Xandra with an X

Struck a Nerve

"Why do you need six cans of raviolis?" Xandra barks, putting three back on the shelf.

"Because I like them!" I throw one back into the cart.

"I will make you some. This crap isn't good for you." She shakes her head and puts all of them back on the shelf.

"Fine." I cross my arms over my chest and continue down the isle without her.

"Aren't you suppose to be working today?" She tosses a few more things into the care.

Oh fuck. Think fast. Think fast. "Oh I was going to but this girl Celeste asked if she could take it. She's got a lot going on, needs the money, so I let her have it." I shrug.

I have never met a Celeste in my entire life. The only reason that name flew out of my mouth is because I was watching Big Little Lies earlier. Not spoiling anything but Celeste deserves so much more.

"Oh that's nice, I guess." I put a thing of cookies in the basket, only for her to take them right back out. "What, you don't like my cookies?"

I groan, walking to the other side of the isle to grab a pie crust. Before I can touch it Xandra's hand is in my back pocket, pulling my back to her chest. I wish I'd tense up and pull away, but I don't. I melt in her touch, smiling when her arms wrap around me.

"You don't like my cookies?" She repeats, her lips pressed against the shell of my ear.

"I do." I shiver, they constantly have the conditioner on blast in this store.

"Cold?"

"Mhm." I wrap my arms around myself once she pulls away. Her body is replaced with her sweater and she zips it up for me. "But you'll get cold." I protest.

"I'm okay." She smiles. "We're almost done anyway."

My heart nearly explodes and I can't wait for us to leave. I want to kiss her cheek. I want hold her. She promised me that today she'll actually sit down and watch a movie with me. We're gonna watch Frozen 2 of course, since she hasn't actually seen it. She isn't a fan of Disney, but she said she'll watch it just for me! God, I love her.

...no I don't.

Scratch that entire thought.

"Earth to Vita." Xandra calls from the doorway of the drivers seat. "The ice cream and all the frozen food is going to completely melt. Hurry and help me please."

I was silent the entire car ride home, mentally scolding myself. Xandra is so much more that Miss Scott was so I can't relive that nightmare. I can't lose Xandra when she's all I have left. If she finds out the intensity of my feelings for her, I'm sure she'll end it then and there. No more baking lessons or home cooked meals.

"Sorry." I force a laugh and carry in some bags.

Once everything is put away, Xandra pops some popcorn while I put on the movie. I grab my purple blanket from my bed and settle on the couch,waiting for Xandra.

"What's your obsession with this movie?" She asks, taking her spot behind me.

"The story, the music, the message. Everything."

The movie starts and I cuddle up to her. My purple blanket is draped over us and the bowl of popcorn rests on my stomach. Xandra's hands remain on my hips the entire movie, except when she reaches for popcorn.

"The lullaby told them everything from the start." She notes. I can't believe she actually sat through the whole movie.

"Yes, but they didn't know that." I lean my head against her neck. "It was just a song that their mom sang to them, but they had to figure out that it was more. It was a message."

"I probably should've watched the first one before this."

"YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED THE FIRST ONE!?" I sit up abruptly, spilling what's left of the popcorn all over the carpet. Don't worry, Popper is quick to clean it up.

"No." She admits, laughing.

"Ugh it's all ruined now! You should've told me!"

"Its not ruined! It was a... cute movie." She smiles.

"You liked it." I smirk, putting the popcorn bowl on the coffee table and turning onto my stomach.

"I did." She shrugs.

"Now we have to watch the first one!"

"No." She whines. "Come on, help me bake something."

"Come on Xandra, its iconic! A story of two sisters, their love for each other, and its so good!" She's trying to get out from under me but my arms are around her neck, pinning her to the couch.

"If I end up hating it you're gonna be so upset with me." She smirks.

"Only heartless people hate it." My smile fades and it scrunches in anger.

"Struck a nerve there?" She chuckles.

"No." I tuck myself back against her.

"Come on, who hated it?"

"I'm gonna be out tomorrow night. I'll probably be in late." I change the subject.

She rolls her eyes before kissing my forehead. "Let me take care of you before Larry gets home." Her hands slide to my ass.

I smile and lean in, wanting to feel her lips on mine. I've spent the day taking in every moment with Xandra and I'm not stopping now. Knowing that tomorrow night I'm going to sell my body for sex, I'm happy I get this last meaningful time with Xandra beforehand. I know it makes no sense to say that because I'm doing all this specifically to prove to myself that sex it meaningless but still... I won't enjoy tomorrow, but at least I can enjoy tonight.