Forbidden Fruit

Chapter 11: Spiders Are Not A Laughing Matter

Lily's POV
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"Oh sweetie, you don't need to help set the table. Marie and I will do it." Natalie said, grabbing the plates from my hands.

"I'm sorry." I smile sheepishly at her.

"It's alright. Just sit down and we'll take care of it." She smiled back at me. I nod and take a seat next to Xavier and across from Amelia.

Marie started bringing out drinks and Natalie was setting down plates of food.

Xavier is to my right, Amelia is across from me, Marie sat next to Amelia, and Natalie sat next to Marie, and the chair on my left was empty.

"Let's start eating, he'll be here soon." Natalie said after sitting down.

He?

Everybody started passing around plates and putting food on their plates and after a few moments a man entered the room.

"I'm sorry I'm late," He apologized, pecking Natalie on the cheek before walking around the table and pulling out the empty chair next to me, "It seems we have a guest. I'm Stephen. You are?"

"Lily, I'm Xavier's friend." I answered, extending my hand towards him, to which he shakes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, I apologize for being late to dinner, I was finishing up business." He explained, putting a napkin on his lap and beginning to put food on his plate.

I nod in response and we all start eating.

"So, do you go to school with Xavier?" He inquired, cutting into his steak.

"Yes, we have all the same classes." I nodded.

"Do you do well in classes?" He asked.

"Yes, I usually get A's and B's." I answered.

"Do you have any plans for college?" He asked.

"I've looked into a few, but I'm interested in Stanford." I answered, taking another bite of steak.

"Nice, "He nodded approvingly, "Hopefully Xavier will follow your lead and go there as well. He needs to have a good education for his future."

"Honey, why don't you ask Amelia how traveling was?" Natalie looked at him with a slight glare on her face.

He nodded, his brows furrowed, and shifted over to look at Amelia, "Amelia, how was California?"

"It was nice, but I missed home." She replied, looking at him with a smile on her face before glancing back at her plate.

We all finished eating in silence before Marie and Natalie gathered up the plates and Amelia and Stephen left the dining room.

"Do you need any help?" I offered.

"No, it's alright sweetheart, you and Xavier can go and hang out. We'll be fine." She assured, glancing over at Marie who smiled back at me.

I nodded and Xavier and I walk out of the dining room.

"So, what do you want to do now?" He glanced over at me, hands shoved in his pockets as we slowly walk through the hall.

"Do you want to go back to my house?"I asked, looking over at him.

He nodded and we made our way to our separate vehicles and decided to meet up at my house.

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I unlocked the front door and opened it to the sight of Xavier. He walked in like he owned the place and quickly made himself comfortable by taking his shoes off and putting his jacket on a chair.