A/N: 16.06.2021

Hey, Homies, we have a new update! I hope you enjoy.

P.s: Conan the Dandelion just made it on Wattpad's front page 😭 our baby dandelion 💕

Q/A: What did you have/are going to have for lunch?

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"Axis," whispered a voice. "Axis, wake up."

I groaned, lazily swatting my hand in the air. 

"Axis," the hoarse voice repeated. 

"Fuck off," I growled, turning my head the other way.

"Eric!"

My eyes flung open and I frantically looked around.

"I didn't eat the last cookie!" I rasped.

Reality slowly whirled back into place a I recognized my surroundings: front seat, cop car, Christopher behind the steering wheel...

My face fell and I let out a heavy sigh.

"Fuck," I muttered, rubbing my tired eyes.

"Goodmorning to you too, sunshine," he chuckled. My back slumped against the seat as I ran a frustrated hair through my hair. 

"I told you not to call me that," I mumbled. 

"What, sunshine?" He blinked.

"No, Eric."

"My name is Christopher. Chris for short."

I glared at him hoping to shoot holes in him. I was not in the mood for his dad jokes.

"Would you like it if I called you Benedict Pantyhose? No, I don't think so, so use my name. My real one."

"Sorry," he said, but he didn't sound sorry at all. "You weren't waking up when I called you Axis." 

"I was deliberately ignoring you."

Christopher studied my face. He must have realized that I wasn't joking about my name.

"Sorry," he apologized once more, sounding more genuine. "Are you ready for the big day?"

The Big Day.

My jaw tightened as a string of unwanted memories poured through my mind.

"No one ever picks me," I murmured under my breath as I gazed out the window. The world was a blurry mess. I wish the car would never stop moving so I wouldn't have to get out.

"What?"

"Nothing."

A week had gone by since my arrest. The papers were filled out and I was officially enrolled in Serpenti High. I said goodbye to Juliet this morning who couldn't see me off because of work.

She hugged me tightly and told me that I could stay with them during vacation, and said if I had any problems, I could call her or Christopher.

The unfamiliar warmth and kind words from an adult made me feel uncomfortable, but deep down, I didn't hate it. Of course, I didn't tell her and simply nodded. I gave her a wave, shuffling out of the house that I didn't expect to walk into again. 

"We're here," Christopher announced.

Christopher drove me to school which was a forty-five-minute drive. I fell asleep on the way and now that I was awake, I could feel fear and realization creep over my shoulders. Butterflies swirled in my stomach and not the good kind. It felt like a tornado of infested moths were slowly nibbling at my organs. I felt sick.

I gawked at the school behind the metal gates in front of us. It was hard to believe that this was a high school for teenagers.

Serpenti High looked like a prison for the worst criminals in this country. The buildings were blocks of concrete colored in an ugly, dull grey, and the windows were protected by retractable security grilles. There were guards stationed in front of the entrance and I noticed that there was an alarming number of security cameras. 

Yeah, it looked worse than I thought. 

Christopher lowered the window and spoke to the guard who came up to his side of the car. The man checked his ID and after exchanging a couple of formal words, they allowed us entrance.

We drove through the gates and parked in front of the prison. It was pouring rain outside and I didn't bring an umbrella. Christopher offered me his umbrella but I shook my head. I'd rather get wet than share an umbrella with him. We went up the stairs and it was only when we entered the building that I noticed that Christopher had held the umbrella over my head.

I shot him a nasty glare but he avoided my gaze, shaking the beads of water from his umbrella.

We walked down the dull hallway where more guards greeted us without smiles. A simple nod and glare was all we got. Their military stance made me straighten my back. One of them greeted Christopher with a formal nod before turning towards me. 

"Axis Sonder?" said the brawny man with dark, cold eyes. He looked like he had died and was resurrected but his soul never came back with him.

What monstrosities has this man seen to look like that?

"Yeah," I managed to reply.

"Welcome to Serpenti High," he said in a voice that was anything but welcoming. "I'll show you to your dorms but unfortunately, you'll have to say goodbye to your dad."

His words hit a nerve.

"He's not my dad," I said sharply, but the guard didn't seem to care.

Well, you know what? Fuck you too, man.

I turned towards Christopher who gave me a worried smile. My heart pricked and the look in his eyes made my stomach turn into knots. Sentimental moments that involved being emotionally vulnerable made me squirm.

I cleared my voice, not knowing how to give a proper goodbye. Everyone else ditched me without a word or warning. This shit was new to me.

"Right, well, see ya," I mumbled flatly, giving him a single wave.

"I'll visit you whenever I can," he promised, his voice halting but sincere. It seemed like I wasn't the only one who didn't know how to deal goodbyes.

I'll visit you whenever I can.

I didn't believe him. I've heard those words one too many times in my life, and they've all failed to keep their promises. 

"Sure."

"Stay out of trouble, okay?"

I gave him a thumbs up and to my surprise, he pulled me in and hugged me. His strong arms and bear hug expressed all the words he couldn't say. I felt a lump in my throat and shit, I almost hugged him back, but I forced my arms to stay glued to my sides. 

"I'll check up on you, I really will," he whispered before pulling away. "We'll see each other during the holidays. Juliet will be more than thrilled to see you again."

I felt something bubble inside my chest. Oh fuckity fuck fuck, emotions.

I shifted my gaze, clenching my fists.

"Sure." My voice was tight.

"You have my number, right?"

"Juliet gave me hers too."

"Call us whenever you need something. Anything." 

I didn't know if he was being nice out of pity or sympathy, but I nodded once more. Christopher shook the guard's hand and left. I watched him leave, feeling the words clog in my throat: don't leave me.

But I knew better. 

I watched his figure recede, and like everyone else, he left without turning back. 

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A/N: I'm soft for Axis and Chris 😭

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