Chapter 002 ~ Must notice her

002.

“But you said you were schooling in England. How come you are here in Boston?” Amber asked, confusion etched on her face.

Axel chuckled. “I told you I was schooling in New England, USA, girl,” He poked her forehead. “How come you get good grades when you know nothing?” He rolled his eyes and Amber suddenly remembered.

He had mentioned something like Massachusetts… she suddenly gasped. He was referring to Boston. Boston is located in Massachusetts. She facepalmed, realizing that she had misquoted him.

“Oh my gosh!” She suddenly exclaimed and sat on the bed. She had thrown a tantrum at home because she thought her parents were taking her to a place she’d never get to see Axel ever again. But they had actually brought her straight to him, and not just that, she was going to be living under the same roof with him. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she was overwhelmed with happiness.

She thought of how she’d get to see him every day and not just that, she’d go to the same college as him—

“Cat eyes!” Axel poked her forehead, snapping her back to reality. She gasped and looked at him. He shook his head and folded his arms. “Are you thinking about how you're going to make up for lost time or how you're going to survive being in the same college as me?” Axel teased, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Amber's cheeks flushed as she realized how transparent her thoughts must have been. She playfully rolled her eyes. “Shut up!” She tossed a pillow at him.

Axel dodged the pillow with ease and chuckled. “Seriously though, I'm glad you're here. It's going to be fun having you around.” He plopped down beside her on the bed.

Amber's heart skipped a beat at his proximity. She had always had a crush on Axel, and now that they were going to be living in the same city, attending the same college… the possibilities seemed endless. This was what she had always wanted, and there was no way she was going to let this opportunity pass her by.

“So, what's the plan?” Axel asked, nudging her playfully. “Want to check out the campus with me tomorrow?”

Amber's face lit up. “Yes! That sounds amazing!” She bounced up from the bed, already envisioning their time together.

Her, Axel, alone…

She literally screamed for excitement in her head.

Axel stood up and looked at her. “You have no idea how happy I was when Cole told me you got admitted and would be staying here with us…” he paused, and she turned to look at him, beaming. “So, I prepared something special to welcome my little kitten.”

Amber was literally bubbling with excitement. “What! What!”

He held her hand and began walking out the door. “I got your room ready,” he said and opened the door to a room that was right opposite his.

Amber's eyes widened in awe as she stepped into the room. Everything was just as she would have chosen herself. Soft, rich purple walls, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves filled with her favorite novels, and posters of BTS, her favorite K-pop group, covered the walls.

“Wow!” she breathed, her hand still in Axel's. “How did you…?”

Axel smiled, his shoulders raised with pride. “I've had a front-row seat to your growth, kiddo. I know your tastes better than anyone.”

Amber's gaze landed on the plush, white bed with a delicate purple duvet, adorned with a few of her favorite stuffed animals. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes.

“Axel, this is… amazing,” she whispered, her voice trembling. This was exactly why she couldn’t get over her feelings for him. He always had a way of making her heart flutter with every little or big thing he did.

Axel smiled and gently squeezed her hand. “You're like a little sister to me, Amber. I wanted to make sure you felt at home.”

For a moment, Amber's heart ached. Little sister? It stung a little, but she brushed off the feeling. He wouldn’t think of her as a little sister for long anyway. She was in College. She would be eighteen in a few days too, so… technically…

As she explored the room, Amber noticed the small touches that made it truly hers – her favorite coffee mug on the desk, a framed photo of her and Axel from the last Christmas he spent with them, and even her beloved guitar leaning against the wall. He was the reason she learned how to play the guitar; the muse behind her love for music as well.

“You really thought of everything,” Amber said, turning to Axel with a smile.

Axel shrugged, looking pleased. “That's what big brothers are for.” He ruffled her hair, and Amber's eyes narrowed.

“Hey, I'm not a kid anymore,” she protested, smoothing her hair.

Axel chuckled. “To me, you'll always be a kid, Amber. College or not, you'll always be Cole's and my little sister.”

Amber rolled her eyes. “Great! Just what I needed. Another person to baby me!” she folded her arms with a huff.

Axel grinned. “Someone’s got to keep you in check.”

Just then, Cole walked into the room, a scowl on his face. “I was supposed to be the one to show her the room,” he said, shooting Axel a mock-glare.

Amber rolled her eyes. “I didn't need your ugly face in my room, Cole.”

Cole feigned offense. “Hey, my face isn't ugly!”

Amber smirked. “It's definitely not pretty.”

Axel laughed. “Well, I think I did a better job anyway.”

Cole shook his head. “You're just trying to steal the spotlight, Axel. Don’t act like I didn’t help. You’re just gonna take all the glory? Pfft!”

Axel huffed. “Oh really? You were sleeping on the couch all day. The only thing you helped me with was putting the posters on the wall.”

Cole rolled his eyes. “At least I did something.”

Amber chuckled. “It doesn’t matter who did or who didn’t, what matters is that I love my room so much!” she giggled. “Thanks, Axel,” she said, blinking at him.

Cole cleared his throat to draw her attention and she scoffed.

“And you too, Cole.” she rolled her eyes.

Cole chuckled. “Anytime, baby sis,” he said, but she made a barfing sound, causing them to laugh.

Axel and Cole left her to freshen up and get ready for dinner, and she took a seat on her bed, her face filled with smiles and her heart swollen with excitement.

“I can’t believe Axel is here!!!” she screamed into her pillow and laid down on her back as she stared at the ceiling.

Now all she needed was to get him to notice her… the other way.