Having Fayth

The Unknown

Fayth

"We need to talk." Great, I just started this conversation on such a cliché. Points for not making this awkward, Fayth!

His hazel eyes met mine. His usual bright smile dimmed just a fraction. "Sure, what's up, gorgeous?"

I fiddled with the necklace Blain had given me last night during our date. The small lock charm clutched tightly between my fingers. His eyes following the action and darkening in response. "Um. Blain took me out on a date. We're kinda together now." I swallowed hard waiting for the worst. I know he has feelings for me and it's going to seem like I was playing with them like a deck of cards.

His smile faltered before he gave me a soft look and cleared his throat "I can't say that I'm not disappointed but, I get it. We can still be friends, though right? We're aloud to hang out?" He asked with a hopeful grin.

I can't believe I didn't give this man more credit. I thought he would be angry, but he is being a genuine friend and I couldn't have love him more for it. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him closer to my body.

"Of course. Where would I be with out you?"

He gave a muted chuckle, "Sooo, since this is no longer a date like I thought it would be, what do you say we get ice cream and walk through the zoo? We could even feed the birds." He offered.

I smiled brightly at how easily he glided into this comfortable, friendly space. "I'd like that."

**

Axel and I spent the whole day walking through the zoo. We saw all the animals, had lunch, and fed the birds. It was probably one of the best days I've had with him. I was enjoying the ease I felt being in his presence until it started to get dark. The sky opened up and rain started to pour down on us, soaking through our clothes.

I shrieked with a giggle and raced him to his car in the parking lot. He had it started before I even reached the passenger side door.

Axel shook the water from his hair like a puppy and gave a big boyish grin, "Where to next?"

"We're soaked so unless you know a place where we could go with wet clothes..." I trailed off realizing our fun day out was coming to an end and I didn't know what tomorrow would hold for us. Would it be like it is now or would he change his mind and stop being my friend? Even if I didn't mean to, I still hurt him. I wouldn't blame him if that was his choice.

My head is a mess. Doing what my heart feels is right conflicts with not wanting to hurt someone who helped me through the tears. I love Blain, but I care about Axel's feelings.

Axel

I reached over wrapping a strand of her wet hair around my finger and watched as she bit her bottom lip.

Do I still make her nervous?

I tucked the strand behind her ear and decided to go for it. "We could always go back to my place." I left the statement hanging in the space between us until her eyes shifted to mine and our gaze locked. I could drown in those deep blue oceans. She always looks like she's holding a thousand secrets while simultaneously showing you her soul.

I brushed my thumb over the column of her throat causing her lips to part. For a moment, just a moment I thought I was in the clear, but as I inched closer, my breath fanning her face, she broke contact and pulled away. 

"I'm sorry, Axel, but I don't think that would be a good idea." She said on a whisper, looking out of her window at the rain pelting down on the ground. "I don't want to give you the wrong idea. I'm with Blain now. I can't do that to him... or to you."