Demon's Kiss

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

One week. Yes, it’s been one week since I started avoiding Axel. I just feel uneased and confused with whatever his doing. His possessiveness. How he gave me every attention he can. Just everything he does puzzled me and I couldn’t help my mind to always wander to him. It really scares me.

So, every time he tried to get close, I make excuses to get farther away. I even change sits every time he tried to be near. It wasn’t hard when the other girls also help in preventing him to close our distance.

Even during lunch time, Claire and I hides from him. Claire was not okay with it, but being a good friend, she just helps me with whatever I want. She doesn’t ask much and even if she does, I don’t even know what answer to give. Because I myself don’t know what’s really going on with me.

~*~

“So, when will you stop hiding from your persistent suitor?” Claire asked as she continued to eat whatever salad she’s having.

I just sighed and looked at the view around us. The only good thing that happened during this situation is we found this serene place. The clearing is hidden by tall trees at the back of the Arts building. It’s nice and looks very maintained from my point of view.

“Are you even listening?” Claire asked again and gave me a shake.

I looked at her with boredom. “I am. But I chose not to answer your question.”

“I just pity him. I heard he always look tired just looking for you,” she pointed out. “He’s not really bad once you get to know him, I guess.”

“Just let it go,” I answered nonchalantly as I played with my food. I just lost my appetite. “I’m also tired from all the things he’s been doing to me. I just can’t take any more of his nonsense.”

“Have you ever though that maybe he’s serious about this?” she questioned again, her tone lace with seriousness.

I laughed mockingly at her words. “You want me to believe that he’s in love with me? That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard! He doesn’t even know me.”

“But it’s not impossible, Celine,” she explained. “You’re lucky that he’s sincere with you. I can see that from the way he treats you if you could just get past his teasing.”

“Don’t tell me that he fooled you too?” I rolled my eyes at her words. “I guarantee you, he’s not.”

“Why can’t you see that he’s been hurting with your avoidance? All you see is your damn self! You’re being too selfish, Celine!” she shouted and left me dumbfounded at her outburst.

Am I really the selfish one? I just want to steer clear from the person who disrupts my mind. I just want him to stop confusing me. He wouldn’t get hurt because he never took everything seriously. I’m just her new play toy. Or is he?

And what the heck is wrong with Claire? It’s the first time I saw her lose her cool. Does she like Axel?

~*~

I sighed for the nth time. It’s kind of lonely going home when Claire’s not around to gossip with. But at least the day is almost ending and I haven’t seen Axel. That’s good, right? I should be happy and not worry about him.

I smiled and walked ahead but I couldn’t help but froze in my place. What lies ahead of me is the same street where I lost my first kiss and met my greatest nightmare. And I couldn’t help when those memories resurface clearly in my mind. The way he suddenly appears. That time I just gawked at his face. And especially the kiss we shared.

I shook my head to erase those thoughts. I need to go home and just forget about him. So, I started my journey once again.

I was almost at my house when someone suddenly someone grabbed my arm from behind. I looked at those hand, then glanced at his face and frown. Should have known that my avoidance wouldn’t last long before he does something about it.

“Can we talk?”

“I really need to go home, Axel,” I answered and looked away from his piercing sad eyes.

When has the demon’s eyes look this lonely? They were always filled with mischievousness but now…

“Okay,” he agreed so I looked at his hand, hoping he could let me go. “Then can we talk inside your house?” he questioned again; his brow arched.

Should have expected this. Stubborn demon. “I-I can’t.” I tried to remove his hold on mine but he just won’t budge. He even tightened his hold but not enough that it will hurt me.

“Are you avoiding me?” he suddenly asked which made me stop. “That’s a rhetorical question, by the way. Because we both know the answer to that.”

I just stared at him. I couldn’t even form the right words to say. He just sounded so desperate and his eyes look even more desperate and lonely. Is it my fault that’s now like this? I bit my lips and clenched my free hand to stop myself from doing something I might regret.

“I-I need to go home, Ax-”

“And I need an answer, Juliet.” He ruffled his hair, a sign of frustration, and looked away from me, clenching his jaw. “Please. I don’t even know what I did for you to avoid me this way.”

“Why can’t you see that he’s been hurting with your avoidance? All you see is your damn self! You’re being too selfish, Celine!”

