Chapter Twelve
Xander's Pov
Friday morning dawned, and I woke up feeling inexplicably amazing. Maybe it was the thrill of yesterday's game, or perhaps it was the memory of her that lingered in my mind. Whatever the reason, I felt invigorated, ready to take on the day.
As I got ready to pick her up, I couldn't help but think about how much I disliked it when she got mad at me. To avoid that, I made sure to reconcile with her before first period, and then I was off to class.
The teacher's lectures were as boring as ever, but I managed to stay awake, my mind wandering to the events of the previous day. After class, I headed to my locker to drop off my books, and that's when I bumped into Jennifer.
"Hey, Xander," she said, pecking me on the cheek as I slammed my locker shut.
I returned the greeting, trying to sound excited, but honestly, I just wanted to get to class and rest a bit. "Hey, you."
Jennifer's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I have big news, Xander. Big, big news."
I raised an eyebrow, feigning interest. "You can tell me later, Jennifer. I'm late for class."
Jennifer's grin was mischievous. "Okay, Xander. But I just thought you'd want to know that your bestie finally has a crush, which means you two will be spending less time together now. Do you think you'll be devoted to me?"I spun around, my eyes locking onto Jennifer's mischievous grin. "Kierra has a what now?" I demanded.
Jennifer's smile faltered for a moment before she recovered. "It's nothing, Xander. I'll tell you at the party or whenever we see each other again. Bye now."
But I wasn't having it. My grip on her arm tightened. "No, tell me now."
Jennifer's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well, you see, I overheard her telling Maya she was in love with someone. Then I asked who, and she confessed it was none other than Seth. How sweet is that, Xander?"
My stomach churned with disgust. "Very sweet. I just want to puke right now."
Jennifer's grin only grew wider. "Well, I think they make a great couple. They complement each other perfectly. She's lucky to have a guy like Seth, and I hope they never stop loving each other."
I watched, seething, as Jennifer walked away, leaving me staring into thin air. A cold fury simmered beneath my surface, and I knew I had to avoid Kierra for the rest of the day. I was scared of what I might say to her, of the harsh words that could spill out of my mouth simply because I was mad at her.
She had promised me she wouldn't fall in love with him, but it was a stupid lie. She already liked him, and the thought made my blood boil. I spent lunch trying to distract myself from thoughts of Kierra, but when Jennifer arrived at our table, I knew I had to take drastic measures. I pretended she wasn't there, treating her with a cold, calculated rudeness. I lashed out at her, my words biting and hurtful.
But deep down, I knew my anger wasn't really about Jennifer. It was about Kierra and her feelings for Seth. The thought of it made my blood boil, and I couldn't explain why it upset me so much.
As lunch drew to a close, my anger only intensified. I knew I had to find a way to calm down before I lost control. I headed to the guys' locker room, seeking solace in the empty space.
I shed my shirt and began pummeling the punching bag, feeling my anger slowly seep out with each blow. Sweat dripped from my brow as I worked out my frustrations.
But just as I was starting to feel better, I heard the sound of footsteps outside the locker room. At first, I ignored them, but as they grew louder and more insistent, I finally turned to see Kierra standing in the doorway, a look of amusement dancing on her face.
And that was when it hit me – like a ton of bricks. I was fricking jealous of Seth. The realization was both shocking and terrifying. The only reason I was acting out like this was because I was attracted to Kierra.
Kierra Pov
As I walked out of class, I couldn't shake off the smile that had been plastered on my face since my encounter with Xander at the locker room. The rest of the day flew by in a blur, and before I knew it, the final bell rang, signaling the start of our weekend.
I scanned the crowded hallway, searching for Maya, but she was nowhere to be found. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. I shrugged and headed to the parking lot, hoping to catch a glimpse of Xander.
But instead of Xander, I bumped into a girl around my age. "Sorry," I said, bending down to pick up what had fallen.
The girl adjusted her glasses and smiled. "No, it's okay. I wasn't looking anyway."
"I'm Freya," she said, extending her hand.
"Kierra," I replied, smiling.
Freya's smile was warm. "Nice name, Kierra. I have to go now. I'll see you later."
As Freya rushed off, I turned to find Xander standing behind me, a smirk on his face.
"Wow, she talks to mid-air now," Xander said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I rolled my eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Xander chuckled. "You were talking to mid-air. There's no one there, and yet you're talking."
I frowned. "But there was someone here. She just left."
Xander's grin only grew wider. "Yeah, or the obvious – you've lost it, Bes."
I shot him a withering glance. "No, I haven't. Let's just go."
Xander's smirk never wavered. "Okay, say bye to your imaginary friend first."
I threw up my hands. "Start the car, bird brain."
Xander chuckled. "It's not my fault your imaginary friend is mad."I glared at Xander, my frustration boiling over. "Shut it, shut it forever!" I screamed, as he chuckled, clearly entertained.
"Damn, I love annoying you so freaking much," he added, before driving off, leaving me seething.
As I arrived home, the house was empty, just as I had expected. Max was probably out having fun or singing, and I wasn't disappointed – there was no sign of him anywhere.
I quickly freshened up, waiting for Maya to show up. I grabbed a snack, still waiting for her arrival, before I heard the doorbell.
"Coming!" I called out, getting up to answer the door.
