All Chapters of My Bullies Are Twin Hockey Players: Chapter 161 - Chapter 170

Tara’s POVWe spend a long time discussing our theories about Xavier’s mysterious girlfriend, each of us adding our own speculation about what kind of person would be willing to date someone as mean-spirited as him. The conversation flows naturally between us, and for the first time since I learned about what happened with Jasper, I feel like we’re getting back to our normal friendship dynamic.But as we’re talking, I notice the sun starting to get lower in the sky, and I realize that I’m running late getting back to the twins’ house. Their parents told me to be back early, and I don’t want to worry them or get in trouble for staying out too long.“I should probably head back soon,” I tell Jane and Zoey reluctantly. “I promised the twins’ parents I wouldn’t stay out late.”Before I leave though, Zoey leans forward with excitement in her eyes. “You know what? I think we should actually follow through on this idea to trail Xavier and find out who his girlfriend is.”“Really?” I ask, sur

Jasper’s POVThe next morning, I wake up feeling restless and anxious about everything that’s been happening with Tara, my parents, and the general tension that seems to be hanging over our house like a dark cloud. The events of the past few days keep replaying in my mind, Tara overhearing my conversation with Xavier, the forced apologies, the knowledge that she’ll be staying with us for another week when she clearly doesn’t want to be here.When I get up and head to the bathroom to brush my teeth, I notice that Xavier is already awake and moving around the house with this paranoid energy that’s making me uncomfortable. He keeps checking his phone obsessively, pacing around his room, and generally acting like someone who’s expecting terrible news at any moment.I find him in the kitchen making coffee with shaky hands, and he looks like he hasn’t slept at all. His hair is disheveled, there are dark circles under his eyes, and he keeps glancing around nervously like he’s afraid someone

Jasper’s POVI can see that Xavier is getting more and more uncomfortable with my questions about his mysterious secret. His face is getting redder, and he keeps shifting around in his chair like he wants to escape from this conversation entirely. But I’m genuinely worried about him, and I can tell that whatever he’s dealing with is causing him a lot of stress and anxiety.“Xavier, just tell me what’s really going on,” I say, leaning forward across the table. “We’re brothers. Whatever it is, I’m not going to judge you for it.”He looks at me for a long moment, clearly debating whether or not to trust me with the truth. I can see the internal struggle playing out on his face as he weighs his options.“Is this about a girl?” I ask, taking a guess based on his secretive behavior and the way he’s been constantly checking his phone.The moment I say it, I can see in Xavier’s expression that I’ve hit the nail on the head. His shoulders relax slightly, and he lets out a long sigh like he’s r

Tara’s POV I slam the front door behind me harder than I intended, the sound echoing through the house like a gunshot. The encounter with Xavier outside has left me feeling rattled and confused in ways I can’t quite articulate. Why did he just stand there staring at me for so long without saying a single word? There was something unsettling about the intensity of his gaze, like he was trying to memorize my face or figure out some complex puzzle that I represented.I shake my head vigorously, trying to physically dislodge thoughts of Xavier from my mind. I refuse to spend any more mental energy analyzing his bizarre behavior or trying to decode whatever strange motivations drive him to act the way he does. He’s already caused me enough pain with his cruel comments about my character, and I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of continuing to occupy space in my thoughts.The living room offers a welcome refuge from the awkwardness of that interaction. I find Jasper sprawled across

Tara’s POVI feel a wave of disappointment wash over me as I stand there with Jasper, realizing that I’m not going to get any more information about Xavier’s mysterious girlfriend. Part of me really wanted to see what this girl looks like, to understand what makes her so special that she has Xavier completely twisted up in knots. And if I’m being completely honest with myself, another part of me wanted to make fun of Xavier for being so insecure and desperate for someone’s approval.But I control that petty impulse because I know it would make me just as bad as Xavier was when he said all those cruel things about my character. Just because someone has hurt you doesn’t mean you should stoop to their level and try to hurt them back.“I should probably get going,” I tell Jasper, excusing myself from the conversation. “I have some things I need to take care of.”“Sure,” Jasper says, nodding. “Thanks for listening. And for being understanding about Xavier’s situation.”I give him a small s