Blossoming Hate

Chapter 3: Unwanted Thanks

"Oh my God, are you serious? I'm so sorry, it's all my fault!" Harper's voice whined through the phone the next morning, her tone filled with guilt.

I sighed, rubbing a hand across my eyes. "Harps, it's okay," I muttered, more tired than upset. "Dont beat yourself up about it." I tried to sound reassuring, even though I was still annoyed about the chaos from last night.

Harper, of course, wasn't buying it. She smooshed her face into the camera, her hazel eyes watery. "I don't know what I would've done if you'd gotten hurt because of me, Iris." Her lips quivered, and I could practically see the guilt radiating off of her.

I held my phone up higher and waved my arms dramatically. "I'm fine, Harper. Not a scratch. See?" I twirled around in my room, trying to lighten the mood.

She sighed in relief, though her brows were still knit together. "Well, if you're positive..." Her eyes brightened with that mischievous glint that I knew too well. "But oh my God, Xavier Warner totally saved your ass last night! He's like a sexy vigilante or something !"

I rolled my eyes and scoffed. "Are you okay?"

"What?!" Harper giggled. "You know I'm right. He's hot, and he has that bad boy thing going on. Total book boyfriend material."

I laughed, shaking my head. "I think you've been reading too much fanfiction. Besides, he's still the biggest asshole in school."

"Well, yeah. But he saved you. You should at least do something to thank him. Like, bake him a cake or something!"

"Uh, no," I said immediately, but Harper was relentless.

"I'm serious, Iris! Just imagine-you bake him something sweet, and suddenly, the sparks fly. It's like... a movie!" She clapped her hands together, completely sold on her own romanticized fantasy.

I let out a long sigh, rubbing my temple. "Fine. I'll bake him some cupcakes or whatever." Harper practically squealed on the other end, and I groaned. "It's not like I'm trying to date him. He saved my life, so it's just... common courtesy."

"Sure, keep telling yourself that," she teased."

---

I wandered the halls, the tray of cupcakes balanced in my hands, feeling more ridiculous by the second. Why did I let Harper talk me into this? I had no business thanking Xavier Warner, of all people.

The halls were packed, as usual, but it didn't take long to spot him. Xavier was leaning against the lockers, his attention fixed on someone else. Chelsea Collins. Of course.

Chelsea, with her long strawberry-blonde hair and those bright blue eyes, was draped all over him, talking his ear off. She was the queen bee of Golden Oak High-the top cheerleader and the biggest bitch known to mankind. Seriously, if there was an award for the bitchiest bitch to ever bitch, it'd go to Chelsea Collins.

I rolled my eyes as I approached them, already regretting this entire plan. Chelsea shot me a glare as soon as I got within range, her blue eyes practically slicing through me. "Can we help you?" she asked, her voice dripping with fake sweetness.

I ignored her. "Hey, can I talk to you?" I directed at Xavier, but he didn't even glance in my direction. Just kept his eyes on Chelsea like I wasn't standing there.

"Hey. Can I talk to you?" I said, louder this time, my patience wearing thin.

Finally, he sighed, turned his head ever so slightly, and motioned for Chelsea to leave. She huffed dramatically, tossing me one last look that could kill before sauntering off.

Once she was gone, I turned my attention back to him. "I baked you these... as a thank you." I held up the tray of cupcakes, feeling awkward as hell. "I didn't know what flavors you liked, so there's chocolate, red velvet, and funfetti. Can't go wrong with those, right?"