"Since when do you knock, Maya?" I asked, opening the door to find my friend looking down, her expression troubled.
"Hey, you're late," I said, as she walked in, taking a seat on the couch.
Maya looked down, her voice barely above a whisper. "Gosh, Kierra, you have no idea... no idea. I couldn't believe what happened. I'm so shocked. I regret finding out. I should have just let sleeping dogs lie. Why did I have to find out?" she repeated, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush.
I placed a calming hand on her arm. "Maya, Maya, calm down and tell me what's wrong."
Maya took a deep breath, her eyes locking onto mine. "I figured out how Max and Jennifer know each other so well."I sank into the couch, my mind reeling. "What? How? Spill..." I urged, my voice barely above a whisper.
Maya's eyes welled up with tears. "Well, Jennifer... you see, was once the mother of his unborn child."
I shot up from the couch, my voice a horrified scream. "What?!"
Maya's body shook as she spoke, her words tumbling out in a frantic rush. "Jennifer was pregnant with Max's child. It's all so frustrating. I just can't believe this too. I can't, I can't..."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "Where's the baby now?" I asked, my voice shaking.
Maya's eyes dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "That's all I know. I have no idea what happened after that."
I felt a wave of anger wash over me. "Why would Max keep such a secret from us for so long?" I demanded.
Maya's face crumpled as she sobbed. "Kierra, gosh, it hurts so much... I'll find out whatever it takes. He had no right to keep that secret from us."
I grasped Maya's arm, my voice firm. "Are you sure of what you found out?"
Maya's eyes locked onto mine, her voice resolute. "Hundred percent, Kierra."
Maya's expression turned determined. "Come on, let's get you ready for that party. But I'm not going. I'm staying home with your brother. He has tons of explaining to do."
As Maya rushed up the stairs, I followed subtly behind, my mind reeling with the shocking revelation. The thought that I may have an existing niece or nephew, which I knew nothing about, shattered my heart into a million pieces. Maya's smile was a valiant effort, but I could see the pain lurking behind her eyes. Max's secrets had left her reeling, and I knew she was struggling to keep it together for my sake.
"Okay, done," she said, beaming at me as I admired my reflection in the mirror.
"You look beautiful, Kierra," she added, her voice warm with sincerity.
I smiled, feeling a surge of gratitude towards my friend. "Are you sure you don't want to come?" I asked, hoping she'd change her mind.
Maya shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. "I'm sure, Kierra. You should head downstairs; they must be looking for you right now."
I nodded, giving her a gentle hug before making my way downstairs. That's when I saw Xander, already seated with Jennifer and Seth. He caught my eye, his gaze holding mine as he took a sip of water.
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, Xander's eyes went wild, his gaze drinking in my appearance. He made no effort to hide his appreciation, his eyes lingering on me until he finally cleared his throat.
"Umm, since you're here now, we should get going," he said, his voice a little rougher than usual.
Seth nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's get going."
As we turned to leave, Seth's hands moved to my waist, making me gasp in shock. But before I could react, Xander's voice cut through the air.
"Hands off, now," he growled, his eyes blazing with intensity as he pointed to my waist. Jennifer's voice was cut off mid-sentence. "Now," Xander repeated, his eyes blazing with intensity.
Seth carefully removed his hands from my waist as I linked our hands together, ignoring Xander's glare.
"Shall we?" I said, taking the lead, until the doorknob twisted.
My dad's voice boomed from the other side of the door. "Oh, hey, Dad," I said, unlocking our hands as Xander smirked behind me.
My dad's eyes narrowed. "Hey, baby girl, is this the guy?"
I rolled my eyes. "Dad... I warned you."
My dad's expression turned stern. "What? I just need to give him some ground rules before you go."
I raised an eyebrow. "Ground rules?"
My dad's voice was firm. "My daughter is not to be given alcohol. You got that?"
Seth nodded. "Yes, sir."
Xander's smirk grew wider as my dad continued. "That's the first rule. Break it, and I'll break you. Am I clear?"
Seth's eyes widened. "Crystal, sir."
My dad's expression turned even more serious. "My daughter is not to be forced if she does not want to dance. Okay?"
Seth nodded hastily. "Okay, okay, what?"
My dad's voice was firm. "That's the second rule. Dare to break it, and I'll make sure I break your hands. Do you understand?""Yes, sir," Seth replied, his eyes wide with a mix of amusement and intimidation.
My dad's expression turned stern. "Good. And lastly, and the most important rule of all: anything, and I mean anything, that Xander says, goes. He has complete and total control over my daughter."
My mouth fell open in shock. "Have fun, but don't you dare do anything out of place," my dad warned.
Seth nodded hastily. "You don't have to worry, sir. I'll be there for her."
Xander snorted, his eyes rolling heavenward. "Pttt, I really don't need you to be. Xander's there, so I'm sure Kierra would be perfectly okay."
My dad's expression turned serious. "Yeah, yeah, Xander, watch her properly, okay?"
Xander bit his lower lip, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Okay..." he drawled.
As we exited the house, my dad turned to Jennifer. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere..."
Jennifer forced a smile. "Umm, that's not possible, sir..."
My dad nodded. "Okay, my boy... You can go now. And next time, no too much touching..." He pointed to our hands, his eyes stern.
As we walked away from the house, I face-palmed myself. This is gonna be a really, really long night...