"Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift."

- Mary Oliver

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"Nothing can happen between us." Axel's voice was hard and empty as we pulled into the driveway.

My head snapped over towards him, my stomach twisted for some reason at his words. I gave him a bewildered look even though he wasn't looking at me. Anger and frustration suddenly pulsed through me uncontrollably, I gritted my teeth hard trying not to snap at him.

I gave him one last look before swinging the car door open but before I got out I stopped and turned to face Axel again.

"Did you come to that conclusion before or after you punched Rylan?" I hissed at him.

His facial expression didn't change as he looked at me I did, however, see him clench his jaw tightly. Even though I could barely see him due to the little lighting in the car his dark eyes still pierced through me, I stared at him waiting for an answer.

"You're a coward," I said through gritted teeth when I realized he wasn't going say anything. I got out of the car, slamming the door in the process.

I immediately heard the driver's side door closed and the fast footsteps of Axel gaining on me. I felt him wrap is large hand around my arm and whip me around to face him. The porch light illuminated his face and I could finally see his strained features clearly.

"I said nothing could happen not that I didn't want them too," Axel said his chest panting slightly from chasing after me.

"What does that even mean!" I asked annoyed, shaking his hold off my arm.

He just shook his head and looked down at the ground, his eyebrow knitting together, looking like he was deep in thought. I found myself shaking my head right back in disbelief.

"It's really easy when the secrets favor you." I signed annoyed.

Axel's head suddenly snapped to mine, anger was clear in his eye and I felt the urge to back up a couple of feet but I didn't.

"Do you think any of this is easy?" He asked me.

I looked at him not knowing what to say, my mouth went to open but closed instantly, leaving me looking like a fish out of the water.

"It doesn't matter," I shrugged giving up.

"My feelings, like everything else, are only temporary," I told him, staring into his dark eyes.

"So don't worry about it, nothing between us will happen." I tried to act as confident as I could but my chest felt heavy saying the words.

The truth was Axel had been living in my thoughts for a while now and I guess I thought deep down I was secretly living in his too. I never really stopped to think about what could happen between Axel and me, I just knew that whenever he said my name I felt reassured. I just knew I had the urge to be with him and the constant need to make sure he was okay.

Everything with Axel felt so brand new, new emotions and thoughts that I wasn't sure how to handle. Which intern gave Axel the power to do damage that no other person is capable of doing, that thought alone terrifies me to no belief.

"I can assure you of that," I told him before spinning on my heels and walking into the house.

"Mia," I heard him call after me but I ignored it.

When I entered the house the sound of pacing footsteps and labored breathing filled the kitchen. The amount of panic that was radiating off of Phoenix caused my own stomach to churn with anxiety.

I carefully stepped into the kitchen and that's when I noticed Indy sitting at the table with a towel over her head and a pot of what looked like steaming water underneath her face. I gave a confused look towards Phoenix, who rubbed his face tiredly when he saw me walk in.

I watched as Indy took deep, ragged breaths, letting the steam cover her face. I found myself walking up next to her and softly started rubbing circles in the middle of her back. I remembered my mom doing this for me whenever I was upset and it actually did calm me down.

Indy's body was hard and tense as she struggled to regain control of her breathing, a slight wheezing sound left her mouth every time she would inhale. I could also feel a rustling sound in her lungs every time she swayed against my hand and I looked over at her brother with a worried look.

"What's wrong with her?" I swallowed hard, looking at Phoenix's warm eyes.

"She has asthma." He explained, his voice sounding as tired as he looked.

"It has gotten worse the last couple of months." Phoenix sighed, looking at his sister who seemed to be in her own world at the moment.

I just nodded my head and continued rubbing her back, I was so focused on Indy that when the front door slammed shut, my soul almost left my body completely. My head snapped to towards the door and I regretted it immediately.

I could feel Axel's eyes burning through my own as he stood in the doorway with a furious look on his face. I tried looking away, I really did, but the overwhelming emotion on his face left me paralyzed.

Axel's eyes narrowed at me, sending an unfriendly glare at my direction which caused my eyes to widen slightly. I was still rubbing circles on Indy's back but I could only focus on the devilishly handsome boy in front of me.

