Chapter 41: 𝗮𝘅𝗲𝗹

AXEL

age eighteen

————————————————————

She was kissing someone else.

Aarya was leaning against the wall while a guy was gripping her waist and they were both lost in their making out session.

My jaw clenched and I turned around, pushing my body through the crowd in the kitchen.

What was I even thinking?

Of course, Aaron was right. Yet again. And this time I had no right to be mad at him. He told me that this would happen and I didn't listen, like always.

It's not like she promised me anything, but she was the first girl I truly liked. We had math together and sometimes exchanged word or two.

Also a few months ago, when I was at Tiffany's to buy Mom a birthday present I met her there. She was alone and was looking at the bracelets. When she had to pay, her card wasn't working so I jumped in and bought it for her.

She thanked me but the next day at school she just looked my way and then continued talking with her friends.

I didn't tell Aaron about it because he would have kicked my ass for buying her a bracelet. And that would be the last thing I want to experience. Aaron was good at boxing and I was definitely not.

Somehow I got to the car and sat inside. Before I started, I let out a sigh and tried to calm down. I was getting upset for nothing.

I drove for about twenty minutes, making circles around town. There was no way I was going home and I didn't want to face Dad and Mom if they were back.

The city was alive, there were people outside despite being almost midnight. The street lights illuminated the car and I turned on the radio.

Soft, calming melodies echoed around me as I roamed my eyes around the road. Maybe I could go to Spark, a retro restaurant. It was one that me and Luna used to visit last year all the time. She said that it reminded her of some restaurant from the TV show Riverdale. Whatever that was.

The neon lights flickered in my vision. The big letters colored in purple.

It worked 24/7 and it was I guess, the only place I could go.

I parked the car nearby and got out. Fixing my shirt, I ran a hand through my hair. When I took my phone, I realized the battery was dead. Shit!

Aaron was still at the party and the last time I saw him was when I left to find Aarya and he was with Luna. I guess she can take him home if she is with her car.

I didn't have the energy to face Aaron right now. He'll chew my ears off about the whole situation.

My legs carried me to the glass door, I lifted my hand and pushed on the knob.

The atmosphere was always very calming and relaxing here. There were not too many people. Only one couple in the far end, stuffing their mouths with burgers, and then an elderly guy who had his eyes glued to a laptop screen and was drinking a milkshake.

I knew the chef here but I doubt he works this late, someone else might be now at this time.

My gaze wandered around and slid my hands into the pockets of my pants.

The table next to the window caught my sight and I slowly walked toward it. I lowered my body down and rested my back against the leather bench. The booth was usually where we used to sit with Luna.

I took out my phone again forgetting that it was dead. Maybe I could have checked Aarya's Instagram. She followed me back a while ago and liked my photos and sometimes even the stories.

"Hello." A soft melodic voice spoke from my left. I turned my head and looked up.

It was a girl probably around my age. Her black long hair was in a messy ponytail, her long bangs falling on each side of her face.

A septum piercing glistened on her nose. The same one that Luna wanted to get, she even tried to convince me to get but it just wasn't my style.

She was wearing the signature Spark outfit. Cherry-colored skirt and a shirt. A white apron was tied around her waist.

Deep brown eyes stared into mine.

She must be new here.

"Oh, hi," I said after a while, realizing that I was actually staring at her like a creep.

"I'm Venus and I'll be your waitress tonight. What would you like to order?" Her voice was angelic but a tiredness overshadowed it. She must be exhausted working this late on a Friday night.

I tapped my fingers on the table and looked at the big menu on top of the counter.

"Maybe... a strawberry milkshake." I hesitantly said. She nodded her head.

"Strawberry milkshake it is then." Turning around she left. Her figure disappeared behind the silver doors with a small round window.

The couple that was eating burgers stood up and walked up to the counter. I watched them pay and leave the restaurant.

Now it was only me and the elderly man who was still writing something on the small laptop. His eyes never leaving the screen.

"Here." A strawberry milkshake was placed in front of me.

"Thank you, Venus." I thanked her.

"School problems or girl problems? Or maybe boy problems..." Her voice reached my ears yet again.

My eyebrows furrowed. Was it that easy to notice that something was wrong?

"Girl." Is all I said. She was a stranger but I didn't mind sharing that.

