Loves Deception

Chapter 4

Xavier had been racking his brains for the past two weeks. He needed to see her, to explain. He waited outside her classes but somehow she managed to slip past him unnoticed. Hell, he damn near slept in the library. She had to come to work sometime he figured. But she never showed up. He didnt know where she lived, which was a good thing because he’d of probably had a restraining order put out against him.

He rolled over on his back and stared up at the ceiling. He knew Xion was an asshole. He just never figured he'd go this far. For the first time in his life, he seriously considered physically harming his brother. It had taken at least six guys to keep him from attacking him that night. He had told him in not so nice words to get lost, and stay the hell away for them both. That was two weeks ago and he hadn’t seen him since. The condo they shared was eerily quiet, letting him know his brother hadnt come home. Again. He sighed. Why couldn’t he get this girl out of his mind? Was it about sex?  No. Well yes.

Xavier knew tons of females. If it was just about sex he could get that. But it was more than that. When he looked up into her face that day, something clicked inside of him. Suddenly work wasn’t as important anymore. He'd wanted to spend his time putting a smile on her pretty face. He couldnt describe it. He wasnt in love, it was more like a strong like. With one look she had managed to do what no one not even his family could get him to do. Put work and school second. He decided he wanted to make her his first priorty, and just as he was about to make it known and throw caution to the wind, the shit hit the fan. His fist clenched the sheets. He looked at the clock on the nightstand. He had even managed to oversleep. This girl, who wanted nothing to do with him, was throwing off his perfectly constructed life. He had to see her, at least talk to her one last time. When she heard his side of the story, and if she still decided she wanted nothing to do with him, then he’d walk away and take that spring internship in New York. Back to business as usual. May as well get up and get on with his day. He slid out of bed, and stretched. His gaze slid lower to his rock hard erection. First on his list was a cold shower. He scowled.

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If I could stay in this spot forever I would be perfectly content. Layla thought. She took a deep breath and snuggled further into the soft oversized couch. She had to have set the record for watching the most lifetime movies in one sitting. But this was her comfort zone. TV, pajamas, junk food, sleep.

Just as she dozed off, she was awakened to the sound of the front door slamming shut. She whipped her head around and glared at her friend. Naomi winced. "Sorry, I thought you were out." “I was trying to get some rest before you barged in her like a swat team!" She snapped. "Well excuse the hell outta me. Who stole your Popsicle?" Naomi said rolling her neck. That was the saying they'd made up as teens to let each other know when they were acting like bitches. "Whatever."  She said dismissing her and turning back towards the TV. "Oh, I'm sorry. How was your day? Oh fine thanks for asking," Naomi mimicked talking to herself. "Im not in the mood Nae, so just chill." Layla warned.

Naomi frowned. She wasn’t used to seeing her friend like this. She wore ratty pj's with a worn shirt, her hair was a mess, and she hadnt been out of the house in two weeks. Each time she returned to the apartment she found her in the same position, curled up on the couch. Naomi hurt for her best friend. after the party two weeks ago, they walked home and she held her all night and they both cried. She had tried to comfort her the best she could, telling her it wasn’t her fault, but no matter how much she cursed Xion’s or Xavier's name her friend cried harder. Then she had stopped crying and stopped talking. She shut down completely, took two weeks leave from school and work siting family emergency and Naomi covered for her. She spent the time moping around the apartment and snapped over the littlest things.

I cant take no more of this shit! She wanted to scream. But she had to approach this delicately. They rarely argued but when they did, well this could get intense. She walked over to the couch, lifted her feet and placed them in her lap as she sat down. She sighed. "Did you at least shower and eat real food?" She asked accusingly. Layla scowled but nodded. "I um, I brought your class work". She pointed. "Everyone sends there love, and I took some pretty good notes if I do say so myself.” She joked hoping to get a laugh out of her. Nothing. She drummed her fingers and glanced around the room. "Soooo... anything good on Lifetime today?" Layla shrugged. Anybody else would have given up but Naomi knew her friend and how far to push. She’d been down on herself long enough.