The Idle Gossip

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AFTER SUCH A royal screw-up, Xavier needed a plan in order to right his wrongs. However, after a few mistakes in succession, it's no longer as easy to apologize as a virgin error. Xavier had to face the music for what he had done and it all came down to what he could offer and his willingness to change. Of course, he also had to convince Jules that he was sincere.

"I'm thinking maybe get her a gift. Maybe treat her to some fancy dinner or serenade her from outside her bedroom window," Harr suggested, his right fist hitting against the palm of his left hand, face bright.

I shook my head. "She isn't a materialistic person, Harr. You can't buy Jules over with gifts."

While saying so, my fingers flew across my phone screen, rapidly tapping the letters on the keyboard as I sent message after message. Our group chat, the one I shared with Jules, Teresa, and Sarah, finally came alive after a long time. The two had sent photos from their trip, sharing the beautiful sights.

With the group chat finally active, I hurried to update our friends about the recent happenings.

Aiko: Oh, update! Eugene got Jules a bear from the carnival a few days back. A huge one, too.

Sarah: NO WAY!! Oh my gosh, that's actually so cute.

Teresa: Do I hear wedding bells?

Jules: It's not that big of a deal, guys.

Jules: It's just a bear.

Teresa: What about you, Aiko? Did you win anything from the carnival?

"Serenading her would still fit the bill." Harr pouted. "Xavier won't be buying her anything."

"I can't sing, Harr," Xavier deadpanned.

Aiko: Harr won me that tiger. Finally.

Sarah: Y'all are so adorable. Are you finally dating?

Aiko: LOL, no.

Jules: She got a teddy bear from Xavier too.

Teresa: SAY WHAT??????

Sarah: HOLY SHIT!

Sarah: XAVIER AS IN XAVIER PARK???

Teresa: Didn't Xavier Park confess to Jules on the last day of school?

Sarah: RIGHT?? That's what I thought too!

Sarah: He switched teams?

Aiko: Y'all are making a big deal out of this.

Aiko: We're just friends.

Teresa: You're "just friends" with Harr too but everyone thinks that both of you are going out.

Sarah: You little minx. ;)

Aiko: Oh please.

Aiko: Xavier still has the hots for Jules. It's so obvious.

Aiko: Jules, tell them.

Jules: LOL.

Jules: So what did you do with the bear, then?

Teresa: I smell jealousy.

Aiko: IDK. Maybe I'll sell it off on eBay or something.

Aiko: Not sure if anyone will buy it, though. Shipping is bound to be expensive.

Sarah: Shipping is only expensive if the bear is a huge one.

Teresa: Goals.

Teresa: Damn, I wish a guy would win me a huge teddy too.

Jules: The bear was cute though. Why don't you just keep it? It's such a waste to sell it off.

Aiko: Harr's toy is enough.

Aiko: I don't need that many toys.

Jules: That tiger is too small to hug, though.

Aiko: Size doesn't matter.

Teresa: Ooooooh~

Sarah: Was that supposed to be code for something else?

Sarah: ;)

"Aiko, what do you think?"

I tapped at my phone screen, chewing on my bottom lip before sighing. Every word that I typed into the group chat would be deleted no more than five seconds later, never making past the drafting board. Spamming the backspace button, I stared at the blinking vertical line, unable to come up with a quirky reply that could help to throw them off my tail.

They were having the wrong idea. There was nothing going on between Xavier and me.

At least, nothing can happen between both of us. I wouldn't allow it.

"Aiko? Aiko!"

"Huh?" I looked up from my phone screen in a daze, jaw hanging agape as I stared blankly at the boys.

Both Xavier and Harr were leaning against the table, elbows propped on the tabletop as they squinted suspiciously at me. When I finally met their eyes, Xavier sighed, falling back to lean against the backrest of his seat, his arms folded across his chest as he blew at his fringe.

"What's the matter, Aiko?" Harr asked, his eyebrows scrunching in concern. "You've not been responsive for the last few minutes."

"Sorry," I mumbled. "My group chat with the girls was alive. I wanted to put in a few words and catch up with Teresa and Sarah."

"Who the hell are they?" Xavier wrinkled his nose, fine lines appearing across the bridge.

Harr, who was seated right beside Xavier, raised a hand before smacking him across the back of his head.

"They're her friends, you idiot. Aiko and Jules belong in the same clique as those two."

"Well, then where are they now?"

"Somewhere in Europe," I answered, waving the matter off nonchalantly.

I wasn't sure where those two were, exactly. Their updates were never concise, only stating the necessary before moving the topic onto something else. They didn't share much and had always appeared as though they lived in their own little bubble. To be fair, after a while, that was how Jules and I acted as well. There were cliques within our clique. Sometimes, I wondered if we would still remain as friends if school ended and we were students long graduated.

There was no need to drag this conversation on. Talking about those two made my mouth sour horribly. So instead, I asked, "What were you going to talk to me about?"

"How would you recommend Xavier do to prove his sincerity to Jules?" Harr posed the question, filling me in while Xavier sulked in his seat.

I hissed through my teeth, dread flooding my veins at the thought of Jules and Xavier's crumbling relationship. They were so close. Their happily-ever-after was almost within reach. Unfortunately, it disappeared as soon as it came, washed away like footprints left on the beach.

"I'm not sure, honestly. I'm as cornered as you are." Shaking my head, I sank in my seat.

A crowd of people bustled past us, their idle conversations filling in as nothing more than mere background noise. I couldn't even make out what they were talking about. In a public area like that, strangers' conversations never really mattered. It was interesting to listen in to their gossip but it was nothing more than that— gossip.

"She wouldn't want to see your face, that's for sure. She's pissed." Harr let rip a short guffaw, his hands slapping onto his own lips almost immediately in an attempt to shut himself up.

"Maybe a text then?" I suggested.

"Oh come on, Aiko," Harr deadpanned, looking a little too disappointed. "There's no sincerity in that."

"Letters, then?" Xavier proposed, jumping up a little in his seat. I could practically see the metaphorical light bulb flash above his head. "That way, she wouldn't have to face me."

"There's no way for you to know that she would read your letter, you know," I pointed out. "For all you know, she might tear it upon sight."

Xavier's face fell, darkening slightly as he slumped back down in his seat. Crumpled, he bit his bottom lip, his fingers fiddling around with the fabric of his top. My eyes were trained on his hands, watching as they moved around from his shirt to his earring, never staying too long on one particular spot. It seemed to be a habit of Xavier's to toy with his fingers and his clothing when he was frustrated. He couldn't seem to keep still.

However, despite his clearly perturbed expression, he suppressed his inner turmoil, eyes glinting with determination. Xavier took in a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds to calm his racing heart before breathing out slowly. He looked up, first glancing at Harr as the latter nodded at him before turning to face me.

"Well, it's a gamble I'm willing to take," he declared.

A gamble. Life seemed to be full of it. Yet somehow, I wasn't all too fond of it.

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