Everyone froze, stunned into silence by Xavier's declaration. Kamsi's mouth fell open in shock, but no one seemed more floored than Patricia Newman, who stared after them, eyes wide. Without waiting for anyone to recover, Xavier tugged Kamsi's hand and led her down the hall, his grip strong and unyielding. She stumbled slightly, trying to keep up as he marched with purposeful strides, practically dragging her outside.
As the cool air hit her face, Kamsi seemed to snap out of her daze. She yanked her hand from his grasp, and he stopped, turning slowly to face her, one brow arched in silent question.
"What was that?" she demanded, her voice trembling with fury. She folded her arms tightly, grounding herself against the storm of emotions whirling within her.
Xavier merely shrugged, slipping his hands into his front pockets, the picture of nonchalance. "What?"
Kamsi's eyes narrowed. "Back there—you pulled me away like…like I was some kind of property. Yours," she spat. "Like I'd ever be with a self-absorbed jerk like you."
For a moment, she saw something crack in Xavier's indifferent mask, a flash of something raw and real. But it vanished just as quickly, and he raised a brow, his voice dropping to a dangerously quiet tone. "What did you just say? Self-absorbed jerk, huh?"
Kamsi's pulse quickened as he took a step forward, his gaze sharpening with an intensity that made her take an instinctive step back, only to feel the chill of the wall against her spine. Her heart raced as he closed the distance, the heat of his presence unmistakable, unnerving.
He tilted his head, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth as he leaned in, his voice now a low, seductive murmur. "Tell me why you think that." His breath brushed against her skin, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. He braced a hand on the wall beside her, trapping her in his gaze, his other hand lifting slightly, as though considering touching her, yet holding back.
Kamsi's fists clenched, her body torn between the urge to push him back and the strange thrill of being so close. She met his stare, determined not to show any weakness, even as her own emotions warred within her.
Xavier leaned closer, his lips brushing the air beside her ear, his voice dropping to a near-whisper, "So… what do I need to do," he asked, letting each word sink in, "to make you mine?"
Kamsi swallowed, her breath catching as his words lingered between them, both intimidating and maddeningly intoxicating. She struggled for something—anything—to say, but the words wouldn't come, and the space between them felt charged, impossible to break.
After a beat, he leaned back, studying her with a glint of satisfaction, as if he'd read every thought she tried to hide. He straightened, putting a careful distance between them, yet leaving her thoroughly unraveled.
With a final, possessive glance, he murmured, "You're mine."
After Xavier's possessive words lingered in the cool air, he strode back into the school, leaving Kamsi standing there, her heart pounding. Slowly, she followed, catching her breath, as though reorienting herself after a whirlwind.
Back inside, the others hadn't moved far from where Xavier left them. The tension still hung in the air, leaving Damon, Gilbert, and Alexander standing in stunned silence.
Damon let out a low whistle, shaking his head with a grin that couldn't quite hide his shock. "Man, if I'd known Xavier would pull a stunt like that, I'd have brought popcorn. That was… intense."
Gilbert chuckled, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "Xavier's always been one for surprises, but that? Even I didn't see that one coming."
"Still," Alexander said, his voice quieter as he took in the scene, "it's good to see everyone again." He cast a quick glance toward where Xavier and Kamsi had just left, his expression conflicted.
Damon gave Alexander a solid clap on the back, his smile wide. "Don't stress it, man. He'll come around. Eventually…" he added, his voice trailing off with a skeptical shrug.
As the three shared a moment of camaraderie, a chill seemed to creep through the hallway—a reminder of the tension Xavier had left behind.
A few steps away, Patricia stood frozen, her mind reeling as she watched the trio laugh and joke. They were clearly unbothered by the sudden drama, yet she couldn't shake the image of Xavier pulling *her*—of all people—along with that dark, possessive look in his eyes. Her nails dug into her palm as she struggled to process it, her lips twisting into a faint sneer. Xavier and that... girl ? The thought felt like an insult.
Patricia's gaze flickered to Alexander, Damon, and Gilbert, who seemed completely engrossed in their conversation, oblivious to the brewing storm in her mind. They are all acting like this is nothing, she thought, her frustration building. But I know better. She lifted her chin, letting her eyes narrow thoughtfully, calculating her next move. Whatever this thing between him and that girl is, it can't be serious. Probably just some game he's playing... Or a bet.
A cold, almost amused smile curved on her lips as she turned, finally breaking free of the shock that had held her in place. Well whatever it is it won't last . She took a slow, deliberate breath, the wheels in her mind already spinning with possibilities. If that girl thought she could get in the way, Patricia would make sure she knew exactly where she stood.
"Did you hear? There's going to be a welcome party for Alexander!" one of the girls whispered, her eyes glinting with curiosity.
The group huddled around her, the buzz of excitement rippling through them. "Wait, that's true? He really is back for good?" another girl commented, her tone mixing disbelief with fascination.
"Obviously," the first girl replied with a shrug. "But the real question is, what does Xavier think about it?"
A brief silence fell over them before the third girl spoke, her voice a little more cautious. "Well, seeing as the party's being organized by T3, I'm guessing Xavier's okay with it." She tilted her head as if the matter was already settled.
One girl chewed her lip, uncertainty clouding her expression. "I don't know... I mean, Xavier and Alexander have always had this rivalry. It's not like they just patched things up."
"True," the second girl chimed in, folding her arms. "But do you think they'll go back to being F4, or stay as T3?" Her voice was tinged with nostalgia.
"I don't know, but I loved them best as F4," the third girl sighed wistfully, recalling the time when their group was the most feared—and admired—at school.
"Yeah, me too," the others murmured in agreement. There was a collective longing for the past, before everything had gotten so complicated.