LORELEI'S POV-

I pushed aside a lock of my red hair, as I tried to think of a plausible reason as to why this annoyingly handsome guy was here. I just started coming here today after finding out that it was always deserted and being in the mood for alone time. Dad was staying late at work and I would rather pick up an anatomy book than stay still at home. I should have gone on a run but at the time I was too lazy for that, now I wish I did.
He cleared his throat and bounced on his heels, as he looked awkward. I wondered why when I realized that I hadn't said anything to his greeting, I was just staring at him. Heat rose up on my face as I cleared my throat
"Uhm, hi" I replied. He smiled and the sight made something flutter in me but I squashed it before it could take root. I was not falling for his looks. Okay, last week was a grace period but this week and the  ones after will be no such thing. I had my walls up and there was no way I was bringing them down again, even for a hot guy.
  "Sooo, you like anatomy?" He asked as he took a step towards me. I shrank into myself, suddenly remembering that we were alone in this damn library. No one would be able to hear me scream. My mouth suddenly dried up and I swallowed saliva to try and moisten it. He looked at me then took a few steps back, noticing my discomfort.
  "N-not really. I was just curious and I found it interesting" I replied as I released a breath. "Hmm" he said as he runs his hands along the books arranged alphabetically on the shelf. "Lorelei right? I'm Xavier" he turned back to me. I know genius, everyone knows! I bit my bottom lip from saying those words and instead said "Cool" I facepalm my myself mentally. Did I just say cool? What's cool about knowing his name? Well, his name is cool-but that's beside the point!
     Before I could get caught in my mental scolding I asked "So, do you come here often?" So that I can know if I should avoid this place forever. Constant run-ins with him was not good for my emotional health. "Well only when I need to unwind," he replied tilting his head. A stray lock of hair tumbled from the neat heap and partly obstructed his right eye. My heart hammered loudly in my ear and I pointedly ignored it. "Well does that happen often?" I asked. He chuckled, a beautiful sound, and looked at me with amusement in his eyes "I get a feeling you don't want that to be the case and not in a concerned way" I shrugged. This wass another place I felt safe aside from home and I didn't want to part with it so soon "You can say that" I replied. He laughed and pushed the stray lock of hair back into place "I wouldn't worry too much. I only come here as often as my uncle comes home and that's rare" he clenches his jaw like he hadn't meant to say that and I wondered what sort of relationship he had with his uncle for him to run here everytime he visits. But seeing his hesitation I didn't ask but there was something I was curious about. "Are you royalty?" The question flew out of my mouth before I could think and I just let it be. I couldn't take it back now.
  His expression clouded over and he turned away from me. I stared in shock, was I on the mark? Holy shit am I talking to royalty right now?! But before my thoughts could escalate he started laughing hysterically like I was the funniest comedian on planet earth and I frowned. I didn't like being laughed at.
  "How on earth did you come to a conclusion like that?!" He wheezed. Anger and embarrassment flooded into me as the urge to smack him in the face rose but he continued laughing, smacking his leg and crouching "What was I supposed to think when everyone in the fucking school kisses your ass like you're some god on earth?!" I snapped as I glared at him. I hardly cuss because of how those words were used against me many times in Camador but when I'm pissed I cuss without a care in the world and I was hella pissed. His laughing brought some... unsavory memories.
He stopped laughing and was looking at me like I punched him in the gut. Tears pricked my eyes as I suddenly felt guilt for taking my anger out on him and I rested my head on the open book on my knees. I tried to hold the tears back but it became increasingly difficult as more memories resurfaced. I didn't realize how easily I could get triggered, how easily any innocent action could pull me back to the past. Who was I kidding? New start? New life?! If I get triggered by every single person who laughs at something I say then how can I expect to start a new life? Why can't I be normal? Why-
"Lorelei! Are you okay?!" Xavier shook me rather violently and I jolted back to reality. He had his hands on my shoulder and he was crouched to my level. He stared at me with his ocean-blue eyes that were filled with concern. He looked over my face, trying to find any clue about my outburst. "I-I'm sorry for s-snapping at you. I-I just, don't like being l-laughed at" I stammerd an apology as more tears flowed down my cheeks. "I'm r-really so-" before I could finish my apology he pulled me into him. His arms were wrapped around me and before I know it I give in to his warmth. My body relaxed and I shed more tears, realizing then that I was shaking. "It's alright, I accept your apology. I'm fine, you're fine, we're both fine" somehow his voice and the warmth of his body calmed me down and the tears stopped. We stayed there for a couple of minutes, the awkward silence weighing on me. I needed to say something, anything.
  "So are you going to tell me why everyone kisses your ass so much?" I was still curious though. He chuckled lightly but stops abruptly. I smile against his muscle and say "Don't worry, I know you're not laughing at me," I pushed myself off him and quirked an eyebrow as I stare at him. He smirked and said "Well, you can say that my family has much influence here," influence? "So is your father like...a mayor?" I asked trying to understand exactly what type of influence his family had. He sported a grin and said "You can say that" I smiled too as I replied "I better be careful then" We laughed together and I felt happy that the sound of him laughing didn't unnerve me anymore. "So should we ignore my embarrassing display and talk about each other?" I asked as I tried to change the subject. "You don't have to be embarrassed about a break down, everyone goes through that. Even my strong and amazing self" he flexed his muscles and I laughed. Like truly laughed and I tried to think back to the time I laughed with anyone other than my father but I stopped myself. That was in the past and this was now. I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could.
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We ended up talking for hours and I found out that Xavier has an older brother named Javier who he is very fond of but he was not so fond of his brother's girlfriend; Elysia. Though from his stories I wager he is more fond of her than he would like to admit.

