Stuck between two bad boys

Xavier’s POV

My night was short as hell. I rolled to the side of the bed and used my hands to block my face from the sunlight. I yawned, stretched, and stood up from the bed.

Emily’s bed was empty and then it dawned on me that I overslept. I lazily slid my legs into the slippers and walked into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and ran a quick bath.

I got dressed in a black tank top, a zip-up hoodie, and sweatpants. I brushed my hair with the brush I found on the table. It wasn’t mine and since it was a purple brush, I could easily guess it belongs to Emily.

I picked the crocs from the shoe rack and headed out of the room. I got to the dining mom. She was facing the wall and sniffing. She looked like she had a breakdown while serving breakfast. I stood there for a second contemplating if I should say something or hug her or act like I didn’t see her.

I once read that sometimes when people cry, they’d rather you don’t ask what happened. I can barely remember where I read that from but that line just remained in my head.

Before I could decide on which option to take, she noticed my presence and began wiping her eyes. She turned in my direction and wore a large smile.

If I didn’t see her crying a minute ago, I’d have never thought she was going through anything. She was good at hiding behind that beautiful smile of hers. She still looked pale and her eyes wet but she was wearing a wide smile and acting like I didn’t just see her cry.

“Hey Xavier,” she called. “Have some.”

I nodded and sat on the chair. I stretched and got some of the roasted rice into the plate. She was pretending like she was fine and I was going to pretend I didn’t see her cry.

I didn’t see Emily around. I ate and thanked her for the meal. I stormed out and looked around. I was supposed to wash Dad’s car but I overslept. I checked to see if he washed it himself but his car wasn’t where it was parked. Instead, he and mom stood beside her old car.

I huffed watching them try to start the abandoned car. It wasn’t starting and mom just stood there with her hands on her waist. She used her hand to wipe her forehead and exhaled.

I walked toward them and handed Dad my keys.

“Here, you can use my truck.”

Mom turned. “But you and Emily-”

“We’ll catch a taxi or something.”

Emily approached us and I just gave a nod to Dad.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

We entered a Taxi and relaxed in the back seat. I was still somewhat mad at Emily. I barely talked to her and even when she randomly asked me questions, I played deaf.

“Where’s Dad’s car? Is it bad or something?”

“No idea.”

I didn’t say more than that nor did I engage in her stories. When we got to school, I paid the driver and walked away before she could ask me anything.

I knew what was going on in her head. She was wondering what got me pissed, asking herself if it was the outing with Devin or the picture I saw.

I walked into the empty classroom and crouched at my desk. I have to give myself a break from thinking. The teachers came in and I just sat with my elbow on the table wedging my face. I gently stepped on the paper beneath my legs.

I couldn’t help but think of a possible solution if I made it up to Devin. I shoved my phone back in my pocket and sat down still. I was contemplating if it was the right decision to make.

I finally made up my mind to talk to Devin. I stormed out the moment the bell rang and went in search of Devin. I checked the restroom but couldn’t find either of them, checked the cafeteria and then the back of the school.

As I got to the back of the school, I noticed some guys.

“You can have all of that for just $500.”

“No man, let me get it for $300. I just want to get high and shit.”

I stood right behind the door a listened to their conversation. I wasn’t going to judge them because the supplier probably needed the cash for something like I did and selling drugs was his way out just like apologizing and making It up with Devin was mine.

When they turned to me, I acted like I didn’t hear shit. I bent my head and looked at the screen of my phone before walking away. The latter guy supplied drugs to students. It was illegal and fucking wrong but it wasn’t my business and I had no right to be in their business.

I howled at how stressed I was searching for Devin and I hated how aggravating it was because I had no damn idea where he could be. I thought of asking Emily since they’ve become best of friends in such a short time and he probably would have texted her today.

I waved the thought that they could possibly be together and that was why it was this hard to find him. “That better not be,” I blurted in an undertone.

My stomach grumbled as I walked back to the school. I used the hallway and headed to my locker. I needed to drop my books if I was going to search for Devin till I found him. It was a matter of urgency for me and I couldn’t back down. I pulled open the locker. The blue school locker was one foot wide, one foot deep and six feet tall.

I dropped my books and a few things in the locker before locking it. I knew where to find Emily, she was that predictable.

I walked to the library and showed the blonde woman my ID card. She was dressed in a Raglan sleeve with a grey high waist skirt. I didn’t have much time to look at her, she was way older than I was.

I got inside and looked around for Emily. She didn’t have a particular chair so it made it harder to spot her immediately. I got to the end part of the reading area and took gentle steps to the row. When I finally saw Emily, I clenched my fist.

“Fuck it.”

It wasn’t just Emily but she was with Devin and he was kissing her.