Xander

Things aren't always as they seem to be (2)

The next couple of weeks passed by in a breeze. Kyle received a lot more attention than he wanted, and I asked him constantly why he only sits with me at lunch, but all he says is, 'You're my best friend. Why would I sit with anyone else?'

I found myself growing closer and closer to Kyle, and I was afraid. I was afraid he was going to do the same thing Xander did to me. He's not like him. You can't give up your friendship with Kyle just because of a stupid fear your ex-best friend planted into your brain, my conscience reasoned.

Who knows? Maybe Kyle is the complete opposite.

Or maybe he is exactly the same.

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"Stop Xander!"

"No. Why should I?"

He continued throwing his clothes into a backpack.

"Xander-"

"They hate me, Abigail. They have never wanted a kid, and they never will. Why should I stay with people who look at me as if I'm dirt?"

"Xander," I gripped his arm to make him stop walking around like a madman. He tensed under my touch, and kept his back turned to me.

Through gritted teeth, he said, "What?"

To anyone else, it would have sounded like he was beyond furious. Furious at the world, at his abusive parents, at me. But I was his best friend. I knew that he was in pain, and that his anger disguised it.

"Xander," I said more softly, and I spun him around and wrapped my arms around him. He held onto me tightly, like I was his life raft in the horrible ocean known as life, and without knowing it we found ourselves sitting on the floor, holding each other.

He was soon crying, and I didn't care, because everyone has the ability to cry for a reason.

"They hate me," he choked out as I ran my hands through his hair. He had his head in my lap, and he was staring at the ceiling with tears streaming down his face.

I sighed and told him, "They aren't parent material. They will always take you for granted, and I'm sure one day they'll regret ever treating you the way they are."

He laughed humorlessly. "Sure they will."

I tilted his face and looked into his hazel eyes. "If I was them, I would. You are an amazing person, Xander. And I wish I could make them realize it. But it takes a lot to open a person's eyes. But you need to understand that- that you are a good person. Just because they don't think that, doesn't mean anything."

He inhaled deeply, and stroked my cheek. I didn't realize I was crying until he wiped away my tears.

"You're the only person in the world that gets me, Abby."

I smiled down at him, and kissed his cheek. "I will always get you, Xander. Nothing will change that."

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"Earth to Abigail!"

I blink, and look up into Kyle's playful eyes. They soon grow serious, and he asks, "You alright?"

"Yeah," I clear my throat, and pick up my ham sandwich.

"You sure? You were out of it for quite awhile there."