"Auditions are today," I said as I sat down next to Axel.

He groaned and sighed. "Thanks for the reminder."

"You guys ready?" I asked my friends.

"Oh yeah. Bells and I practiced all of yesterday," Vince said.

I looked at her confused. "I thought you didn't want to do it."

"Oh I don't but he does so I practiced some lines with him," Bella responded. She continued eating her lunch and zoned into her own world.

"Are you confident in the singing part?" I asked Vince.

"Oh yeah, I'm ready."

"Julian, you should audition," I said.

Niko let out a laugh. "The guy can barely make friends and you want him to get on stage so he can act and sing? You're very funny."

I awkwardly laughed since I didn't know if Niko's words affected Julian. Julian didn't say anything and kept eating his food.

"Any updates on the senior trip?" I asked Bella, changing the subject.

"We're getting the dates set and once those are set then I'll be able to tell you guys where," she grinned.

"Can you give us a hint?" Charity asked.

Bella thought about it for a moment. "It's a sunny place."

'It must be a place with beaches then,' I thought to myself.

"I forgot to tell you this morning but your waltz dance is looking really good you two," Axel said to me and Niko.

"Thanks man that means a lot," Niko said.

"Do you think there's anything we can improve on?" I asked hoping for some feedback.

Axel thought about it. "You two seem stiff dancing together."

"What do you mean?" I was confused.

"It seems like Niko is trying to pull you in closer, but you don't want to get close if that makes sense," Axel said.

"Wait, are you and Nikolaus dating?" Charity butted in.

I expected nothing less since she always butted in when Axel and I were talking. I didn't want to tell Axel how I felt about her since for some reason they started hanging out more. In case there was that low chance Axel liked her, I didn't want to be the cause that they won't happen.

"No they're not," Axel answered for me.

"Yeah we're not, I could never like him like that," I said.

"Except you did," Bella coughed out.

I glared at her and looked at Niko, hopefully he didn't hear that.

Niko leaned back and raised a brow. "You can never like me? Why not?"

"I-"

Axel draped his arm over my shoulder. "She can't because we're-."

I looked at him. "Because we're what?"

Niko gave Axel an unamused look.

"I thought we were a thing, I mean you did almost kiss me a couple days ago," Axel whispered in my ear.

I shoved him away and felt my face heat up. "He's joking. Axel and I will never be a thing."

"Ouch."

"Never say never," Bella said.

Charity nudged Bella and frowned.

"Anyways, Niko and I aren't a thing."

"I think you two would make a lovely couple," Charity said. "Don't you think Axe?"

I snorted at the nickname. Axe?

"I don't think they do."

"Aw come on Axe why not?" Niko teased.

I looked at Bella hoping she could help me out and change the subject, but she was looking in amusement.

Axel let out a cough. "Well, have you ever seen Mari more than a little sister?"

"No," Niko answered.

I frowned; I was over the guy, but I was always curious whether at some point he felt something more for me. Hearing his answer just confirmed it was all one-sided.

"There we go," Axel said.

"Do you think Axe and I would make a cute couple?" Charity said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

I forced a smile and looked around the table.

"Oh yeah totally," Bella answered. "The guy has never had a girlfriend, I bet he's never even kissed someone."

There was a bit of jealousy surging from me, Bella first said me and him would look good but now she was feeding into Charity's obsession for Axel.

"I've kissed a girl," Axel said, slamming his fork down. I looked at him, shook my head, and gave him a pleading look to not tell the table the story. Just in case Charity hated my guts, I didn't want to give her more reasons.

"Oh, right I forgot you kissed Mari," Bella said with a smirk.

Niko and Julian turned to look at me while Charity gave me a disgusted look.

"It was when we were smaller," I quickly said. "Bella dared us to kiss."

"Wait, then why didn't I know about this? Vince, did you know about this?" Niko asked.

Vince nodded and continued eating his food, all while watching in pure amusement.

"We were like ten Niko, you were on vacation so we couldn't tell you plus it wasn't even a kiss, it was like a peck. Our lips barely touched!" I defended myself.

Bella snorted. "Yeah dude, it was nothing special. Honestly, I wish I could forget and get that image out of my head. Axel was a nervous wreck and all he had to do was connect lips." She shuddered at the thought and looked disgusted.