I walked through the front door of my house and glanced at the clock in the living room. 6pm. I stretched as I make my way to the kitchen, suddenly in the mood to cook something today. When we first moved here, I thought I had to avoid being vulnerable in front of anyone at all cost. I had planned on doing just that and I still do but maybe having a shoulder to lean on besides those of my ever bias father would be good. I cooked spaghetti and meatballs and kept some in the fridge for dad when he got back. After having dinner I made my way up to my room feeling lightheaded with happiness and I succumbed to sleep in a matter of minutes.

The wretched alarm on my phone blasted in my ear and I sat up with a jolt. Glancing at my phone I realized I continually snoozed the alarm thirty minutes ago and I was on the borderline of running late to school. With a groan I pulled myself off of bed and headed into my en suite. Pulling off my jammies I strode into the shower and twisted both knobs to make warm water cascade down my back. With a sigh the tension of waking up by 7:30 in the morning slipped away and memories of yesterday flooded my mind. First the embarrassing memories of how I cried my eyes out on the shoulder of the hottest guy in school and the funny memories of our discussion later. I smiled to myself as I added another name to my friend list. Well I hope that's what we are.
I turned the shower off and climbed out of the shower, taking a towel out of the rack on my left and tying it on my body. I made my way to the mirror and searched the cabinet beside it for my toothbrush and the toothpaste. Applying some on my brush I proceeded to scrub my teeth. As I scrubbed my mind wandered back to the events of yesterday and the image of the position we were in when he comforted me flashed across my mind. I almost choked on my brush thinking about the intimate position we were in and heat rose on my cheeks. We were that close for close to ten minutes! A warm feeling rose in my chest but I smothered it to save me from going down a trail of thought I could never come back from. We were friends, nothing more. I couldn't risk having anything more with anyone.

  With that I rinsed my mouth and strolled back to my room. I walked into my closet and tried to find an outfit. I searched through my clothes and decided on a body fitting black crop top and a pair of black leggings. I swung on a denim jacket and a white converse before rushing over to my vanity. With swiftness I swiped a layer of red lipstick on my lips and added some lipgloss. I used my eyelash curler and applied some foundation. I dragged open a drawer and pulled out a perfume bottle that I have never used before. I sprayed the air around me and walked into the scenting mist to get some in me. I hurried to my full body mirror behind my door and turned around. I look good, and definitely not for Xavier. I picked up my phone and school bag from a corner and rushed downstairs. I had 15 more minutes before class started.  I made my way to the front door and grabbed my keys while listening for any signs of dad. Nothing. I guess he left before I woke up. I rushed outside and jammed the key into the hole before running towards school.

Ten minutes later, panting and feeling like I did a marathon, I made my way to math. I made it to the door just as the bell rang and I took a deep breath before I walked in. The teacher wasn't there yet so that meant I wasn't  late. I looked around until my eyes landed on Xavier who sat in the middle of the constant group of people which surrounded him. Our eyes met and happiness overwhelmed me as I smiled widely and waved at him, I  contemplated walking over to him but before I could do that he looked away. He looked away like he hadn't seen me and I stood there like an idiot the stupid smile plastered on my face.
"Who does that bitch think she's waving at?" Elane screeched and I dropped my hand immediately. I looked over to Xavier, I expected him to answer that I was waving at him, that I was his friend, that she should piss off and that he didn't mean to look away from me like we were strangers. Not after everything that he shared yesterday.
But when his gaze turned to me it was cold, indifferent, like he didn't care about me. His eyes were so different from how they had been yesterday, full of warmth and kindness. "Leave her alone Elane" he said but his tone didn't give a hint of concern. He didn't seem like he was defending me instead a bored expression washed over his face and I could feel something break in me. The little happiness, the ray of sunshine I had this morning was gone and was replaced with embarrassment and anger.

I turned away from him and plopped on my seat. My heart broke but I took that as a lesson, a bitter reminder. Never trust anyone. It seemed like I had to build my walls higher.
Screw him