It Can Only Get Better From Here

Chapter Eight

Xaivier's POV

I glanced down at Katiana's hand that I was holding. It felt so... right. So natural.

But it also felt so wrong.

"So... Katt," Heith said. She glanced up at him, eyebrows raised, and I took the opportunity to let go of her hand.

"You seemed pretty acquainted with the guys from System Of A Down. How did that happen?" He leaned closer to her, sitting on the edge of his chair.

She began explaining, but my mind went elsewhere.

I absently rubbed my fingers over my bruised eye. It was an accident. It had to be. She wouldn't really hurt me on purpose...

Abbey was upset because I didn't want her to go out with her friends tonight.

"We haven't seen each other for two months, Ab!" I had argued. "Shouldn't we spend some time together before the band leaves for Christmas?" My voice cracked as I said this. We had tried to push the tour date back so that we could be home with our families, but an error was made and we couldn't change it.

"Oh, come on, Xaivier!" She whined, using the tone I can't say no to. "We just want to go out to have a little fun!"

"I don't like that idea," I struggled against her charm. "Tomorrow is a late show, and then we leave the next night. I really want to spend time with you. Could you reschedule with your friends?"

She stayed silent. "If you don't want me to be happy, then maybe this is it, Xaivier." Her voice was soft, but menacing. "Maybe our relationship has come to an end."

"If you can't make time for your boyfriend," I hissed, fighting to keep my voice down, "Who always makes time for you even when he has a TON of work to do... then I agree with you. Maybe it is over, Abbey."

She gasped, her eyes wide, and managed to stutter a few incoherent words. When she recovered, the fire in her eyes was unmistakable. I had only seen it once before, and I knew it meant trouble.

Last time I saw it, she pushed me down the stairs.

"Xaivier!" She shouted. "That's the last straw! All I want is for us to be happy-" She pushed me against the wall. "-But you insist on making things difficult!"

I knew that I would regret this, but I spoke. "I'm the one making things difficult?!"

I barely had time to flinch before her fist made contact.

I covered my eye with one arm while blocking my head with the other arm from any other potential hits.

Suddenly she was nice again. "Xaivier, sweety, what will I do with you?" She put her lips right next to my ear. "Tripping and hitting your face on the chair? Silly klutz!" I shuddered as she grabbed my hand covering my eye.

I had to tell her the cover story multiple times before she thought it was believable.

She never apologized... But I never asked her to.

"Xaivier, man! You coming?" Heith was half leading, half dragging a terrified Katiana to the examination rooms.

I got up quickly, slamming my leg into a chair. A few of the other people in the waiting room laughed. I awkwardly shuffled through the others and practically ran into the examination room. 

"Geeze, Xaivier. Are you nervous or something?" Heith stared at me quizzically. 

I laughed to hide my discomfort. "Not as nervous as Katt!"  

She was sitting on the table. The only sign that she was scared was a the slight shaking on her hands. 

"Hey," I said quietly. "It's going to be fine."