Axel scoffed and crossed his arms in a defensive manner. "Okay Bella let's not forget the first few years when you couldn't even talk to Vince. I mean there should have been no reason for you two to date through text when you live next door."

"Hey! Don't bring me into this," Vince said.

I bit back laughter when I saw Bella's face turn red. "I was- I was just."

"I was, I was," Axel mimicked her.

I bit my lip and placed a hand on his leg. "No need to get worked up, bud."

Axel glared at Bella who was flipping him off but calmed down.

"Dude why are you getting so worked up?" Vince asked.

Axel gave him a look and went back to eating. I nudged him to get his attention.

"Do you want to go do something fun after auditions?" I whispered.

"Just me and you?"

"Yeah, without them."

"Like a date?"

I leaned back. "Nevermind."

"I'm joking, yes we can."

I stood up and grabbed my things. "I think I'm going to head out first. See you all later."

Axel also stood up. "I'll join you. Need to talk to you about something."

I waved bye to my friends and went to drop my tray off. I patiently waited for Axel to do the same and we both stepped outside. The day was lovely in the sense that it was only cloudy with no rain.

"So," I started. "I hope I'm not prying but how are things with your sister?"

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I believe she's going to surprise my mom on her birthday."

"I'm sure your mom will be thrilled," I said, trying to lighten the mood. It was clear he was worried for his sister.

I led us to the gazebo and leaned against the railing.

"Anything going on with Charity I should know about?" I glanced up to see his reaction.

He thought about it. "We're getting closer, that's a fact."

"And?"

"Let's see where it takes us."

I frowned and looked up at the mountains. I didn't want to be selfish and keep my best friend to myself. I knew the day where he found someone he liked would come. I was just hoping it would be when we both went our own ways in college. It was always me and Axel since Niko left and I guess I didn't want a girl to put a wedge in between us. My sister Valeria always told me that if it was a true friendship then him getting a girlfriend shouldn't break us apart. I think that's false since more than likely the girlfriend will make him either choose me or her.

"Do you think maybe it'll lead to you two going out?" I asked.

He chuckled. "We already went on a date."

I paused and turned to look at him. He was avoiding my eye contact and picking at the wood of the railing.

"You went on a date with Charity and you didn't tell me?"

"I don't have to tell you everything you know."

Ouch. "I know that but I thought that-"

"Sorry that came out harsher than I intended it to be but we did go on a date and that was it. There is nothing more to it."

"Well can I at least ask what you two did," I said, turning my back to him. I didn't want him to see that a part of me was upset. The reason being unknown.

"She wanted to learn how to roller skate so I taught her how to, or at least tried to," he replied.

There was a pit in my stomach. Roller-skating was mine and his thing, we learned together.

"Oh, I bet that was fun," I said, forcing a smile.

"Nah, it wasn't the same as doing it with you."

"Oh."

I looked down at my phone.

"The bell is about to ring so I think I'm going to head to class," I told him.

"I'll walk you," he said.

"Oh no, I'm good. I'll see you in theatre."

I didn't let him say anything else and quickly walked away. He didn't try to follow me; I could feel his gaze on my back as I retreated.

The bell rang shortly after and soon everyone filled the sidewalks to get to their classes. I walked at a slow pace to collect my thoughts. Senior year was passing by fast, and all my friends would soon go their ways. Axel, who was my best friend, seemed like he was soon going to be in a relationship. It shouldn't affect me the way it was. I wanted him to be happy but somewhere deep in my heart I was hoping he and Charity would never happen.

The jealousy that was bubbling in me every time those two were brought up was something that confused me. I assumed it was just me not being able to get over the fact that Axel's attention wasn't always going to be on me. I liked that he was always there for me, if I ever needed something he'd be right there in a jiffy. The idea of him giving someone else that same treatment was something that my mind didn't want to wrap around.

I walked into the building and made it to my class: ceramics. I hung up my blazer and put my backpack in my designated spot. Since we were working on our projects, the teacher expected us to get our supplies and get to work.

I grabbed an art apron and pulled out the mug I was working on. I rolled up my sleeves and tied the apron. I made sure to grab everything else that was needed and then sat down where Niko and I usually did. Students came trickling in and soon everyone started working.

