Xavier stood at the gate, his thoughts constantly flashing back to the day before. He pulled at the collar of his new uniform nervously, watching as other people scanned their cards mindlessly, busy in the conversations and buzz of the morning.
"Xavier!" someone yelled. He looked up suddenly and saw Ella's sister walking up to him.
"Oh, hi Jessica," he replied, his nerves easing after seeing someone he was familiar with.
"Ready for your first day?" she asked excitedly. Xavier wasn't quite sure why she was smiling so widely at him, but he returned it slightly.
"As ready as I'll ever be," he answered truthfully, shrugging his shoulders.
"Jess!" another voice rung out.
"Ella!" Jessica said happily, hugging her.
Ella pushed a water bottle into her hand. "You forgot it, silly," Ella said, looking to be out of breath. Right beside her stood Jacob. He looked to be as winded as Ella, but he managed at a smile as he rose from clutching his knees.
"Oh thanks!" Jessica said, sticking the water bottle in her messenger bag.
"Morning, Ella," Xavier said, smiling softly.
"Morning, Xav," Ella returned his smile, her cheeks flushed from her early run. Then her eyes widened in realization. "I FORGOT! You're at our school now!"
Xavier's smile grew wider and he began to laugh loudly. "Sure am," he responded.
"You look quite dashing in that uniform, I must say," Jessica said, winking at Ella who laughed a little.
Jacob frowned for a split second, but replaced his expression and looked away.
Ding! Jessica pulled out her phone and her smile grew. "Oops. That's Kai. Gotta go, I'm meeting up with my friends," she said happily as she walked away, a slight spring in her step.
Jacob began rubbing his arms, his expression uncomfortable. "Hey, uh, Ella, I'm gonna get going," he said.
"Oh! We'll go with you," she started, but Jacob shook his head and tried at a smile.
"No it's okay, I've just gotta think for a bit."
"Oh... Okay." Ella gave a slightly awkward smile and nodded.
As Jacob made his way down the hill, Xavier frowned. "D'you think he's okay?" he asked.
Ella shook her head sadly. "I only remember one other time that he acted like this. It was when..." Her voice trailed off into silence, her eyes filled with sadness.
Xavier ruffled her hair and smiled softly before yelling, "I'M GOING TO BEAT YOU TO THE CLASSROOM!"
"Wait- what?!" Ella squeaked as Xavier took off running. "You have an unfair advantage!" she yelled to his swiftly retreating form, hopelessly chasing after him.
By the time they reached the classroom, Ella was clutching her knees and gasping for breath. Xavier was breathing heavily, but let out a loud laugh as he saw Ella sprawling to the classroom.
"Never... Again," she rasped. But when she lifted her head she was smiling. Xavier grinned. Ella gave him a confused look, but he turned and walked into the algebra classroom before she could ask anything.
Ella walked to her desk and glanced at the one behind her. It was empty, causing worry to build up inside her. Jacob was never late to class. Xavier sat a row across from her. He noticed her discomfort and smiled reassuringly at her as she sat down.
Xavier was introduced briefly at the beginning of class before Mr. Jem's lesson began. They had been focusing a lot on the FOIL method lately, Ella's worst nightmare.
Ella found herself instinctually looking behind her when she didn't understand something, eyes falling sadly when she remembered her friend's absence.
When Xavier caught Ella doing this, he would throw a pen at her head. She would grab the pen and look at him confusedly, her spirits seeming to lighten a little.
At the end of the period, Xavier walked over to her and gave her a smile. "Hey," he said, and Ella looked up. "I'm sure Jacob is okay. He's thinking through some things on his own. I think the best thing you can do for him is be there for him when he needs it. Until then, don't worry too much."
A thoughtful smile spread across his face, and without thinking, Ella found herself reaching out for a hug. She caught herself and shrunk back, but Xavier wrapped his arms around her warmly. Ella's heart was beating quicker than it ever had before, but she soon found that she didn't mind.
When he pulled away, he squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Miss Lockwood and Mr. Mendell keep the public displays of affection to a minimum, please," Mr. Jem said, but he was looking at Ella kindly, seeming to understand the situation slightly.
"Yes sir," Xavier said before turning to Ella. "Well I have history next. Have fun in literature, and I'll see you in PE."
Ella smiled and nodded. "Okay." He turned to leave, but she continued hurriedly, "And, um, thank you."
He gave a quick nod and a calming smile before walking out the door.
When he exited the classroom, however, he covered his face to hide his embarrassment. He had hugged her so instinctually! And she had been okay with it! His heartbeat pattered softly in his chest. He was very glad he wasn't in his next class with Ella.
~~
As Ella sat down in Miss Zelda's room, she buried her face in her arms on the desk in front of her. She hadn't meant to try and hug him! But the hug he gave was so warm and comforting. Ella felt her face heat up significantly.
"Ella?" a soft voice said suddenly, causing Ella to look up slightly.
"Oh, hi Raven," she said, trying to calm her still quickly-beating heart.
"You okay?" the dark-haired girl asked.
"Recovering," Ella replied shortly.
Raven nodded in understanding and gave her a quick hug before returning to her own desk and preparing for class.
That hug... wasn't the same... Ella could only repeat this in her head until her face was washed cherry-red once again. Please, God, don't let it be like the last time. She said this silent prayer in her head as she got out her textbook, trying to regain what little composure she had left.
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I FINISHED! I FINALLY MADE IT! And on Easter no less! Happy Easter, everyone! I will repeat what I said in my side book here for those who are unaware. I'm very sorry for missing last week! I ended up being loaded with things to do and places to be that when I had "finished" the chapter, I realized how unhappy I was with it and decided to start over :') I didn't want to publish something I was going to regret later, so I hope you all understand! Thanks for sticking with this story it seriously means a lot, and I'm stoked about where I'll be taking this. Hope you all have a fantastic Easter, and I hope you enjoy this chapter, short as it may be :'D Goodbye, friends!~May<3
