Painkiller

Three

Xavier walked into the school and Eden immediately walked over to him from her locker, leaving the people crowding her. "Hey," she smiled, rolling her eyes and pointing her thumb back at the crowd. "People are really tiring."

Xavier raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Do you not like the crowd at your locker? Why don't you just tell them to leave?"

"Who would like that many people around them all the time? They're mainly girls that think I want to hang out with them or set them up with whatever guy. I don't tell them to leave because I don't want to seem rude," she answered, grinning. "Oh, by the way, here's this."

Eden handed Xavier his sweatshirt, which he slipped on. "Thanks," he replied, shoving his hands in the pocket.

"No, thank you for letting me use it. It's really comfortable, even though my parents weren't amused with me when I walked in the house wearing some random guy's sweatshirt." Eden laughed.

Her laugh made Xavier's chest feel tight. Everything about her talking to him felt unreal to him. He had been imagining this moment for God knows how long, and it was finally happening.  "I mean, if you enjoyed having it, you can use it anytime," he offered, mentally facepalming after he realized what he said.

Eden chuckled and replied, "No, that's all good. It's your sweatshirt anyways."

Xavier just nodded, his hands fumbling with each other in the pocket. Of course he had to go and say something stupid.  Suddenly, a girly voice screamed, "Eden, get over here right now!"

"Looks like I have to go," Eden laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "Let me know if you ever want to hang out."

Before Xavier could reply, Eden was gone, off doing something she probably couldn't care less about. A dorky smile spread across Xavier's face as he walked to his locker. Madeline was already at her locker when he got there. "So, you guys talked more?" she teased, a smirk on her face.

Xavier's cheeks turned red as he answered, "Yeah, she told me to let her know if I want to hang out sometime."

"That's awesome! Text her after school! Invite her to something!" Madeline suggested, clapping her hands excitedly.

Xavier opened his locker and started getting his stuff around when he replied, "I will, what do I invite her to though?"

"A movie maybe? I don't know, I'd personally love to go on a picnic as a first date, but that's just me," she answered.

"I'll think about it," Xavier said, closing his locker.

The two walked together until they reached the History classroom. Madeline turned to him, and he noticed her eyes didn't seem as bright as usual.  "I'll see you later Xavier," she said before walking off.

"What's up with her," Xavier muttered to himself under his breath before walking into the classroom.

When he sat down, Orion was already there. "So, I heard about you and Eden. What're you doing, trying to out do me? Not going to happen bud," he rambled.

"I don't know what you're talking about, all I did was talk to her," Xavier mumbled, putting his head down.

Orion leaned back and whispered, "Whatever."

*~*~*

When Madeline and Xavier got to lunch, Eden was there, waiting. "Hey guys, I decided to wait since I'll be sitting with my friends at lunch, so why not talk to you guys for a bit," she told them as they started going through the lunch line.

Xavier grabbed a tray, taking a big mental breath, preparing himself.  "So Eden, I was wondering if you wanted to go on a picnic this evening? I'll text you the details if you want," Xavier invited Eden, speaking quickly, but with a smile on his face.

Madeline looked at him but quickly looked away as Eden answered, "Yeah, of course! Sounds fun."

"Alright, that's great! I'll see you then," he replied as the three of them walked out of the lunch line.

When Xavier and Madeline sat down, Xavier immediately told Rylan and Tatiana, "Guys, Eden and I are going on a picnic later!"

"Oh, that's great!" Rylan replied, giving Xavier a high five.

Xavier caught Tatiana glancing at Madeline for a second before Madeline stood up suddenly. "I have to go to the bathroom," she announced before walking away.

Before Xavier could say anything, Tatiana followed, saying, "Now that I think of it, I do too, we'll be back."

Rylan looked over at Xavier and asked, "What do you think they're talking about in there?"

Xavier just shrugged, mumbling, "Who knows?"

Soon enough, the two small girls returned, taking their seats again.  "So, what were we talking about?" Tatiana asked, picking her food back up to take a bite.

Xavier knew better than to ask what was wrong with Madeline. She would have either snapped at him or broken down crying, neither which he could handle. Instead, the table just continued regular conversation, completely dismissing the whole thing.

*~*~*

Eden

October 17th 1:52PM

Alright, so, the picnic.  How does
it sound to have you dropped off
at my house and we can walk to
West Side park??  Don't worry, I
live super close to it

Ah, that sounds perfect!  It's
chillier than i thought, i feel bad
asking but do you have a spare
jacket i could borrow maybe?

Yeah, of course!  Don't feel bad
about asking, it's really fine,
not like I'd be wearing it
anyways

Ah, thank you so much!  I
cant wait!!  Where should I
meet you after last period to
meet you?

Just come to my locker, you
know where it is, we can walk
out together and I'll show you
which bus to get on

Sounds perfect to me!  I'll
see you then!!