Chapter Eleven
Kierra Pov
I sprinted to my first-period class, nearly late due to my preoccupation with concocting ways to "murder" Xander without leaving a trail. My mind had also wandered to crafting an excuse for Seth to pick me up by 8 pm.
As I burst into the classroom, I was relieved to find our teacher absent, as was the norm. For the first time, I decided to indulge in some cool music to calm my nerves before the lecture.
I pulled out my phone and played "Thank U, Next" by Ariana Grande, humming along to the catchy tune. My momentary serenity was shattered by a familiar voice.
"Hey, girly!" Maya chimed, plopping down beside me.
I shot her a mock-glare. "You crazy ass, I was just getting into the music."
Maya smirked. "Well, too bad we have class anyway."
I raised an eyebrow, my hands on my hips. "Well, since you've so rudely taken away my music, what do you want now?"
Maya's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Gosh, why are you suddenly in a bad mood today?"
I let out a frustrated sigh. "Argg, I'm not in a bad mood; it's just Xander. He annoys me in ways I can't explain."
Maya's voice was laced with a knowing tone. "Yet, you still love him."
I glared at her, my expression a mask of annoyance. Jennifer's smile was sly. "Love who?" she asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.
I mentally cursed Maya for her loose lips. "I heard you still love him, so love who?" Jennifer pressed, her eyes glinting with amusement.
The classroom erupted into chaos as Jennifer screamed, "OMG, Kierra has a crush!" All eyes turned to me, and I felt my face burn with embarrassment.
Jennifer's voice was laced with excitement. "So, Kierra, we're all waiting – who is it?" The classroom fell silent, with all eyes fixed on me.
Maya attempted to intervene, but Jennifer silenced her. "Shh, Maya, Kierra has a crush – that's a first. I, for one, would like to know who it is, so Kierra, we're all waiting – who is it?"
I stared at Maya, confusion etched on my face. How had this spiraled out of control?
Jennifer turned to Maya, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "How did you know my name? I never told you."
Maya's response was enigmatic. "Ptttt... I did my homework, and besides, I can get anything that I want, and I'll do anything to keep what's mine."
Jennifer's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Anyway, don't dare try to change the topic – who's the lucky, lucky guy? Or is someone you can't have, right?"
The classroom erupted into a chorus of "Ooooooo..." before I interjected, my voice steady. "Or something you can't keep."
Jennifer's eyes widened in shock, but I pressed on, my words tumbling out without hesitation. "My crush is Seth."
The classroom fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner. The silence was palpable, heavy with anticipation.
"My crush is Seth you all happy now good.…. I said as the teacher walked in everyone whispering something to which I shinned until the lecture was over and I headed to the lab as always with Maya
All throughout class everyone kept whispering and discussing about my little confession
I knew that if I hadn't said anything they wouldn't stop asking and its not like I could keep shut and decide not to say a word so instead I said Seth's name since we were going to the party together at first I thought everyone would forget about it but it seems to spread like wide fire and now I was the talk of the whole school
"So Kierra is it true you like Seth... A girl said close to me
"For the umpteenth time would you guys leave me alone Already i told you yes I do so would you let it be and go away.. I said
"Well you two do not look good together anyway bye now... She said giggling before eaving
"Umm I'm confused right now... Seth said grabbing a chair beside me
*I'm so so sorry for lying to them using your name it's just that….. Seth's expression was understanding. "Nope, you don't have to explain. I get it – you wanted the rest of the class to keep quiet. You don't have to worry about it; I'll be fine, okay?"
I smiled, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks, Seth."
He asked, his voice casual, "So, did you get my note?"
I nodded, a hint of mischief in my voice. "Yeah, I did, but you can't take me home. I'll be spending the night at Xander's."
Seth's eyes widened in surprise. "Xander?"
I flashed a reassuring smile. "Yeah, his parents are family friends, so it's all good."
