The Space Between

Chapter 12; A big mistake

"Man, I should have placed a bet. Made some money" William said shaking his head. Xavier laughed and Ahmet shook his head. "All you do is talk. Come compete with me" Ahmet challenged and William denied. "No thank you. Do you really think I want to willingly embarrass myself in front of everyone" Ahmet persuasively said instead. "I promise I'll go easy". That made William stand up with a plan to beat him and Ahmet laughed. Xavier's mind unwillingly drifted to Sarah and he hoped she was okay. He wanted to call and talk to her. His whole body wanted to run towards her and hold her. But how could he? Was he ready for it? He was constantly asking himself that question. He knew what her statement meant that day, he wasn't dense. She was reaching out to him, she wanted assurity. And he did too but there were so many other factors like the mere fact that they belonged from different religions. Xavier's thoughts got cut off when his friends told him that they were done with the game and wanted to move out. Giving the shoes back they were just about to leave when a voice sounded from behind and Xavier's whole back tensed. "Well well if it isn't the great Xavier Smith." Turning around Xavier's face visibly darkened seeing Shehry's face. He was the last person Xavier expected to see around.
Judging from Shehry's smile, Ahmet and William knew that he wanted to make a scene and they knew that if any incident happened it won't be good for Xavier. So he told him to move. Xavier didn't even take one step further when shehry spoke words that set his whole body on fire.
"I heard you got yourself a pretty grey eyed doll"
With in a flash, he had Shehry held by the collar and seethed. "I dare you to say another word"
"Oh I wouldn't say. I would do. The things I would do to her - " Xavier couldn't hold his anger back and punched him straight only seeing red. Before matters could escalate, Ahmet and William pulled him back but the damage was done. The cameras were out and the video was made. Xavier felt a storm brewing inside him so he told his friends to take him to his boxing place and they agreed silently. He recalled one painful memory.

*Flashback Starts*
"Oh shoot " Xavier said as he felt for his wallet. He couldn't find it and remembered that he left it on the couch getting out from Ahmet's house. He told his friends to go ahead and he would follow them after he quickly fetches his wallet. Entering the house, the first thing that alarmed him was that the door was already opened. Feeling on edge and sensing another presence in the house. Xavier's first instinct was to make sure Sarah was okay as she was alone at that time and her family was out. With silent footsteps as to not alarm the invader he climbed up the stairs to her room and saw the sight that forever left him scared to his bones. Her room's door was open and it looked like a man was forcing himself on Sarah while she tried to fight him off. Xavier didn't even need to think once as he sprung on his feet. Throwing the man off her. He looked at her to make sure she was alright and saw the slight relief wash over her face as their eyes met. Her body still shaking from the shock like a leaf. Burning red from rage he looked back to see shehry picking himself from the floor. "Get the hell out of here before I kill you" He warned, his fist ready to land a blow. He was filled with anger and felt as though any time now his blood thirsty beast would reappear. He didn't want Sarah to see that. Without saying another word but giving a look of disapproval, Shehry walked away. After he left, that is when Sarah really broke in front of him. He didn't say anything but sat down on the floor with her and gave her a shoulder as she wept and with every cry that he heard, he felt his heart break wishing he has come sooner. Calming down, Sarah finally looked at his side and said a "Thank you " in a weak voice. To which Xavier replied. "You don't have to thank me. I'm sorry that you had to go through that". After a moment of silence and with much hesitation. Xavier spoke again. "I know I'm asking a lot from you when I say this and I know I might sound insensitive. But please don't tell Ahmet about shehry. Knowing Ahmet, he would go against him and Shehry is not someone he should go against. And you don't have to worry because I would deal with shehry all on my own. I promise". At that time Sarah could say nothing to that but nod her head. That was also the first promise he made to her. Getting up from the floor and walking down the stairs, he called Ahmet saying that he needed to come back home urgently because Sarah had fallen sick. He knew that she wouldn't feel comfortable right now staying alone and waited as Ahmet came hurrying for his sister. After that he left heading straight to have Shehry's head. This time, taking him down for good"
*Flashback Ends*

You made her cry. Punch. You can't love. Punch. You don't deserve it. Punch. You can't protect her. Punch. You couldn't even protect your brother. Punch. Xavier yelled as he punched and punched taking all his frustration out. His whole body filled with sweat shook and he felt every blow. The punching back dropped down on the ring and Xavier also dropped on the floor to catch his breath. His friends looked at him worriedly praying that he wouldn't go back to his old self. Because right now, the old Xavier was back screaming and frustrated to the core. They didn't know what was the reason for that. But the encounter with shehry was certainly a trigger. Everyone knew their troubled history and rivalry. They didn't know who Shehry was talking about but apparently whoever she was, she was a sensitive subject for him and shehry knew it. Ahmet and William looked up as Xavier spoke "I'm done let's go" . They both surprised shared a look and William spoke "You sure?"  "Yeah..I'm just gonna go change " Xavier replied walking away and whistling. "What did we just see?" William asked and Ahmet smiled. "Old Xavier showing up and the New Xavier coming back " . They both shrugged their shoulders and made their way to the car when Xavied came out of the room and they drove off.

Unaware of the troubles at the other end, Sarah closed her eyes laying down on her bed. It hasn't even been more than a month and already she was caught up in more drama then she could ask for or wanted. Her silent tears punished her for jumping in too soon. For being too sensitive. For not knowing how to act when it comes to him. For not resisting. With every tear drop that fell on her shirt she felt a new wave to tiredness come and crush her under. She didn't realise just how much she had loved him. She was scared at the intensity at which her heart yearned for him. She was scared because when she said those words, he didn't move. He looked surprised. He looked as though he hadn't expected it and that made more doubts appear in her. A new set at every turn. Her shoulders shook as she decided to let it all out. She didn't want to hold on to a feeling that had no future. So she let all her pain out for the last time before she would finally close this chapter from her book.