Chapter Text
The pavement is already hot.
Axel decided to just walk home. He no longer can run since the sun is already prickling his skin and he's already dripping with sweat. If unlucky is personified, it is him. The cash he brought on his beltbag was only enough for water.
With a bottle on his hand, he placed it gently on his nape, savoring the cold temperature of it against the blazing sun. It was only 8:00 am, yet the sun was already raging.
As he walks, his eyes suddenly catch on to the bookstore around their area. In one of their display windows is the book that he’d been looking for. It was a newly published book and he was waiting for it since he had finished the one he was reading during the break. So, without further thinking, he entered the store.
His ears were suddenly engulfed with silence. The bookstore seems to block out the noise of the polluted road outside of it. Serenity amongst the chaos.
He immediately went to his target shelf, skimming through the books placed on it. His eyes glide through the spines, reading the titles and searching for the exact words he was looking for. Then, there it was; Axel immediately pulled the book out from the shelf and slightly winced at the price. Either way, he brought the book to the cashier and tapped his phone to pay.
A water bottle on his left hand, the book on his right, and a smile on his face. Axel was heading out of the bookstore, eager to go home so he can start at least a single chapter. On his way out, he opened the bottle of water, just to take a sip before he walked again. Suddenly, as the mouth of the bottle was on his lips, a hard object came his way causing him to stumble and lose his grip on the bottle.
However, it was not only the bottle that was removed from his clutches — the book he bought.
The water pooled on the floor, beside it was the paper bag that had his book. Before the pool of water reached the book out of the paper bag, a hand immediately reached for it; the same time as him.
“Ow!” Axel groaned as he held on to his head that bumped on the other person.
“Sorry!” the voice said, which somehow was familiar for Axel’s ears.
Axel stood straight, still clutching his aching forehead. As he removed his hand from his sight, his vision became clear. The face of the man that bumped him and almost had ruined his newly purchased book.
The same guy from the cemetery.
“Oh, it's you,” the guy said softly, a smile already forming in his face, together with a dimple.
Axel’s brows knitted, thoughts already forming on his head. “Yeah, it’s me. And it’s you again,” Axel said— there was a bite in his tone.
“Small world,” the guy said, oblivious of Axel’s mild irritation.
Axel mentally rolled his eyes, “Yeah, sure.” It was the time he had looked at the guy in front of him. There he realized that the guy looked almost the same age as him, probably the same age as him. As he studied the guy, his gaze fell on his hand holding his book.
The latter read his face and realized that the book was still in his clutches. “Uhm— this is yours,” the guy said, stretching out his hand to give Axel his book.
Axel took it, inspecting if the book was damaged. He heaved a sigh when he deduced it was safe.
“Thriller, huh,” the guy said, looking at the title and realizing the genre of Axel’s book,
Axel looks at him, eyeing him suspiciously. First, he approached him at the cemetery when he thought he was all alone. Now, they bumped into each other at the bookstore. “Are you stalking me?” Axel blurted.
The guy raised his eyebrows, bewildered from the accusation. “Where did that come from?”
“Thank you for the handkerchief, I really appreciate that. But it seems to me that this is no longer a coincidence,” Axel said, folding his arms, “First, at the cemetery, I was sure that there were no other people in there and if there is, why would someone bother to give a hanky?”
“Then we met here. Is it a coincidence? I doubt,” Axel added, a scoff leaving his lips.
The guy chuckled, amused. On the other hand, Axel is not. He’s now full on accusation mode.
“Okay,” the guy started, “At the cemetery, I was there for a while. Then I saw you and I thought you might need it, so I walked towards you and gave you my handkerchief.”
“Then now, you might notice that this is not just a bookstore but also a supplies store. I have to buy some pens and notebooks. I didn’t even think that you’d be here and we would literally ‘bump’ into each other.”
Axel reads through the guy, weighing the words he had said if they are true. The guy just stared at him, showing him that there are no lies from his words, and that the ‘stalker’ accusation is just a mere accusation.
“Fine,” Axel said, but still not letting his guard down.
The guy released an exaggerated breath, “You read too much thrillers,” he said,
Axel’s jaw dropped, ready to bark another argument, but the guy beat him to eat.
“I’m kidding! I’m just kidding!” the guy said, which earned an eyeroll from Axel.
