The Robinson Boys

Chapter 12

  Sammy squeals as Mason and I chase him around the park, trying to tag him. Finally, Mason catches up to him, grabs him and pulls him up into the air, twirling him around and laughing. I smile and Xavier sulks up to me with a stony expression on his face.
For some reason, Xavier doesn't like my friends at all and never really tries to hide his displeasure about them. He likes October about as much as he likes Brussels sprouts (the only food he truly despises).

"We should leave soon," he sighs, looking everywhere except for me.
"Yeah, probably; Mason! Let's roll!" I exclaim, grinning as he puts Sammy down and they both dash to the car yelling about the last one getting there being a rotten egg.
Xavier purses his lips and I glance over at him. Wonder what his problem is; he's been like this since I started school.
"What?" He asks with irritation in his eyes. I shrug and brush some of his auburn hair out of his face gently. "I'm just wondering what's up with you is all," I say, holding his gaze easily. He blinks in surprise and looks away, his cheeks a slight shade of pink.
"Let's just go..." he says, keeping his head down as he walks towards the car. I crack my knuckles and make a face, still curious as to why Xavier is so... not himself. I shake it off and follow him, discarding my contemplative thoughts and deciding to enjoy the rest of the day.
~~Later~~
Jazz laughs and scribbles out the words on the piece of paper; we're currently working on a project with October and Mason, but October and I are really the only ones working.
"C'mon guys, I want to get this done!" October sighs and I snatch the paper away from Jazz, throwing her a playful glare. Mason lets out a huff and flips his hair dramatically.
"Buzz kill," he mutters before smiling sweetly as if he hadn't said a word. I smack his arm gently and he makes a sad face.
"Abuser!" He cries. Jazz hugs him and pats his head, saying that everything will be alright. October and I exchange looks before rolling our eyes.
"I'm going to grab some snacks, I'll be right back." I say, standing up and stretching out my arms. My shirt rides up slightly and Mason whistles jokingly.
"Work it girl!" He exclaims, winking. I laugh and let my arms fall to my sides as I leave the room and dance down the stairs singing Bewitched by Blood on the Dance Floor. I jump down the last step and start to make some "magical" frozen pizza. Yum, so delicious!
I stick the pizza in the toaster oven and then grab four cans of Sprite. I wait until the oven thingy lets out a sharp "ding!" before I turn around and bump into Xavier.
"Sorry," I say and he shrugs with a look of indifference on his face.
"It's okay; how's your project going?" He asks. I blink, not knowing what to say; Xavier and I haven't really talked since I became friends with Mason and October. Campbell walks up behind him with a Dr. Pepper in his hand.
"Sabrina, what's up my home biscuit?" He asks, throwing an arm over my shoulder and grinning at me. I scrunch up my face in fake disgust and laugh. "Home biscuit?" I ask and Xavier just leaves. Campbell sighs.
"Don't mind him; he's on his man-period." I burst out laughing before shoving his arm off of me and pulling out a plate to put the pizza on. Campbell smiles proudly at his own joke and sips his soda while casually leaning against the counter. I reach out (using a spatula) to get the pizza and accidentally burn the top of my hand.
I pull it back with a hiss, and then memories start flooding through my head. I remember burning my fingers on accident by touching a curling iron; I cried and cried until my mom put a salve on it and bandaged me up.
I remember how some boy shoved me into a pool and I didn't know how to swim and my dad jumped in and saved me.
They had always been there for me, good or bad, they accepted my decisions, and they loved me no matter what mistakes I made.
Tears flood my vision and I 'm okay. I tune them out, wanting to be left alone.
"Sabrina, you okay sweetie?" Mason asks, and I realize that he's the only one not panicking. I don't say anything, I just bury my face in his chest, sobbing and covering his shirt with my tears. "It's okay darling, tell me what's wrong." He coos, and I pull away slightly, wiping the tears off of my face.
"I miss them..." I whisper, closing my eyes as an uneasy calm falls over me. Mason kisses the top of my head. "I know, I know, but it will get better, trust me." I feel someone staring at me, but don't turn around to address them; I hate feeling helpless and weak. Mason rubs my back and sings Saviour (A/N that's how the band spelled it) by Black Veil Brides softly in my ear.
"Just let it all out sweetheart, it's okay to cry." He says, and then continues to hold me and sing in my ear, I'm glad to have someone like him to help me through all of this so I accept my weakness and decide that I don't mind crying in front of him.
The moment doesn't last as long as I wish, though. Mason's phone goes off and it turns out that he has to leave.
"Sorry Sabri-Bri, I'll see you at school tomorrow. Feel better." He sighs, hugging me one last time before going out of the door and climbing into his car to disappear down the road. Someone puts their hand on my shoulder and I turn to see Elizabeth.
"He's a good friend," she says, her eyes scanning my face and searching for the sorrow that I had felt earlier, but I already have it all locked up in my heart, guarding the treasured memories with everything in me. I know that it's not healthy to keep emotions inside, but I can't help it, its how I've always been and I know one of these days I'm going to snap and I can only hope that that day is far, far away.
Elizabeth grips my arm and leads me up into my room. "Get some rest," she says, and I nod slowly.
"Where did Jazz and October go?"" I ask, clenching and unclenching my fists.
"They're downstairs; want me to send them up here?" She asks good-naturedly. I nod and watch her leave my room before pulling off my clothes and putting on my Hello Kitty pajamas.
October is the first person to walk in, and she's clearly worried about me. Jazz is less subtle with her concern and nearly knocks me to the ground with a hug.
"Are you okay? Do you need anything? A drink? Snack?" She asks, pulling away and looking me in the eyes.
"I'm fine, just... tired." I say and October pries Jazz off of me.
"Let the poor girl go, I'm sure she needs her space." She says. Her eyes are alight with concern and slight irritation.
"Thanks," I sigh, sinking down onto my bed and closing my eyes. "Go to sleep, we'll see you in the morning." October says, patting my head affectionately before dragging Jazz out of the room and leaving me alone.
I let out a sigh of relief, turn off my lights, and pull the blankets over my head, ready for sleep to take me into its comforting depths.
~~~~~~In the morning~~~~~~
I shiver with cold, pulling my sweatshirt over my body.
"You ready yet?" Xavier asks through my door.
"One second, I need to get my project." I croak, reaching out to grab the papers and the poster that's sitting on my desk. I look over our work; October, Jazz, and Mason had finished it while I was making snacks yesterday, and I have to say, they did a great job. I read it over quickly before stuffing it in my bag.
I step out of my room and walk down the stairs. Xavier is leaning casually against the front door, stormy eyes closed, auburn hair brushed over his eyes, and hands shoved in his pockets. My breath catches in my throat and my heart starts beating violently.
Realization hits me like a brick to the head; I have a crush on Xavier Robinson. He opens his eyes and smiles a charming smile at me. I blush and step down the last step, unable to look him in the eyes.
"Took long enough," he jokes, and I let out a small laugh. "Let's get going, unless you want to be late." I scurry to his side quickly, tripping over my own feet.
"You okay?" He asks, putting a hand on my elbow to steady me. "Yeah, let's go, I have a project to present." I say, finding my voice.
I manage to walk straight and not trip down the step, and hopefully I don't look like a fool.
We drive in silence, with me contemplating on liking him and him concentrating on driving, no doubt. As soon as we park, I jump out of the car, thank him for the ride, and dash off to my first period class.