I heard Phoenix loudly clear his throat noticing the awkward silence and weird stares that were obviously taking place in the room. I somehow manage to take my eyes away from Axel and looked over at Phoenix who was now walking towards Indy and me.

"Let's get you up to your room." He said, taking the towel away from Indy.

She let out a quiet groan before allowing herself to be brought to her feet by her brother. I offered to help him get her up the stairs but he easily picked her up and carried her away.

I stared at their retreating bodies walking up the stairs and wished Phoenix would have let me help him so I wasn't left alone with Axel, who as yet to say anything.

Without a second thought, I started walking towards the stairs not sparing Axel a glance as I practically sprinted passed him but of course, he was having none of that.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice was low and serious.

My heart pounded in my chest as my feet refused to keep making our great escape. I could feel Axel's warm breath on the back of my neck causing goosebumps to rise down my arms.

I cleared my throat loudly, trying to not to focus on the amount of heat that was coming off Axel like tidal waves.

"To my room." The words came out in a whisper.

Axel chuckled quietly before walking in front of me with a very unamused face, I didn't dare look at him too long and darted my eyes back to the ground. My stomach clenched when he started walking in a small circle around me, never taking his hawk-like eyes off of me.

"What happen Mia? Where did all that confidence go?" He taunted, I could feel the smirk on his lips as he spoke.

"C'mon Mia, call me a coward again." He pressed.

My breath hitched in my throat when he suddenly stopped pacing around me and lowered his lips next to my ear.

"I dare you," Axel whispered, his voice deep and raspy.

Suddenly aware of what he was doing I pushed him away, surprising both me and him. I watched as he stumbled backward a few feet, shock clear on his face but he quickly covered it up with a smirk.

"Is this some type of game to you?" I asked frustrated.

He was about to say something when a door closed from down the hall and Rylan came trouting out into view by the staircase. Rylan and Axel exchanged a look, not a very friendly one to be exact before Rylan looked over at me with a smile now on his face.

"Hey Sweet Tart," He said, ruffling his hands in my hair.

I heard a scruff of disgust leave Axel's mouth but I paid it no attention and greeted Rylan back.

"How was your first busy day at work?" He asked me.

"Surprisingly, not that bad." I smiled lightly, I couldn't really concentrate on him because of Axel's burning eyes watching over us.

"Good, good." He shook his head almost in a proud way before glancing at Axel and then back at me.

"Anyways, can you come help me with the history homework?" Rylan asked, scratching the back of his neck.

I was about to tell him I would when out of nowhere Axel spoke up.

"No." He said while grabbing my arm and pulling me into his body.

"No?" I said out loud, confused.

"No," Axel said through gritted teeth as he looked down at me.

I tried removing his hand but it was no use he was not letting go, I looked over at Rylan with an exasperated look but he was already staring at Axel.

"Now, I suggest if you don't want another black eye you leave now," Axel said his tone unwavering as he spoke to Rylan.

They continued to stare at each other until Rylan gave up and looked over at me with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Maybe later? Yeah?" He asked.

I just nodded my head and watched as Rylan walked passed us and headed straight towards the front door. I jumped slightly as the door closed with a loud thud, I knew Rylan was upset and the slam of the door just confirmed it.

"What was that?" I yanked my arm away from Axel for the second time tonight.

I was growing annoyed with Axel and his constant back and forth ways.

"Can you just decide what you want? Because one second you care and the next you don't and it's tearing me apart." I shouted at him, I could feel my eyes wanting to water but I refused to give into them.

"Just stay away from me," I told him, my voice stronger than I felt.

I went to stomp away from him, thinking I made myself more than direct but again he grabbed me, stopping me from leaving him and causing me to cry out in frustration.

"I'm going to make this very clear, you understand?" He asked, looking at me with those stupid brown eyes.

"I said, do you understand?" He repeated after I didn't reply to him the first time.

"Yes," I sighed, looking away from his intense stare.

I felt his cold fingers go underneath my chin, forcing me to look back up to him.

"You're mine." He whispered lowly.

"I just can't have you yet."