Chapter 003: Something's Different

Hayley.

But just then Axel breaks into a boyish, handsome smile; one that reminds me of the boy I used to know. And just like that, any hint of weirdness I felt moments ago vanish.

“We brought wine,” he says, still smiling, holding up a bottle wrapped in brown paper with a neat little ribbon.

“Thank you, Axel.”

His smile deepens as I say his name, and I feel a rush of nostalgia wash over me. The next moment, his hands are open and I'm embraced in a soft hug. I lean into him naturally, my head brushing his chest, and I can't help but admire how well puberty has shaped his upper body. He feels solid—strong.

We walk into my house and greetings pass between Axel and my mom. When we all get seated across the diner, plates of mashed potatoes and chicken go around, one for each person.

“I don't see your Dad,” Axel whispers as we tuck in our chairs.

“Oh, he's working late. Sorry,” I offer with a sympathetic look. He shrugs it off with yet another disarming smile, and somehow, my insides flutter.

He's just a friend, I remind myself. Same old Axel.

Across the table, Lucas chews a chicken hungrily and I realize then that Axel and I are the only ones not eating yet. I pick a knife and fork and offer them to him, but he's too engrossed in the conversation between my mom and Mrs Martinez. So I slip them into his hand instead.

And just then, the weirdest thing happens.

Axel bolts upright like he's been electrocuted. The fork and knife clatter from his hand and his plate crashes to the floor.

He looks pale. Shaken. Like he's just seen a ghost.

“I…I'm sorry. I just..”

The table goes silent as my mom and Mrs Martinez's small conversation fades abruptly. Even Lucas stops mid-chew.

Axel turns to my mom. “I'm sorry, Mrs Anderson…I didn't mean—”

“Oh, no, dear, it's alright. We'll get it cleaned up, and fix you another plate,” she says standing up. “It's no problem,” she adds with a warm smile.

As my mom heads to the kitchen, she flashes me a confused look that seems to ask “what did you do?”. But I'm just as surprised as she is. And just then, the strange feeling I had on the porch settles over me again—the same one I felt when I noticed Axel's eyes.

I try to wave it off, voicing a concerned “sorry” to him as I help clean up. He apologizes as well and we share a faint smile.

When he's given another plate, Axel quietly declines using the fork and knife I offered earlier. Or any cutlery at all. Instead, he reaches out for a spoon: a rubber spoon.

I choose not to dwell on it, even if the odd feeling I have still lingers. The rest of dinner goes on well, with lighthearted conversations and a few laughs in between.

When it's time for them to head home, I offer to walk with them and my mom agrees. Truth is, I just want some alone time with Axel. As we step down the porch and onto the street, I turn to him.

“I heard about your parents, Ax. It was awful and I can't imagine what you went through.”

I reach out and take his hand, squeezing gently. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you, Hayley,” he says in a warm voice. He turns to me and for a moment, there's a hint of a smile on his face. “It's so good to see you again.”

His hand tightens around mine, and my heart skips a beat. Without thinking, I reach for his other hand.

And right then I feel it—his palm is scorching hot. I instantly flip it over, and under the streetlamp, I see a large red scar etched into his palm, like a burn mark. It looks fresh.

“Axel... what happened to you?” The words escape my lips quicker than I'd expect.

“It's nothing,” he answers, pulling his hand away from mine quickly. Too quickly. His eyes flicker to Lucas, who’s now at the door, waiting for him. Taking the hint, I know it’s time to end the night.

I take a deep breath, trying to mask the worry still gnawing at me. “It's really good to see you too, Axel,” I say, offering him a small smile.

He looks at me for a moment, then glances down at the ground before meeting my eyes again.

“Mrs Martinez says I'll be starting school tomorrow, so I guess we'll be seeing each other a lot,” he says, breaking into a full smile. “Thanks, for tonight, Hayley. Goodnight.”

He turns away and starts walking towards the house.

“Night, Ax,” I call after him softly.

He gives me one last wave before heading inside with Lucas. As I walk back to my place, my mind struggles to adjust to how different Axel seems. The green eyes, the strange preference for rubber utensils, and that scar... My thoughts grind to a sudden halt.

I realize it now.

The scarred palm—it’s the same one he dropped the utensils from.

But there’s no way the knife and fork could have caused that. They barely even brushed against his hand. I try to convince myself must have had the scar before he arrived.

And yet, as I climb the steps to my door, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m grasping at something real. I know what I saw. The scar was fresh, like it just happened. Like it was a reaction.

To iron.

No, silver.