150 Low-Key
“Are you sure we are supposed to be here already?” Galen asked as they drove past the final checkpoint into the northern territory of Winter. “I mean, the ceremony isn’t until the day after tomorrow.”
“Yes, Galen, I am sure that we were invited to arrive earlier than anyone else,” Caleb answered.
“It’s also the full moon tomorrow.”
“I am also aware of that,” Caleb replied.
“I’m just saying that you and Ashleigh being near each other during the full moon has previously been… a little….” Galen trailed off, trying to think of the right word.
“Problematic?” Caleb offered.
“That is definitely a word that fits the general idea I was going for, yea. A word that you said, not me,” Galen said.
“Galen?” Caleb asked.
“Yea?”
“Shut up and drive.”
“Yep.”
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the event hall that had been host to Ashleigh’s birthday party. Galen parked in the same spot he had the last time they had been here. He glanced around with a smile, remembering this was also where he met Bell for the first time.
Caleb removed his seatbelt and reached for the door.
“Caleb?” Galen called.
Caleb sighed.
“Yes, Galen?”
“I just want to give you a friendly piece of advice,” Galen said.
Caleb looked at him and took a deep breath. He laid his head back against the headrest.
“And what is that?” he asked.
“Each time we have been in Winter, you’ve managed to….” Galen pursed his lips, looking again for the right words. “Let’s just say you’ve drawn attention to yourself.”
“Hmm… Really?” Caleb asked sarcastically. “I hadn’t noticed.”
Galen rolled his eyes.
“I just think it might be in our best interest to remain a little more low-key this time around. That’s all I’m saying.”
“Is that all you’re saying?” Caleb asked. “Are we good? Can we get out of the car now?”
“Just trying to help you out, man,” Galen replied.
“No, no, I appreciate that.” Caleb smiled. “So now, how about you actually help me out? Out of the car?”
Galen huffed and got out. He grabbed the wheelchair from the back and set it up beside the passenger door.
“Caleb!”
Galen heard Ashleigh shout as he helped Caleb into the chair and locked the car.
“I’m just saying, low-key,” Galen emphasized once more as he turned to let Caleb by.
Galen suddenly found himself thrown against the car door as someone jumped into his arms and smashed her mouth against his.
The surprise lasted less than a moment. He recognized the feel of her lips, the warmth of her body, and the rhythm of her heartbeat like a ballad in his ears.
Galen wrapped his arms around Bell and kissed her back fiercely.
“Yea,” Caleb laughed. “Real low-key.”
Caleb wheeled himself away towards Ashleigh, who approached with restraint. Still, the look in her eyes shared the same enthusiasm as Bell.
“Hi,” she smiled.
“Hello,” he smiled back.
He reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze. He pulled gently, but she resisted.
Ashleigh cleared her throat.
“My brother is right around the corner,” she whispered. “I want my time with you to be happy, not spent pulling you two apart.”
Caleb nodded.
“Alright, I will restrain myself,” he said, adding in a whisper. “But I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I,” she laughed.
Ashleigh stepped closer; she bent forward and kissed him. It was quick but warm.
“Let’s go inside,” she said, grabbing hold of his chair.
“What about them?” he asked, nodding towards Bell and Galen, still in the same position he had left them.
“Uh…” Ashleigh laughed. “Yea, one second.”
Ashleigh took a step towards the car and cleared her throat.
“Bell…” she called. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“Hmm?” Bell answered without pulling away from Galen.
“Down, girl!” Ashleigh called out playfully. “If Axel sees you, he’s going to lose it.”
Bell hesitantly pulled away from Galen, giving him one last peck and a smile as he stared at her drunkenly.
“Hi, handsome,” she smiled.
“H..h…hi…,” he stuttered out.
“Care to let me down?” she asked.
Galen looked down and realized his arms were wrapped around her waist. Holding her off the ground and pressing her body against him. He looked back at her with a grin.
“Do I have to?”
Bell laughed.
“For now.”
Galen set her down gently, though she took his hand immediately.
“Come on, everybody, let’s head inside before Axel comes to get us,” Ashleigh called back as she took hold of Caleb’s wheelchair once again.
As Ashleigh and Caleb moved away, Bell took a step forward but was held back by Galen’s hand.
She looked up to see him looking back at her nervously.
“Hey, so… I don’t want to read into anything… but… uh… I think maybe… should we talk?” Galen said, rubbing the back of his neck and blushing.
Bell lifted her mouth in a half-grin.
She moved close to him, looking up into his eyes.
He swallowed as she got closer.
“Hey Galen,” she said sweetly.
“Yes?” he replied with another swallow.
“You know that wall you mentioned?” she asked.
He stood up a little straighter.
“Yea,” he answered.
Bell saw the concern in his eye and wondered if he was afraid for himself or worried about her. Either way, his eyes held such openness that she couldn’t help herself.
She reached her hand to his collar and pulled him down, capturing his mouth with hers once again. Again, he didn’t hesitate to reciprocate.
When they were both in need of oxygen. They pulled away, staying close as they both panted.
“I blew it up,” she whispered.
Galen smiled brightly and pulled her close. She laughed but wrapped her arms around his neck. He leaned down and kissed her gently.
From a short distance away, Axel clenched his jaw in frustration.
‘What kind of jerk just makes out with a girl in front of her family?’ he thought.
He turned away.
“I’ll give them five more minutes, but that’s it!” he growled.
He moved further away towards the building door. Then, pulling out his phone, Axel sent a message to his father, letting him know Bell needed a few more minutes.
Axel sighed as he put his phone away and looked around the area.
Not far from where he stood, on one of the benches, he saw something shining in the moon’s light. His curiosity got the better of him, and he went to investigate.
As he got closer, he recognized the wrapper. It was a 3 Musketeers bar.
Axel furrowed his brow, he looked all around for anyone who might have left it, but he was all alone.
He reached down and then hesitated, wondering if it was one of Bell’s pranks. She had been known to weaponize his bad habit in the past.
Axel licked his lips and then quickly grabbed the candy bar. No confetti cannon, no sudden air horn, nothing happened.
He shrugged and smiled to himself as he started to unwrap the candy. Axel took a bite and smiled with satisfaction.
“Axel!”
He jumped. Surprised by the sudden shout, he dropped the candy bar.
‘No!’ he cried out in his mind.
Quickly he turned to see who had lost him his treasure. Bell and Galen stood waiting for him by the door.
“Dude!” Bell shouted, “What are you doing?”
“Nothing, I just found– Huh?” he started to answer but was surprised when he turned back and saw nothing on the ground.
“Let’s go, slowpoke!” Bell shouted back, opening the door.
“You’re the one that was letting that dog slobber all over you…” he grumbled to himself as he walked towards the door.
Behind a pillar not far from where Axel had stood, a delicate mouth curved into a grin as she listened to his grumbles and bit into the discarded chocolate.