White Roses (Xavier Thorpe X OC)

Outreach day and old ruins

Nora Andilet

I looked at the book and then the quad. "This is ridiculous. I have to fight a Pilgrim?" I mumbled to myself. Wednesday just looked at the book. "Look." She pointed to a figure. "I'm guessing that's me." The figure was hiding behind a pillar. I looked at it. I was broken out of my thoughts when Weems started talking. "All students will report for their volunteer jobs. At 10am sharp. Followed by a community lunch at 1:00. As you know this year outreach day culminates in a very special event. The dedication of a new memorial statue on the town square. Which will also include performancrs by Nevermore students." I looked at Wednesday then back at Weems. "As representatives at our school, I trust you will all out your best face forward."

I looked around at everyone. As they got what jobs they'll be working at. I got the envelope and looked at mine. "Yes! I got Pilgrim world! I do have natural people skills and a love of performing so kinda the obvi choice." I smiled at her. "What'd you get?" I looked at my envelope. "I got the weathervane." I looked at Wednesday. "Uriahs Heap, whatever that is." I saw Enid's face change. "It's this weird creepy antique store. You'll love it though. I'm crossing my class Ajax and I will be outreaching together." I laughed at this. She gave me a look. Weems came over to us and I smiled at her. "Wednesday. Don't worry about your cello. I'll have it brought to the town square this afternoon." I saw a hint of confusion on Wednesday's face but she hid it. "My cello?" She glanced at me and I shrugged. "I caught your rooftop serenade the other night. Impressive. I volunteered you to accompany the Jericho High School marching band at the ceremony. I'm sure it won't be too challenging to play an uplifting Fleetwood Mac Melody." I looked at Wednesday. "As long as you promise to hang me as a witch afterwards." I gave her a look.

I got off the bus and saw Xavier staring at a blank wall. "Why are you staring at a blank wall?" He didn't look at me. "Wasn't blank last outreach day." I gave him a look. "You're mad at me aren't you? Because I rejected your invitation?" He still didn't look at me. "I don't know. I kinda did go out on a limb for you." I rolled my eyes. "Please I'm just cannon fodder in whatever cold War you're waging with Bianca. I have other things on my mind to worry about anyways." He finally turned to me. "Like what?" I froze. I was not about to tell him that I'm destined to destroy the school. "Tracking the down the monster that killed your roommate."

I turned to look at him. "Oh my god. For the last time. Rowan was expelled. Everyone saw him leave." I gave him a looked. "And yet have you talked to him since?" I crossed my arms. "I texted him a few times but I never heard back. Just figured he wanted to put Nevermore in his rearview mirror." I sighed. "Or he's dead." Xavier started to walk off and I followed. "I don't know why you care so much. Not like you knew the guy." I rolled my eyes. "Why do you care so little? People can dismiss me and make excuses but I'm not giving up." I pulled the book out of my bag. "Oh I guess you can add stealing to your resume. I'm not sure why you even care about an old nightshade journal." I showed him the drawing. "Wednesday told me that you weren't surprised when you saw this drawing last night. You've seen it before Haven't you?" He sighed. "Yea. A couple days before the harvest festival. It was opened on Rowan's desk so I assumed he stole it after we kicked him out of the Nightshades. Then I confronted him about it and he kinda went ballistic on me." I gasped and remember the vision I had. "He threw you against the wall using his telekinesis." Xavier looked at me weird. "Yea. How did you know?" I avoided his eyes and looked back at the book. "Lucky guess."

"It's weird that your in this. I mean this journal is like what 30 years old? And what the hell is crack stone doing in the picture with you?" I looked at him. "You know who that is?" He nodded. "Yeah it's Joseph crack stone. He's like Jericho's founding father. He's a big deal around here." Right as he said that a poster of Pilgrim world dropped and Crack stone was on it. I looked on the other side of the road and saw Wednesday looking at it too. I nodded at her. She nodded back and started walking towards Enid. I looked at Xavier. "So where are you outreaching?" We started to walk again. "The weathervane." I smiled. "Me too" he looked at me. "You act like that's a good thing?" I gave him a look. "Uh Tyler works there. And now you're working there too!" He rolled his eyes. "Right Tyler." I rolled my eyes at him. "Why do you hate him so much?" He put his hands in my pockets. "Like I said before. Tyler and his friends are a bunch of jerks." I have him a look. "Come on before were late." We sped up and sat down. Next to each other. "Welcome Nevermore academy. Now k  behalf of the entire Jericho community, we are so, so please to have you all here today." I learned over towards Xavier. "He's not so, so pleased to have us here" I whispered. I saw a small smile on his face but he didn't say anything. "Your generosity and hard work are truly... Outreachous!" Weems made her way to stand next to they mayor. "Okay everyone. Well see you back here at one o'clock for lunch. Enjoy!" Everyone got up and left. I walked in to the weathervane.