Esmarelda Lance: The girl you don't wanna mess with.

Chapter 17.

I watch Rick threaten Xan. I'd have preferred him to be jumped if I'm being honest.

I absolutely hate him. I avoid him for the rest of the day so Lucy ended up giving me a ride home.

"Hello! I'm home" I shout from the entrance.

Tan comes to hug me. "Oh Ez! How are you doing?"

"Fine...I guess" I reply slowly rejecting her hug.

We walk together into the sitting room where everyone was sitting down suspiciously.

"We just want to know that we're by your side" Ben says comforting me.

"That was meant to be at the end idiot" Rip murmurs jabbing him.

"Did that sicko disturb you?" Harris asks.

"No"

"Honey...I just want you to know that you're doing a very brave thing by dating him in order to protect our family secret. Grandpa and grandma did those things when they were younger and now they're doing good and trying to make up for it okay? They're not bad people" Zang preaches.

I roll my eyes. "I know...I know".

"And if you need help- I could always lend a hand" Leah shrugs.

"Cheers" I flash a smile.

"Plus- I know this might not technically be a relationship". Tan wriggles her head. "But please don't beat him up"

Everyone smiles sheepishly at me.

"I don't need to- apparently the whole school has got my back".

" We just want to know that we're by your side" Ben finally gets it right.

"Thanks guys" I arch my shoulders. "Now if you don't mind- not that I care. I'm going to have a bath"

"Mel you're making the water bills rocket" Zang moans.

"I'm not making it rocket, I'm just making the water company get more money from you" I joke before leaving.

The niceness of everyone is quite cringing. I go to my room to have a calendula and rose bath.

Literally thirty minutes after my bath I get a text from Xan.
"MEET ME AT THE PARK NOW"
I don't bother to reply. I put on a black hoodie and bum shorts. I pull on my trainers before jogging downstairs.
"Bye guys...duty calls" I say sarcastically.

"Already?" Rip asks.

"Yeah- already"

"Do you want a ride?" He offers.

"Sure...that'll really prevent me from dangerous driving" I tease.

We use his car and drive to the park. When we get to the park Rip goes for a ride around to while away time.

I spot Xan wearing a white hoodie and shorts with trainers.
Come to think of it I've never really taken time to look at Xan's features.

He has brown sleek hair and really light brown eyes. Although he has light brown highlights in his hair. Just like his sister. He's also really tanned, he's more skinny than muscular but I must say that he has the most defined jawline. Plump but a bit thin rose lips too.

He waves at me and smiles to reveal his white teeth. It's a pity that such good looks were wasted on him.

I grumpily walk over.

Once I reach him he pulls me to his chest quite dramatically for a hug. His chest feels quite fleshy- the type that wouldn't hurt you when you punch it and is yet good enough for punching.
He takes a deep breath and smells my hair. I widen my eyes quite surprised. "You smell of roses"