Until Them...

Chapter Eleven

NORAH

A few minutes later James and Emilia find us, which means that Gabriel is with alone with Lena. His ex-girlfriend.
"Hey guys. We didn't know you'd be here tonight" James says bringing an empty chairs near ours and sits next to us. I've seen James a few times these last couple weeks, and he's not once pried or asked any invasive questions. As much as he likes gossip and drama he'd never intentionally cause any.
"I could say the same about you lot" Xavier says a little more hostile than his usual friendly self.
"You know we'd never stay away from one of Wyatt's parties" Emilia says and sits on Xavier's lap without even asking. I know he feels awkward about it but he's too polite to shove her off.
"I'm sorry Norah, we didn't know you'd be here tonight" James whispers to me, so only I can hear.
"Neither did I. But don't worry it's okay"
"I told him to stay away from you" he informs me. I appreciate everyone trying to look after me but I'm not a child. I can look after myself, I've done it since Dylan died and I can do it now.
"It's fine really. It doesn't bother me" I lie. But I've become very good at it. I guess Gabriel taught me more than I thought he didn't.
"Lena over here" Emilia shouts at her friend as she steps into the room, waving her over to us. She's clearly doing it to piss me off. Xavier taps Emilia off of him, giving her his chair and he comes over and places himself between me and Avery.
"You okay?" he asks me as Lena struts over with Gabriel trailing behind her. I nod at him and give a fake smile. I don't want anyone to see how much this is killing me. How I wish I could just curl up into a tiny ball and disappear.
"Hey guys" Lena says, her voice high pitched and irritating. I'm looking down at my half empty cup or Xavier, as long as it isn't either of them.
"Well, this is fun. Last time we were all together like this was... well? When you two broke up" Emilia says pointing at Gabriel and I with a humorous grim.
"Shut the fuck up Emilia" Gabriel snaps. He's finding this as stressful and awkward as I am, I know he is.
"Norah will you come to the bathroom with me?" Avery proposes to me. Why would she want me to go to the toilet with her? We never do that.
"Sure" I say, giving Xavier a little smile before we leave the room.
As we get out into the hallways she stops me and says, "I think we should go. Emilia's up to something I can tell and I don't want her to upset you anymore than she already has"
"I can handle Emilia" I tell her, grateful that she's looking out for me.
"I know you can, but you shouldn't have too. I'm kind of done with this party anyway, Wyatt's been a jerk all night and I'd rather not be around him" she says, and I know it's just an excuse to get me out of this party. But I'll take it because I can't take another minute of this.
"Yeah okay, I'll let Xavier know we're going and I'll meet you by the door" I tell her and head back into the room. When I get back Gabriel's no longer there, and I can't see him anywhere in the room. Lena's still here which means he's not with her anymore. Not that I really care. I grab mine and Avery's jacket from the couch and say to Xavier, "Avery and I are going to head back now"
"So soon?" Emilia snipes at me but I ignore her.
"Wyatt's said something to upset her so we're going. But you should stay and hang out with your friends" Even though it's a lie it's better than the truth. That I can't be here anymore as its too painful and humiliating, no I can't say that as that's exactly what Emilia and Lena want.
"No, it's okay. I'd rather come back with you" Xavier tells me placing his cup on the table.
"You sure?"
"I see what you mean" I hear Lena faintly say to her friend, and I can only guess that she's talking about me.
"Yeah, let's go" Xavier says placing a hand on my back and pushing me out of the room.
"I'll see you later James" he gives me an apologetic smile before we leave. I ignore the girls continuous bitching, deciding to not let them see it get to me. Once we get back to the front of the apartment I can't see Avery anymore. Xavier's hand suddenly reaches around my back and brings me into him as his lips purposefully find mine. What the hell is he doing?
Xavier breaks our kiss, "I'm sorry, but he shouldn't just get away with what he did to you" he tells me as if its an excuse for kissing me. This isn't going to end well when Gabriel finds out. But it's too late because he appears out of nowhere and I wonder if Xavier knew he was there the whole time. Of course he did, that's why he did it and what he meant by getting away with it. He shouldn't have done that because now look what he's done. Gabriel sees red and comes slamming into Xavier, colliding against the wall. Gabriel dominates on top off him, his fist connecting with Xavier's face, before he manages to shoves Gabriel off him. Xavier's stronger than Gabriel thinks as he gets his own punch against his jaw. They keep hitting each other until both of their faces and knuckles are bloodied and bruised.
"Gabriel stop...Get off him" I scream at him. I look around realising that nobody's going to come and separate them. I can't let them beat the shit out of each other.
"Stop it...both of you" I scream even louder, trying to pull Gabriel off by his shirt but he still won't budge.
"Please stop" I beg desperately, feeling the tears stinging my eyes as I pull tighter, almost ripping it off of him. I finally managing to pull them off each other.
Gabriel towers over Xavier shouting, "What the fuck is wrong with you? Fucking taking advantage of her— kissing her when she's this drunk!"
Xavier climbs back onto his feet, "I didn't take advantage cause she kissed me back. Besides she's single and can do whatever she wants"
"Touch her again and I will—"
Xavier cuts him up and gets in his face again, "What Gabriel? You can't do shit. You're not her boyfriend anymore, you made sure to screw that one up. Leave her alone and let her move on for fuck sake"
"Stop it. Stop fighting" I scream at them before I rush off out of the apartment.