The Girl He Marked

Chapter 25

Axel's POV.

The whole class looks at us. Grace looks really embarrassed and uncomfortable; I hate Mr. Baxter for

putting her on the spot like that.

'We've discussed it and we think that, although it is an important factor, we don't believe that the

company should consider it part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.'

Mr. Baxter raises an eyebrow at me and sits on his desk, crossing his arms over his chest.

'Oh And why is that'

I smirk. He's trying to pick on us to call us out, but he doesn't realize how smart I am.

'Because there is a nature reserve less than a mile away that encompasses enough of the marsh that

the business would not greatly affect, nor have a negative impact on, the species that inhabit it. As long

as the company maintains a good working relationship with the nature trust, it shouldn't be considered

part of their moral duty to plan around it.'

That shuts him up.

Mr. Baxter nods once, his expression irritated.

'Very good. Any other pairs care to weigh in on those thoughts'

The attention comes off us and I turn to Grace with a smirk. She's looking at me with wide eyes.

'That was amazing,' she whispers.

I shrug. 'Just you wait till our date, Strawberries.'

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The weather is still hot at lunch, so the seven of us sit on the field to eat.

I lay down on my back on the grass, looking up at the sky. Grace, obviously feeling more comfortable

with me, lies down on her back, too, but she rests her head on my chest.

We soak up the sun for half an hour, my girl gets some sun cream from reception, so she doesn't burn.

Adorable.

I trail my fingers up and down her arm, and my mate sighs with happiness. I'm equally as content, lying

on the grass with my eyes closed.

The rest of the day passes quite fast. Grace and I have a free period and math together after lunch.

After school, she walks home, and I drive back to mine.

'I'm home,' I call out as I walk through the door.

Mum calls me into the kitchen. Both of my parents are sitting at the table, I pull up a chair next to them.

'How was school How was Grace' Mum asks excitedly.

'It was good. The teacher tried to catch us out, thinking we weren't listening.'

Mum smirks. 'Bet you answered perfectly, didn't you'

I nod, probably looking as smug as I feel.

'Our son is such a genius,' Mum comments and Dad nods in agreement.

I roll my eyes at them.

'I'm meeting Grace at 6, so I'll leave in about two hours.'

'Okay. Have you planned what you're going to wear'

I scrunch up my nose at my mum's question. 'No, obviously not.'

'You have to wear something nice! Make sure she knows you've made an effort.'

Now, she's making me nervous. I thought I'd just wear jeans and a t—shirt.

'I was thinking jeans and a t—shirt.' I look to my dad for advice.

'Go with a muscle—fit one, show off your muscles, and pick smart jeans,' Dad comments.

'And make sure your trainers are clean!' Mum adds.

I roll my eyes and get up from the table.

'Thanks, guys.'

I take a shower and do some work. At a quarter to six, I drive to the center of town.

After finding a parking spot, I walk over to the town square and send a text to Grace, letting her know

that I'm here.

A few minutes later, a flash of red hair catches my eye. My beautiful mate walks over to me, looking

stunning.

She's let her hair down and it's swaying behind her as she walks. She's wearing a yellow headband

with a bow on it. She's changed into another cute dress and sandals, and she's even painted her little

toes.

She looks beautiful and adorable at the same time.

When she reaches me, I lean in and kiss her cheek, making her blush.

'You look beautiful,' I tell her.

She plays with her hands nervously. 'Thank you. You look really good.'

I chose my white, muscle—fit t—shirt. It shows off my arms nicely and makes me look extra tanned.

'Are you ready for your tour, my lady' I ask dramatically, holding out my hand to her.

She giggles and slides her small hand into mine. 'Why, of course, Sir, lead the way.'

Hand in hand, I show Grace our town. I take her down the high street first, pointing out the obvious

features like the shopping mall, cinema, town hall, library, etc.

Then, I take her down the quieter streets, pointing out the hidden gems. I show her Olivier's, where I'm

taking her on Saturday. I take her to see where the smoothie bar is, we stop outside the bakery and

stare at the cakes, we discuss the best and worst flavors at the waffle house.

'No! I'm telling you, peanut butter on a waffle doesn't work! It's too thick, too sticky, it would like trying to

eat cement!' Grace argues and I scoff in response.

'Cement Don't be so dramatic! A waffle isn't much different to toast or bread, everyone eats peanut

butter on those!'

'It's an entirely different food and you know it!' Grace cries and I laugh at how passionate she is being

about a waffle topping.

As if realizing that we've stopped, Grace looks around. Her eyes light up as she sees the burrito truck.

'Do you like Mexican food' I ask her.

She nods eagerly and runs up to the truck to read the menu. We each order our burritos and I insist on Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

paying for hers. This is a date, after all.

Once our food is cooked, we hold it using the tinfoil wrappers and find the perfect spot.

The bench we choose is situated on the edge of the pond. We eat our burritos and talk some more,

watching the swans on the water.

When we've finished, we throw the wrappers in the bin, and I take Grace's hand again.

'I hope you've still got room for ice cream,' I tell her, and she smirks.

'Always.'

We cross town and come to Giovanni's Gelato. Despite being almost seven, it's pretty busy.

Good thing I booked.

We're a little early, but we're lead to our table anyway. I slide into the booth next to Grace and hand her

a menu.

'Order whatever you want, but I definitely recommend the milkshakes and the sundaes.'

The server comes over and I order a vanilla milkshake and a fudge brownie sundae. Grace shyly

orders a strawberry milkshake and strawberry sundae.

I smile and lean back in the booth.

'You're really living up to your nickname, aren't you'

She smiles at my teasing. 'I like strawberries, alright'

The corner of my lips turns up in a half—smile as I lean closer to her.

'I like strawberries, too,' I murmur, my voice husky as my eyes remain on her full lips.

Grace gasps at my closeness and shuffles back a bit, blushing. I grasp her waist gently and slide her

back towards me, it's easy on the leather booth.

'You're not getting away that easily, Strawberries.'

She giggles and then self—consciously looks around.

'We're in a public place!' She whispers.

'So' I whisper back.

She huffs and playfully pushes my chest. 'So, people can see us sitting so close together.'

'Yes they can, and guess what They probably know we're on a date,' I reply, gasping with fake horror at

the end.

She rolls her sky—blue eyes at me for mocking her.

'Let them look,' I tell her. 'I want the world to see how beautiful my date is, and how lucky I am.'

Now that makes her blush.

'You're certainly charming, Axel,' she replies, sounding both happy and wary about it.

I give her a sincere smile. 'Only for you, Strawberries. Only for you.'

She's saved by our order arriving. We slurp our milkshakes and eat our sundaes, talking about families,

school, friends, hobbies, everything.

When we're finished, I take her hand and walk her back to the square. She checks her phone.

'My mum will be here in five minutes to pick me up,' she tells me.

I feel a stab of disappointment. Our date is over, and I have to leave my beautiful little mate.

'Thank you for agreeing to a second date, hopefully you can agree that this first one wasn't a complete

disaster.'

Grace chuckles. 'No, not a complete disaster. Maybe only 50%.'

I smirk at her teasing. 'Yeah Is that 50% enough for you to still want to go out Saturday night'

'Meh, for now, until I get a better offer,' she says and shrugs, all nonchalant.

'You cheeky little—'

Grace cuts me off, giggling and placing her small hands over my mouth. She has to get up on her

tiptoes to reach.

'I've loved it. Really. Thank you. You've been so welcoming to me the last few days and I honestly

appreciate it so much.'

She pulls her hands back from my mouth and I catch her wrists, not letting her get too far. Her lips part

and our eyes meet.

I want to kiss her.

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