Trial Of Young Love

Chapter 8

(Zoe's point of view) 

"Xavier, you asshole" I groan, watching him struggling climbing back into the window. I let off an annoyed scoff, laying down against the cold roof. I stare up at the night sky, letting the subtle wind caress my skin. I can't help but feel guilty about asking Xavier such a personal question. Embarrassment finds its way into my stomach as I recall his reaction. My eyes scan the messages on my phone, rereading the conversation, 'Why does he hate James so much?' I think to myself curiously. Feeling as if I crossed a boundary I send a quick text to Xavier. 

ZOE: Hey... I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Goodnight. 

Having enough of the outdoors I crawl back into my room. Pulling the covers up to my face I toss and turn. Overthinking everything that happened yesterday. The way Xavier's and my face was so close in study hall. The way he gave me an icepack for my wrist. I pull my hand up, examining the bruise; slowly drawing little circles where Xaviers hand traced earlier in the day. I feel my face start to burn. Shaking my head violently I quietly talk to myself 'No! My loyalty lies with James.'. I nod in agreement. At some point during my mentally racing mind, I fall asleep.  

I'm late! I'm racing down the hall as quickly as I can with my limp. I didn't set my alarm last night when I was spiraling in my thoughts. I slam through the gym doors, walking quickly I try to get past couch. "Zoe." Coaches voice rings stern, I slowly turn my heads towards him, my shoulders perched high, knowing I've been caught. For the most part thankfully not a lot of people were paying attention. Coach points towards the locker room, hinting at me to go get dressed. I meet up with Jess, trying to catch my breath after speeding through putting my clothes on. "Good morning." she says in a warm inviting tone. I smile at her "Good morning." my eyes wander looking for our other team members. I see Xavier in the corner stretching, my eyes lingering a little too long as his shirt lightly lift revealing his pulled skin and toned body. I slowly make my way up his body to his eyes. He has a smirk lifting at the edge of his lips as our eyes lock. I look away, instantly butterflies appear in my stomach. "Um, where's James?" I question Jess. 
"I don't think he's coming into school today, I overhead Pam talking about it." She shrugs a bit before continuing "This is good for me; I can never focus when he's around." I nod in agreement. 

Xavier jogs his way over to Jess and I, he seems to be in a happier mood. I look up at him from the side, his eyes locked onto me. He steps closer to me, our hands almost brushing against each other. I slide over a smudge, creating distance. "Should we get our warmups done and focus on the project?" Xavier says his voice a low grumble. He steps yet again closer to me. I suddenly feel tension rise. What is he doing? Last night was so awkward, he's acting as if nothing happened. Jess can sense a bit of something between Xavier and I, making her feel slightly out of place. "What are you doing?" I whisper up at him. He raises an eyebrow as if he's unaware of his own actions. "What is it that I'm doing?" his lips curl up slightly. I roll my eyes at his antics. "We should probably start." I say, trying to escape the awkward atmosphere. Jess starts to head towards the outer side of the gym which we use to run laps. As I get ready to walk I feel a large hand press against my side. The warmth seeps through my shirt, sending shivers up my spine. "You're being slow." Xavier looks down at me, his hand softly pushing me along. I try and act cool, as if his hand placement wasn't making me think of him in another way than a neighbor. "I can get there on my own." I glare at him. His hands fly up defensively. I can't help but think he looks somewhat at ease, like his guard has been let down a bit. Is it because James isn't here? 

After gym I make my way down the hall to my next class, a limp still lingering. Passing some of the lockers I see a crowd of people gather next to the office. A familiar voice echoing. I feel a hint of horror raise inside me as I try to look above the heads staring. Derek, my stepfather is raising his voice at the lady sitting at the front desk. "You can't come in without a visitors pass, sir." Derek's fists slams on top of the desk causing pens to rattle. "The hell I can't! You bring her to me now." His voice seems unreasonably angry. I think back to what I could have done to upset him. The lady at the front desk is clearly annoyed at his outbursts, she mumbles something about him not having the same last name as me, complicating the sign out process.  "That is my daughter, and I will take her home!" The sound of him calling me his daughter makes me physically sick. I hunch over to not be seen, sliding my way past on lookers. I feel a rough hand grab me, pulling me through the crowd. I follow the large hand up to Xavier's face. "What are you doing?!" I whisper. 
"You don't want him seeing you, correct?" His voice sounds pissed off, like him forcefully helping me was an inconvenience. "Of course I don't." I quietly spoke, scared to upset him further. His mood swings are picking at my brain. This morning he's happy, putting his hands on me and now he's pissed off dragging me away from my stepdad. I pull my hand away from his grip, he snaps his head at me, obviously irritated. He raises his voice "What?" I look at him, carefully trying to pick my next words. "Where are we going?" My voice shaky. 
"We're finding a place to hide." He says, making my last question feel stupid, as if what we were doing was obvious. "Then what? I go home later back to him, more pissed than before?" I question him with more confidence, annoyed with his annoyance. His eyebrows clench together, a look of anger appearing on his face. He leans in, my body backing into a wall trying to create some sort of distance. "You want to just give up then?" His tall stature casting a shadow over me. "Of course not." 
"Then let's leave." His voice low and rumbly. I shake my head. This angers Xavier further; he places an arm above my head on the wall behind me. Inching his face closer, his scars creating dark craters. My body heats up, my hands tracing for an escape behind me on the cold brick wall. "Xavier, stop." 
"No Zoe, you stop. You're acting as if you have no other choice than to leave with him." His fists clenched hard as his knuckles bear white. His sentence angers me, of course I wanted to escape Derek. I wanted my mom to leave him, I wanted my dad back, my old life back. Tears grip at my eyes, I wasn't going to fight with a boy I hardly know and I for sure wasn't going to let my mom suffer more pain because of me, I need to protect her. I glare at Xavier "At the end of the day, it's not you who will get beat right?" My words come off cold, sending a chill down my own spine. Defeated he stands back, brushing a hand through his hair he pushes his tongue to the side of his cheek, trying to contain his anger. "Go then." He grunts, lifting his hands towards the hallway. I walk past him with the little space left between us. I don't look back at him, I don't say a word. The closer I get to the front desk the more my body fills with nerves. Derek now speaking with the principal. I step where they both can acknowledge me, the principal shoots me a distraught look. "Zoe" He says softly "Is this your father?" I bite my tongue wanting to correct him but Dereks eyes were piercing through me. I nod. "Okay, that's all we needed to know, now if you would just sign the sign out sheet." Derek brushes him off, grabbing the back of my bag jerking me towards the door. "Fuck off man." I've never seen Derek act so unprofessional; he was normally well kept and talk fluently no matter the person. I catch a glimpse of Xavier, his back turned to me. It hurt but I couldn't blame him. 

