Once upon a time,
a writer easily wove stories of love, passion, and heartache. But then, she faced writer's block, unable to write anymore.
He came into her life like a storm. With his strong presence, her emptiness lessened. Yet, like storms, thin...
From the moment Axel walked into the room, it was as if trouble itself had sauntered in. He had this rebellious aura that seemed to fill every corner, making my instincts raise alarm bells. Despite my mind screaming "trouble" in big bold letters, my heart couldn't help but feel captivated by his presence.
His face was undeniably attractive, demanding all my attention as he greeted each one of us. I found myself unable to look away from his black, wavy hair and thick lashes that seemed too perfect for him.
"Axel," he introduced himself, and it was as if the world slowed down for a moment. I wondered what it would feel like to kiss those perfectly heart- shaped lips. His husky voice was like music to my ears, melting my heart like a popsicle on the Fourth of July.
Caden caught me, lost in my thoughts, and poked me hard in my ribs, snapping me back to reality. "Aw! Can't a girl admire God's creation in peace?" I whispered to him with a deadly glare. To my surprise, Axel was staring at me with a look of confusion on his face. Why was this stunning man looking at me like that? Did I have something on my face? "He's greeting you. Why are you staring at him like a creep?" Caden whispered in my ear, giving me another pinch on my side.
"Oh." Embarrassment washed over me like a tidal wave. "Sorry, I'm Elliana. But you can call me Ella."
"Elaina?" Axel asked, his tone genuinely puzzled. Even the way he mispronounced my name sounded incredibly attractive. "No, it's Elliana."
"Ohh, Elliana, I will call you Elliana," his smile elicited a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. "Nice to meet you, Elliana."
No one had ever favored Elliana over Ella before. The fact that he insisted on calling me Elliana intrigued me even more, kindling a desire to know him better.
Sitting beside Quinton, his cousin, I couldn't help but notice the contrast between the two. Quinton had a youthful, innocent radiance, with his baby face and tall figure, a stark difference from Axel's rebellious charm. Quinton's voice carried a gentle yet resolute tone, while his innocent-looking Asian eyes seemed to conceal secrets. In contrast, Axel boasted a prominent, broad, high-bridged nose and thick eyebrows that framed his face. His brown eyes resembled a warm fireplace on a chilly winter night. His hair appeared thick and glossy, leaving me curious about the kind of conditioner he used. I couldn't help but daydream about running my fingers through those soft locks.
Axel extended a beer my way, and despite already having downed two bottles, I couldn't resist accepting it—after all, it was him. "Thank you," I replied, taking the drink from his hand. He gazed at me intently and inquired, "Are you new in town? I haven't seen you around." "Perhaps not in this specific area," I explained, savoring a sip of my drink. "Really? How come we haven't crossed paths before?" he asked, surprised. "I used to spend most of my time at home, buried in my studies. I didn't go out much," I told him.
He assumed, "I bet you aced all your exams." I chuckled, "Yes, that's the only acceptable outcome in my household. My mom expects nothing less than straight A's."
Axel grinned, "Well, at least you're a smart noodle then." "Smart noodle? Is that supposed to be a compliment?" I teased, raising an eyebrow at him.
He laughed, "Of course! Noodles are delicious, and being smart is impressive." "I'll take it," I said, pretending to be flattered. "You know what makes it even better? Noodles are my favorite food. I know they're not the healthiest, but they're so delicious."
He raised an eyebrow at me, "I guess we have one thing in common. I enjoy things that aren't necessarily healthy too." Caden joined in with a smirk, "Looks like you both have found your noodle connection. A match made in carb heaven!"
"Oh, stop it, Caden," I chuckled, nudging him. Please, don't embarrass me. "Don't be jealous of our noodle bond."
"Yeah, Caden. You should find your own noodle buddy," Quinton teased. Landon, who's always quick with his comebacks, said, "Yeah, maybe you can find a macaroni mate or a spaghetti soulmate!"
Caden rolled his eyes, pretending to be offended. "You guys are terrible." As the conversation continued, Axel's gaze seemed to be on me a lot. Every time I looked his way, he would quickly look away. "How's your girl, Ax?" Quinton suddenly asked, turning his attention to his cousin. "Haven't seen her around."
My face dropped when I heard that. Axel had a girlfriend? That was disappointing. "We broke up," Axel revealed. "She cheated on me." Oh. I felt a little satisfied inside, but I didn't like that I could hear the sadness in his voice. Being a writer and noticing these things about people sometimes wasn't easy. It was as if every conversation became a canvas for emotions, where even the faintest brushstroke of pain or happiness was vividly visible. The lines between reality and the stories I crafted blurred, making me acutely aware of the intricate layers beneath each word spoken. While it granted me the ability to understand more deeply, it also meant that I carried the weight of those unspoken feelings, just as I sensed the shadow of sorrow in his response.
"Are you doing okay now?" Landon asked, his genuine concern evident in the softness of his tone. He always cared about how people were feeling. It was a trait that set him apart. "Yeah, why wouldn't I?" Axel replied, laughing. But I could tell he wasn't really okay. It seemed like he was trying to hide his pain with laughter. Maybe I was reading too much into it, but the breakup must have been recent, and it wouldn't be surprising if he was still hurt.
Suddenly, Axel turned to me with a boldness that totally caught me off guard. "Hey, I've been meaning to ask," he began, "would you mind giving me your number? I'd really like to stay in touch and get to know you better...as friends of course."
Confused and shocked by his sudden request, I could only manage to stare at him, before finally uttering a bewildered, "What?" "Your number? Can I have your number?" He repeated.
I hesitated for a moment before entering my number. After I gave his phone back, he saved my name. "What did you save me as?" I asked, curious.
Axel powered on his phone and showed me the screen. It said 'Noodles.' I was impressed. A ten for creativity. "Maybe you should write a love story based on tonight," Caden suggested, winking at me as he noticed Axel and me exchanging numbers. "You know, a tale of friendship, heartbreak, and finding new love in unexpected places." He put a lot of emphasis on 'new love.' I was going to slap him if he continued talking.
"Oh, please," I said, "My life is already dramatic enough. I don't need to turn it into a best-selling novel."
What I didn't know was that his words would soon become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the real-life love story that followed would be more interesting and unpredictable than any best-selling novel could ever imagine.
