CHAPTER TEN

RAIN

Xavier's eyes find me the moment I step through the cafeteria doors. He looks from me to Greg who is smiling by my side and his blank stare turns murderous. He nudges Derrick who turns his attention on us. Greg whispers that I should ignore them and leads me to the lunch line to grab something to eat.

We get our lunch and he leads me to the basketball table. It's really three tables that has been jammed together.

"Hey guys." Greg says. "This is Rain. Is it cool if she joins us today?"

This was a bad idea. What if they refuse?

One guy finally stands up. "Hell yeah, she can join us. That idiot is pissed off and she's the reason why."

They make space for Greg and I and we take our seats. The guy that said it was cool for me to join puts out his hands for me shake.

"Hi, I'm Nic, Greg's cousin."

I look from Nic to Greg with a smile, I do see the family resemblance.

Lunch is uneventful. Derrick still throws death glares at us but he doesn't come here. I zone out of the conversation at the table. High school boys are dogs. Thank God none of the guys I've had anything to do with go here.

*****

I mute the TV and listen closely to the environment. I heard a sound but I’m not sure what it was. A few seconds go by and I hear it again. There's someone at the door. It's not my dad, he has a key and it’s not Eva, she would have texted. It's not Greg right? Dropping me home yesterday didn't make him think he had the right to knock at door whenever he wants right?

I stand up and go to open the door. I look through the peephole and the person has a black hoodie on and he's bending his head.

I grab the bat near the door and hold it firmly.

"Who's there?" I ask.

The person doesn't answer, just raises his hand and knocks again. I look out the window and see that some guys I recognize from the neighborhood are standing around, good. If this turns out on be a robbery. I can scream for help.

"Rain, open the door," the person says.

Xavier? There is no way. I quickly pull open the door and Xavier raises his head. He looks tired and frustrated. Why is he in my house?

"Was that for me?" He asks, looking down at the bat.

"What are you doing here Xavier?" I ask, ignoring his question.

"Stay away from new guy." He says.

"What? You came all this way to ask me to stay away from my friend who is keeping safe from you and your friends? No."

"So you're just friends?"

That's the only thing he got from what I said?

"You're crazy Xavier, leave my house."

I try to close the door but he puts his foot in and pushes his way through. He locks the door and pushes his hoodie back.

"My father is home, Xavier. I will scream"

"He isn't." He says flat out.

"If you hurt me, I swear to God Xavier, you won't make it out of this neighborhood."

He rolls his eyes and moves further into my home. He enters the living room and takes a seat.

"Nice place. We all thought you lived in the trailer park. Imagine my surprise when I followed you home the yesterday..."

I interrupt him, "You followed me home!"

I'm getting to get a little worried. He turns to look at me.

"You got into his car."

"Are you listening to yourself? You sound crazy Xavier. We shared a kiss, that doesn't make me yours."

"How many kisses will it take then?"

"Zero! I'm not kissing you any more Xavier. That was a moment of temporary insanity."

He stands and I move back.

"Let me change your mind." He says.

"No, leave my house."

He grabs me before I can realize what he's doing and traps me in his arms.

"You smell so fucking good, Rain."

I try to pull myself away now that I can still think for myself. He bend's his head and kisses my neck. I find myself moving my neck to give him access. Gosh, I'm so weak.

"Please," Xavier whispers as his trails kisses from my neck to my lips.

He kisses me and I kiss him back. The bat falls out of my hand as Xavier lifts me and I cross my hands on his neck. He deepens the kiss and I moan into his lips.

"Which one is your room?" Xavier says.

I look around, disoriented and point to my room.

"I want to fuck you, Rain. If you don't want that, then now is the time to say so."

I should tell him no. I should throw him out but looking into his eyes, I can't bring myself to do it.

"I want that."