Chapter Ten
Kierra's Pov
I lacked the courage to meet Xander's gaze, so I carefully extricated myself from our compromising position. I removed my hands from his shoulders, climbed off him, and dusted myself off before taking a seat on the couch. Xander followed suit, his silence deafening as he sat beside me.
The tension was palpable until Maxwell broke the silence. "Okkk... I guess we're just going to pretend like nothing happened. In that case, let's finish the movie," he said, staring at the TV only to realize that the credits were already rolling.
Maxwell let out a chuckle. "OK, then it's obviously still pouring out there, so there's the game I learned in school before..." He trailed off, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
I turned to him, a smile playing on my lips. "Speaking of school, are you here for good or what?" I asked, curious about his plans.
Maxwell's response was unexpected. "Well, yeah, I'm gonna do senior high at Evergreen because, well, I really don't think I'm ready for college yet."
I playfully rolled my eyes. "You could have said so six months ago, bird brain."
Maxwell shot back, his voice tinged with amusement. "Shut up and listen, girl. I'm older than you."
I stuck my tongue out at him, earning a chuckle from Xander, who was still sitting beside me. I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized I still couldn't face him without blushing. Instead, I turned my attention to Maya, who was watching us with an amused expression. Maxwell's eyes sparkled with mischief as he announced, "Well, like I was saying, the game is pretty easy. It's called Confession Time."
I raised an eyebrow, my voice laced with sarcasm. "We're not in a church, you know."
Maxwell smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Wow, I missed a lot, little sister. You've suddenly become smart now, know-it-all."
I rolled my eyes, my voice firm. "Shut it, bird brain, and explain the damn game."
Maxwell's grin was unrepentant. "Well, it's simple. All you have to do is say something private – it could be just a sentence – and no questions would be asked. Easy as pie, right?"
I muttered under my breath, "No one says that."
Maxwell's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Yeah, yeah, so why don't you start, little sis? Then Xander, Maya, and then yours truly... the bird brain."
I chuckled, my voice teasing. "Just confess already, it better be something true, okay?"
I took a deep breath, thinking of what to say. I glanced at Xander, my heart skipping a beat. "I'm scared of letting someone else in," I said simply.
Xander's voice was low and husky behind me. "What?"
I felt a shiver run down my spine as Maxwell reminded Xander, "No questions asked, Thompson. Your turn."
Xander's pause was palpable before he spoke up. "Alright then, umm... I guess I'm scared of my feelings."
My breath hitched, my heart racing with excitement. I felt like I was melting into the floor.
I nearly screamed in Xander's face, "What feelings?" but Maxwell's reminder echoed in my mind – no questions asked.
Xander's response was a low, husky "Pttt, kids..." which earned him a playful knock from Maya. Maya's smile was radiant as she confessed, "I think I like your dumb ass brother."
Maxwell's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Yeah, I know I'm not blind, you know. But I will warn you, the sooner you leave, the earlier you have peace of mind," I said, smirking at Maya.
Maxwell retaliated by throwing a pillow at me, which I deftly dodged.
"It's my turn, then," Maxwell said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Umm, I guess I... I'm in love with her," he confessed, taking Maya's hand in his.
I let out a delighted squeal. "Awwn, he's so, so, so sweet!" I cooed, my eyes shining with amusement.
Maya's face flushed a deep shade of pink as she whispered, "He's in love with me."
Maxwell's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Tch, you wish I was. I meant Maya, dumb dumb."
I chuckled, enjoying every moment of this. "Awwn, she can't stop blushing."
Maya's face was a deep shade of crimson as Maxwell announced, "OK, OK, that's enough. I should get going now, Maya."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll drop you off then," Xander said, as they walked towards the door.
Maya's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Wait, you mean you had your car here this whole time?"
Xander's grin was sheepish. "Umm, yeah, the rain seems to have stopped. I'll drop you off, come on, let's get going."
As they walked out, Maya turned back to me, a sly grin spreading across her face. "You should have just said you wanted to stay a while. I wonder whyyyy," she said, winking at me.
I chuckled, clearing up the loose popcorn as Xander and Maya departed.
