KISS

8-Lose Control

Axel sat up slowly; he had a restless night and he was a little upset that he wouldn't see Iris today. Her light eased his pain. She was wild, free and everything he wanted. There was something about her and he gravitated towards it. She was something new and desirable. Mother sat to his right. She'd fallen asleep at his bedside. She always knew when something happened between him and father. It didn't matter how much he tried hid it—she knew. He grunted at the sharp pain in his stomach, it was still store. He swore under his breath when he saw she had awaken.

"Bumblebee." Her words where a simple whisper in the silent air. It was a nickname she gave him when he was there. Bees where his favorite insect even though he got stung. It wasn't his fault that he desired to zoom like bees, they had needles for butts—it was all very grand for a three year old.

"Mother, you shouldn't be here. I want you to get your rest. Then we can take our walks again." His mother hand a heart condition he hated talking about it. There were only two surgeons in the country who could perform the surgery but it didn't guarantee that she'd survive. Axel knew they were well off but he saw the stress it caused father; and the medical bills were on the rise. He wondered if father felt suffocated, mother wasn't the only person with issues. Thinking about mother's condition made him nervous. Her chances for survival decreasing every day and her will to live—it frighten him to his very core. His mother always knew when he and father got into an argument but she was oblivious to everything else and he wanted to keep it that way. He wanted her to focus on healing. Axel didn't want to think about the dark place he would go. Its inky tendrils waited hungrily for something to devour. He smiled when mother reached out tentatively and ran her thumb across his brow.

He felt a shift and sank gratefully into her embrace. His mommy was loving and would always protect him.

"Bumblebee?"

"Yes, mommy."

"You would tell me if something was wrong. It hurts mommy when you're sad."

"I promise." He wouldn't keep anything from Mommy if it made her sad. He like to see his mommy happy. He grinned happily once he saw she was satisfied with his answer. "You are my world honey. Mommy loves you." Axel laid his head in her lap while she stroked his hair. They would get through this together.

***

Iris walked the halls, she felt like everyone was watching her and the feeling unsettled her. She was the runt of the pack surrounded by wolves who wanted nothing but to see her fall. A frown marred her pretty face when she noted an unfamiliar female approaching her. She felt her hackles rise; after snapping earlier at Crystal she didn't feel very trusting at the moment. Things with Axel seemed off and she still couldn't shake the feeling that she was the main attraction at a freak show. Iris held the retort that threaten to spill from her lips when the girl steps fell in line with her own.

"Did you hear?" she asked. Iris continued walking hoping the girl got the hint. She sighed internally as the girl continued. "Axel and Brad got into a fight." Iris didn't spare the girl a glance, she didn't understand what this had to do with her.

"Word is the fight was over you." The girl said stopping Iris in her tracks by standing in front of her. Iris watched her with a blank expression, the girl was waiting for her to give something away but she wouldn't give anything away. She probably was one of Crystal's lackeys anyway.

"Iri! I've been looking all over for you," Natasha said running up to her. She gave the brunette who held Iris up a cool glance.

"Becky," Natasha said coolly. Iris watched in surprise as the girl Becky flushed before taking off.