Page 23 of You Started It

Olivia offers me a strained smile before walking away.

“Did I upset her?” I fake-whisper to Axel.

“You could try being a little nicer,” Ben says, looking down at me. “She’s working overtime organizing this event.”

“It’s kind of hard being nice to the girl my boyfriend cheated on me with.”

“We’ve been over this already,” Ben begins but stops himself. He looks around, unable to make eye contact with me. “I’ve got to go.”

I watch Ben walk away and that twisty feeling in my stomach returns. It’s like every time we interact, things get more strained. But I can’t seem to control my temper, especially whenever he’s withher.

“Hey,” Axel says, pulling me out of my thoughts. “You handled that great. Ben is clearly second-guessing his decision to dump you.”

“You think?” I can almost hear hope spring into my voice.

“Totally. The opposite of love is indifference. Him getting riled up shows he still has feelings for you. So, Wonderland, eh?” He pauses, his eyes on mine. “That’ll be a great place to film more content. I’ve been working on one set to the new SZA song. I just need someone to hit Record.” He winks, and I can’t help but smile.

“Iammy mother’s creative director for her salon reels. So I got you,” I say, sucking in my cheeks.

“And I’ve got you. See? We’re good at this partnership thing.” Axel takes a sip of his drink. “So, your mom, what’s her story?”

“You don’t have to do this,” I say.

“Do what?” Axel shakes his head.

“Ask me questions about my life. It’s not part of the deal.”

“What if I want it to be?” he says, a kind smile sneaking out.

“Okay.” I sit up straight. “Let’s trauma bond. My mom grew up with strict Arab parents. Rebelled by dating and, subsequently, sleeping with my father as a teen. Which resulted in me.”

“Did her parents disown her? I have older sisters and to be honest, I have no idea how my parents would have reacted to something like that.”

“I don’t think my mom gave them the chance to. She took off with my dad right after telling them about me.”

“Did your parents end up getting married?”

“Oh yeah. They did the whole domesticated thing until my father had an early mid-life crisis and walked out on us three years ago. But I don’t fault him, entirely. Living with my mother isn’t easy. She blames everyone for everything that’s ever gone wrong in her life. But she does it in a way where you don’t even know she’s doing it until after the fact. She’s got skills, I’ll give her that.”

“If it makes you feel any better, my father doesn’t support my love of the arts. He thinks anyone who doesn’t get a degree as a doctor, engineer, or lawyer is wasting away their potential for greatness.”

His father’s not wrong, I think, but I know enough not to say it aloud. Axel’s so young and immature. He still has stars in his eyes. No need to pop that bubble just yet. The world will do it for him one day.

Happened to me when I was fourteen.

“Is there anything outside of the arts you’re interested in?” I ask.

Axel looks around dramatically, then leans in. “Who sent you?”

“Excuse me?” The bell rings and people rise from the tables and begin to make their way out of the caf.

He runs a hand through his curls. “Just thought for a second my dad put you up to talking me out of pursuing my passions.”

“I would never do that.” Mostly because I don’t care enough about this person to worry about what he chooses to do with his life. “But if you ever need someone to help you make a plan or a list of life goals, I’m your girl.”

“Noted.” He stands. “Meet you in the parking lot after school?”

“No.” I rise and smile. “Meet me at my locker. We’ll walk out together.”

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