Us Against The World

Chapter 32

I quickly stand to my feet in hopes that everything circling me and making me dizzy with confusion will stop. I look ahead of me and find Jexton jogging in my direction. 

"Farrah!" he calls and I begin to cry again, only this time out of anger and frustration. "Don't listen to him!" I look down at Ander who is smiling as if this is all a big game. And as much as I want to attack him, I don't want to take the risk of being killed for it, as I know I will lose that fight.

I look back up and find that Jexton is standing right behind his brother. "What did you say to her?" Jexton screams at his brother and Ander continues to laugh until Jexton swings his leg into his brother's side. The hard blow caused Ander fall to his side and gasp for air. The soldier's cock their guns in sync and point them at Jexton. He freezes and stares between them and. My heart pounds and everything falls to silence. 

"You guys gonna shoot me because I kicked my brother?" Jexton asks, pressing his hand to his freshly wrapped wound. Everyone stays silent. The only sounds in this part of the community are coming from Ander, who is still trying to catch the breath that Jexton had forced out of him. 

There is a small crowd surrounding us and all of the people are in complete and utter shock. All of the grown women are either covering their gaped mouths or the eyes of their children. 

"Get out of here!" one of the soldiers call out to the crowd. "There's nothing to see here, go home." soon, the crowd is gone and we are the only people on this side once again.

I glance down at Ander, who has finally managed to sit himself up again. He looks up at me, while holding his side, and begins laughing again. Annoyance builds up and it literally takes everything in me to not pounce on him. Why does he think this is all a big joke? 

When he stands, he stretches and turns around to face Jexton. "Ah, Mr. Hotshot." he says and cracks his fingers. He slowly walks toward his brother and Jexton steps back. "Was that some kind of show, or were you just trying to start a fight?" he asks and Jexton stays silent. Ander turns to the soldiers and nods at them. "You guys can relax," he says genuinely. "have a seat or something." one by one, each of the soldiers lower their guns.

"I know what you're trying to do," Jexton says in a low, intimidating voice. "it's not gonna work." Ander paces a small distance back and forth and taps his jawline with his index finger. "And what is it exactly that I'm trying to do, Jexton?" he asks and even I'm becoming fed up with him. 

"You're trying to turn her away from me." Jexton says sternly and Ander laughs. Literally. He throws his head back and laughs a loud, amused laugh with a huge smile on his face. He slowly lowers his head and looks between Jexton and I. 

"As if you actually care at all for her." he says and Jexton glares at him. His fists are balled at his sides so tightly that his knuckles are white, and I can tell by his body language that if Ander says another word Jexton will ambush him.

"It just so happens I do." Jexton says through his teeth. Ander scratches his cheek and turns to me. He crosses his arms and shifts his weight. "Do you believe him?" he asks and I cannot believe that he is putting me on the spot—especially when I haven't had long enough to decide whether I trust Jexton or not. After everything Ander had just told me, he knows that my feelings will affect my answer, and that's why he's doing this. 

I stare between the two men as my chin quivers. I cannot process anymore tears; as I have cried myself dry. Jexton has put me through so much, but he has also helped me so much. He has put me in danger time and time again, but he has also saved me time and time again. I know him better than I know Ander, and for all I know, Ander could have been lying to me about everything.

I awkwardly nod and keep eye contact with Jexton. A slight nod is all I can manage, and I watch as relief floods over him. Ander rolls his eyes in annoyance, then chuckles. I can't take it anymore.

"What the hell do you think is so goddamn funny?" I ask and a frown takes over the smile on Ander's face. "Excuse me?" he says and my heart begins to thud against my chest at an abnormal speed. "You heard me." I say vigorously and Ander steps toward me. 

"I don't think you should be talking to me like that, little lady." he says and I glare at him. "Or else what?" I challenge and his eyes widen. He whistles at one of the soldiers and tilts his head at me, and the soldier quickly takes a step forward. 

My heart nearly leaps out of my chest as the man begins to walk toward me. I run to Jexton and he steps in front of me, as if to guard me from the men standing before us. Ander puts his hand up to the guard and shakes his head, and the guard stands down.

"Awh, how cute." Ander says and I roll my eyes behind Jexton's back. "Jexton, you can't hold onto it much longer," he says and butterflies fill my stomach as goosebumps cover every inch of my skin. "you'll break at some point. I'm surprised you've even held onto it for this long." 

"Shut the hell up." Jexton warns and I step away from him. I step back, pulling my hands away from his, and he turns around and looks at me with a worried expression. I then look at Ander, who is already staring at me. 

"He's been using you all this time to—" his sentence is cut off by Jexton springing himself at him and punching him repeatedly. All of the soldiers stand and try to pull Jexton off of his brother. "Run, Farrah!" his voice cracks. "Go, now!" ignoring the chip in my arm, I do as Jexton says and run to and out the back gates of the Consilium community.