The room fell silent, and I was left alone with Maxwell. He turned to me, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, sis, anything you would like to tell me.... He said grinning My face burned with embarrassment as I covered it with my palm. "Arrggg... nothing," I muttered, trying to brush off the awkwardness.
Maxwell's smirk was relentless. "You still like him, don't you? Huh?" he teased, his eyes glinting with amusement.
I may have confided in Maxwell about my feelings before he left, and now he seemed to take great pleasure in mocking me about it. Yet, despite his teasing, he had never told me to move on. Instead, he had promised to beat Xander up if he ever made me cry. I knew he was dead serious.
I decided to change the subject, curiosity getting the better of me. "So, it seems you know Jennifer," I said, my eyes locked onto Maxwell's.
Maxwell's expression turned guarded, his voice low and husky. "Not now, sis. Really long story for a really long day, but I'll tell you, though. You're my little confidant," he said, ruffling my hair.
Just then, our mom burst into the room, dropping her bag and rushing to hug Maxwell tightly. "Ooohhh, awn, my baby is backkk!" she exclaimed.
Maxwell whispered to me, "Help me." I chuckled, shaking my head as I grabbed my popcorn.
As the night unfolded, our dad arrived, and despite the initial chaos, we had an amazing time together. Maxwell made snarky comments, wasted food in the kitchen, and our mom screamed at all of us. In that moment, I realized how much I had missed my big brother. As I gazed at my family, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. Things were going to be great after today, just great. Maxwell is always engaged in a heated battle with me over the TV, despite knowing my favorite show was on Fridays. It was finally party night, and all I had to do was survive the annoying day at school and then rush home to get ready with Maya.
But amidst the excitement, a nagging feeling lingered. This time, things were going to be different. I would be attending the party with Seth, and Xander had Jennifer now. He seemed genuinely happy with her, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
My reverie was interrupted by a loud shout from outside my window. "Get your ass down here!" The voice was unmistakable - Xander's. I realized I had been lost in thought, reminiscing about the week instead of getting ready.
Panic set in as I sprinted into the bathroom. I hastily took a bath, my mind racing with thoughts of the party. My clothes lay stylishly on my bed, waiting for my approval. I was running late, and I knew Xander would be waiting for me. I hastily applied a dusting of powder, forgoing makeup altogether due to the time constraint. With a swift goodbye, I was out the door, headed to school.
"Morning, Mum, Dad," I chimed, flashing a bright smile.
Xander mimicked my greeting, his voice laced with amusement. "Oh, good morning, Xander, how are you, Xander?" he teased, earning a chuckle from my dad.
Dad's voice cut through the banter. "Off to school, kids."
Xander smirked, rising from his seat as I remained silent, memories of the previous day's events still fresh in my mind.
The sound of the door slamming shut was followed by Xander's pained groan. "Ouch..." he muttered, likely having hurt his fingers in the process.
I rushed to his side, scolding him affectionately. "You bird brain, you hurt yourself now...".
I tried to examine his hand, but Xander was stubborn. "Just let me see..." I said, attempting to grasp his hand.
Xander's expression turned mischievous as he pointed to his heart. "It doesn't hurt there, it hurts here."
I rolled my eyes, hitting him playfully. "Dumb dumb, you were faking that."
Xander's grin was unrepentant. "Yeah, you refused to talk to me, I had to do that."
I cursed under my breath, taking my seat in the car and facing the opposite direction as Xander entered, starting the engine and driving off. Xander's fingers drummed a relentless rhythm on the steering wheel, his eyes glinting with mischief as he deliberately annoyed me throughout the drive to school.
"Could you stop that?" I groaned, frustration etched on my face.
Xander's smirk was unrepentant. "Sorry, Kierra isn't talking to me right now, and I only listen to Kierra, no one else," he said, his fingers tapping harder on the wheel.
I threw up my hands in exasperation. "Stop it!"
Xander's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Nopeee."
I sighed, relenting. "Alright, fine. I'll stop avoiding you."
The tapping ceased, and Xander's voice was tinged with triumph. "That wasn't so easy, was it now?"
I muttered under my breath, "Ptttt... You're lucky I can't stay mad at you."
---
Jennifer's POV:
I seethed with rage as I watched Kierra and Xander interact. How dare that slut think she could smile at my boyfriend and act all lovey-dovey around him? And what was Max doing at her place?