Axel was about to go on his way when the guy spoke again. “Jollibee is just next door.”
He looked outside and saw that the said establishment was in front of the store they are in.
“So?” Axel said, an eyebrow raised and his arms folded,
“So… As an apology for me ‘stalking’ you, I would treat you to lunch,” he said, quoting the air to emphasize the word “stalker”.
“Why would I—” but before Axel finished his words, he heard a loud grumble coming from his stomach. His eyes widened, thinking if the stranger in front of him also heard it; praying that he did not. But the pursed lip of the latter says otherwise.
He checked his smartwatch for the time and saw that it was already past 10:00 am. He has been outside with nothing but his pre running meal. He weighed the options in front of him. Would he come and eat with a complete stranger? It was not as if he would easily be kidnapped. He can kick pretty well and his repressed anger can be used as a weapon. Right?
“Why would I go with a stranger?” Axel said, finishing what he was supposed to say,
“Vincent,” the guy said, eyes not wavering towards Axel.
“What?” Axel said, confused, or mesmerized by how Vincent was looking at him.
“That is my name,” Vincent said,
Axel eyed him, thinking if he should do the same, “Axel,” he said,
Vincent nodded, a smile already forming in his face. “Now we are not strangers,”
“Would you go with me?”
Axel indulges himself with his order. He insisted on paying on his meal, but Vincent was faster as he immediately pulled out a bill and handed it to the cashier. Now, they are eating at one of the tables facing each other.
Inside his mind, he cannot believe that he is actually eating with a complete stranger. Well, not entirely, because he knows the other’s name.
Vincent, huh?
Vincent looked in front of him, startled by the eyes that were staring at him. Unconsciously, Axel was looking at him as he ate. The latter cannot help but smile.
“Why are you smiling?” Axel suddenly said, grabbing his water.
Vincent shrugged, “You are staring,” he said,
“I’m not,” Axel defended, “I just cannot believe I’m actually eating with someone I barely know,”
Vincent chuckled, “I thought we are no longer strangers? We know each other’s names,”
“I know that the crew’s name at the cashier is Melissa. But do I actually know her?”
“Well, is this where we should start to get to know each other?” Vincent said, head tilting as he folds his arms and smiles menacingly towards Axel.
On the other hand, Axel is irritated. If his sharp eyes are a true knife, Vincent might have already been bleeding on the floor.
He was about to retort when a sudden murmur was heard inside the food chain. People started to buzz, as if someone famous had entered. They saw a lot of people raising their phones to take some videos. Suddenly, a big red mascot came into view. Jollibee visits and entertains its patrons.
Axel’s eyes widened with recognition. It was as if, if he had ears, it would be perked up. His mouth is even agape, surprised by the sudden appearance.
The red mascot went to the customers, joking with them and taking pictures too. Axel and Vincent were somewhere at the end of the place. Axel’s eyes were still on the mascot, a smile already on his face.
His face was brighter with the smile placed on it, far from the frown he was always wearing. His eyes are soft and almost sparkling watching the mascot interact with other people. It was as if he was back to being a child.
Rather than looking at the mascot, Vincent's eyes were on Axel. Watching how the latter’s smile widens and hearing his soft laugh as the mascot did something.
Later, the Jollibee mascot came their way. When it took a sight of them, it put its gloved hand on his mouth, as if gasping. It then walked slowly towards them, hand still on its mouth and eyes fluttering like it’s giggling.
It stopped at the side of their table, both of Axel and Vincent’s eyes locked on the mascot, waiting for its next move. It then lifted its hand and pointed at the two of them, then it formed a hand heart.
Both of their eyes widened by the implication. They both shook their heads with their hands, denying what was running on the mascot’s head.
“Oh, no no no. We are not,” Axel said, forming an “X” with his hand. Vincent was also shaking his head but he was chuckling, laughing at the situation they were in. “Why are you laughing?” Axel asked, the softness of his face gone and was replaced by irritation towards the guy sitting in front of him.
Jollibee then poked Vincent, when the latter looked, the mascot pointed at Axel then placed the back of his hand on its chin, telling that Axel looks pretty. Vincent understood, and nodded his head. “Yeah, he is,” he said.
The mascot’s attention was removed from them when a child came running to hug the mascot. Axel released a breath he did not know he was keeping. He’s not accustomed to that much attention. Vincent, on the other hand, was still watching the other with a smile on his face.
