits the pillow.

The next morning I wake up, take a shower, get dressed quickly and head to the bus stop.

After I missed the bus that day, I've been paranoid about missing it again and possibly having to walk all the way to school.

It turned out great for you last time you missed the bus. My subconscious smirks.

Oh shut up. I tell her but deep down I know she's right. I enjoyed getting a ride from Axel.

I get to school and as soon as I enter I am nearly tackled to the ground.

"I missed you!" Brooke chirps and hugs me tighter, almost choking me.

"I have to tell you about the date Danny took me on yesterday!" She says and lets go of me.

We start walking towards our locker which are thankfully next to each other.

"Can't wait to hear about it!" I tell her, Danny is so creative with his date ideas.

One time he took her to make colorful street art and then took her on an icecream tasting tour. I was so jealous when she told me.

"I actually have something to tell you too..." I trail off, not knowing how to say it.

"That's a first. It's always me who has stories to tell." She smirks.

We reach our lockers and I open it while rolling my eyes at her.

"Now go on, spit it out." She tells me with wide eyes.

"Well... Axel is going to drive me to and from work from know on." I say and her eyes widen like saucers.

"He what?!" She squeals.

"That's not all..." I say, and look at her, my lips twitching trying to hide my smile.

"What could possibly be better than you riding behind that sexy man and wrapping your arms tightly around his waist? Because you know, you don't want to fall off." She winks.

"He picked me up from work the other day and took me to a beautiful clearing that had the view of the whole city." I say, not wanting to mention the cave to her since it was our secret place.

"He-he what? Emily hold me I'm gonna faint." She says dramatically and fans her face.

"My baby is in love!" She shouts.

"No I'm not." I whisper.

And quickly clap my hand over her mouth, not wanting the attention she's attracting by shouting in the middle of the hallway.

"Mhm sure, keep telling yourself that, maybe you'll start believing it." She smirks and trots off, swaying her hips back and forth.