"Which girl broke your heart, Axel?" At the mention of my name, my eyes quickly shot to her. How did she know me?

"We go to the same school, Axel. That's where I know you from." She answered before I could ask her. She folded her hands in front of her and cocked her head to the side, analyzing me.

"I'm sorry I don't know."

"I know. You're probably surprised how can someone who works here go to that prestigious school."

"No, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry." I panicked. I didn't mean to say it like that. I really didn't know she was in my school. It's not like I knew everyone.

A laugh broke through her lips and dimples formed on her cheeks at her bright smile.

"Axel, I know. You don't have to apologize." A relief washed over me. I didn't want to offend her. I knew I was annoying and Aaron and Aurora always voiced that but it was never in my intention to offend someone.

Siblings were a different story though.

"She must have really broken your heart. Huh?"

She leaned on the opposite leather bench and folded her hands in front of her.

"Is it that visible? I mean that something's wrong?" Usually when something was not going right or something was bothering, no one noticed it.

Sometimes Mom but no one else. I thought that I always mastered the mask on my face. The one that made me look that everything was alright.

"Mhmm. Every time I see you, you're either laughing, talking loudly, or just getting everyone's attention on you. And tonight well..." She pointed at me.

"So what you're saying is that you always look at me in school?" I smirked trying to lighten up the mood.

"Cocky much?" She chuckled, her dimples forming again.

She was... really beautiful. Not like the ordinary beautiful but somehow different. A black liner was smeared lightly around her eyes which made her eyes even more alluring.

There was a small beauty mark on top of her plump lips.

I glanced around and found to courage to say the next.

"You can sit here." I pointed to the opposite side of me. "If you don't have work of course."

She debated for a second while tapping her leg on the floor. Whispering an okay, she lowered herself down on the leather bench.

The side of her face glowed purple from the neon lights placed on the window.

I extended my hand, "Axel Hyde. We didn't fully introduce ourselves."

She chewed on her lip and then wrapped her palm around mine. Soft and delicate skin touched mine. Her hand was tiny compared to mine.

"Venus Liang." We shook hands and my eyes flew to where our palms were connected. And then I saw...

Tiny lines marked her hand, they traveled up to her elbow. Healed wounds. My lips parted but she quickly pulled her hand away.

I didn't want to intervene in her business so I just spoke again, trying to change the topic.

"Well about the girl I was talking about, I saw her kissing someone else. At Jax's party. I assume you know him."

"Sadly I do." She lightly rolled her eyes and rested her chin on her hand. It seemed like she wasn't really fond of him.

No one was actually. I admit he was an asshole.

"Does she know you like her?"

"Mmm, kind of. At least I think she does." She slowly nodded her head. She must think that I'm pathetic and maybe I am.

"Aarya, you probably know her." Her eyes widened.

"You like Aarya?" Her nose scrunched in distaste.

"Yeah."

"Sorry to tell you this but she's a bitch." Wow, I didn't expect her to say that. I haven't heard anyone say anything bad about her other than Aaron. And I thought he did it just because he was overreacting.

Even in class, Aarya didn't seem like that, like how Venus described her.

"What do you mean?" I questioned.

"Well, I used to hang out with her kind of. Last year but not anymore." I waited for her to continue.

"She likes guys that are... unavailable. If you were in a relationship, she might have liked you way more." Now I was completely lost. If I was in a relationship I wouldn't have liked her.

"You know Mark? Well, she ruined his relationship with his girlfriend. I mean he is to blame as much but I know that she intentionally got involved with him." Huh. My shoulders slumped and I leaned back.

I didn't know any of this.

"She's an attention seeker and I bet she would have used you if anything happened between you two."

So Aaron really was right with everything he said.

Why do I always do this to myself? I was to blame because I always got invested way too much.

"Look I'm not trying to paint the worst picture of her. I just don't really like what she does to people. You seem like a really nice guy Axel."

Now that I remember the time I bought her the Tiffany bracelet. She didn't even say anything. She ignored me afterward.

Could all of this be really true?

"She..." Venus looked at her hands where the scars were and her gaze stayed there. My eyes softened as her nose became red and her eyes started to gloss.

I didn't know what to say. What could I say? Did Aarya do something to offend Venus? She wouldn't act this way if there was nothing wrong.