As they stepped outside the place, a breeze of warm air touched their skin. The sun is already high up to the point that the people outside already have their umbrellas out to protect themselves against the sun. Axel used his palm to block the sunlight, squinting so he could see as the light was so intense that it made it hard for him to see.
“My car is just over the book store, I can drive you to—”
“I’m okay,” Axel quickly, too quickly. Well, why would he ride in a stranger's car? It is a basic intro to a serial killer film. Axel already knew his name, but so was the other victims that trusted their killers first without knowing their actual motive.
“I mean,” he added, trying to erase his abrupt answer, “You paying for the brunch is already enough. Thank you.”
Vincent watched him scramble his words, somehow amused by how Axel escaped that. But he completely understood, they just met today and he’s on guard; as he should as a normal person. He just nodded, accepting the rejection out of respect.
“Alright,” he said, “I’ll see you around, I guess?”
“Yeah,” Axel answered.
Vincent raised his hand, a small wave towards Axel as he walked towards his parked car across the street. Axel did the same, shouting another thank you towards Vincent who gave him a wide smile. He watched as Vincent drove off his car, turning into a small figure as he drove away from Axel.
When he was about to turn his way, he felt something in his pocket. He reached for it and felt a soft fabric. He pulled it out and realized something.
“Shit,”
-ˋˏ ༻❁✿❀༺ ˎˊ-
Axel was greeted by an empty house.
He remembered that his dad is with Abigail. He went upstairs to his room and got some of his clothes into his bag. He sent a message to CJ, telling him that he’ll stay the night.
Gonna stay at CJ’s house tonight. Sponty sleepover. Love you — Axel sent to his father.
When he reached CJ’s house, which was literally next door, his mind immediately scrambled with the things he wanted to say. The thing that happened that morning seemed surreal, like a fever dream. He cannot believe that he did those things. What do you mean he actually went out with a stranger? Never in his life he thought he would do that.
“So, you were at Tita’s grave and then that guy showed up and gave you a handkerchief,” CJ said, trying to grasp what his friend had told him because Axel was rambling so fast he almost did not catch any words.
“Hmmm,” Axel said, nodding to affirm,
“Then, you bump into each other AGAIN at the bookstore,”
“Hmmm,” Axel nodded,
“And you think he’s a stalker?”
“Oh, that part. I no longer think that,”
“You were bribed by the Jollibee meal, aren’t you,” CJ said, squinting at his friend out of suspicion,
“No!” Axel defended,
“Oh come one! I know you since we’re little and I know you’ll kill for that chicken,”
“Excuse me?! Isn’t that too much?!”
While they were arguing, they heard some heavy footsteps outside the door. The two friends suddenly felt quiet, trying to listen to know who it might be. Then, the doors suddenly burst open and it showed Calix carrying his small luggage.
“I cannot miss a sleepover,” Calix said, placing his luggage at the corner of the room.
“What is that?” CJ asked, looking puzzled as he studies the luggage Calix carried,
“My things, duh.” the latter answered, as if it was the most normal thing,
“Did you bring your room?” CJ said, still bewildered, “This is just a sleepover!”
“I know! That’s why I brought only a LITTLE!” Calix said, raising his hand and gesturing using his fingers to prove his point.
“A LITTLE?! You seem to be going on a vacation! This is my room, not a fucking air bnb!”
“Oh, you’re dramatic,” Calix said, waving off CJ as he settled himself at the bed with his other friends. “So…” he said, prolonging the word for his antics, “A guy,” he added, with a smirk on his face that Axel wanted to wipe so badly.
“Shut up,” Axel said, folding his arms and trying not to look at his friends,
“Come on! I won’t shut up about this. I never see you this riled up for a guy,” Calix said, “The last one was from the eldest of the Pevensies,”
“His name is Peter,” CJ corrected,
“Why is my childhood celebrity crush in this conversation?” Axel asked, baffled by the comparison,
“We’re just stating facts,” Calix said,
“Fine! I met a guy at the cemetery, met him again at the bookstore and I accused him of being a stalker, then we ate brunch. That’s all!”
“You forgot the fact that he saw you crying and he gave you a hanky,” CJ interjected,
“He gave you a hanky while crying?! That’s so ROMANTIC!” Calix beamed, causing Axel to cover his ears with his palms.
