Waveland

Chapter 11

The sun creaked through the window hitting his face. He felt the softness of his blanket covers draped over his body, but that wasn't why his body felt warm. He ran his fingers down the side of her face. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. 

It was amazing how even in her sleep she was perfect. She was a fierce warrior yet she was a sweet angel in her sleep. He covered his mouth from a chuckle threatening to break through. He knew Rose would murder him if he ever spoke those words out loud.

He moved from underneath the covers to gain access to his nightstand. He slid a old watch his dad got him over his wrist. The watch was broken, but it was the only he had to remember him. So he wears it every day. 

His mother hated Rose being here, but it made sense until they found a permanent place for Rose to stay. He secretly her being here to keep him company and because she was Rose. 

He got up from the bed, crouching to open the drawer in his nightstand to grab a plain T-shirt trying to be quiet as possible. The creaking gave him up. 

Rose opened her eyes slightly. Eyes narrowed at him.

"Good Morning."

Rose responded by shoving a pillow in her face. A laugh erupted from Xavier. His favorite moments was when she was light hearted. It made him forgot about the horrible things she must have faced to end up here with him. He never found a good moment to ask about what she had to witness out in the woods, he just hoped someday she would trust him enough to tell him on her own.

"Such a morning bird." He nudged his knee back onto the bed rejoining the girl who always seemed to invade his dreams. Both at night and during the day.

"Don't even think about calling me birdy as a nickname." Her eyes turning a shade of black glaring at him. That look terrified most people, but he loved seeing the fire that always seemed burned in her eyes.

"I don't know, I think Birdy suits you." A fluffy pillow smacked him right in the face. He started coughing not expecting the impact of the stiff pillow. "You wound me." 

"You deserved it." Xavier watched as she sat up pulling her braid free letting her hair run loose. It's wave transforming her beauty. There was nothing about this girl that wasn't perfect.

"I heard David wants you start training with the boys today." The rough throw of blankets came from Rose. She grunted as she forced herself to get up. A white oversized T-shirt covering her whole body.

"I just hope I can punch someone." She groaned changing into her usual clothes. All black that tugged against her body. Always ready for combat. Xavier was unable to take his eyes off of her. For once in his life he wished he was one of David's soldiers so he could spend the whole day with her. 

"I will be helping in the medical bay, but I will see you at lunch."

Rose nodded stuffing items in her bag and then took off, jumping out his window like a criminal. His body fell against the bed, thinking about her. 

—----

Rose approached the bare grass. A empty field, far from camp. Boys and men were sparring each other with swords, clashing and grunting. Others did practice shooting and whoever didn't have a weapon were doing core excerises; pull ups on steel bars and some on the ground doing intense pushups. Everyone of them had muscle and looked strong enough to hold their own.  She was thoroughly impressed with David's army of soldiers. 

"Glad you could make it." That annoying voice she could never escape from pulled her out of her good mood. Figured it wouldn't last long.

If she dared a look she was worried she would do something this camp would see as unethical. She focused her attention the rasp voice yelling across the grass. David was yelling at the older men practicing combat fighting. He grunted at them and kicked their legs to correct their weak forms.