Ember sat back and thought. "I don't really know…" She turned back to him and shrugged. "You're the first person I've met who seems trustworthy, so maybe that has something to do with it?" 'Plus the fact that you're very, very cute…. shut up Ember!'
Axel crossed his arms a little, beaming. “That’s cool! I’m honored!”
She’s so nice! He smiled a little wider.
Ember bit her lip and looked down, a small blush dusting her light skin, revealing tiny, pale freckles, as she smiled. Suddenly her stomach growled. Her blush deepened. "Guess that's my cue to go." she mumbled.
Axel crossed his hands. “I can whip up something. I have a little kitchen right over there.” He pointed to a tiny stove with a microwave.
Ember mumbled, "I don't want to impose…" shifting uncomfortably. "I'm sure you need to save that food for yourself. I can always try and find something somewhere else…"
Axel shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. I can just buy more!” He beamed. “Let me make you something, please.”
Ember looked at her boots, then back at him. "O-ok…" She stood up, grabbing her book. "Do want me to help with anything?"
Axel shook his head. “Nope. Just sit down in my chair and relax.” He smiled and walked over to his little kitchen, gathering ingredients for their meal.
Ember hesitated, but then sat down in his chair, still warm from it's previous occupant. She sunk further into it and opened her book. She flipped through it, her eyes growing wider as she found little things her younger self had stashed in-between the pages. A small dried sprig of lavender, an old candy wrapper of her favorite childhood candy, little school notes. She giggled as she found some notes on Lord of the Flies.
As she was distracted, Axel made his favorite recipe of spaghetti and meatballs. When she was still dozing in her book, he finished and plated the food.
“Serve’s up!”
Ember jumped. Then she stood up and strolled over to the table. Her eyes widened at the sight of the food. "This looks really good…"
Axel beamed. “Thanks!” He sat down slowly in a chair. “There’s some cheese and a bit of sugar in it. Enjoy!”
Ember sat down. She picked up her fork and hesitantly tasted it. Her eyes brightened. "This is really, really good!" She squeaked happily. She started eating quickly, one of her arms around the plate as if afraid someone was going to take it.
Axel chuckled and mixed the plate of spaghetti happily. “I’m glad you think so! There’s more in the pot over there.”
Ember finished. She sat back, a happy, satisfied smile on her face. "Thank you for the food." She looks at him. "What do you want in return?" It was a custom of hers to give back for whatever she took. It was just how the world worked in her eyes.
Axel took a forkful of the yummy noodle in hus mouth, then swallowed. “Nothing. I don’t want anything. Perhaps more of those wonderful conversations.”
Ember tipped her head. "I suppose that could happen. If that's what you really want." She studied the man in front of her. He was very handsome, and quite obviously intelligent. She might enjoy more conversations with him. "If you ever think of something else you want, just tell me." She looked at the microwave clock. "I probably need to get home…"
Axel smiled and set his fork down. “It’s been wonderful to eat with you! Be careful going back, and have a good one. Come by again sometime.”
Ember stood up and grabbed her book. “Thank you. For everything. If you really want me to come back, I just might.” She smiled, hugging the book to her chest. As she walked out the door, she called out, “Take care of yourself! I’ll see you on Monday for work.” She ran off down the hallways, looking at signs to make sure she was heading towards the exit.
about an hour later
She unlocked the door to her apartment. She stepped in and locked her door back up again. She looked around at the bare rooms. A main room, a bathroom, and a kitchen. That was it. And there was no furniture in it aside from a futon mattress in the corner. Not even a fridge in the kitchen. She had a stove at least. And running water. It was so different from Axel’s dorm… she shook her head and reminded herself that was all she needed right now. Now she had a job. At least there was a room over her head and couple changes of clean clothes. She set the book down on a kitchen counter then changed into her nightgown after a quick shower. She collapsed into her bed. ’I wonder what Axel’s doing right now..? I wonder if he’s single? Is his roommate a boy or girl?’ then she realized that she was still thinking about him and his handsome face and shook herself, reminding herself that nobody could ever think she’s beautiful and want her. Nobody could ever think she’s even cute. She sighed, rolled over and went to sleep under a thin sheet.
Axel have his well wishes and shut the door behind her. He blew the hour in homework and studying. He stayed up for a while, humming as he went through pictures after homework. He soon rose out of his chair, then to pjs, to his bed, where he curled up into comfortable ball.
(Skip?)
(Sure. When to? Monday?)
(Sure.)
Ember stretched, trying to work the kinks out of her back. She had slept the majority of Sunday. She had work today though. She went and threw on some clothes and her old denim jacket. She pulled her hair into messy bun and grabbed her heavy ass backpack and grabbed a paper bag from the kitchen counter, sprinting out the door. She shivered in the fall wind and hurried to the bookstore. She went around to the back door this time. 'Wonder what we're doing today?' She wondered.
Alex had gotten up at the crack of dawn to do a bit of homework for his math class, then took a quick shower. He threw on a nice red shirt with a matching scarf, he tosseled up his hair and trotted early to the bookstore. He called a greeting when Ember walked by, waving at her happily.
Ember smiled as Axel passed by her. Then her eyes latched onto his scarf. "That is beautiful stitch work…" She murmured before heading to talk to their employer. She breezed into the office and exchanged words. She was going to be working in the main store. She walked out and put on one of their uniform aprons. She was nervous. She didn't do well in social environments. She rubbed her arms, hoping she wouldn't mess up.
Axel hummed happily as he worked, tossing old books into sorting piles. He’d have to sort and take them up to the store by himself, but he didn’t mind. His employer would pay him well for it.
Ember flitted among the bookshelves, sorting and rearranging the texts. She was starting to relax until a man started moving a little too close. She quickly finished up and moved to the next aisle. The man followed. She stiffened as he leaned against the bookshelves next to her. “Hey there.” He said smoothly. “Can I invite a little mouse for a cup of tea?” Ember squeaked out a “No thank you.” And tried to scurry away. The man grabbed her wrist. “Hey hey hey… come on… let a man have his fun.” He inches closer. Ember started to struggle. As the stranger got close to her face she helped out, “AXEL!!” She was close to tears.
Axel dropped a box and straightened up, hastily running upstairs. His scarf was messed up, but he didn’t care. He narrowed his eyes and stalked over pushing the man away from her.
“Hey, fuck off, pal,” He growled in a thunderous voice, stepping between Ember and the creep.
The man said, “Hey, this is between me and the lady.” Though he was visibly cowering at the figure in front of him which was much more built than he was. Ember pressed closer to her rescuer, trembling, with tears on her cheeks.
Axel glared down at him, thrusting him away. “I’ll have you know, what you’re trying to do is harassment! Get out of this bookstore!” He pushed him again, this time firmer than the other two.