Electric Touch - Xavier Thorpe

Chapter Eleven

Xavier went on to tell me the story of how Wednesday saved his life when they were little. He spoke as though he admired her. Which is understandable as without her he would've been flame broiled. 

There was a moment of silence after he had told his story where we merely walked along the path and enjoyed one another company. That was until up ahead I could see a small town nestled in the midst.

"See Jerichos just right through there," Xavier said pointing through a clearing. 

"So where are we going for coffee?" I asked, realizing I had never inquired, to busy dealing with a school girl crush on a guy I barely know, I mentally rolled my eyes. 

"A place called the weathervane, it's right in the town square," he said looked ahead as we were off the path and on the towns sidewalk now, "and the only coffee shop in Jericho."

"Sounds good," I said flashing him a smile. We kept walking and making chit-chat until we approached the coffee shop.

"After you," he said gesturing inside in a very 1800's manner, even giving a slight bow.

We both chuckled and I walked in, the moment was short lived as I heard Xavier under his breath say, "Oh god," I looked up at his with a furrowed brow. 

He met my gaze, "let's go somewhere else," he said grabbing my arm.

"Why?" I inquired holding my ground confused.

I saw him look up at one of the workers and I followed his gaze.

"Who is he?" I asked putting the pieces together.

"Just an asshole normie," he said with a scoff, distaste lacing his voice. 

"Why, what happened?" I asked my brow furrowed.

"Can we just leave?"

"You yourself said it's the only coffee shop in Jericho. Come on, maybe we'll get a different waiter." I said now grabbing his arm and slightly tugging him towards a booth along the window.

He stood for a moment searching my eyes, as if he was seeing if it was worth it. Finally after a moment he spoke, "Fine."

We moved towards the booth and sat down.

"Whats the deal with you and him?" I said nodding towards the worker that caused him obvious distaste.

"I'll start sharing secrets when you do," he said lifting up his brow with a cocky smirk. 

"That a deal?" I asked challenging his remark with a cocked brow, out stretching my hand. 

He eyed it for a moment, I couldn't tell if he was contemplating the deal or grasping my exposed hand. 

"I'm not gonna hurt you," I said narrowing my eyes, "test the fates and see," I said out stretching my hand further slightly wiggling my fingers with a small smirk along my lips. 

Challenged he scoffed and returned my smirk out reaching my hand. I took a deep breath letting just a bit of energy rise to the surface like I practiced with Arden. As our hands grasped I gave him a slight shock, nothing more than the gag shock toys. He recoiled surprised, my smirk grew and a laugh escaped my lips. I covered my mouth.

"Hey!" he said rubbing his hand.

"Please, I know it wasn't enough to hurt, just...shock," I said raising my eyebrows.

He rubbed his hand a smirk growing on his face as he joined my faint laughter. 

"Now come on spill," he said clasping his hands together on the table leaning over it slightly.

"Hi, what can I get for you two today?" a voice interrupted.

I looked up and saw the boy Xavier was desperately trying to avoid, I glanced over to him and he rolled him eyes. 

"Americano, hot," he said pointedly not bothering to make eye contact. 

"Alright.." the worked said turning to me as he finished writing the order on his notepad, "and for you?"

"Dirty chia latte please,  hot with oatmilk. Thanks..." my eyes wondered to his name tag, "Tyler," I said finishing my thought, I gave him a fake smile with slitted eyes.

"Got it, I'll be right back with those," he said  putting his notepad in his pocket, leaving to tend to another table. 

"What's that all about?" I asked him leaning forward with my elbow on the table and chin rested in my hand. 

"You're not getting out of this that easy," he said challenging my gaze.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine, what do you want to know?"

"Whats your ability?" 

I took a deep breath inhaling, "Well, it's complicated, I've only met with Arden twice but she seems to think it's energy manipulation. She also thinks the energy manipulation allows me to have visions, something about controlling the energy within neurons that hold memories."

He nodded, I could see the gears turning within his head, he was fascinated, but silent for a moment, contemplating what to ask next. 

He broke through the silence abruptly, "What happened?" He inquired with a furrowed brow. 

"That's quite broad," I said with a breathy laugh.

"With Vivi,"he said specifying.

My laugh quickly dissipated, my expression hardened. 

"She...she was in a horrible accident." I spoke sharply as I avoided his gaze.

This is so stupid. I thought to myself, I'm going to have to talk about her to a stranger in a bit, I might as well start now with Xavier. 

Maybe it'll be easier.

I found the strength to meet his gaze and as I went to open my mouth Tyler had arriver with our drinks in hand.

"A dirty chia latte with oatmilk," he said placing my drink in front of me, "and an americano." he said placing Xaviers in front of him as Xavier looked out the window, ignoring him. 

Tyler cleared his throat "Need anything else?"

I switched my attention to Tyler and shook my head, he gave a tight lipped smile, he nodded and went to another table.

My gaze refocused on the boy across from me, he took a sip of his americano and looked at me patiently, eagerly. As he awaited to hear what I would say.

His eyes felt like they were piercing through me, I looked down at my drink and took a deep breath as the memories flooded back. 

"Vivi was my best friend," I said looking up at him, "well," I said with a sad smile upon my face at the memories, "we were more than friends."