Threads of Compassion

Part 8

Emily stared at him with a surprised expression. What was she supposed to say?! Yes? But he was a murderer! She hated him with all her guts, with all her being, with every cell and fiber in her very body and soul. But then what if she said no? She didn't have time to call an Uber. It would take longer for the car to get to her and it still wouldn't be fast enough. Running wouldn't be the smartest answer to her problem either. And being late was not a choice either, she would get scolded and strangled by her father, she didn't want to worry her mother. No matter how cold she was to them she still cared... somewhere deep down.

Emily chewed on her lip nervously, it didn't really help how indecisive she got sometimes, like right now. Her hand started to fidget with the handle of the bag. 'What now?!' was the only thing she could think of at that very instant.

"Why are you overthinking, Little Flower? We both know you have to say yes." Xavier stated, and he was definitely and annoyingly right. Xavier could tell Emily was still unsure, but she didn't have time to be indecisive, "I'll give you a ride just accept it...for the old friendship?" He asked with a small and possibly shy smile.

Emily sighed and rubbed her right temple, "Fine. I accept - And no it's not for the "old friendship" but because I really need it." She added before Xavier could get his hopes up

"Whatever. Follow me, Little Flower." He replied and started walking to the opposite street.

Emily reluctantly followed Xavier as she started to struggle with the weight of her art supplies. Now she was thinking about how she would have hated the excruciating pain of walking back home with that bag.

Once they were both at the other side of the street Xavier ran to his motorcycle. It was a shiny black MV Agusta F4, It looked highly expensive. Not something anyone around town could afford. Xavier especially, his family was known for being one of the poorest in town. Emily studied it carefully and unfortunately she really did think it was a nice motorcycle even though she didn't know much about them. Other than the fact that they were really fast. Which was just what she needed right now.

"Here." Xavier held out his helmet to her, he didn't have an extra one but he gave his to her. Which she found annoyingly considerate, in moments like these it was hard to hate him but she only had to remember he was a murderer and the hate came back instantly.

"Well uhhh, um." Emily held up the bag she was carrying, some stuff in there was fragile and she didn't want to put her bag on the dirty cement floor of an abandoned street. She couldn't exactly put the helmet on with the bag in her hand. And... she also didn't know how to put on a helmet but she was not about to admit that to him.

"Oh. Of course." Xavier started to get close to her to put the helmet on her head. "Let me help."

"Wait! That's not what I-" Emily started but it was too late because Xavier was really close to her as he put his helmet on her head in a gentle and delicate way that it didn't even mess up a single hair on Emily's head.

She hadn't meant for him to do that, she only wanted to ask him to hold her bag for a darn second for her to -try- and put the helmet on her own. But of course he had to go ahead and conveniently get close to her to do this. What a gentleman, she wanted to roll her eyes so bad.

"There. You're welcome, Little Flower." He said with a small smile on his face. He was admiring the fact that she looked good with a helmet on, although he wanted to see her pretty face and those pools of honey for eyes.

"Well, thanks." She muttered an annoyed and grumpy thanks. She hated saying thank you, and even more so to a guy like him.

"Sure. Let's go, it's already 6:50. We don't have much time left. But don't worry, we'll still get on time. Probably on the dot. Hop on!" Xavier slipped his jacket on and got on his motorcycle, straddling it.