close to my dialling heart

12🌹Xavier's domain

🎶tell me how to be in this world, tell me how to breathe in, and feel no hurt. Tell me how 'cause I believe in something, I believe in us🎶
~James Bay~

DOVE 🕊

The ride was quiet because Xavier wasn't feeling well. He massaged his temple with one hand while keeping the other on the wheel. I snuck glances at him, noticing how he squinted his eyes.

"My kiss didn't work?" I asked, sounding like a child.

"You should have tried with the lips," he said with a smile, glancing at me.

I chuckled, thinking: Kiss Xavier? That would be something... nice, right? (Keep quiet, Dove) I'd never kissed anyone before. The thought of his face an inch from mine made me anxious. Like that time Marcus tried... I froze, unsure what to do. If he had kissed me, I would have been depressed for life.

"I'll try with the lips when we arrive," I said, trying to sound casual, despite my inner thoughts.

"I'll try with the lips when we arrive," I said, attempting to sound casual despite my inner turmoil.

"Is that a promise?" he asked, his gaze piercing through me, making me freeze.

"Yes," I replied, knowing we were both joking. Or so I thought. He was definitely joking, right? His smirk and raised brows suggested so.

"Don't make promises you can't keep," he said, his red eyes gleaming with a charmingly evil glint.

I quickly changed the subject, trying to divert attention from the kiss topic. "But you do feel better, right?"

He nodded, biting his lips as he moved his hand from his temple to his lap. I found myself captivated by him, struggling to discreetly steal glances without making it obvious.

"So it did work," I said triumphantly, feeling a sense of pride in my makeshift remedy.

He laughed softly, careful not to exacerbate his headache, but his warm smile still captivated me.

"Yeah, I'm guessing it did," he replied, resting his head on the headrest and gazing ahead through the windshield.

My eyes wandered to his neck, noticing the subtle bob of his Adam's apple as he swallowed. I couldn't help but feel a flutter in my chest. When you've had limited interactions with guys, and someone like Xavier is your first real conversation partner, trust me, your heart can race like crazy! I have to admit, Harry was nowhere near Xavier's league. In fact, they were complete opposites. Harry was shy and reserved, while Xavier exuded confidence and courage, unfazed by attention or scrutiny. He could effortlessly command a crowd's focus without flinching.

"Hey, why do you stay alone?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. It was a sudden question, I knew, but someone his age living solo seemed unusual.

"I don't like people," he replied, his voice low and nonchalant.

"Well, you do show," I deadpanned, raising an eyebrow.

Xavier only laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Not even your family?" I pressed, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Isn't family the reason why I live alone?" he retorted, his tone hinting at a deeper story.

My subconscious shot back with a sarcastic "Ah, thank you for pointing out the obvious, Dove." I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I realized my mistake.

"Oh," I said, feeling a bit deflated.

Xavier snorted out a laugh, and the silence that followed was punctuated only by the sound of crickets...