Ajax and I had gotten back from our mini vacation and went back to working at the café. More people came in asking for summer drinks and refreshers as the heat kicked in. Allison started coming in to work more because of the sudden influx of customers. She even hired two new people that took up all of Ajax's time and attention.
Ever so often Sofie, Chris, Emma and Jacob would show up at the café and make small talk with us. Mostly the girls came during lunch time while Chris showed up in the mornings for his spiked coffee. The days had gone by like they had did during the winter except mostly during the weekends we were going out. Jacob would show up ever so often to take me out much to Ajax's disliking.
Jacob and I became close friends, often just walking around the library to study in our free time. I told him everything about Axel, from when we first met to when we broke up over the accident. He felt bad, telling me that if I ever needed to talk he was there. He also sympathized with Axel, completely understanding why he did what he did.
The café was surprisingly doing better in the summer then it was in the winter and fall seasons. More teenagers came in with their friends to get drinks and talk amongst themselves. Whenever a new group of them did come in Allison would gush about her high school experiences while Ajax tried to keep his embarrassment down at her childish talks.
Before Oliver went back home he decided that he was going to take me out to catch up. There were things about Axel that he wanted to tell me about and wanted to know a time I could hang out. Ajax was worried when he mentioned this, telling me to call him if I needed anything. But, he did let me out, not caring how long I stayed out or where I went.
Oliver took me out bowling, something that Axel, him and I used to do every Friday. We reminisced over the good old days and discussed our plans for the future. Oliver was striving to become a full time doctor, giving people a second chance at life. Practically cheating it. The thought of Axel was embedded in our minds but the delivery was poor; none of us mentioned him, let alone had a full conversation.
"I've got a surprise later for you." Oliver smirked, motioning to the small box that was sitting on top of his coat.
Oliver lined up the ball on his chest before elegantly kicking his foot out across his other leg as he sent the bowling ball down the lane. The ball rolled down the lane, finally setting the perfect score of a strike.
"I always win!" Oliver yelled, leaning his head to the side as he set a smirk towards me.
The tv above us changed to 'WINNER' with Oliver's name on it and confetti. A small smile appeared on my face as I shook my head in amusement. The lights danced on our heads, changing colors from blue to green then purple. The bowling ally played music that almost made our ribcages shake as we filled up on food and drinks.
Hours went by and he found out that I had gotten a good, stable relationship with the guy at the café. He was happy to find that out and said that one day he would like to meet him but that there was no rush. I found out that he would be staying down here for a week to catch up and find out about everything that he had missed. I thanked him for coming to visit me, saying that he didn't have to because technically Axel and I weren't dating anymore.
"You do realize that everyone in the family still cares for you Noah. Your not a stranger to us." Oliver explained, concerned with what I had thought previously.
"No one blames you for anything Lovely, your still precious to everyone. Including me." A man cooed from behind us.
I stood frozen in the place as the voice repeated its words to me in my head. I started wondering if all that daydreaming I do finally got to me in creating the one thing that I wanted and didn't want the most.
As if confirming my biggest dream and worst nightmare I turned around to see Axel sitting behind Oliver, a large smile on his face. He was resting his head on his hand, looking at me as if he had seen me just yesterday. He looked calmer then the last time we met, like he had finally found peace within his new life. That was something I could never do. What even is peace, I never needed it.
"B-ut..."I began, my words getting cut off by racking sobs that shocked through my body.
I looked at him, my eyes slowly widening at the sight in front of me. Slowly tears began to gather in my eyes, clouding my vision and making me turn away from the man in the wheel chair. His black hair was brushed back out of his face, giving me a full view of his green eyes that I loved so much.
"Surprise!" Axel yelled, showing a closed eyes smile as he tiled his head to the right.
I pushed past the rest of the group and practically jumped on Axel, making him fall on the floor. My arms were wrapped around him as my head was berried in the crook of his neck. He wrapped his arms around me and threw his head back, laughing as he smoothened me in his chest.
"This is very uncharacteristic of you Lovely." Axel beamed, a large smile on his face as he looked down at me.
I blushed, finally realizing what I was doing and the location we were in. I stood up, holding my hand out for him only to realize he was to heavy for me to pick up in the first place. From behind me, Oliver laughed and walked over to help Axel back in his wheel chair.
Once Axel was settled in I could finally take in everything that he had changed about himself. His undercut was gone and his hair was a lot darker of a black. Axel's eyes were brighter and warmer. The color was back in his skin and he had gained some weight. Only enough for someone that had been around him for months to notice. His upper body had more muscle in it then I remember, one of his favorite black shirts now to tight for him.