“That is not even important!”
“Oh, it is VERY important,” Calix said, “So where is the hanky now? Did you give it back when you ate brunch?”
Silence fell before them. Axel cannot answer the question, knowing how the handkerchief is currently placed in his pocket. Yes. The handkerchief that he ‘forgot’ to give back was still inside his pocket. He didn’t even dare to remove it when he fetched some of his stuff before going to CJ’s house.
The pink dust on his cheeks gave him away. Calix’s eyes widened as he covered his mouth in shock. Axel started shaking his head, warning his friend not to make a scene as he deciphered the answer to his question.
“OH MY GOD! YOU KEPT IT?!”
Both Axel and CJ dragged Calix to cover his mouth. “You know, at this point, even the neighbors would know what happened to Axel today,” CJ said,
“I didn’t mean to keep it, okay? I completely forgot it,” Axel explained,
“You don’t forget anything,” Calix retorted, wiping his face as their palms were removed from covering it.
“Can we please drop the topic?” Axel said, massaging his temples,
“I thought this sleepover was about that?” CJ said, which only earned a slap on his arm from Axel, causing him to groan loudly.
Monday came so fast. It was as if they all just blinked and now they are back to the four corners of their room. The usual classroom noise was present before their professor entered. Some talked about their weekend, while some talked about the upcoming chapters from their syllabus.
Axel was quietly seated on his desk. Skimming some lessons while also transcribing some of his side notes to a more organized notebook. The noise coming from his classmates was made into a white noise, making him more focused on his task before the class starts.
When the noise subsided, Axel immediately organized his desk. He kept what he was doing on the side, planning to continue later as he needs to focus on the current subject. When he lifted his head, their professor was not yet inside, but they could already see his frame on the door, seemingly talking to someone.
“Pssst!”
Axel heard from the front and saw that CJ was calling him. He raised his eyebrow, asking why he’s calling. CJ lifted his hand, pointing towards the door and mouthed, “new classmate”. It seemed that the rumor CJ heard was true after all and their professor is the one going to introduce him to the class.
When their professor entered, a collective ‘Good morning’ was heard from the students. At his back was the new student, following him diligently as he smiled at his new classmates. All of them are murmuring, talking about how handsome their new classmate is.
Everyone seems to be excited, except for one.
Axel was glued to his seat. Eyes wide as he sees the face of the newcomer. A familiar face wearing the same uniform as him, standing in the same room, and breathing the air where he is. He cannot be wrong. The light inside their classroom is enough for him to see any wrong in his math formulas. He doesn’t even wear glasses because he’s confident with his vision.
His eyes were steady towards the person standing beside their professor. As if fate was playing, the new student locked eyes with him, and recognition smoothly spread on him. A moment of hesitation, but his eyes immediately remembered, and his smile spread even more.
“Good morning class,” their professor said, “My course is your first subject today and I happened to walk with your new classmate as I was headed for your class. Do the honors, please,”
“Hi,” the newcomer said, eyes still locked on Axel, “I’m Vincent Red Mendoza, nice to meet you all,”
A collective clap was made by the whole class, but the two seemed to have their own bubble. It was like Vincent was only introducing himself to Axel. There are no other people inside that room, only them and no amount of loud noise can cut off their connection.
“There is only one seat left though,” their professor said, “We’ll just adjust the seating arrangement next time. For now, please sit behind Mr. Gonzales.”
Vincent nodded, heading straight to where the professor was pointing. If today is raining of unluck, Axel must have forgotten his umbrella. The very person their professor was pertaining to was him, and he knew that the only seat that their professor was talking about was the one behind him.
When Vincent was seated, he heard him speak. “Hi classmate,” he said, “I didn’t know you were studying here. I swear I’m not a stalker,” Vincent added, a hint of teasing evident in his voice.
Axel whipped his head, his eyes sharply looking at the new person behind him. Vincent, on the other hand, raised both his hands, showing he’s innocent, but the teasing smile was still present on his face. Axel rolled his eyes, looking again at the front as their professor started setting up his today’s lesson.
As he tried to distract himself, Axel caught his two friends looking at him. Both of them have a smirk painted on their faces. They know. Of course they do, Axel did not fail to give them descriptions including the name. His friends are not dumb to not connect the dots.
It is only Monday, yet Axel already wanted a break.