Dusk & Dawn

Part VII

"Are you sure you don't want me to repeat myself?" Xavier asked, looking at Kira. At this point Kira was getting up from the couch while he was moving to wear his shoes.

"Don't worry, I got it." She said looking at him, flashing him a smile. He smiled back.

"Are you sure?" He couldn't hide the anxiety in his voice, pushing Kira to giggle before reciting it back to him accurately. "Amazing." Xavier said, barely over whisper, his inner thoughts slipping out, his eyes fixated on her. Kira hadn't heard what he said, but she didn't ask for him to repeat himself and intentionally avoided eye contact this time, the reality of her having to leave sinking in. Xavier stood up right after his verbal slip, and it was then he'd notice she was slightly taller than him in her heels. There was less than a meter between them.

"Well I guess I'll see you around... Xavier." Kira said, eyes fixated on the floor. She was already feeling the dread of seperation, however the feeling was raising her anxiety, and along with that, her defenses. Who exactly was Xavier? Why did he affect her like this? Why wasn't she suspicious of him in any capacity?

Xavier frowned watching her clutch and wring her hands together, unconsciously stepping closer to her. Her eyes shot up to his face in alarm, only to come face-to-face with a very concerned gaze. Xavier wanted to ask if she was okay but the words got caught up in his throat, simply because he thought it wasn't his place. He also successfully fended off the itch he felt to caress her face. Kira's heart was softened immediately, rendering her unable to interrogate him. They stood like that for a moment before Kira sighed, breaking eye contact.

"I'll be going now." She said, finally stepping toward the door, moving backwards. She was glancing at him instead of holding steady eye contact.

"I'll be looking forward to your call." Xavier said, the concern in his eyes still so blatantly obvious. Kira opened the door, followed by the loud music suddenly flooding in, and waved at him, mouthing 'bye' with a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. Xavier barely managed to raise his hand to wave back before she turned and left. That's when he was hit with separation anxiety himself.

He didn't like the idea of leaving on a note that left so much up to question, but he also understood that his situation wasn't one he could mess around with easily. He finally found her, so he had to be delicate with her.

Kira walked past Dave, ignoring the curious look he was giving her, and rushed to the locker room. She frantically unlocked her locker and retrieved her phone, saving Xavier's number. She then released a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Who exactly is the person that had you all night?" Abi asked from behind Kira, startling her. She quickly turned, unconsciously hiding her phone behind her before she came to the realisation of who was standing in front of her. "And why'd they have you laughing so hard?"

"Fucks sake Abi!" Kira almost screamed, shoving Abi with her empty hand. The other hand still hid her phone behind her. Abi had already changed into sweats and a shirt with sneakers.

"What are you hiding?" Abi asked, getting closer to peek behind Kira. Kira sighed and pushed her back gently.

"It's nothing. Just my phone." She said, taking the phone from behind her back to show Abi. Abi beamed, squealing and grabbing the phone, intending to input the password.

"You got their number?!" She asked looking up at Kira, before looking back at the phone. "Incorrect password?" She muttered, a frown making it's way onto her face.

"More like he gave it to me... But it's not like I said no." Kira said and turned around, starting to pull off her coat. Abi tried inputting the password again. Incorrect password.

"Did she change her password?" Abi muttered to herself.

"I honestly don't even know why I took it." She said and sighed again, pulling the wig off along with the wig cap. "I mean, I barely know the guy, and I met him at work. He doesn't look like a regular. He sounds like he's rich."

"Kira."

"He seems like a decent guy. He made me laugh... And he just..."

"Kira."

"He's gorgeous! He has the prettiest eyes I've ever seen. His smile... I just... And he was so thoughtful-"

"Kira!" She snapped her back to Abi, her athletic shorts halfway on. "Slow down. You need to start from the beginning." Abi said, subtly smiling. She had never seen Kira so frazzled and smitten over anybody before. Typically, Kira wasn't the type to have crushes easily, let alone one's that left her a mess this way. She felt embarrassed at her display of how overwhelmed she was, clearing her throat. "And your pants are on backwards. I'm definitely telling Kaden about this later."

"Oh shoot." She said, moving to take her pants off. Abi chuckled.

"So are you going to tell me what exactly happened?" She asked as Kira pulled her long sleeve shirt on, shoving her costume in the small duffle bag she came to work with, along with the money from today, moving fast. Abi's casual reminder of Kaden switched her into her big sister mode. He was the only thing that kept her grounded and sober enough to not spiral down the obsessive route of Xavier Alexander Woodmead. She had to get home, pay his babysitter, and get him prepped for school.

"What time is it?" She asked, wearing her own sneakers. Abi checked the time on Kira's phone.

"Three fifty-five."

"I'll tell you everything when we get home with Tara." She said, slinging the bag on her shoulder. She stuck her hand out to Abi. "Phone." Abi moved the phone closer to her own body.

"Password." Abi said, causing Kira to smile.

"Tara will be here soon." She said and pivoted on her heel, walking away.

"Kiiirrraaaa! Pleeeaaaase! Why'd you change it?"

Xavier on the other end, had left the club and was sitting in the car across the street from the back alley of the club. He knew he was being stalker-like but at this point he couldn't help himself, rationalising his actions as him making sure she was safe.

At four o'clock he watched as she exited the back of the club, talking to a shorter woman with a smile. He couldn't help but swoon. Even in plain baggy shorts she looked impossibly beautiful in his eyes. It was also the first time he saw her natural hair, which was barely shoulder length and wavy. The shorter woman seemed to whine, tugging at her arm, causing her to lightly smack the shorter woman's head before stopping and looking around.

Kira felt uneasy in the same way she had earlier before she had gone on stage, but this time, it was to a lesser degree, and it was accompanied by a sense of longing... The same sense of longing she'd felt for Xavier. She released a shaky breath when the feeling hit her, which Abi took notice of.

"Hey, you okay?" She asked, stopping herself from throwing another tantrum about the password, elbowing Kira. Kira glanced down at her and continued looking around for Tara's truck amongst the cars outside.

"Yeah, why?" She asked, glancing at Abi again. Abi smiled, shaking her head. "There she is." Kira said and moved closer to the street once spotting the car coming from down the street.

Xavier watched as they hopped into the car, spotting the fact that the girl from the convenience store at the station was the one picking them up. She sat in the backseat whilst the shorter woman sat in front, kissing the one driving before they pulled off. He sat fighting against himself for a moment before deciding screw it, and pulled off after them. He knew he shouldn't, but he followed behind them, keeping a safe distance.

A/N: Merry New Year!!! 🎊✨🎉