Seth's expression turned thoughtful, his voice low. "Umm, okay, and Kierra, one last thing – I really hope one day what you said won't be a lie."
The teacher's arrival interrupted our conversation, and the class drove into a chaotic discussion about projects.
As lunch break finally arrived, I was relieved to have some time to rest before heading home and waiting for Maya for the party. I stashed my books in my locker and slammed it shut, heading to the cafeteria as my phone beeped.
Maya's message flashed on my screen: "Can't make it for lunch, meet you up at your house by six. Maya." I couldn't help but wonder what was keeping Maya so busy that she'd miss lunch. I'd have to ask her about it later. For now, my stomach was growling, and I was extremely hungry. As I headed to the cafeteria, I thought to myself, "Oh well, I guess it'll just be me, the football team, and then, of course, Xander and Jennifer."
But my train of thought was derailed as I stopped dead in my tracks, my eyes fixed on the scene before me. At our table, the guys were already seated, eating and laughing together. Xander, however, caught my attention. Usually, he would wait for me to arrive before getting lunch, but today, he seemed oblivious to my absence.
My eyes narrowed as I took in the empty chair beside him. He knew I wasn't there yet, so why had he started eating without me?
I approached the table, my voice laced with a hint of annoyance. "Xander..." I called out.
He turned to me, his eyes distracted, and whispered something to Jennifer, who giggled in response. "Huh, I'm busy right now," he said, his tone dismissive.
I felt a pang of hurt as I asked, "What's wrong with you? You started eating without me."
Xander's response was callous. "It's not my fault you're late."
The guys at the table began to mock me, their teasing chants of "Ooohhh ooohhh" cutting deep. I felt my heart tearing, my emotions raw.
I searched Xander's face for any sign of empathy, but his expression remained indifferent. "Are you angry with me or something?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Xander's response was a cold, harsh slap. "Nope, why would I be? Just stop talking and eat, or you can leave."
He turned his attention back to Jennifer, leaving me feeling stunned, hurt, and utterly rejected. My stomach clenched, my heart heavy with emotion. Lunch was over but I was barely able to eat anything Xander and Jennifer were all over each other all throughout lunch and they kept kissing and cuddling none stop that I just wanted to puke out my intestines the guys kept cheering right next to me as they put on a show for the whole cafeteria to watch
So right now the best I could do was to take a walk trying to figure out what I could have done to him to make him so mad at me
I passed by the boy's locker room where they usually changed when they wanted to practice or at least when they had a game when I heard noises coming from inside
Deciding it wouldn't hurt to be a bit curious I waltzed in creaking the door open a bit to \meet a sight for sore eyes
Xander was working on the punching bag full on shirtless right now and he was hitting it like he was extremely angry muttering something to himself as he went harder than the previous time until all the sand in the bag poured out. Xander's eyes locked onto mine, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths. "Like what you see?" he asked, his voice low and husky, as he gulped down water from a bottle.
I gasped, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment, as beads of sweat trickled down his chiseled abs.
Xander's gaze never wavered. "What do you want, Kierra?" he asked, his tone neutral.
I took a seat beside him, my heart racing. "OK, I definitely did something to you. Just tell me, please."
Xander's expression turned cold, his voice laced with anger. "You lied to me. You said you didn't have feelings for that dirtbag."
My eyes widened. "Who?"
Xander's growl was low and menacing. "Seth."
I shook my head, my voice firm. "I don't, I swear."
Xander's eyes narrowed. "But then Jennifer said you openly said he was your crush."
My anger flared. "Of course, she did."
Xander's gaze pierced mine. "So you don't like him?"
I looked away, my voice barely above a whisper. "Of course not, Xander. I'm scared of letting someone else in."
Xander's eyes searched mine. "So you mean someone else is already in?"
I stood up, my heart pounding. "Hmm, I guess we'll never know."
Xander's voice stopped me. "Wait, was that why you acted so angry during lunch?"