My past mistakes could haunt me, and I couldn't let anyone, especially Kierra, discover the truth about my relationship with Max. I hoped they weren't related; if they were, the secrets I had buried so deep for so long would come back to haunt me.
As I stood there, lost in thought, I heard footsteps behind me. Kate's voice dripped with venom as she spoke from behind me.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Xander's new fling. I bet you'll last two weeks tops."
I spun around, my eyes blazing with anger. "I'm not his fling, and I won't last two weeks, OK?" I glared at her, my voice firm.
Kate's smirk was relentless. "As long as his little best friend is close to him, trust me, dear, you won't last long."
Her words sent a shiver down my spine. "What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, my voice laced with unease.
Kate's eyes glinted with malice. "It means if you want Xander to be yours for a long time, you better find a way to get rid of her."
I felt a surge of anger at her words. "Why are you helping me, huh?" I asked, my voice tinged with suspicion.
Kate stopped in her tracks, a sly smile spreading across her face. "Because I told her if I can't have Xander Thompson, she won't. And frankly, I prefer you having him any day than her. Think about what I said, OK? That is, if you truly love him."
With that, Kate walked past me, leaving me stunned and reeling from her words.
As I looked ahead, I saw Xander helping Kierra with her belongings, their faces alight with warm smiles. But what caught my attention was the way Xander's smile seemed different when he was with Kierra – softer, more genuine. A spark of jealousy ignited within me, and my blood began to boil.
Maybe Kate was right. Maybe I did need to get rid of Kierra, and I needed to do it soon.
Kierra's Pov
Xander was kind enough to point it out that I was too weak to carry my own stuffs so he decided to help me out with it as I smiled walking in until I reached my locker
"OK thanks I guess What no thank you...
"Thank you... I said
"Hmm she's nice today.. He said smirking
"Shut up jerk... I said opening up my locker as a Little note fell from inside
'Oh a note a secret admirer let's see... He said picking it up
"Hey Xander don't you dare that's private give it back... I said trying to grab it from him
'"Nope I'll read it first now shhh... He said as I groaned in defeat
'Your smiles lighten up my world... He started as I blushed a little looking down
"I look forward to seeing you everyday
"You've become my addiction my obséssion and I think I'm falling for you Kiera Leah
"Oh gosh I wish this would say love Xander
I thought
I can't wait for our dance tonight I'll pick you up by 8 wear something beautiful even though you look stunning in anything you wear
_Love.....
SETH...He said coldly
"Tch... Lame... He added ripping it off right in my eyes before leaving it in the trash disappearing like it meant nothing
And the crazy part of it all was that I was lost in the way he read the letter wishing it was in fact his letter and not Seth's at least before reality hit me in the face and I remembered he has no right to Rip my letter like that destroying it's content
I'll make you pay for that Xander.….I thought before slamming my lockers heading for class. Kierra's Pov
Xander was kind enough to point it out that I was too weak to carry my own stuffs so he decided to help me out with it as I smiled walking in until I reached my locker
"OK thanks I guess What no thank you...
"Thank you... I said
"Hmm she's nice today.. He said smirking
"Shut up jerk... I said opening up my locker as a Little note fell from inside
'Oh a note a secret admirer let's see... He said picking it up
"Hey Xander don't you dare that's private give it back... I said trying to grab it from him
'"Nope I'll read it first now shhh... He said as I groaned in defeat
'Your smiles lighten up my world... He started as I blushed a little looking down
"I look forward to seeing you everyday
"You've become my addiction my obséssion and I think I'm falling for you Kiera Leah
"Oh gosh I wish this would say love Xander
I thought
I can't wait for our dance tonight I'll pick you up by 8 wear something beautiful even though you look stunning in anything you wear
_Love.....
SETH...He said coldly
"Tch... Lame... He added ripping it off right in my eyes before leaving it in the trash disappearing like it meant nothing
And the crazy part of it all was that I was lost in the way he read the letter wishing it was in fact his letter and not Seth's at least before reality hit me in the face and I remembered he has no right to Rip my letter like that destroying it's content
I'll make you pay for that Xander.….I thought before slamming my lockers heading for class.