Painkiller

Five

Xavier walked into school the next day with a huge grin on his face.  As soon as he entered, though, his face dropped.  At Eden's locker was a familiar, tall, blonde teenager.

Orion leaned onto the lockers with his elbow, standing in front of the small redhead.  Xavier couldn't see her face, so he hoped she looked uninterested. His pride dropped as he walked to his own locker, his grin drooping and his walk less enthusiastic. He opened his locker and got his stuff, then looked around for the short brunette who greeted him every morning. She was nowhere to be found. Usually, she'd text him if she wasn't well, so Xavier was wildly confused. Had he done something to upset her?

Xavier looked back at Eden's locker, where she was giggling into her hand. Xavier's heart sank as he turned around and headed to his first class.

He sat down in his seat, waiting for the classroom to fill up. Soon, the blonde boy entered and sat down across from Xavier. "Hey buddy," he greeted with his white smile, the dimple in his cheek showing. "How was your morning?"

Xavier just shrugged and muttered, "It was fine."

"Well, you know what else is fine? Eden. Whew, what a hot chick there. I wonder if she has a fiery temper to match that red hair of hers," Orion seemed to brag, his gray eyes looking up.

Xavier just shrugged again, trying to look as uninterested as possible to get out of the conversation. He could feel a pain in his heart, but he did his best to ignore it. Eventually, after what felt like a decade to Xavier, the teacher walked into the door and started class.

*~*~*

Xavier rushed to the lunch table, finding himself to be the first one there.  All day and there had been no sign of Madeline.  Xavier, who began to get worried, shot her an 'Are you okay?' text.

Eventually, Tatiana and Rylan showed up, having their own little conversation. They sat down and looked around the table. "Hey, where's Maddy?" Rylan asked eventually, fixing his gaze on Xavier.

Xavier just gave a shrug in reply, answering, "I have no idea. She hasn't texted me or anything and she wasn't at the lockers this morning. I texted her and I haven't gotten a reply back yet."

After a few minutes of staring at his food while eating, Xavier noticed someone walk over and sit next to him. When he looked up, the redhead was the last person he expected. "Hi Xavier!" Eden cheerily greeted him, an innocent smile on her face.

Xavier's lips rose into a grin as he replied, "Hey Eden."

The two chatted for a while, Xavier was so into the conversation that he didn't notice another figure coming over to sit at his table until he spoke; "Hey sweet cheeks."

Xavier looked up to see Orion, sitting next to Eden with his enchanting smile. It was obvious his compliment was directed towards the girl next to him. "Hello Orion," she responded, and Xavier hoped that the lack of enthusiasm in her voice wasn't just in his head.

Orion didn't seem to notice it, continuing, "You know, we should go get some ice cream later today, you in?"

Eden smiles politely. "Yeah, that sounds like fun," she answered, and Xavier could feel his heart drop to his stomach.

Was Eden interested in Orion? Or had she only agreed to be polite? If she was just being polite, is that the only reason she hung out with Xavier? Xavier could feel his head racing, and he quickly stood up. "I have to use the restroom," he quickly announced before leaving the table.

He speed-walked his way to the men's restroom, locking himself in a stall. He took his phone out of his pocket to see a response from Madeline.

Maddy

October 18th 10:47AM

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm fine, just got the
stomach bug or something, woke
up and threw up

Ah, I'm sorry :(  I hope you feel
better soon

I'll survive, hows school been
today?

Well my best friend isn't here and
Orion asked Eden to hang out, which
she agreed to, so life is just splendid

Damn, that sucks, I'm sorry
bud

Like you said, I'll survive, isnt the
end of the world I guess, I just got my
hopes up a little too high

Well if she'd rather date that
scumbag than you, obviously
she isn't worth it

I guess so, thanks Maddy :)

Hey, anytime, I'm already
feeling better, you feel like a
movie night tonight? You,
me, Rylan, Tatiana, and a
big bag of popcorn?

Sounds awesome, can't think
of a better way to spend my
Friday night

Alright, see you there

Xavier could feel himself breathe normally again. He walked out of the stall, feeling better about the situation. Madeline was right, if Eden would rather be with Orion, that douchebag of a human being, then he should let her go. He confidently walked back to the cafeteria, thinking nothing could break his stride. That was, until he looked over at his table.

Orion stood there, Eden in his arms, looking fragile. He let her go, a cocky smile taking over his tan face. He then walked away from the table, leaving Eden there, looking mostly content.

Xavier felt his knees weaken as he walked over. He sat down next to Eden and tried to shoot her a nice smile, but failing. Instead, he turned his attention to Rylan and Tatiana. "Hey, are you guys down for a movie night tonight at Maddy's?" he asked them, wondering if Madeline has brought it up to them yet.

"Actually, we already made plans," Tatiana answered before Ryland could speak.

Xavier just nodded, under his breath mumbling, "Guess it'll be the two of us."

The table ate mainly in silence until the bell rang. They stood up, and Xavier took one last glance at Eden, who flashed him a smile so innocent that it made his heart melt, before he left to go to his next class.

*~*~*

Xavier threw his bag onto his shoulder, his eyes averting to Eden's locker. Just like this morning, Orion was there, talking to her while leaning against the locker. Xavier let out a sigh, popping his ear buds in. He knew the bus ride would be long, thinking about Orion and Eden the whole time without his best friend there to distract him.

He made it almost out the doors before he felt a finger tap on his shoulder. He turned around, taking an earbud out, to see the small redhead grinning at him. "Thought I'd say goodbye before you headed out," she told him.

Xavier could feel his mouth twitching at the corners. Eden opened her arms, which Xavier moved into, squeezing her just hard enough for it to be friendly. Despite not wanting to, Xavier let go after a few seconds. "I'll see you tomorrow," he told her, before walking out the door.

Xavier walked up the steps and into the bus, sitting in his regular seat. He looked out the window to see Eden and Orion getting into a dark blue ford Mustang. He opened the door for her, and she got in, making Xavier's heart ache. He decided to turn his head, not wanting to watch anymore. Orion seemed to have everything that Xavier didn't; money, a car, really good looks. Is that all that Eden wanted?