Hope

Chapter 9

"Xavier" I whispered, when he crouched down, holding my injured ankle carefully in his hands while keeping another one on my back.

*****

Xavier turned a blind eye to my question and heedfully took my right ankle in his hands. I took a sharp intake of breath, my hands trembling on both the side when he started examining the part that was somewhat bruised and badly out of shape. Can it get any worse? I thought I tried to pry away from his hold since I didn't want any more concentration on my ankle but found it almost non-viable as there was a strong grip on my back that left me on the spot. That wasn't what I was worried about the most truthfully.

There was a colorful bruise just a few inches from the spot that I had taken a bad hit on. And to say the least it was worse than the one on my ankle. I could barely breathe just thinking about how he would react after seeing my other wounds. He would be disgusted for sure.

"I-Its okay Xavier you don't need to-" I was cut off harshly when he spoke with a hard look on his face.

"I'm here, you fell because of me so Shut the damn up and let me help" he hissed causing me to flinch, the regret in his eyes after I flinched made him clench his jaw tightly and look back at my wound.

Suddenly he got up placing my feet on the soft grass. "I'm going to pick you up" he said in a monotone thin lips pressed together, one lock of hair escaping from his well-maintained hair. I nodded meekly. I could only imagine what would happen if I say no. After all, there are not many options laid down for me, I'm here I'm in trouble so let's just let him do what he wants to.

"Tell me if I hurt you" he grumbled in the same placid voice that I had grown accustomed to, although it did warm my stone-cold heart a bit

Slowly yet gently he kneeled down and picked me up, bridal style and he frowned. His eyebrows furrowed as if he was in deep conversation with himself. I didn't say anything just looked down at my interlocked fingers laid on my stomach.

After sighing, he started walking in the direction of the French doors that led to the hallway, and although I didn't complain, his tight hold was making my ribs ache. I had no idea where we were going and we didn't exactly conversate from the occasional glances he sent me now and then, there was nothing. But I literally swallowed my own heart when he started taking me in the direction of the harsh whispers.

The living room.

I tried hard to wriggle out his grip but Xavier grumbled some incoherent words which made me stop. I mean staying put was better than getting dropped.

"What the hell happened" Surgio yelled as soon as we entered the kitchen, the person he was speaking to on the phone forgotten, his eyes were glazed with worry as Xavier put me on the couch gently.

"Sprained her ankle" Xavier mumbled leaving out of the room when Leo casually entered from behind him. Great now he would ask

"What's wrong?" he asked just like I had suspected him to.

"She sprained her ankle" Surgio mumbled narrowing his eyes on the bruise as it would magically disappear "Get her an ice pack" he yelled to no one in particular.

"Already on it" Xavier replied while strolling in. He put the ice pack on the coffee table which I gladly took. I didn't even care to see if anyone was looking at me. My ankle hurt so much that I just wanted to numb the pain, so without even thinking I pulled the hem of my pants and placed the ice pack on my swollen ankle which made the wound numb. I looked at my brothers who were busy talking to Xavier in one corner of the huge room, probably asking how I tripped. A wave of relief washed through me as my ankle stopped throbbing.