Trial Of Young Love

Chapter 2

After Gym I decided to continue onto math, the new kid walking behind me. I turn my head to look and he jerks his head away. Seriously? I could have just helped him if he wasn't so dense. I continue to walk, ignoring his presence the best I could, which is hard because of his height and tense emotionless expression. He is easily 6'5. 

Turning into class I see Brooke waiting for me, hovering over a desk. I'm assuming she's trying to save me a spot. I call over to her and what is first a happy smile her face morphs into concern. What is that all about? 
"You're in my way." The large man looks down at me with yet again no emotion. Although he is scary, I won't put up with it. 
"Says the guy who followed me here after refusing my help." My face scrunches and my arms fold across each other. Semi dramatically I find my spot with Brooke. 
"Who's that?" 
"Don't know, don't care." I make sure to avoid eye contact with the new guy. Though, I can feel him walking around the room in search of a seat. I can't tell if he's even upset about what I say because he only looks pissed off. I finally turn to follow where he might sit. Most of the seats are taken, but luckily the back row is already filled. That's where Brooke and I are sitting. The teacher walks in and notices the new kid still walking around. It doesn't seem like many people want him to sit near them. I feel a sense of empathy, but it quickly fades. 
"I'm glad the back row is all taken." Brooke whispers. I nod my head in agreement. 
"He's in all of my classes." Sighing between my sentences. "I offered him help on finding the class and he totally refused and was rude about it." Brooke gasps and pouts in disapproval. 

I overhear the teacher talking to the new kid. Her head looking so far up it looks like it might snap. "Xavier, right?" He nods. Xavier?! No! He's on my gym team? My head falls to the desk creating a small bang. Brooke looks terrified. I continue to eavesdrop. 
"You can switch seats with Ben over in the back, you're so tall I doubt anyone could see while behind you." She gives a supportive smile and gestures to Ben, the kid sitting to the left of me. I'm so done with today. Brooke started shoving my arm in disbelief. "Leave me alone to die!"  I say overly dramatic.

After Ben moves Xavier slides into the desk, I try to avoid eye contact, but I can feel his eyes burning into the side of my head. I secretly try to sneak a look at him. He's tapping his foot fast, laying his head on the desk. I wonder where he got all those scars. Maybe he gets into a lot of fights? What if he's a bully! That thought hadn't crossed my mind when I was rude to him. I sink my face into my hands out of frustration. Brooke was pretty much telling the entire class that I may die now with how I talked to him. 

I find myself walking to the last class of the day, Study Hall. Most of the day has been normal other than Xavier this morning and him following me to all the other classes instead of asking for help. My eyebrow hurts from how much it was twitching due his stubbornness. Study Hall is held in the school library. I take a seat alone at a large round table. That's when It happened. James walks in. I take my time enjoying the sight of him. He's looking around and when our eyes meet, he smiles and gives me a small wave. Taken aback by the interaction I wave back, maybe a little too excited. I feel my face and ears start to burn, suddenly feel self-conscious and overthinking my awkward wave. James regardless starts walking towards me. 
"Hey, can I sit here?" His eyes squinting as he smiles. 
"Uh- Yeah totally." He sits down at the table, just me and him. I didn't think I'd get this type of opportunity. Maybe this year I can be honest with my feelings for him. Maybe we can date! Just thinking about us dating turns my face from pink to red. I squeal internally.

"So, I heard I'm in your gym team! Sorry I wasn't there this morning; I was having a meeting with the school counsel." His friendly deminer invites me to reply. 
"Yeah! I was wondering if you were the 'James' coach was talking about." 
"Who all is in the team?" I freeze at the question, thinking about Xavier. No! He will not deter me from my mission! 
"Jess and Xavier, he's a new kid." James's face turns a certain type of way. He stops the conversation there. Did I say something wrong? Damn, now I'm embarrassed and feel uneasy. 

BAM

A backpack slams itself down onto the table. James and I both look up at a very scary looking Xavier. His eyes are peeled on James, as if he wanted to rip his head off right then and there. I glance at James who is smiling. What is going on!
"Xavier? Why did you slam your bag? That scared me!" No reply. "Great, I guess I'm talking to myself today." I mumble under my breath.  

Xavier seats himself right next to me, across from James. His hands folded into the other, his chin resting. He's just staring, looking pissed. I start to feel very uncomfortable with the tension between these two.
"Well, maybe I should sit somewhere else." I give a small awkward chuckle. 
"Don't, you don't have to. It would be a shame, we are teammates after all." James smiles at me and it convinces me that I should sit with him. How could I not? He's just too cute! I take out my phone and send Brooke a text. 

ZOE: Help! This is so awkward. :( 

BROOKE: I'm sure it's fine! Tell me all about it after class. 

Sighing I set my phone down, scanning the table again. James is working on some paperwork, and Xavier is still just staring. It's a little creepy, if I hadn't known any better, I'd say he was in love. 
Since there's nothing to do, I start doodling some silly animals. Almost laughing at myself the more ridiculous they get. I see a large hand point at my doodles. 
"What's that supposed to be? A pig?" Xavier looks almost curious, new facial expression unlocked. "Obviously it's a dog." 
"It's cute." James smirks. Xavier immediately pulls away, resting his head on his hand. I pull my hair in front of my ears knowing they are bright red. 
"Uh- thanks." 

Class is out in 5 minutes, so I start to pack up my school supplies and doodles. Nothing has been said for a long time, I'm almost excited to get out of here. Which is insane because James decided to sit with me. I turn to Xavier and give him a slight scrunched look. He's not looking at me, but I wanted my point made. I feel my phone suddenly vibrate with a notification. I take it out and my heart instantly sinks. 

Evil Stepfather: Come straight home. 

I start texting back a reply and then delete it. Sighing a put my phone back in my pocket, the feeling of unease causes me to space out. I wonder what he could want. Hopefully mom's okay. She hasn't been the same since getting married to Derek. She used to be an artist, she would paint beautiful portraits and now all she does is clean, cook and stay in her room. I haven't felt this alone since Dad passed. My unease turns into sadness. I wish he didn't have to leave us so suddenly. 

He left home for work 6 years ago and never returned. A drunk man driving on the wrong side of the road took him away from us. I remember the court hearing, seeing this man sob in front of the judge begging for a second chance. I felt sorry for him, and I hated that about me. Another notification pops up. 

Evil Stepfather: Understand?

ZOE: Yep. 

I hit send. A finger pokes my shoulder. Looking up I had some tears in my eyes, I rub them and look at James. 
"The bell rang, time to go." He looks, almost concerned. 
"Right, thank you." walking at a fast pace out of class, I push past people in the hallway. Brooke waiting for me at the entrance.

"Hey, so what happened?" Brooke tries to say as I'm passing her in the hall. 
"Sorry, I can't really talk. Derek wants me home right away." Brooke rolls her eye at my statement.
"I don't understand why he's so hard on you. He's not even your dad." 
I know, I'll text you tonight." I wave goodbye and start heading home. Unsure of what awaits.