As we make our way outside Derek tosses me beside the car. My body bounces off. "Get in." I do as he says. "You and your mom really did it this time, brat." Still confused I pop back at him. 
"What are you talking about, Derek?" He drives off dangerously fast. 
"Don't give me that bullshit, Zoe. I know all about you and your moms plans to leave me." My eyebrows rise in curiosity, was my mom really planning on leaving him? She never told me anything about it. "What? Cat got your tongue?" Derek's anger flurries. Arriving home he turns sharply onto the driveway, the tires screeching to a stop. My head bobbles at the aggressiveness. The tension in the car fills me with worry, but at this point I just want to make sure my mom is okay. I get out of the car; Derek walks over to the passenger side grabbing my hair dragging me in the front door. I wince in pain as he pulls. When we get inside my mom is sobbing at the kitchen counter. "Mom?" I say, my voice stuttering a bit. She lifts her head turning to me, her face is battered and bruised. I feel sick to my stomach. Derek shoves me towards the dining table. "Sit down." I do as he says, my eyes never leaving my mom's face. He sits down right beside me, his leg shaking beneath the table. My mom limps over to the oven, taking out a casserole she waddles it to the table. Are we seriously eating dinner right now? Looking at the clock it reads '11:30'. My mind races in circles trying to understand the situation at hand. My phone buzzes with notification, probably from Brooke. The only person who knows what's going on with me is Xavier. I clench my jaw, thinking myself stupid for possibly pushing away the only person I could have ask for help from right now. 

After my mom sets the table, she pulls out a chair to sit down. "No, not you." Derek growls, she slowly pushes the chair back in. My heart sinks and she kneels on the ground waiting for us to eat. Dereks hands are folded into each other, covering his mouth while his eyes stare at me. He clears his throat before picking up a fork and cut into the food as if nothing happened. His calmness washing anxiety over me. "So, Zoe." He cuts into his casserole, taking a bite "Your mother here was hiding something from me." My eyes shoot at my mom, concerned. She avoids my gaze, only staring at the ground, looking like a child getting scolded. I dare not to speak; I keep silent allowing him to continue. "Do you know what I found?" I shake my head, he chuckles, obviously not finding the situation funny. His body tightens angrily "I found a card, and on this card was a number. The card had a description on it." he pauses for a second. "A women's shelter. Not only a women's shelter, no. There was a name written on it, someone named David." His fist slams the table causing mom and I to jump.  "Zoe." He says my name sternly, my body sinks into itself, trying to become small. "Y-yes?" I stutter. 
"You wouldn't happened to have filled your mothers mind with these crazy ideas, would you? After everything I've given to you." His hands reach out and gently caress the collar of my shirt. 
"Of course not." I feel pathetic as if I'm trying to cover my own ass, but I honestly had no idea mom had this card. He hums to himself in thought, taking a long breath, he stands up. His hands now petting the back of my hair. I wait for him to say something. 

Within a split second his hand violently shoves my head into my dinner plate, casserole sort of softening the blow. My mother lets out a sob. "Derek, please! She didn't know, a man just handed it to me at the store!" Dereks hand stays firmly on my head, the taste of iron fills my mouth. I feel tears fall sideways down my face. Grabbing my hair, he lifts up my head, forcing me to look at him hovering above me. "Is that the truth?" He snarls. I nod, not able to speak. "Liar!" He slams my head down again. My head throbs as I let out a grunt. "Mom." I cry out. She's as helpless as I am in this moment. Battered and brainwashed, I knew she couldn't help me. Derek's hands reach around my throat from behind, tightening his grip he holds firmly. My nails grip at his large hands, begging for an inch of space to breath. My vision starts to blur, I feel as If this is the way I'm going to die. Derek releases his grip; my lungs fill with the once restricted air. Breathing heavily, I watch as Derek grabs my mother and says, "Go to bed, you're out of school until those bruises heal." He hisses. Taking this chance, I run upstairs to my room, I close the door sliding down it as I sit. Pieces of casserole fall from my face onto my shirt followed with blood. I silently sob, holding myself I rock, resting my head on my knees and arms. I can't take this anymore, I can't. I close my eyes, wanting this all to be a dream.