1 Chapter 1

Axel buried himself deeper in his blanket. He seemed to have a bad dream and his quivers and shaky exhales proved it.

"We are still stuck".

"Yeah, and I am tired now. It's been so long"

"His 20th birthday is just 2 days away, then we can show ourselves"

"Why 20 though?"

"Well, 20 is the age of maturity and I don't want to deal with a crying kid"

Alex could the conversation but he wasn't sure who was speaking. He couldn't recognize the voice moreover it was like face time but the other person on call, placed his palm on the camera to blacken his picture. He was standing in nothingness, the more he heard the voices, the more chills he felt. All he could do was just stand idle and blink.

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Sunlight peeked through the windows and engulfed the boy's face. He pried his eyes open and his hand immediately darted up to his throat. He found it hard to speak and so without doing anything, he threw off the blanket and hopped down the bed to get to the kitchen.

A glass of water was all he wanted that morning and as the soothing liquid went down his throat he felt himself relaxing. He stood with his hands massaging his head. Just when he was about to take another gulp his eyes went to the calendar. Axel squinted his eyes and looked at the date circled red. It was his birthday tomorrow and he would turn 20 deserting his life as a teenager. Axel never circled any of his previous birthdays but this one felt special, his body, yeah body would jiggle in eagerness while his mind would wonder why he is feeling as if something unbelievable is going to happen and he is not going to like that?

He sighed as he placed the glass back on the counter and made his way to the bathroom to freshen up. He slept too much and completely forgot about the little friend's gathering.

It was only when he received an angry call from his friend, he remembered the event. He was sure his crush would be there so he dressed himself the best he could, draped down in rich. He even used his favorite cologne stupidly thinking that would attract her.

Slamming the car door shut, He fixed his shirt one last time before ringing the doorbell. Soon he heard shuffling at the other side of the large wooden door, then a thump. He didn't know what was going on but he still cackled at the noise knowing his clumsy friend. As soon as he heard the clicking of the lock, he immediately slapped his mouth and wore a stoic expression.

The door opened and a boy seemingly young with black hair came out. He gave Axel a disappointing look and then looked at his empty wrist, where he supposed would be his watch.

Carter was not as tall as Axel, a little short. He is known as a playboy and every girl wanted the chance to date him. He was dressed in black ripped jeans which were paired with a black hoodie. His face was his charm, he was utterly handsome. His chiseled jawline, plump lips, and dark brown eyes were the main features that managed to pull every man or woman. He didn't know any man who could stand with carter in looks.

"You are late therefore NO FOOD FOR YOU"! He obnoxiously yelled at Alex's face which compelled the other to move few steps back.

"Shut your trap and move". Axel's tone was sullen as if he is forced to attend the gathering. He raised an eyebrow as Carter still blocked his way. He sighed before shoving him away and entering the mansion. Just then his eyes caught his crush and he couldn't keep in his smile.

As usual, she was beautiful, her straight blond hair flowed gracefully all the while swaying as she moved. The blonde wore a tight off-shoulder that dress hugged her every curve. To him, she looked cute and sexy both at the same time. Axel made his way to her and lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Hey Sophia," Alex said as he scratched the back of his neck which was a clear sign that he was shy. The girl turned around to look at the source of the voice and her eyes widened before they were filled with something unfamiliar.

"Hey, axel!" She promptly stepped closer to him while biting her lip, disregarding her friends.

Axel looked down at the proximity then looked at her face. He felt his blood boil as if he was furious but he actually wasn't and found the gesture rather sweet. Either way, he continued or the girl would think he is weird.

"Can we talk somewhere else?" The girl frowned which showed she was confused but nodded anyway. The only place they could find free of people was the backyard and so they sat on the bench near the birdbath maintaining a distance. However, the girl had other plans and she scooted closer. Again, he felt his body tense but he was calm. Was he okay?

They sat in silence but the air felt heavy for him. So to escape the awkwardness he took the lead and questioned.

"Are you going to answer?" Axel eyed her hesitantly. The blond girl turned her head towards him as he broke the calming stillness. She then cleared her throat and took a deep breath before looking straight into his eyes.

"Yeah and my answer is yes." She sounded determined as if she is going to say yes I do right now. The boy froze as he heard the blunt answer, he couldn't believe the girl he loved is ready to be in a relationship with him. He was so engrossed in celebrating the approval that he missed the girl's frown but nonetheless, she went on.

"Sorry, I know I was straightforward but what I said is true. I like you and would love to spend my whole life with you. You have everything a girl would ever desire for. I will be so lucky to have you as my life partner"

The boy subtly flinched as he snapped out of his thoughts. It took a while for him to process the little confession speech but as he did, his lips stretched into a heartwarming smile and his vibrant green eyes twinkled.

"I never thought you would say yes but thank you, Sophia". Axel felt elated. "I also wanted to say how bea-

Can we kiss? She abruptly interrupted his confession and fiddled with her fingers while looking down.

The boy widened his eyes, 'Is she ok with me kissing her? 'The last time I tried, I earned a slap' 'Or maybe she is just trying to get comfortable with me'

Nonetheless, the happy boy held her chin and lowered his head to get to her level, the girl moved closer almost sitting on his lap. Their lips slightly brushed against each other and that ticked something off. He felt his chest being squeezed, he felt as if somebody was tucking at his heartstrings. Axel immediately clasped his chest and dropped the blonde's chin. He pressed his eyes shut and scrunched his nose. He forced out a heavy wavering breath as the pain intensified. What was happening? Was he dying? He didn't even get to kiss the girl he loved for years.

Axel was so fixated to somehow ease the unbearable throbs that he couldn't catch the girl rolling her eyes at him. He was sure that his lungs were denying oxygen cause he couldn't even breathe properly. He pushed himself up and limped towards the fences using them to balance himself. As soon as he went far away from the girl he started to breathe properly and the pain subsided. He joined his eyebrows in utter confusion and did huge exhales to ensure that there was no problem with respiration anymore. However, just as he relaxed back, he remembered that he left the girl hanging.

"Fuck!" He yelled before flinching as a shock wave coursed through his veins.

He dragged his palms down his face and whispered. "I am being weird"

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He stood there as tranquility surrounded him. He felt immense peace as he heard the rustling of the leaves and wind whooshing past his ears. Looking at the sky he was delighted to see a murmuration, he wanted to stay like that for some time but his wish went unheard, and the serene silence faded away by the shouts that came from inside of the house and Axel cringed at how loud and monstrous they were. "AXEL! Come on in! Let's drink"

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(A/N) Thx for reading! Sorry for the English, I am still learning.

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