"Where?" Xavier whispered urgently, his voice low but tinged with amusement. "This isn't Mission Impossible!"
"Xavier!" she snapped under her breath, shoving him toward the couch. "Just get behind there!"
Reluctantly, Xavier crouched behind the couch, his tall frame struggling to fit. Kamsi darted back to the coffee table, grabbing his half-empty mug and setting it aside just as her mother's footsteps entered the room.
Her mom, a stern-faced woman with sharp eyes, stepped in and scanned the room. "Kamsi? What's going on here?"
Kamsi plastered on her best innocent smile. "Hi, Mom. Nothing. Just relaxing."
Her mother's gaze drifted to the coffee table. Her brow furrowed as she pointed. "Why are there two mugs? Were you with someone?"
Kamsi's heart slammed in her chest. Her mind raced for an excuse, and before she could stop herself, she blurted out, "Oh! Uh, Zendaya was here earlier. She stopped by for a bit but had to leave to grab something."
Her mom's sharp eyes narrowed. "Zendaya, huh? Strange. I didn't see her outside."
Kamsi forced a laugh, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Yeah, she left in a hurry. Something about… um, needing her textbook."
Her mother lingered for a moment, her gaze flicking to the couch and then back to Kamsi. "Is that so?"
"Yes, Mom," Kamsi said, her voice a little too chipper. "She said to say hi, though!"
Her mom didn't respond immediately, instead stepping closer to the coffee table. Her hand hovered over the mug Xavier had been using, her finger brushing the rim. "Strange. This cocoa's still warm. She must've left just now."
Kamsi felt sweat bead at her temple. "Oh, uh, yeah! She did! Like, literally two minutes before you came in."
Her mother raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Instead, she turned and walked toward the kitchen. Kamsi released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, glancing quickly over her shoulder at the couch.
From behind the furniture, Xavier peeked out, his expression torn between panic and stifled laughter. He mouthed,'Zendaya? Really?'
Kamsi shot him a glare and frantically waved for him to stay hidden.
"Make sure to clean up in here," her mom called from the kitchen. "And don't forget your chores. I'm heading to the store, but I'll be back soon."
"Got it, Mom!" Kamsi said, her voice strained with forced cheerfulness.
The moment the front door closed again, she let out a massive sigh of relief. Xavier crawled out from behind the couch, brushing himself off.
"Zendaya?" he asked, grinning as he crossed his arms. "That's the best you could come up with?"
Kamsi groaned, pressing her hands to her flushed face. "It was the first thing that came to mind! Don't judge me!"
"I'm not judging," he said, his grin softening. "But remind me to thank her for saving me next time we see her."
She laughed despite herself, swatting his arm. "You're impossible."
"And yet, you love it," he said, his tone smug.
Her smile faltered slightly, and she glanced away, her voice quieter. "Yeah… I kind of do."
For a moment, the teasing stopped, and Xavier's expression softened. He stepped closer, his hand brushing hers. "Hey," he murmured, "I promise I'll be more careful next time."
She met his gaze, her lips curving into a small smile. "There better not be a next time."
"We'll see," he teased, leaning closer, his grin returning.
"Xavier!" she said, laughing, shoving him playfully toward the door.
As the tension eased, Kamsi couldn't help but realize how much she enjoyed the chaos he brought into her life.
As Xavier stepped out of kamsi's apartment, he was immediately confronted by his younger sister Ruby. Her sharp eyes bore into him, arms crossed and foot tapping, her expression a perfect mix of curiosity and suspicion. "Xavier, what are you doing coming out of that house?" she asked, her voice dripping with accusation.
Xavier froze, the words sticking in his throat. He tried to sound casual, but the lie felt awkward even as it left his lips. "I, uh, went to get books."
Ruby raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Books? Really? Then where are they?" she challenged, her tone skeptical.
Xavier shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her gaze. "I meant... I went to give her books," he stammered, trying to explain, though he knew it wasn't convincing.
Ruby's lips curled into a sly smirk. "Save it, Xavier. You think I'm that gullible?" she teased, her gaze narrowing. "Mom's gonna hear about this, you know."
Xavier's heart skipped a beat. Panic surged in him, but he quickly masked it with a forced laugh. "Ruby, don't," he said, his voice dropping to a pleading tone. "It's really not what you think."
Ruby leaned in closer, her voice dropping as she spoke, eyes glinting with mischief. "I could always tell Mom what I saw." She paused dramatically, enjoying his discomfort. "Or, you could make it worth my while to stay quiet."
Xavier swallowed, clearly regretting whatever he had done to get into this mess. "Okay, how much?" he asked, resigned but hoping it wouldn't cost him too much.
Ruby tilted her head, looking like she was pondering the offer. "How about $150?"
Xavier's eyes widened. "What? Are you out of your mind? $150?" He threw his hands up in exasperation. "That's way too much!"
Ruby shrugged, unfazed. "Well, I've got to make it worth my time, you know? Mom's gonna flip when I tell her you were sneaking around."
Xavier groaned. "$150 is ridiculous. How about $50?"
Ruby shook her head, her smile widening. "$50? You're hilarious, Xavier. I'm not going that low."
They stared each other down for a beat, Xavier trying to hide the desperation creeping into his voice. "Come on, Ruby. $100. That's all I've got."
Ruby's eyes twinkled with delight, as if she were savoring the negotiation. She tilted her head slightly, pretending to think it over. Finally, she gave a satisfied nod. "Alright, deal. $100, and this stays between us."
Xavier let out a sigh of relief, but he still shot her a mock glare. "You're impossible."
Ruby just grinned. "I know. But someone's gotta keep you in line," she said, her voice teasing. "Now, remember, keep your side of the bargain, and so will I."
Xavier shook his head, but he couldn't help but laugh. "You're lucky I don't tell Mom what you're up to with all these 'business deals.'"
Ruby shot him a look of mock horror. "Oh, you wouldn't. You know I've got dirt on you too, Xavier." She winked before turning and walking away, leaving him to reflect on how his younger sister was already proving to be a master at the art of negotiation.