The Forbidden flame

Axel dropped my things in front of my room, said a quiet goodbye and left.

I stood there for a minute as I begged my poor heart to calm down.

I could still hear his deep voice in my ear and I could still feel his warm breath on my cheek and that nickname "little one" now felt more naughty than innocent.

For the first time in ages it felt like Axel finally saw me, not as his best friend's daughter but as a woman and a warmth spread through my body.

When I finally regained my wits I unlocked my room and entered, I left the door open because it felt kind of stuffy or maybe I was still feeling hot from what just happened.

One  of the rooms was locked and a sticky note was stuck on it that said taken, indicating that my roommate had arrived and picked that one so I moved my stuff to the other room.

"Ellie"

Before I could even sit down a blur of curls and perfume launched itself at me.

"Maya," I laughed as I hugged her back.

Maya Walker, my best friend and safe space. If anyone saw Maya outside they'd think she's a quiet girl until they get to know her.

When she's around me she doesnt shut up. We had been friends from preschool.

I was trying to play on the see-saw after finally convincing Maya, the shy new girl, to play with me.  

When I tried to get on the see-saw a boy pushed me down saying he wanted to play too.

I was about to cry when Maya pushed him down and said in a shaky but firm voice, "she was here first" then she  helped me get on and we played till the end of break like we had been best friends forever.

That beautiful day was the beginning of our friendship, I was so surprised when the quiet new girl stood up to the class bully for me and I declared her my best friend from that day.

'Correct me if I'm wrong but did I just see Axel walking away after whispering something in your ear?'' Maya asked with a mischievous grin.

"You saw that?, so you were just hiding somewhere and enjoying the show?" I asked.

"Well, did you expect me to come out and ruin the moment?" she scoffed.

"So, what were you two discussing that required you guys to be so close?" she asked, settling on the bed.

"Maya, please I have had a long day, a long flight and my poor heart has been stirred so much today, can we talk about this when I'm done unpacking?" I begged.

I was only trying to delay it a bit to annoy Maya because I knew she couldn't wait to hear all about it.

"Shit," I whispered. With everything going on I forgot to text my dad.

I picked up my phone and called him, he answered on the first ring.

"Hey dad, I'm so sorry I didn't call earlier. I'm at my dorm now," I explained.

"Hey kiddo, I'm glad you had a safe flight. You must be really tired so you should try and rest.  

Thank you for calling," he replied, his voice unusually soft.

"Alright bye dad, take care. I miss you already," I confessed.

"Bye, kiddo. I love you and I miss you so much," he replied, his voice almost cracking on the last few words.

Maya hugged me immediately I ended the call, she probably sensed the change in my mood.

I couldn't be more glad that she was here at this time.

After a moment we both pulled away from the hug.

"Ok, so where do we start from?" Maya asked, back to her usual chirpy self.

I look at her, confused.

"We need to arrange your stuff so you can tell me-"she faked a cough to cover up her mistake and corrected herself.

"So you can rest up," she finished, smiling at me sheepishly.

I just smiled and told her thank you.

I may not have said it directly but her presence lightened my mood drastically.

As we unpacked Maya teased me about Alex.

"Is it just me or did Axel get even hotter than he was the last time we saw him?" she asked after a while of silence.

"I can assure you he's even hotter in my dreams," I said. The words slipped out before I even realized it.

"Girl what!" she exclaimed.

I facepalmed myself, I didn't mean to say that out loud. I just looked away and continued arranging.

A few hours later we were done arranging and everything looked good.

"Now that we're done with that, care to spill?" she asked, barely hiding her curiosity,

My stomach grumbled in protest so she stood up.

"I know a great burger place that's close by, let's go there and have lunch while we talk," she suggested and walked out of the room.

I nodded and followed after her.

The restaurant was like a ten minute walk from my dorm.

As we walked in the smell of delicious food teased my nose, the place was quiet and scanty, most students had not resumed.

As we sat down at a table I looked at Maya and said, "you've only been here three days and you already discovered this place?"

"A girl's gotta eat," she replied and shrugged.A waiter came and took our order then left.

As soon as he was out of earshot Maya looked at me, her big brown eyes wide with curiosity, "spill," she commanded.

I sighed, covering my face with my hands."I've been dreaming of him non stop for weeks and believe me when I tell you there's nothing innocent about any of those dreams,"

I paused as the waiter approached with ort food, with the look he gave me I could tell he heard what I said but I didn't really care.

I sipped my drink and continued as soon as he left.

"Something happened today.

Maya rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward giving me her full attention.

"It could be nothing, but today I felt like he looked at me differently for the first time," I admitted.

"Explain differently," she said, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

"He looked at me like he was seeing a woman, not just his best friend's daughter or a little girl," I whispered.

Maya blinked then let out a dramatic gasp, "what?Damn girl. Keep going, I need to know everything,"

I laughed and told her all about how we met at the airport, the car ride then when he got to know I was staying in a mixed dorm.

"He was angry I was staying at a mixed dorm, he asked if my dad knew and I said no.

Then I half jokingly asked if he would have offered his place," I shrugged, like it was no big deal.

Maya's jaw dropped, "you did what?," she asked, surprised."And what did he say?" she asked, taking a big bite of her food.

"He was silent at first, it kind of looked like he was considering it, then the next second it was like a switch flipped in his brain reminding him it's Ellie. Then he came close, leaned in, and said..." I paused, heartbeat picking up at the memory, "'You're playing a dangerous game, little one."

Maya stared at me, at a loss for words.

"Ellie, that man was seconds away from professing his love for you,"

I just rolled my eyes at her exaggeration and ate my food as my hunger came back with full force.

We ate our meal in silence until Maya spoke up, "Ellie, I'm serious. That man has feelings for you."

"Or maybe he was looking at me normally and I read into it because of my stupid crush," I murmured.

"Babe, stupid isn't the word I would call it, bold and insane maybe but definitely not stupid. And remember I was watching you two for a while, his body language matched what you just described," she assured me.

"That doesn't change the fact that he's my dad's best friend though," I said with a huge sigh.

"I know. Just be careful. Everything about him is dangerous," she replied.

I looked up at her, where did that come from? What do you mean?" I asked.

"I just mean, he looks dangerous, with the tattoos and everything." she shrugged, avoiding my eyes.

Towards the end of our lunch my phone beeped, a new message.

"Axel: if you need anything let me know and please stay safe my little one."

My heart did somersaults at the simple nickname and the fact that he added my.

I read the message over and over again and as I went to sleep that night a familiar face graced my dreams once again.