Even though she lived in a small community, Mali Barker never thought she would once again cross paths with Axel Morgan, however on a warm Sunday afternoon, whilst out purchasing flowers for her grandmother's birthday, she heard the familiar laugh out in the street outside. Mali's heart raced and her stomach started doing somersaults by just even the sound, but she refused to turn around, she couldn't bare to do it to herself, because if she did, if she turned and locked eyes on the boy who shattered her heart in two, eleven years ago, she knew that she wouldn't be able to get him out of her mind. This decision was taken away from her, the voice started getting closer, and before she knew it she could feel his presence as he entered the shop. "Axel, your roses are out back. Kendall is going to love them" Mrs Carpenter the florist announced, whilst handing over a large bunch of sunflowers to Mali. "Thanks Mrs C" came from directly behind Mali, she felt sick at the familiar tone of the person that she knew deep down she always loved and always would, Axel was someone she could never shake from her mind, even after all these years. "Mali my love, wish your grandmother a happy birthday from me. I'll have to call in for a catch up with her soon" Mrs Carpenter called as she made her way into the back room. Mali knew that this was it, she had no other choice but to turn around and face him. Maybe he wouldn't recognise her, afterall she always cared way more for Axel Morgan than he ever did for her. That's why things never worked, that's why they never took their relationship to the next level. Without looking up, Mali turned and headed towards the open door of the shop, but before she could leave that familiar tone made itself known, "well hello stranger". Mali looked up and those big beautiful, ocean blue eyes met her gaze, it wasn't the young boy that she knew looking back at her, it was a man. Axel hadn't changed what so ever, he just looked slightly older. "Leaving without even saying hello?", a huge smile stretched across his face. Mali felt all of her nervousness slip away, as if she was melting. Without thinking, she herself was smiling, "Axel Morgan, I didn't even know it was you", was all she could muster up as a response. The smirk on his face, Mali knew that he knew she was lying, he always could tell, this is something that would frustrate the life out of her, it was like he could read her like a book. "Come on now M, you knew as soon as you heard me". She was speechless, she didn't know how or what to even respond. "You look amazing M, how long has it been?" Mali watched as he took a step closer to her, again her heart started to race and she couldn't help but feel flushed. "Um, ten, eleve years? It's been a long time". She couldn't take her eyes off him, and she watched as he couldn't take his eyes off her. "Wow, you haven't changed from the last time I saw you. You honestly look great". Before the conversation could continue, Mrs Carpenter, like the saving grace that she is, returned back to the counter with a huge bunch of red roses "here we go honey". Axel turned and met her gaze, breaking the connection from Mali, "oh thanks, Mrs C", this gave Mali the opportunity to leave. She made her way out of the store before shouting her goodbye's, "it was good to see you Axel". As she left out into the street, Axel turned and a sad expression appeared on his face, he too felt it, felt that rush of seeing Mali after all of this time.
Mali pulled outside of her grandparents farm house, she looked over to the garden and watched as her elderly grandfather was crouched down over a flower bed, pulling the weeds from around the beautiful orange flowers that were growing in front of him. Mali turned off the engine, grabbing her phone from the nearby cup holder, as she did so a notification appeared on her phone. A text message appeared in front of her and it completely took her breath away.
"I don't know if this is still your number. I hope it is. Seeing you had completely frazzled my mind. Can we catch up soon? - A".