𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 // 𝘹𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘱𝘦

𝘟𝘝𝘐

As I take my seat beside Enid, I look around seeing both Nevermore students along with the town normies. Wednesday catches my eye sat a few feet away from Princiapla Weems and the mayor, her cello and bow in hand.

"Thank you. It is my honor to celebrate our town's history and Jericho's noble forefather, Joseph Crackstone." Mayor Walker speaks into the microphone, all news channel cameras fixated on him. "Now, he believed that with a happy heart and an open ear, there was nothing our town couldn't achieve. So together as one, our community and our friends at Nevermore Academy, we've built a monument to celebrate his memory. Now, may the spirit of Joseph Crackstone be memorialized for eternity."

As Mayor Walker raises his hand to a large red button that has been put in front of him, everyone applauds. As he pushes down, Joseph Crackstone's statue begins to spout water. Everyone looks on with amazement and anticipation.

Wednesday and the marching band from Jericho High School each play their instruments. No one seems to notice the sudden appearance of a little spark of smoke. As the smoke approaches the Jospech Crackstone statue, I follow it and watch it become closer. What the hell was happening?

As the spark eventually reaches the statue, a fire suddenly erupts, alarming everyone in the area. I swiftly stand up and hurry away with Enid. I pause when I observe Wednesday seated with a smirk on her face, performing a dramatic rendition of Vivaldi's "Winter" in place of her earlier upbeat melody.  What did she do this time?

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

As I sit at my desk, Yoko is dozing off behind me. I was relaxing after the day's events, aka Wednesday burning Joseph Crackstones statue.

"I need sleep" I sigh and put my face in my hands. I leave my desk and make my way to my bed. I fidget with the ring on my finger that came from Mother. "Ugh, screw this, I need tea"

I make the decision to slip out and make some tea to help me unwind. I get out of bed, grab my sweater, and head toward the door. I sneak through the hallways, making sure they are empty in every direction. I take one more look around the corridors before entering the doors leading to the dining hall.

"Breaking curfew?" I yelp and look in the direction of the voice. With a playful grin, Xavier stood at the cooking station.

"I can't sleep so making tea was my best bet" I sigh and head to Xavier's side to gather what I need.

"Ah, well, how about we do something else?" I turn to Xavier and send him a curious gaze. "We can hang out behind the greenhouse tonight, but we might not be the only people there if you don't want that"

I gave my pros and cons some thought for a second. "You know what? let's do it"

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

"Well," I fix my gaze on those in front of us. Some were couples who were just sitting on the ground and relaxing, while the other students were all off in their separate groups smoking. "Definitely a colourful group"

Xavier chuckles as he sits down and reaches for his pockets. He takes out a lighter and two joints.  "So, you're not up for this?"

"Obviously, pass me one pretty boy" I grab the joint and then sit beside him, leaning my head on his shoulder.

"Wow, never took you for a smoker"

"Well, back home I had a friend or two who wasn't Wednesday believe it or not" I chuckle before taking a drag. "And they were stoners, pretty fun ones might I add" Xavier and I laugh, continuing to smoke together in a comfortable silence.

Given that the high was starting to get to me, I made a move and decided to lay my head down on Xavier's lap. "Is it okay if I do this?" Xavier nods, looking down at me with his beautiful smile. I stared at every part of his face, how perfect it all was.

"What are you staring at?" Xavier jokes, blowing out the smoke from his mouth.

"Nothing" I mumble, turning my view away from him and to the greenhouse.

"You always do that when you're embarrassed or nervous," Xavier says, catching my attention once more.

"Do what?"

"Turn to look anywhere else but at me when you get nervous by something I say" I scoff, hitting his chest playfully.

"No, I don't, you're delusional"

"Call me what you want but you know I'm right" Xavier lightly chuckles as he moves a strand of hair off my face. It was lucky that it was becoming dark outside at this point since he would have seen my flushed cheeks. "We should get back though, we have class tomorrow and the high seems like it's going to crash for you soon"

"Yeah, I am definitely getting tired, even if it wasn't from my tea" I get up, stretching as Xavier got up as well.

"I'll walk you back to your dorm" Xavier grabbed a hold of my hand, catching me off guard. We began walking back as I rested my head on his shoulder, feeling my eyes start to grow heavy.

"We're here" Xavier whispers, letting go of my hand and now standing across from me.

"Huh, that was fast" I rub my eyes and reach for the door. I pause and look back at Xavier. Despite how badly I wanted to, I knew I don't have the courage to kiss him, so I lean in and kiss his cheek instead."Goodnight pretty boy"

"Goodnight Dahlia" I enter my room, lock the door, and then proceed directly to my bed. I have only one thought in mind as I close my eyes.

I am falling for Xavier.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

word count: 960

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! This is definitely an improvement in Dahlia and Xavier's relationship. Trust me, it will progress WAY MORE. Please vote and comment, it means so much to me. I also recently reached 500+ reads on this story and I just wanted to thank all of you for reading this story and supporting me, I can't thank my readers enough, even if this sounds cringe💀. Thank you!