"I'm sorry for everything Lovely, you never deserved any of that." he mused, trying to sympathize with me on things that had happened in the past.
I smiled, shaking my head slightly as I looked down at him, "You never needed to apologize Axel, I know you didn't mean it."
"You cut your hair." He chuckled, running his fingers through my hair as he starred up at it in awe.
I just nodded, smiling as I watched him do the things he used to do all the time. His smile was back when he talked, telling me about all the things that I had missed when he left. Axel told me about his parents, making sure I remembered to set up a date to meet them again. I smiled more in that one night then I had my entire life. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, a weight that he had placed there when he left.
"I need to make a phone call, I'll be right back." I whispered, getting up and walking away from the group.
I could feel Axel's eyes on me as I walked away, making sure no one approached me since he couldn't protect me anymore.
I took out my phone and clicked on Ajax's contact, immediately ringing to his phone. There was a few shuffling noises before I finally heard his voice.
"Hey babe, everything okay?" Ajax asked, his voice happy but soaked with worry.
"Yeah, I was just wondering if you wanted to invite Oliver and his brother out for dinner tomorrow." I smiled, a little out of breath from my excitement.
"Yeah, I can see what we have and prepare something. Having fun?" Ajax asked, the worry in his voice slowly fading.
"Yeah, Oli took me out bowling and were probably going out for dinner. I'll be home in maybe two hours." I explained, playing with the sleeves of my long-sleeve.
"Call me if you need anything then." Ajax suggested, smiling through the phone.
"I love you Ajax." I hummed before quickly hanging up and putting my phone back in my pocket.
I made my way back to my old family and walked up to the bowling lane with a smile on my face from the previous phone call. I got my next ball ready before sending it down the lane to end up right in the gutter. Axel cheered for me, clapping his hands and whistling at my failed score. I blushed and chuckled in nervousness as Oliver smirked at his triumphant win.
I made my way back to them and began to slowly eat the pizza that Oliver had ordered for us. Oliver leaned over the counter and handed me the small box that he had set aside earlier. I looked at the box confused but took it from him and slowly began to open it. As I opened it Axel started to complain that his brother was supposed to give me the box before he arrived. Oliver just shrugged and waved his bother off.
"I was going to give you this the night that we had the...well take it anyway, I have no use for it." Axel explained nervously, handing me a small jewelry box.
I slowly opened the box, my eyes going wide as I looked inside to find a small silver band with a snow flake on it. Around the ring there was a long, thin chain with a larger, silver snowflake on it. The necklace and ring sparkled in the light as I slowly ran my finger over the jewelry.
"I told him not to give you that, saying that it would be bringing up to much shit. But he never does listen." Oliver scolded, crossing his arms over his chest as he glared at his brother.
"N-No it's fine." I reassured Oliver, looking at him with a smile on my face.
"Platonically." I confirmed, making sure that they both knew that I was never going back to Axel.
Axel gulped and nodded, gesturing to his brother to listen to me as Oliver rolled his eyes. Oliver got up and went to get more drinks as Axel and I sat looking at our shoes. I looked at the ring that I had placed on my pointer finger as I played with the necklace.
Time went on and we talked more about our lives. Axel began working in animation since he couldn't do architecture, which even now, I didn't understand. Oliver continued his work as normal but instead moving in with a girl that he met. Axel approved of her tenfold, saying that she was a really sweet girl and that she was perfect for his brother.
"They both nag and hover over me like a child..." Axel whispered, huffing like a small child that didn't get his way.
I chuckled at his childishness and rolled my eyes along with his brother knowing he was overexaggerating.
"They only care about you Axel." I mused, sitting up in my chair to watch Oliver get up and start setting up another game.
"Yeah I know lovely." Axel whispered, turning his attention from me to his brother who was wining the game by thirty-eight points.
"Mom wants to see you by the way, you should visit us in London once and a while. Dad said he'd pay for your ticket." Axel added, a big smile on his face at the thought of being friends with his ex.
"I've been wanting to talk to them again but..." I tried to explain but a lump got caught in my throat, not allowing me to speak.
"Noah you don't need to explain anything to anyone, remember that." Oliver reassured, looking at me with a hard stare to make sure I fully understood his words.
"Bring your boyfriend to." Axel added, a large smile on his face as he reached for a fry.