Kamsi's breath hitched as a girl stepped forward, gripping a mop tightly in her hand. She smacked the mop against her palm, the sound sharp and taunting, a twisted smirk playing on her lips.
"Well, well, well," she drawled, her voice dripping with mockery. "Look who we have here. If it isn't a black piece of trash."
The insult cut through Kamsi like a blade. Her chest tightened, and her vision blurred momentarily. Still, she forced herself to stand tall, fists clenched at her sides.
"Who the heck do you think you are?" Kamsi demanded, her voice steady despite the tremor in her heart.
The girl, Christine, arched a brow, clearly unimpressed"Who am i?" She echoed mockingly," someone who knows exactly what you are_" . Before she could speak, another voice from the group of girls behind her piped up.
"A social climber, that's who."
Christine grinned, her eyes glinting with approval. "Exactly. A social climber. You're no match for Xavier in any way, and yet you think you can just waltz into his life? You're ugly, stupid, and completely lacking in standards."
Another girl chimed in, her tone full of spite. "Patricia Newman, maybe. But you? Never."
Their laughter echoed down the hallway, but Kamsi refused to let it swallow her. Her hands trembled as rage bubbled to the surface, her lips curling into a defiant sneer.
"You know what?" she shot back, her voice ringing with fiery resolve. "I may not be what you think I should be, but at least I'm not a desperate bitch looking for attention!"
The hallway fell silent, the words hanging in the air like a challenge.
Christine's smirk vanished, replaced by a mask of disbelief. Her eyes narrowed, and in a split second, her hand lashed out. The slap cracked through the silence, snapping Kamsi's head to the side.
Kamsi staggered, the sting radiating across her cheek. She pressed a trembling hand to her face, blinking back tears. But Christine wasn't done.
"What did you just call me? Desperate,"Christine spat, her face twisting in fury. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"
She raised her hand again, poised to strike.
"Don't you dare."
The deep, commanding voice sliced through the tension like a knife.
Every head turned toward the entrance of the hallway. Xavier stood there, his dark eyes smoldering with barely restrained fury. His presence sucked the air out of the space, a palpable storm of authority and menace. Beside him, Damon and Gilbert flanked him like sentinels, their expressions equally sharp.
Christine froze, her hand hovering mid-air. A shiver ran down her spine as she met Xavier's gaze.
"Is this how you spend your time?" Gilbert asked, his tone calm but laced with quiet disdain as he stepped forward. "Ganging up on someone because you think it makes you superior?"
Damon let out a mock whistle, crossing his arms. "Pathetic. I mean, I always knew you girls were desperate, but this? This is just sad."
Christine's confidence faltered, her hand dropping slowly. The mob behind her exchanged nervous glances, the bravado draining from their faces.
Xavier's gaze shifted, landing on Kamsi. His expression softened ever so slightly as he took in the imprint of Christine's slap on her cheek and the tears glistening in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" His voice was low, almost gentle.
Kamsi nodded quickly, but the tears spilled over, betraying her.
Xavier's jaw tightened, his entire body stiffening. His aura darkened, and his next words came out cold and clipped.
"Who did that to you?"
Kamsi hesitated, glancing between the girls and Xavier.
"I asked," he said, his tone sharp enough to cut," who the fuck did that to you ?" Her trembling hand pointed at Christine, who visibly flinched, her face paling.
Xavier's gaze turned lethal as he stared at Christine, his jaw clenching. But instead of addressing her directly, he shifted his focus to the girl standing next to her.
"Hit her."
The girl's eyes widened in shock. "W-What?"
"You heard me," Xavier growled, taking a threatening step forward. "Hit her. Hard. Or you get it from me instead."
The girl, Samantha, stammered, looking desperately between Christine and Xavier. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "I'm sorry," before raising her hand and delivering a slap to Christine's cheek.
Christine gasped, her face contorted in disbelief and humiliation.
"Pathetic," Xavier muttered darkly. "Again."
Samantha's hand shook as she landed another slap, harder this time.
"Again!" Xavier barked, his voice echoing through the hallway.
Christine's face flushed red, then turned swollen, her lip splitting from the force of the blows. The group of girls stood frozen, too scared to intervene.
Kamsi could no longer bear the sight. She stepped forward, her fingers lightly tugging on Xavier's jacket. "Stop… please," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Xavier stilled at her touch, his head tilting down to look at her tear-streaked face. Something in her gaze—raw, pleading—made his chest tighten.
His voice softened, though his glare remained on the mob. "Enough. Get out of my sight."
Samantha dropped her hand, relief washing over her, while Christine stumbled back, clutching her face.
"This will serve as a warning," Xavier said coldly, his voice carrying a quiet menace. "If any of you come near her again, you'll lose more than your dignity."
The girls scrambled away, Christine casting one last hateful glare before disappearing down the hallway.
As the tension finally lifted, Damon let out a low whistle. "Well, that was intense."
Xavier ignored him, turning to Kamsi. Her shoulders were hunched, her head bowed.
"Hey," he started, reaching out to her.
But she stepped back, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt. "This is all your fault," she hissed, her voice trembling.
Xavier's brows furrowed. "What?"
"I said stay away from me!" she cried, her tears falling freely as she pushed past him and rushed out of the hallway.
Damon and Gilbert exchanged glances, their expressions unsure.
"Well… that was unexpected," Damon murmured, scratching the back of his head.
Xavier stood frozen, the sting of her words sinking in deeper than he expected. His fists clenched at his sides, his aura darkening as he watched her retreat.