<b>Chapter </b>69
AXEL
Turns out it was Rosette’s friend at the door. I would have taken anybody but her.
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“You weren’t at your ce, so I figured you would be here,” she said when Rosette opened the door. She stepped inside without waiting to be invited.
“How did you know I lived here?” I asked, not bothering to hide the bitterness in voice.
my
“I told her,” Rosette answered before the friend could open her mouth.
“I see.” I nodded, not taking my eyes off her and she didn’t take hers off me either. She didn’t like me; that feeling was mutual.
Rosette offered her a seat and we sat on the double seater while she sat facing us, her gaze–more like a re -fixed on me.
Rosette cleared her throat, shifting beside me. “So let me introduce you guys formally. Sofia, meet Axel.”
She smiled, all teeth. “I can’t say it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I didn’t bother to fake a smile. “Good. I don’t like people who pretend.”
<b>“</b>At least we have one thing inmon.”
“Ha. So thrilling,” I deadpan.
She tilted her head at me. “That’s pretending, Axel.”
“It’s called sarcasm, Sofia.”
“Sarcasm is for fools.”
“Then you should be foolish every now and then. It’ll help you loosen up.”
Rosette sighed, massaging her temple. “Why’re you here, Sofia?”
Sofia finally moved her gaze away from me and looked at Rosette. “You weren’t in any of the sses yesterday, so I came to drop off notes.
“Thank you.”
She nodded, looking at me before she looked back at Rosette. “So both of you dating or what?”
I kept silent, letting Rosette answer.
She was silent for a while before she finally answered. “Uhm, no.”
<b>12:11 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>11
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A week ago, that answer would have hurt me, but not today. She had said there was hope, so I couldn’t assume that just because we do everything together and she spends some nights in my ce, we were dating. I was going to get my answer soon, and I just hoped it was before I left.
“What do you mean no?” Sofia asked, her eyes narrowed, looking between us.
Rosette gave her a t look. “It means no.”
“But you two already do everything together! You’re already living with him, right?”
“That’s enough, Sofia,” Rosette snapped, her gaze hard.
I just stayed silent, my chin resting on my folded fist, looking at thedies and letting them handle themselves. Sofia kept her mouth shut, moving her eyes back to me and leaning back.
“So, Axel,” she said slowly, and I knew she was about to stir up trouble. “You think you know Rosette?”
I didn’t raise my head from my fist, just regarded her with a bored look. “I don’t think I know her, Sofia. I know I know her.”
“Okay then. So these questions shouldn’t be so hard for you to answer, right?”
“Ask away.”
“Alright, then, Mr. I–know–her–so–well. Tell me, what does she do when she’s nervous?<b>” </b>
Rosette leaned forward, and I realized she really wanted to know if I knew her well. She wouldn’t be disappointed.
I didn’t pause as I answered. “Bites her bottom lip until it’s raw and almost bleeding.”
Sofia didn’t look impressed. “Fine. How many moles does she have on her back?”
I smirked. “Three. One on her right shoulder de, one dead center, and thest one-” I tilted my head towards Rosette, “-a little lower than she’d like people to know.”
Her face burned red, and she looked away from me. I couldn’t help but smile at how ttered she was.
I looked back at Sofia to see her raise her brows, momentarily at a loss. “You… actually knew that?”
“Of course,” I leaned backzily. “Like I said, I don’t think I know her. I know her, Sofia. I knew her before she became the wonderful woman she is today. I knew her when she never smiled orughed. I knew her when she was-” I paused, looking over at Rosette to see her already staring at me.
“Broken,” I whispered.
“You thought I was broken?” she asked softly.
“You were broken, sweetheart. You were broken and cold. You weren’t living then; just merely existing. Nowadays you smile a lot,ugh so freely. Then, those things were once in a blue moon.” I held her hand, raising it slowly to my lips and pressing a kiss. “I’m really proud of how far you’vee, and how much
<b>12:12 </b>Thu, Sep 11
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you’ve changed. I’m proud that you didn’t let life break you.”
Her eyes turned ssy, and she bit her bottom lip when it trembled.
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“And who’s to thank for that?” she asked, her voice tight with tears.
“Nobody but yourself. You did all the work. You fought. You hang on. You found happiness. You did that, Rosette.”
She hugged me, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck, her body trembling slightly, her tears wetting my neck.
“I don’t know what to say,” she whispered, her voice muffled.
I stroked her back gently, holding back. “You don’t have to say anything, sweetheart. I got you.”
And how those words were true. I got her, even though she said she didn’t need me or she didn’t want me, I still wouldn’t give up on her.
I looked over at Sofia to see her watching us with her eyes teary. When she saw me staring at her, she quickly looked away, cleaning her eyes. I scoffed, still stroking Rosette’s back.
“I still don’t like you though,” she whispered.
“Good.”
<b>*** </b>
After Sofia left, Rosette was quiet. She seems lost in her head, so I just gave her space to think.
Our day eight was spent doing nothing, but we were fine with that. There were just two days left and I had to tell her I would be leaving on day ten. But anything Ie close to telling you, my tongue gets all twisted and tied up.
Why? Was it because I couldn’t tell her the main reason I was lying? I could tell her it was for work, but I didn’t want to lie to her.
Night came so close and Rosette was still stuck in her head. I stepped outside to get some fresh air, stretching my neck as I nced up at the sky.
The moon hung fat and swollen, its edges barely holding back from perfection.
I went still.
“Shit…”
I thought I had two nights left, but looking at the moon now–so round, so close–I knew better.
This <b>is </b>what happens when you follow a stupid calendar.
The full moon is tomorrow.
<b>12:12 </b><b>Thu</b>, Sep 11
…
I cursed, marching back into the house just as Rosette wasing out.
“I have something to tell you,” we said at the same time.
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12:12 <b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b>11