Fantasy |g.d.|

chapter ten

November

-Annalise pov-

"Anna!" Xavier's arms wrap around me in a bone-crushing hug.

"I'm so happy you're home," I mumble into his chest.

He laughs. "Me too, mom's food is so much better than the cafeteria's food at school."

I pull away, studying his face. "You look...older."

He smiles. "Thanks, Anna." He ruffles my hair. "Now, I was thinking we have a sibling day, complete with all the activities?"

"Really? You don't have any friends to visit?"

"Nah, just you and me."

"Okay, let me go get ready."

I run upstairs, shutting my door behind me and going into my closet to look for an outfit. Xavier and I have been close our whole lives. We're only a year apart and have done everything together since we were babies. Until this year, when Xavier went off to college.

A few years ago, when Xavier started driving we invented sibling days. A day packed full of all our favorite things to do together. We haven't had one since the spring. I finished getting ready and quickly did my hair and makeup.

Another thing about Xavier and I is we look very similar, to the point where people think we are twins. We have the same dark hair, same eyes, same nose, same mouth. We even stand similarly.

I hear a knock on my door. "Come on slow-poke, let's go!"

I laugh and open the door. "I'm ready! Calm down!"

He swings his arm through mine. "Good, I'm hungry."

We say goodbye to our mom and go out to his car. I get into the passenger's side, taking a deep breath of the familiar scent of mint gum and his cologne. Soon we're coasting down the road, listening to one direction. Xavier won't admit to anyone but me that he's a big 1D fan.

He pulls into the Martha May's Waffle House parking lot, home to the best waffles in all of Jersey. We're immediately seated by the windows and we both order our usuals. As we wait for our food I keep the conversation light and focus on him.

He shares stories about his roommate, his many professors, and the struggles of being a broke college student. Every story makes me laugh, Xavier just has that effect on people and he's a great storyteller.

Once our food comes we are both quiet for a few minutes, just eating and occasionally taking bites out of the other person's waffle.

"So.," Xavier says, his mouth full. "How are Gray and E doing?"

Shit, I forgot Xavier was close to the twins since I was close to the twins.

"Uh, well Ethan is good. We're in the play together."

"Really? That is kid acting?!"

I laugh. "Yeah, he's actually really good."

"Well, I'll decide for myself when I go."

"You're coming to the play?"

"Of course Anna!"

I smile and take a bite out of my chocolate chip waffle.

Xavier gestures with his fork. "And Grayson?"

I swallow, taking time to think of what to say. "Grayson is....good. We haven't talked much since we're both so busy.."

He frowns. "You guys didn't let your full schedules stop you from talking. What happened-." He shook his head. "Nevermind, I know what happened."

"Xavier-."