a dark night

chapter 12

we almost tip-toed our way out of the room without so much of a glance toward us.

I smiled at Xavier which meant I was heading off. I was happy we were okay again because for some reason it pained me to know he wasn't there. But he was now, and somehow my spirit lifted.

just as I was about to turn around to walk away, he grabbed my elbow with his rough, large hands. they made me shiver, and his hand on my arm did no justice to my beating heart.

"Where are you going?" he said with a threatening tint to his voice. I looked at him with confusion. back to my room was the answer. he turned me around with his hand and I found myself close to his body.

my body began to feel clammy; I could feel myself almost sweating in front of him. my face burned as electricity flew through every nerve. oh, what did he do to me? how could this be possible?

"What are you doing?" I was just able to get out.

"I was wondering...I was wondering..." his hand came to scratch the nape of his neck and he looked almost nervous. was he nervous? why? he didn't look at me, he looked at the wall behind me, and it seemed as if he couldn't get the words out.

"What?" I breathed as I looked at his face in confusion. he still didn't look at me.

"I was wandering-"

"I know you're wondering something," I interjected, he let out a small breath.

"Fuck it," he whispered as he looked to the side of my cheek. never to my eyes. why? "Do you want to go and do something with me?" he asked. he scratched the nape of his neck again and I realized that's what he did when he was nervous or was anticipating something.

my heartbeat hard against my chest. he wanted me to do things with him? it was always me making him do something with me. did we have a revelation here?

"Oh, of course, yeah," I replied as I looked at him with a smile. he didn't really smile back, but he nodded his head and turned around. I could faintly hear the big huff of air he let out through his nose as he walked in front of me.

almost forgetting himself, he stopped to let me catch up with his long strides and continued to walk slowly beside me, so we continued to stay side by side.

"Where are we going?" I asked as I continued to look forward.

Xaiver opened the big metal door in front of us and waited until I was outside. the wind was strong, but I could feel the warmth from Xavier, and I didn't feel cold at all.

"Where did you want to go?" he asked back. we continued to walk forward at a leisurely pace.

"I don't mind," I shrugged my shoulders in reply.

"Okay, I've got a place," Xavier replied. he took me over to the road opposite of the big college building.

there were shops lined against the streets but none of which Xavier took me to.

people were buzzing around me; I was surrounded by human bodies as they rush to lunch. bikes also whizzed past in the streets, gently moving to prevent a collision.

I never really ventured up to this part of town because it never really appealed to me. As much as I loved the relaxation and quietness of where our college building was suited, I also really loved the business almost the excitement many people bring in a crowded town.

Xavier kept me close at all times. he didn't really touch me in any way, but he always had his body pressed up against my back as I sign of protectiveness.