I turned to face him. "Yes, it made me so furious to think you could even like him."
Xander's eyes blazed with intensity. "Why?"
I asked, my voice breathless. "Why?"
Xander's response was low and husky. "Because he's a dirtbag."
I pressed on, my voice firm. "Why, Xander?"
Xander's eyes locked onto mine, his voice barely above a whisper. "Because he doesn't deserve you."
My heart skipped a beat. "Why?"Xander's words were laced with a hint of desperation. "Because, Kierra, I really don't know what I'll do to myself if he has you all to himself."
He turned away, his fists clenched as he pummeled another punching bag. I watched, my heart still reeling from his admission.
"Your words were hurtful, you know," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Xander's back was still turned to me, but I saw his shoulders tense. "I know, Bes. I didn't mean any of it. You know that, right?"
I avoided his question, my eyes fixed on the punching bag. "Teach me," I said, taking the gloves from him.
Xander raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"Come on, teach me how to hit like that," I said, pointing to the bag.
Xander's grin was teasing. "You're a weakling, and you hit like a girl, so I'll pass."
I shot him a challenging glance. "Come on, you scared of being beaten up by a girl?"
Xander's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Nope, come here... I'll teach you."
He stretched out his hands, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as his fingers wrapped around mine. "First, weigh the bag," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.
His hands guided mine, and I felt a surge of electricity at the contact. "Hmm, next?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
Xander's voice was low and husky. "Then the right hand hits it while the left hand weighs. Simple."
As he spoke, his hand moved to my waist, his fingers wrapping around me like a vice. I felt a shiver run down my spine at the contact.
Xander's voice was teasing. "Give me your best shot."
I took a deep breath, my fist clenched as I made an attempt to hit the bag. Xander's hold on my waist tightened, his voice urging me on. "Harder."Xander's whisper was a gentle prod. "Just imagine it's the one you hate on the bag and hit harder." His hands held me firmly by the waist, his fingers digging gently into my skin.
I closed my eyes, a mental image of Jennifer's face materializing on the punching bag. I punched harder, the bag swaying violently under my assault.
Xander's voice was low and amused. "You must really hate that face."
I punched even harder, my anger and frustration pouring out with each blow. "You have no idea," I muttered.
Xander's hands trailed down my face, his touch sending shivers down my spine. "You're good, I'll admit. Turns out this pretty face can actually hit."
My heart skipped a beat at his words. OMG, he called me pretty... I thought, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I turned away, trying to compose myself, and went back to punching the bag.
Xander's smirk was back, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You did better than I imagined, Bes."
I shot him a playful glare. "Oh, really? Too bad then."
Xander's eyes sparkled with mischief. "By the way, whose face did you imagine while punching?"
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But Xander's next words caught me off guard.
"Seth," he said simply.
My eyes widened in surprise. Bird brain, I have class. I'll get going now, I said, trying to extricate myself from his grasp.
But Xander held my hand firm, drawing me closer. "You still hit like a girl," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. He shifted a strand of hair off my face, his fingers grazing my skin. Xander's smirk was back, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'll be at your house, making sure that dirtbag doesn't try anything funny."
My heart skipped a beat at his words. "See you at eight," he added, his voice low and husky, as I walked away.
I felt like I was floating on air, my mind reeling with confusion. Why was Xander being so possessive? And why did his words make me feel all fluttery inside?
My subconscious mocked me, its voice a sly whisper. "Wait a minute, aren't you supposed to be killing him, not blushing at his touch?"
I mentally shut it down. "Shut up, you," I muttered.
But my mind was already racing ahead, Xander's words echoing in my head like a mantra. "He called me pretty... he called me pretty... he called me pretty."
I couldn't help but sing, my voice a happy, breathless whisper. "He thinks I'm pretty... he called me pretty... pretty, pretty, pretty... he called me pretty."
I sang all the way to class, my heart skipping a beat at the memory of Xander's touch, his words, his smile.