Truth, Lies, and the Space Inbetween

Chapter Four

For the next few days Xavier hung out with us, getting to know the school and his classes. Whenever we saw Amber, she shot daggers at me. She had the idea that any new boy immediately belonged to her, and the fact that I had 'gotten to' Xavier before her really riled her up.

Xavier was really a sweet guy. He was a gentleman, courtesy of his parents putting him into etiquette classes at a young age. Aubree and I had suffered a similar fate, but only retained enough to not draw attention to ourselves when forced to attend stuffy events.

He seemed to be coping quite well with the change in schools, fitting right in with the popular, sporty guys. All the girls were fawning over him, myself and Aubree excluded, but no one had seen his elusive delinquent brother. As far as I could tell, only Aubree and I knew he even had a brother.

The first week of school felt like a month, and Aubree and I celebrated the end of it. We camped out in her room watching chick flicks and pigging out on sweets all weekend.

The next week was pretty much the same until Wednesday.

Leaving English, my last class with Xavier, I was stopped by a hand on my arm.

"Can I ask you something?" Xavier murmurs, looking very nervous.

"Yeah, sure, what is it?" I reply.

He looks around, clearly waiting for the corridors to empty a little more. He drops his hand from my arm reluctantly, as if he's afraid I'll run away if he doesn't hold onto me. When the majority of students had headed off to their next class, some shooting us questioning glances on their way, Xavier takes a deep breath.

"Peyton", he begins, then clears his throat. "Would you like to go out with me?"

I freeze for a second. Would I? Do I like him like that? Should I? I can't deny that he isn't attractive, but I'm just not sure if I can handle a relationship, what with the previous disasters I've been a part of. I don't want Xavier to end up broken hearted because I'm terrible at committing.

The bell rings down the hallway. We are on our own now, and late for class.

Xavier looks at me so expectantly, hopefully, and I make a split second decision to give it a go.

"Okay", I say, and he breaks out in the most brilliant, adorable smile that makes me smile too. He quickly envelops me in a warm hug, before pulling away with a worried look.

"Crap, I made you late for class. I'm so sorry!" He gushes, and I shake my head, grinning.

"It's fine really. It's just art, my teacher's probably not there yet either. You on the other hand should go suck up to your music teacher so he doesn't make you stay after school."

He laughs and agrees, and we both head our separate ways. I can't help but feel a little giddy. It's been a while since I've been asked out, and agreed for that matter. I just hope it doesn't crash and burn too quickly.