Niko sat next to me and also started working.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"Yeah, just a little stressed with the whole waltz competition coming up," I said.

"We'll do fine," he responded.

He eyed my mug in front of me.

"I know we're making a mug but what is that you're making," he said pointing at what I was working on.

I looked down at the wolf I was currently working on. "It's a wolf cause I'm making a wolf mug."

He laughed. "That does not look like a wolf."

I looked down at it and frowned. "What does it look like?"

"Constipated bigfoot."

My frown deepened. "Really?"

"Why a wolf mug anyways? You could've done something way better."

I eyed his failed attempt at a penguin mug. "I was going to give it to Axel since his favorite animal is a wolf."

Niko's face darkened; he started sculpting his clay a tad bit too rough. "Axel? Why?"

"Why not? He's my best friend."

"I think if you give that to him Charity will get jealous. Aren't they a thing?"

I looked down at the clay and didn't say a word.

"I think it's not too late to make it into something else," Niko continued.

I shook my head and continued what I was doing.

"I don't care," I said.

"I'm just looking out for you Mar, don't want Charity to dislike you even more than she does already."

I looked up at him. "You noticed that too?"

"Doesn't take a genius to figure that out."

"I thought I was crazy and didn't want to assume things," I said.

"I noticed it but didn't want to say anything since Ara seems to really like her," he said.

"Oh yeah she does," I muttered.

I pulled out my earbuds and held one out to Niko. He took and placed it in his ear. I pressed play and let the music start.

Christmas Tree by V played softly.

"What kind of sappy music is this?" Niko asked.

I rolled my eyes and held out my hand. "Then don't listen to it if you don't want to. Give me my earbud back."

"I'm joking," he said and went back to do his work.

I studied him and watched as he smoothed out his penguin mug. I went back to working on mine and let the sweet music take over.

***

"That was awful," Bella said, swinging her bag over her shoulder.

I nodded. "Agreed."

"I didn't think auditions would take that long or else I would've ditched," Niko said, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"I don't know, I enjoyed that," Vince said, draping an arm over Bella.

"Do you think I'll get the lead?" Charity asked.

I looked around hoping someone else would answer her.

"Yes! You sounded great and so did you Mari. I thought you didn't want to do the musical," Bella said.

Charity gave me a look and rolled her eyes discreetly. "Yeah Mari with your deep voice you'd make a great beast."

I glanced at my friends and tried to hide my emotions.

"Well at least she's going to get a role," Niko said in a snotty tone.

Charity turned a shade of red. Honestly Niko's comeback didn't make me feel any better, but he was the only one that defended me.

"I was joking," Charity said. "Right Axe, you knew I was joking right?" She nudged him and gave him a look that was supposed to be adorable but instead made me internally gag.

Axel ran a hand through his hair and looked at me.

'You better choose your next words carefully,' I said with my eyes.

He avoided my gaze and let out a nervous laughter. When he didn't say anything, Charity started speaking again. "Since auditions are over, you want to do something fun Axe?"

A surge of emotions arose, and I wanted nothing more than to slap Charity and her whiny voice.

I walked up to Axel and slid my arm around his. I was more protective of him the more Charity tried to get closer. I knew I shouldn't be doing this since there was a chance Axel liked her, but I couldn't help it.

"Actually, Axel and I already have plans," I said with a sweet smile.

She also forced her smile and crossed her arms. I didn't let her say anything else and tugged Axel towards the parking lot.

I could feel the gazes of my friends as we walked away. They were probably thinking about how crazy I've become to act all possessive over Axel.

"Are you okay?" Axel asked as we walked over to his car.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You're not acting like you," he responded.

I let out a nervous laugh. "I don't know what you mean, we should hurry home. Do you want to watch a movie and order take out?"

"Sure," he said. I tugged a little harder so we could hurry.

He didn't say anything else and held the door open so I could get in the car. I threw my bag in the back seats and picked at my nails out of nervousness.

He got in the driver's seat and started the engine. He didn't pull out of the parking lot but just sat there in thought.

I glanced over at him. "Everything okay?"

He snapped out of it and shook his head. "Yeah."

QOTC: Favorite Disney movie?