Axel

*Lexi had always thought she knew Axel better than anyone. She knew how he took his coffee—too much sugar, never enough milk. She knew that he hummed when he was nervous and tapped his fingers against his leg whenever he was trying to think. She knew his favorite movies, his stupid inside jokes, and the exact look on his face when he was pretending not to be annoyed.* They had been together for almost two years. So when Axel started acting distant, Lexi noticed immediately. One Friday evening, they sat together on the hood of his car, watching the sunset fade behind the trees. “You've been quiet lately,” Lexi said. Axel stared at his hands. “Yeah.” “Is something wrong?” He took a deep breath. “There’s something I need to tell you.” Lexi's heart tightened. “Okay.” Axel opened his mouth, but nothing came out. “I don't know how to say this.” “You can tell me anything.” He looked at her then, and Lexi could see how scared he was. “I've been trying to understand myself for a long time,” he said quietly. “And I think I've finally figured something out.” Lexi waited. “I’m gay.”