Painkiller

Eight

Eden

October 24th 6:21AM

Hey Xavier! Good morning,
I hope you slept well. Do you
happen to be free this Saturday?

I believe so, why?

Ah, awesome. I'm having a
Halloween party, since, yknow,
Halloween is a week from today,
and my birthday is next month,
so it's kinda a combined
thing, and I was wondering
if you could come?

I'm flattered, and I'd be happy
to go, I'll definitely try and ask
my parents.

Ah yay!  I can't wait!  I'll
send you my address just in
case you need it.  I really really
really hope you can come!

So do I, I'll do my best to
convince them

Xavier hadn't woken up this happy in a while.  He pushed himself out of bed and made his way to his dresser.  He pulled out a solid navy blue t-shirt and a pair of jeans, slipping them on.  He also put on a pair of black socks before making his way downstairs.

Just like every morning, his mom was up, making eggs, while his dad was on his phone.  Xavier suddenly got nervous to ask, but he sat down at the table and called, "Mom?  Dad?"

Both of them looked up from what they were doing, and his dad replied, "Yes, Xavier?"

"Okay so I know I haven't ever really been invited to much but like, that Eden girl I hung out with last week invited me to a Halloween party and it's also to celebrate her upcoming birthday and I really want to go to celebrate it," he blurted out, just slow enough for them to understand what he was saying.

Xavier's mom looked terrified, and started, "Honey, I don't think-"

"I think it's a great idea!" Xavier's dad jumped in.  "You need to get out there more.  I think it's a good experience."

Xavier's mom looked at his dad, and said, "May I have a word with you?"

He just nodded and stood up, and the couple walked to the other room.  Xavier already felt bad about causing a scene.  After a few minutes, the two walked back in, and Xavier's dad said, "We came to the compromise that you can go, but you have to keep your phone on you at all times and answer when either of us calls you."

Xavier smiled and nodded his head.  "Thank you guys, so much," he said to them before everyone went back to their morning routine.

*~*~*

Xavier walked into school, feeling more pumped up than usual.  He saw Eden was alone, and he made his way to her, a big smile on his face.  "Drop your boy toy yet?" he joked, the grin not leaving his face.

Eden let out a chuckle and replied, "I texted him this morning about it.  It wasn't something I could really do face to face.  Here, I'll show you the messages."

Eden pulled up her phone and handed it to Xavier.

Orion

October 18th 7:04 AM

Hey, I think I need to make
something clear here

What is it sweet cheeks?

You and I - us - we are not
a thing.  I don't know why
you got the idea we were, I
mean, we hung out once, but
if I dated all the guys I hung out
with, I'd be a slut.  I didn't even
really realize it was a date until
you started acting all weird
afterwards.

Is this because I never
made it official?  Because
if you want me to, I can

No, it's because I'm simply not into
you Orion, and I just felt the need to
share that

Fine, you're missing out

All Xavier could manage was a laugh.  "I'm proud of you, Eden," he told her, patting her on the back as he gave her phone back.

She just smiled at him.  Her innocent face gave him butterflies.  She then asked, "Do you know about my party yet?"

"My dad convinced my mom to let me go.  Oh, the wonders of love," he joked, cracking a smile.

Eden laughed at that.  She looked over at his locker and told him, "I think Maddy is waiting for you.  I should probably get to my first period, too.  I'll talk to you later, Xavier."

Not giving him time to respond, she gave him a hug and walked away.  That was the most in love he had ever felt.

*~*~*

"So guys, I have a question," Eden said as she sat down at the lunch table.

Rylan poked his head up from his book and asked, "What is it?"

"Who is free this Saturday?" Eden questioned.  Everybody raised their hand slightly, enough to make it obvious but not enough to raise attention from outsiders.  Then, excitedly, Eden announced, "Awesome!  I'm having a party and I want all of you to come.  If you need, I sent Xavier my address for it.  Make sure to dress up!"

Xavier smiled at her enthusiasm.  Madeline looked over at Xavier with wild surprise.  "You convinced your mom to let you go?" she asked.

Xavier laughed and replied, "Not me, but Mr. Andrew Black.  I have my dad to thank for it."

"Good going Andy," Madeline said while clapping, a sarcastic smile on her face.  "So I'm assuming we'll all be getting ready at my house."

The four looked at each other and nodded.  Madeline then looked over at Eden.  "So, what are you going to dress up as?  Just so we know how serious to go."

"Ah well, I want you to wait and see, but I can tell you it's silly, there's no fun in serious Halloween costumes," Eden chuckled.

Xavier nodded and agreed, "Damn right.  Halloween is the time for our inner children to come out."

Xavier saw Eden smile out of the corner of his eye.  He then averted his gaze to Madeline.  "We'll go out after school tomorrow to get our outfits," he decided, smiling at her.

Madeline just nodded, a grin on her face.  Tatiana joined in, "Rylan and I will go too."

"Sounds like a plan," Xavier said, excitement already building up inside of him.

The rest of the period was spent talking about Halloween, and Xavier was already playing out the party in his head, playing endless scenarios he knew would never happen.