Painkiller

Eleven

Xavier woke up to his alarm, just like every weekday morning.  For the first time in a while, he was dreading going to school.  Last night, he didn't find out anything about what he could've done.  He asked Tatiana and Ryland, but he didn't learn anything.  He felt like everyone knew something that he didn't, and it was killing him.

He got up and got himself around.  He was moving slower than usual, in no rush to get to school.  If anything, he was dreading the day to come.  "Xavier!" his mom called, "If you don't hurry up, you'll be late!"

"I hope so," he muttered under his breath, but he sped up, not wanting to deal with his angry parents.

He eventually was ready and went outside to wait for the bus.  When it came, he got on and sat in his regular seat with Madelyn.  He didn't know what to say to her or if she was still upset.  He hadn't talked to her since he had left her house.  As always, she looked over at him and offered him an earbud.  He smiled, glad that things weren't weird, and he took the earbud.  He put it into his ear as one of Madeline's favorite bands played.

When they got to school, Xavier gave Madeline her earbud back.  The two of them walked into school together.  As soon as they walked in, Xavier's eyes moved to Eden's locker, hoping to get a chance to talk to her.  To his disappointment, Orion was standing there, talking to her.  Eden looked happy, almost too happy.  Xavier let out a sigh as he walked to his own locker to get ready for class.

Soon, he was sitting in his first period, waiting for it to start.  Orion walked in right before the bell rang and sat down with Xavier.  "Guess who's got a date with your little friend?" Orion teased Xavier, a smirk covering his face.

"Yeah, another 'date'," Xavier muttered, shaking his head.  He knew Orion was most likely fibbing.

Orion frowned before replying, "Actually, yes, this is a date.  You can ask her, she actually asked me out."

That got Xavier's attention.  His head shot up as he looked at Orion, who was grinning at the attention he was now receiving.  "She did?" Xavier asked, only now interested.

"Yes, she did.  I guess she could no longer resist me," Orion bragged, leaning back in his chair.

Xavier could feel his everything crashing down.  He thought things between him and Eden were going well, other than whatever happened Saturday.  How could he have possibly messed things up this bad?  He kept telling himself maybe Orion was just a rebound because of whatever happened, but he didn't know how much he believed it.

Xavier wanted to ask Orion more questions, but class begun, so he had to wait 

*~*~*

Xavier angrily set his tray down on the lunch table, receiving looks from the other three there.  "What's got you in such a grumpy mood?" Ryland asked.

Xavier put his head in his hands and answered, "The fact that I somehow fucked up and have no idea how, and now Orion and Eden are going out together."

The table was quiet for a bit until Tatiana spoke up, "I'm sorry, Xavier."

"I am, too," he mumbled to himself before lifting his head and eating.

Soon, Eden joined their table.  "Hey guys!" she greeted cheerfully, making Xavier's heart ache.

The group of five ate together.  When they finished, Xavier looked at Eden and built up the courage to ask a question that might completely break him.  "Hey Eden?" he asked, and she turned to look at him.  "I heard you're going on a date with Orion?"

"Yeah, I am," she answered, and Xavier could feel his insides want to shut down.  "Why?  Is he a bad guy?"

Xavier shook his head, saying, "No, he's just not what I thought you'd be into is all."

"What did you think I was into?" Eden questioned, her eyebrows furrowing.

Me, hopefully, Xavier thought.  "I'm not sure, but definitely not the overly cocky  bad boy."

"Well, if it doesn't go well, I won't go out with him again," she reassured him, crossing her arms.

Xavier just nodded at her, not knowing what else to say in the situation.  He felt so broken and lost, not even knowing where he went wrong.  His anger at himself rose as the bell rang, signifying the end of lunch.  The group stood and all went their separate ways, as Xavier tried to keep calm.

*~*~*

Xavier practically ran out of his last period, wanting to get to Eden's locker before anyone else.  When he got to the lockers, he saw Eden alone at hers.  Smiling in victory, he walked over to her.  "Hey, Eden," he greeted her, trying to sound as happy as possible in the state he was in mentally.

She looked over at him, and a small smile took over her face as she replied, "Hey, Xavier."

Noticing she didn't look as happy as she usually did, Xavier put his fingers in the corners of her mouth and lifted them, to make her look as if she was smiling wider.  "Smile, you have a date tonight."

Eden started to giggle as she jokingly shoved Xavier away.  "I know, dummy."

He looked at her, taking all of her in.  Her beautiful red hair, the cute grey sweater she was wearing, everything about her seemed so perfect.  "Hey, text me tonight and let me know how it goes," he suggested, giving her a small smile.  "If he does anything to you, I will kick his ass."

Eden laughed for real this time, replying, "Good luck with that one, but yeah, I will."

Xavier grinned, but was soon interrupted by a taller blonde.  "Flirting with my date?" Orion asked jokingly, making Xavier turn to him.

Xavier put his hands up in defense and replied, "No, sir," before looking back at Eden.  "I'll talk to you later."

With that, he went to his own locker to get ready to leave.

*~*~*

That night, Xavier laid in his bed, waiting for his phone to go off.  He told himself he wouldn't go to bed until he got an answer from Eden, confirming she was okay.  At some point, he decided to text her, but she never even opened it.  After hours of waiting and scrolling through social media, Xavier blinked once and next thing he knew, he was out.