Claire’s voice rang inside my mind and I feel so guilty. I did think only of myself that I didn’t notice that I’m kind of hurting and confusing him in the process. Does he really like me?

“You’re a bad boy,” I pointed out, lamely. I just don’t know what I should say.

“I never claimed that I’m a good person,” he smiled bitterly but when he looked at me, his eyes were filled with determination. “I just can’t change who I am. But if you want to, I’ll try to be good. I won’t skip classes anymore. Those fights I’ve been, they’re a thing of the past.”

“I’m in love with Azrael,” I confessed. I don’t want to hurt Axel anymore if he seriously likes me.

His jaw was clenched once again as his frowned deepen. “I know.” He started to caressed my face causing my eyes to close on its own. “I f*****g know that even before.”

I felt the fast beating of my heart as his lips suddenly lands on mine once again. This is our second kiss and this time it was different. He kissed me slowly, as if I would break with his every touch. And I couldn’t help when tears started to roll down my face.

Why is he kissing me knowing I’m in love with his brother? And why am I letting him just like that?

“Don’t you think I wouldn’t notice how your eyes would always wander towards him? How your eyes sparkle with just a glimpse on him,” he pointed out, bitterness lacing every word he spoke. “I know that but still...”

Instead of finishing his sentence, he pulled me in his embrace. It was tighter as if his life depends on this. “Liet, please.”

I don’t want Axel to be like this. I’m used to Axel always smiling and teasing me. The Axel that would always stick his self so close to me. The Axel that would shamelessly announce his possessiveness over me. I hate it but I also grew accustomed to it. And this Axel is very different that I don’t know how to communicate with him.

“Can’t we be friends?” And that left us with silence. He’s just staring down at me with those unfathomable brown eyes of his. What’s going in your head, Axel?

“Celine?”

“Neil!” I shouted frantically when I saw my neighbour coming close to us. I immediately push Axel away, glad he let me but his hand didn’t let go of my arm.

“Long time no see,” he greeted with a smile and gestured for a hug.

Neil and I were left feeling shock when Axel suddenly blocked him from getting near me. This made him let go of me.

Neil glance at me which Axel tried to block also. “Jealous boyfriend?”

“Do you have a problem with that?” the latter questioned back with venom.

I slowly distance myself from Axel, hoping he wouldn’t notice as he kept on glaring at Neil. When I was sure that I’m inside that gate of our house, I shouted, “Bye.” And left them both. I’m sorry, Axel.

“Juliet!” Neil shouted with confusion.

Even Axel shouted back at me. “Juliet, talk to me please!”

I just closed my eyes as I used the door to support myself. I hardened my heart as I heard Axel’s pleas. I’m really selfish.

~*~

I felt a comforting hand on my shoulder and stop what I’m doing to look at her. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing, Mom,” I answered, trying to smile at her.

“Is that person outside your boyfriend?” she suddenly asked. “Did you have a fight?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend, Mom,” I answered and stood up to look at the window in my room. Axel’s still outside the house, waiting for me. Why?

“I tried to ask him to come inside,” she stated. “But he told me that he won’t come unless it’s your decision.”

“I’m just confused with him,” I confessed. “He’s Azrael’s older brother.”

My Mom knows how much I’m in love with Azrael. I even showed her his stolen picture I store on my wallet. So, seeing Axel may have confused her.

“It’s drizzling already. Why don’t you talk to him? I think you still owe him that?” The she left me with too much to think about.

I looked at the person getting wet outside. He looks lost but still determined. “Axel!” I shouted from my window.

He searched for me and when his eyes landed on mine, he just smiled. “Talk to me, please! Did I do something wrong?”

“You didn’t! Don’t worry and just go home!” I pleaded and noticed how the rain was getting stronger.

“If you’re worrying about this rain, then don’t! Now answer me, truthfully! Why have you been avoiding me these past days?! Am I being annoying with my teasing? Did someone told you to avoid me?!”

“You’re annoying!” I half-lied. “Leave!”

“I won’t go until you don’t talk to me seriously!”

“Go!” I pleaded once again and shut the curtain blinds hoping that he would take this as a que to go away. But his answer left my heart feeling more confused.

“I’ll wait for you no matter what!”