𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 // 𝘹𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘦

𝘟𝘝

Can I get you anything else?" I sweet-talk the older man in front of me. He shakes his head and thanks me before I head back around the counter, placing the money he had given me in the cash register.

"Hey what do we do with the tips?" I ask Tyler. I had found out more about the boy who my sister suddenly seemed intrigued by. I had to say, he did not seem like the type of guy who Wednesday would tolerate but here I was listening to his different insights for her investigation.

"Uh, just place them in the jar" He answers, bringing in a few more cups.

"Damn we can't even keep them?" I groan playfully to which both of us laugh. I found he was actually a good guy, well good enough for my sister.

"Hey, Xavier how's it going?" I ask though he doesn't answer me, just as he had been doing the whole day. I didn't know what he was so upset about, I simply made a joke when leaving the Nightshades library. Even if it was passive-aggressive, I wanted him to act normal again.

"What I said yesterday was a joke, so if you feel like getting that stick out of your ass and talking like a mature person, let me know" I walk away, back to deal with more customers though Xavier grabs my arm, turning me to face him.

"Okay, look, I'm sorry for being an asshole" He apologizes. I nod, smiling softly at the boy.

"Well, thank you for the apology, pretty boy"

"Pretty boy?" He raises his eyebrow in question.

"Very fitting don't you think?"

"You are something Dahlia" Xavier smirks, his vibrant green eyes piercing into mine. I couldn't help but feel butterflies. "Let's reschedule, tonight okay? It will be my apology this time"

"Sure, still behind the greenhouse?" Xavier nods, leaving to clean up some tables. I couldn't help but simply stand there with flushed cheeks, the butterflies still in my stomach.

Was I catching feelings for Xavier?

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

I walk out from behind the counter, sitting down at a booth for a break. I see Wednesday standing by the bulletin board.

"Hey Hermanita what are you doing here?" She turns to me, a piece of paper in her hands. Xavier walks over and leans on the counter.

"I thought you were supposed to be at Pilgrim World."

"I deserted it while my sanity was still intact," Wednesday answers, earning a small laugh from both Xavier and I.

"Oh yeah? You want a coffee? It's one of the many perks of this wonderful assignment." Xavier jokes, though Wednesday keeps her natural dull expression.

"I'm actually here for Tyler." I watch as Xavier's face turns to one of slight anger. Why did he care?

"Oh yeah, he seems really nice"

"I told you he was bad news." Xavier cuts in, pierced at Wednesday in anger.

"Twice. But who I speak to is my business." Wednesday rings the bell on the counter. We watch as Tyler walks out from behind her.

"You rang?" I watch as Xavier scoffs, walking away from their conversation. Why did he hate Tyler?

I decide to drown the conversation between Wednesday and Tyler out by putting my headphones on and sipping on my tea.

I watch as Wednesday walks out, a look of determination prominent over her usual scowl. Both Xavier and I watch as she leaves.

"Bye Heraminta!" She simply waves for a small second and then exits. I didn't know exactly where she was going, but I assumed it was for the investigation.

"I'm leaving early" I hear Xavier's voice behind me. He stands now in his uniform. "Want to come?"

"Uh, as much as I want to, I'm going to go visit Enid, maybe give her a hot chocolate for her sucky assignment." Xavier laughs as I get up from my seat and gather my things. "What about you, where are you going?"

"Um..." He struggles to find words. "I overheard what Wednesday was going to do and I have something to tell her about Rowan, that's why I wanted to know if you wanted to come"

"Yeah, she'll just tell me tomorrow, but have fun!" I walk away with a smile, two hot chocolates in hand. I cross the street, over to Uriah's Heap. I knew that both Enid and Ajax were working there, making me somewhat excited for Enid given her crush on the boy.

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

"Hey, aren't you suppose to be at the Weathervane?" I feel Enid's hands take my headphones off. I was currently just walking around the aisles with my music blasting.

"I left early and wanted to bring you a gift" I hand her one of the hot chocolates which she thanks me for. I watch as Ajax walks from the back, sharing somewhat of a look with Enid. "Hey, snake boy!"

He walks over with a small groan. "I told you not to call me not anymore!"

"Well, I think it is fitting, and don't worry I didn't come here to annoy, I came bearing gifts" I hand him his hot chocolate and before he could thank me, a voice called him from the back once more. He walked off, leaving just Enid and I.

"Okay, what was that?" I ask, a playful smile appearing on my face.

"What was what?" Enid questioned, though there was a small blush on her cheeks.

"That look you guys gave each other earlier"

"Well, Ajax finally asked me on a date!" Enid couldn't contain her excitement. I smile at her, happy that her fantasies would now become her reality.

"Good for you, I told you he liked you back!"

"So, what about you and Xavier? You guys make any moves yet?" Enid stands in front of me, the same playful look I had moments before on her face.

"What are you talking about?" I chuckle, walking through the aisles of the small shop, checking everything out. Enid quickly grabs my shoulders, turning me to face her.

"Um, are you serious? It's so obvious you guys like each other!" She says, her tone louder than I would've liked.

"Shh, don't be so loud." Enid simply nods, watching me in anticipation. "Look, maybe I have slight feelings for him, but I think it's better to just keep it as friends. Plus, I think he just sees me as a friend" I sigh, continuing my walk around the aisle.

Enid's smile quickly downturns, her face one of disappointment.

"Oh, come one! It's so obvious that he likes you, make a move and I'm telling you, you will be Nevermores new hottest couple!" She winks playfully, earning a laugh from me.

"Well, we would be a close second with you and Ajax." I smile at the girl, to which she blushes even more. I look down at my phone checking the time. "Oh, we should get back to the statute, it's getting closer to the reveal or whatever"

"Oh, yay, my dance routine!" Enid practically runs out of the shop in excitement. I simply laugh watching the girl.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

word count: 1180

I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! So, the relationship between Dahlia and Xavier is definitely a slow build BUT it will progress VERY soon, I promise. I also don't know why I keep delaying the goddamn hangout behind the greenhouse, but that will happen in like two chapters, so please bare with me. Please vote and comment, it means so much to me. Thank you!