"I should go now. My shift is ending." She quickly stood up from the bench and straightened her apron while not looking my way.

Before I stood up as well, she hurried to the silver door and disappeared.

I walked towards the counter to pay for the untouched strawberry milkshake. The guy behind the cash register had his eyes barely open as he told me the price.

After I paid, I got out and stood in front of the restaurant.

It was a little past midnight and I didn't want to leave Venus to walk home alone. This area of the city was fairly safe but maybe her neighborhood isn't.

My car was here as well and if she's willing I can take her home.

I stayed on the now almost empty street as I tilted my head back. The air was becoming more and more chilly.

The back door next to the entrance opened and Venus stepped out. Her clothes were changed and black jeans and a big grey hoodie covered her body.

Her hair was down and fell down her back.

She threw a backpack over her shoulder and turned her head to me. Her eyebrows furrowed as she saw me standing here like an idiot.

"Waiting for someone?" She asked cheekily.

"Yes, I'm waiting for you." That definitely didn't sound creepy. I wanted to smack myself in the head.

"Um... I... it's late and I thought you shouldn't walk home alone at this time." I took a few steps towards her. I pointed to my car and then scratched the back of my neck while waiting for her answer.

Her eyes darted behind me and she wrapped her hands around herself.

She chewed on her lip and slowly shook her head. "No, I would rather not get into a car. Sorry." Her gaze went to the ground as she swayed from one to another leg.

Maybe she wasn't comfortable getting into a car with a stranger, which I was.

"It's only a ten-minute walk you don't have to worry, Axel." She assured me.

"I can walk you there if you want." I shrugged my shoulders and waited for her answer. It wasn't a problem for me to walk. What was ten minutes anyway?

"Okay." She whispered and I saw her cheeks turn slightly pink. She slid her hands into the pocket of her hoodie and we started to walk.

"I'll walk here, so you don't feel uncomfortable," I said as I walked to the end of the sidewalk. She giggled and rolled her eyes.

"Also I'll be ready if something happens. I know how to fight." She didn't seem to believe me because she raised her eyebrows and bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

"What? You don't believe me? Watch." I said as I lifted my hands as I do when me and Aaron fight in the gym. I started lightly jumping backwards and Venus started to laugh.

"I can protect you. See?"

Her eyes widened and she extended her hands. "Wait..."

Before she could finish her sentence a sharp pain went through my back and head. Ouch!

My hands flew to my head as I tried to rub the pain away. "Shit! What was that...?" I turned around and I realized that I bumped myself into a street light.

Did it have to be there?

Venus ran towards me. Her face twisted in worry. "Are you okay?"

"No. This could not be more embarrassing." She looked up at me. She was tiny compared to my height. Her eyes softened and she grabbed my hand and tried to lift herself on her tiptoes to take a glance at where I hit myself.

A smile formed on my lips at her concern.

"I'm fine." A chuckle left my lips and she nodded.

"So much of protecting me. I should be the one protecting you."

"Having you as my bodyguard? I won't say no to that." We started to walk again. This time close to each other.

The walk was silent. Well Venus was silent and I don't even know what I told her but I couldn't seem to stop. She was listening the whole time and at least she didn't find me annoying. Or at least I hope she didn't.

I had a bad habit of oversharing everything about my life. Even to people I didn't really know.

She would here and there look up at me and make sure to assure me that she was listening which warmed my heart.

"Here's my destination." She spoke and I forgot that we had been walking for ten minutes or maybe even more because I would occasionally stop and start to explain stuff and Venus would have to remind me that we were on the street.

"Oh, okay." My face fell. I wish she lived further away.

She pointed to a small house. It was one story and had a miniature tidy garden at the front.

The lights were off and her parents must be asleep. It was late anyway.

"Thank you, Axel. For walking me home."

"No problem, Venus." I stayed in my place as I watched Venus make her way to her home.

Before she opened the door she turned around one last time and waved at me. I waved back. "See you in school!" I shouted after her.

I made sure that she went inside safely and then I turned around to leave.

Tonight wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

A smile danced on my face as I left.

CHAPTERS AESTHETICS

AXEL HYDE

VENUS LIANG

Thoughts on Axel's chapter?

Vote and comment!!

🖤🖤