The Phoenix King

Samantha

I remember the first time I met Axel. He was shy and kept to himself. I always wanted to be friends with everyone and was happy to introduce myself to everyone. Axel never said hi back but every day I kept trying and would sit next to him any chance I got. One day we were asked to get in pairs and do a science project. Axel still didn't talk to any of the other kids so I asked him to pair up with me. He hesitantly said yes and we spent almost every day for a month working on our project. He started to open up and talk to me. I found out his favorite color and favorite cereal. He hasn't changed much since. He is still sweet and reserved. He cares about his family and friends. I knew I fell in love with him the first time I looked into those grey eyes. He has a soft smoldering stare. He doesn't know how good looking he is and I think that's why I love him more every day. His ash brown hair and the way he flips it to the side. He is handsome and has a good personality. He is perfect.

I always wished he would notice me but by middle school my teeth were crooked and I needed glasses. I had no hope of ever becoming his girlfriend or even having him look at me like a girl and not a geeky little sister type. I decided that high school was going to be different. I wanted him to notice me and I would do everything I could to be beautiful. Unfortunately, by this time he had already started drawing his dream girl nonstop. The second I saw her I knew I would never be his type and I could never stand a chance against her. Which is crazy because back then she was just a drawing. Now that she is real I definitely don't stand a chance. I thought about telling him how much I love him daily but I never want to lose him and if he doesn't feel the same way he might end our friendship.

My parents have been fighting since I can remember. I always rode my bike to Axel's whenever I couldn't take it anymore. We would have sleepovers and movie nights. Even when Hunter came into the picture I still felt I was the closest to Axel. I knew everything about him. We were each other's rock and person. We were going to go to art school together and maybe even share an apartment in the city. Everything I thought would happen, hasn't and maybe never will. I feel hopeless and now he's not even from this planet. He went from being so close to me to somehow being from the other side of the universe. If I could wish for anything I would wish for everything to go back to the way it was. To leave me some chance to tell Axel how I feel and maybe have him feel the same way.

  Axel still drove Hunter and me to school like usual but every day after school he just vanished. Something was happening and I didn't know how to help him. Hunter and I were always worried. We asked him to go have dinner with us at this burger place we all like. We all arrived there seperately. Axel looked tired, he always looked so tired. We made small talk but I could see in his eyes he was carrying a lot. I asked him what's wrong like five times and each time he said nothing. I dropped it after the fifth nothing and we just enjoyed the moment. For a small moment, we were like before. Three normal teenagers, three best friends just hanging out. Once we were done eating we all walked to the parking lot. There were five men waiting near Axel's car. The moment at the party flashed before my eyes. I grew worried and immediately took hold of Axel's hand. He looked back at me and gave me a reassuring smile. The five men had dark eyes. They looked angry and emotionless. Axel let go of my hand and walked up to the men. They tried to grab him but he easily pushed their hands away. One of them created a sharp ice spear and threw it straight at Axel. He dodged it and it shattered on the ground. Two other men in the group began to throw fireballs. They didn't care to aim them just at Axel so Hunter grabbed me and we hid behind his car. When one fireball hit Hunter's car I screamed at the top of my lungs. I shouted for Axel numerous times. Axel was using his powers against him and I was in awe. He looked like someone different. I have never seen him in a fight before. Axel was distracted fighting two of them so the other three came around the car and tried to blast us with fireballs but before they could throw them Axel stopped them with his own flames. They were burnt alive right in front of my eyes. He killed the other two and then came to check on us. I was in shock and didn't really say much. Hunter was dumbfounded and a bit excited. Hunter's car was a goner so I lend him mine and Axel took me home. I didn't talk much on the drive home but I knew I had a lot to say. He walked me to my door.

"Axel, this is more dangerous then what we thought," I told him. "I'm so worried about you."

"I'm fine and I would never let anyone hurt you guys," he said. I knew he was telling the truth but I was still scared.

"Can't you just make things go back to the way they were, "I told him. He never said anything. I think I grew to learn he wouldn't change it even if he could. I gave him a big hug that night and I really really prayed that nothing would get worse. Some prayers just can't be answered I guess.