XAVIER's POV
I stood by the corner of the hallway and looked at Devin. He walked past the library without entering inside. That was strange, I decided to observe.
By the third time I saw him, I realized he was avoiding Emily and tried not to stay where she'd possibly be. I smirked at the thought, it was nice having him stay away from Emily without trying much.
I barely talked to Emily today because I needed to get a hold of my sanity. I spent my nights wondering how the hell I could get money and help the situation.
Devin didn't see me stalk him to know what he was up to. When I confirmed he was avoiding Emily was when it was break and he stayed back instead of going to the cafeteria. Recently, they've been going to the canteen together but the past two days differed.
As I walked out of the principal's cream-themed office, I rolled my eyes. I didn't get detention though, just a bunch of warnings I don't give a fuck about. I was reported because I got abusive and rude to a teacher. I only called her lame and that landed me in the principal's office.
Who threatens to call a student's parents for having a poor grade? Man, she is lame as hell.
It was obvious I didn't prepare for the test, I got so many things going on that I barely thought of my exams. From getting real nasty with Emily during the weekend to having to look for her after she ran out. The list is endless but I better get back to class before the next teacher comes in.
I took the steps two at a time and finally got to the hallway that led to the classroom. As I walked there, my gaze fell on Emily. She looked scared and the other girl who I barely pay attention to was holding her clothes.
I could tell she was getting bullied without even having to ask. It was a normal thing for Emily to be bullied, she was so fragile and it was written all over her. Anyone could easily bully her and she'd stand still wearing that scared expression.
"LET GO OF HER," I ordered.
I watched her turn her blue eyes to me and rolled them. I had no connection with her, she was pretty but I didn't move around Devin's friends or fuck buddies.
I saw the relief in Emily's eye as she saw me. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her.
"Let's go, are you okay?"
She gave a nod and then a confirmation followed. It felt good to have her in my arms again, we've avoided each other and it only feels different to hold her. A part of me wanted to ask what she was doing in my class but I brushed the thought off.
I'll rather not hear she came looking for Devin.
It was quite obvious in the way she looked around trying to see if she could catch a glimpse of him. I had no idea what was going on and I wish it remained this way. Devin was avoiding Emily and she was trying to look for him and probably ask what was wrong.
Emily would be thinking I had something to do with this when in reality I was as shocked as she seemed. I continued holding her and walking when she paused.
I paused too and raised my brows in inquiry.
"Where's Devin?"
My brows furrowed. "Saw him a while ago with his new girlfriend," I lied.
"Was that why she was asking if I was his new girl?" She asked.
"Huh?"
"Nevermind," she blurted looking hurt.
I didn't mean to hurt her feelings but I needed her to not ask about Devin. Her jaw clenched and I knew she was about to ask another question.
"What's her name?"
"Who?"
"Her," she retorted, not wanting to refer to her as Devin's girlfriend.
I thought of a quick name to give his imaginary girlfriend. "Leah."
She arched her brows trying to think of anyone like that.
"You don't know her," I blurted. "She's new in town and he keeps her low-key. They rarely hang out in school and you must have missed noticing them."
"Maybe."
Emily was the easiest person to convince on earth. She continued walking and I thought of sharing it with her.
"I'm thinking of something but I don't think it's a good idea."
"You don't think?"
"Well, I don't know."
"What is it?"
I thought of how telling her about the child service issue would affect her greatly. I suddenly regretted saying a thing about it.
"What is it?" She asked again.
"Just a random thought. You should get back to class, I'll see you when school closes okay?"
"Sure," she replied without persisting.
I was surprised she didn't ask me to tell her before she left, she must have been thinking of Devin and his imaginary girlfriend.
I walked back to my classroom and tried to be calm. I would have picked a fight with the blonde and warned her never to touch my sister but I didn't want to be seen hitting a woman, my dad might disown me.
He's so obsessed with respecting women and not treating them like shit. Well, I'm not against it but if I had my way I'd hit any woman that tried to bully Emily.
When we got home, I changed into different sweatpants and grabbed my baseball cap. Emily volunteered to make lunch since Mom wasn't around but I had to leave.
"Ain't you hungry?" She asked turning the rice to the pan.
"No."
"That's a lie, we didn't have breakfast and I didn't see you at the canteen."
"Doesn't mean I didn't eat."
When she noticed I was dressed to leave, she paused her cooking and came to where I stood. "Xavier?"
"Yeah?"
"Where are you going to? You're supposed to have a day off today."
She was right but I couldn't sit my ass home all evening. The bills wouldn't pay themselves. I wanted to say that to her but she'd frown and ask what bills. There was no way I was going to tell her the child service crisis was my problem and I wanted to fix it at all costs.
"Dad asked me to get something checked for him real quick."
"Oh."
"Yeah, so I'll see you later."
"Are you driving there?"
No. I wasn't going to take the truck in case anything went wrong.
"No. It's not that deep."
"Okay then."
I turned and left the house, I needed to seal the deal.