XAVIER's POV I stood by the corner of the hallway and looked at Devin. He walked past the library without entering inside. That was strange, I decided to observe. By the third time I saw him, I realized he was avoiding Emily and tried not to stay where she'd possibly be. I smirked at the thought, it was nice having him stay away from Emily without trying much. I barely talked to Emily today because I needed to get a hold of my sanity. I spent my nights wondering how the hell I could get money and help the situation. Devin didn't see me stalk him to know what he was up to. When I confirmed he was avoiding Emily was when it was break and he stayed back instead of going to the cafeteria. Recently, they've been going to the canteen together but the past two days differed. As I walked out of the principal's cream-themed office, I rolled my eyes. I didn't get detention though, just a bunch of warnings I don't give a fuck about. I was reported because I got abus
Emily kept asking me questions. I didn't want her worrying or asking me questions about what I told her earlier. I answered her and assured her I'd be back soon. I lied to her that it was an errand Dad sent me because she would keep asking for information. I knew I wasn't going to be back soon but I had to say that. As I stepped out of the house, I reached for my phone in my pocket and raised it. I quickly sent a text and shoved the phone back into my pocket. The lights in the train car flash as we passed through another tunnel. Getting to the downtown from where we lived was as tasking as you could imagine. In forty minutes, A crackly voice blares through the speakers notifying me of my stop. I raised my head from the screen of my phone and I looked around. I didn't notice the people around me till the voice announced I had gotten to my destination. It was my first time coming to this part of New York and I hoped everything went well. I knew it was a
Emily was at the other side of the room dressing up. I brought out the muscle tank top from my wardrobe and wore it. I slid my legs in my jeans and used a blue jacket on it. 'This would do' I muttered. By the time I was dressed, Emily was applying makeup. I grimaced and turned my gaze from her. It was strange seeing her waste all the time in front of the dressing mirror. Could it be that she had suddenly began to look for attention or is beginning to feel pretty? I barely know her applying make up, not even when we need to go for a party which was just once. I picked up by bag and walked out. Mom was in the kitchen as usual and the smell of green fries permeated the air. It was such a tempting aroma and I couldn't resist. "Hi Mom." "Xavier," she turned and gave a soft smile. "How was your night rest?" Should I tell her that I had to go to the downtown area to get crack form someone I don't know? "Fine," I lied.I spent my entire night wak
Xavier's POV I liked that Emily believed me and ceased looking for Devin. I remembered the look on her face when I told her Devin had a girlfriend he kept low-key. She tried to hide it but disappointment was written all over her face. I kept smiling at how easy it was to get her jealous. Her jealousy came with insecurities because why would she apply makeup this morning? It didn't make sense and I disliked that she was trying hard to be validated. Emily needs no validation from anyone, she's pretty as hell and I'll keep shoving it in her face even if it meant getting sarcastic. Mom had no idea what I merely meant by Emily being beautiful with or without makeup. She appeared natural and that turned me on whenever I see her natural beauty. Aside from her personality, I'm sure her beauty drives people nuts. Parting, I felt happy until I saw Emily walking toward Devin with a tray of snacks. "Fucking hell," I cussed in an undertone. Wasn't she supposed to be ignoring him since he h
When we got home I tossed my bag away and sat on the couch. I felt a sudden type of way like I was relieved.I smiled knowing I passed my first test and would probably get more deals that would give me more money. I checked my phone for any text from the dealer but there was none.I sent him a text saying I wanted to meet with him but there was no reply yet. I shoved the phone back into my pocket and stood up. Emily was making lunch and I didn't want to join her. If I did, she'd be forced to ask me a bunch of questions that I wasn't ready to answer yet.I walked to the room and removed my clothes. I took the remaining drugs in my jacket and hid them in my bag. It was safer that way, no one would take my bag for any reason but Emily could take my jacket and say she was cold or Dad could give it to her saying it fits her better.I walked to that bathroom and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I bent my head in the basin and washed my face for some minutes. When I raised my hea
Xavier's POV I left the house and headed out but Sky the dealer wasn't taking my calls. He hadn't returned my text and I just heaved a sigh. There was no way I was going to get on a train for forty minutes and get to the downtown abandoned warehouse and he doesn't show up. I waited in front of the coffee shop, hoping he returned my text. I looked around and after a few minutes I walked inside the coffee shop. I changed into my working clothes and went behind the counter. I sat for a while before I got orders and started brewing coffee. When I finished my shift, I changed back into my shirt and hoodie. I called Sky one last time and it went to voice mail. I got pissed and shoved my phone back in my pocket. I returned home pissed and it was written all over me. I met mom on the couch but I didn't stop to greet her. I just walked in quick strides till I got to my room and locked the door behind me. I had no idea how to reach Sky. I was supposed to give him his money and take new de
I spent my evening cleaning the house and helping Emily to tidy the house. I wanted to tell her I'd be out tonight but I didn't. Emily looked beautiful in her plain T-shirt and shorts. She had her hair packed in a ponytail and used her hands to wipe sweat off her forehead. When she was done with her chores, she went to the bathroom to take a bath. I remained in the sitting room, scrolling through my phone. When I received a notification, I checked to see if it was Sky but it wasn't him. I scoffed and went to bed. Emily was on my table doing her assignments. I should probably get serious with my education and do same but I had to catch some sleep. I watched her quietly do her school work and smiled. I already had a bad grade and I was hoping I settle this shit earlier and focus on school. I made her believe I was fast asleep by the time she was done. She locked the door and turned off the lights. She went to lay on her bed and used her duvet to cover herself. In a short while, she
EMILY's POV I noticed Xavier wasn't on his bed when I snapped my eyes open at night but I was too tired to check for him. I returned to sleep and I found him right on his bed the next morning, fully dressed. At least he was alive. The last thing I wanted to do this morning was to meddle so I prepared for school without asking questions. I loved how everyone looked surprised by my new way of applying liners. it was more stressful than you can imagine. I stayed thirty minutes trying to get the perfect cat eye but gave up when it wasn't turning out the way I wanted it. I turned to Xavier and noticed he was putting something in his jacket. 'Snoopy son of a ughh!' I thought. He's been acting so strange lately and I just returned my gaze to my reflection in the mirror and when I couldn't figure out what he kept in his jacket, my curiosity sparked and I stood up. I really need to see it or I...mayby die. "What's that?" I asked after tiptoeing to
I turned to Mom who was wiping her eyes. She had tears welled in them and Dad just hugged her. "It's over," he told her. "You don't have to worry anymore.""It just feels so unreal. I can't believe everything is fine now.""Me too."I honestly couldn't believe it. It was just too good to be true and I didn't know how to feel about it.She gave me a nod and pulled me into a hug. I remained there for a while before Dad asked us to get ready to leave. We strode happily to where the car was parked.We got home and I walked to my room it felt good having a separate room, I liked how it felt. I heard a scream and rushed out to see what was happening."Mom?""Emily! Xavier just got admission into a college in the Los Angeles!"My jaw dropped in excitement and I turned to Xavier. It was good news but Xavier didn't look happy. I turned my gaze to him and my eyes met his. He was staring blankly at me."What's wrong?" I asked him. "This is good news, Xavier.""I guess."His reply was cold and his
ONE MONTH LATER.The cold wind and fresh aura made me smile. I stood beside James watching his jet. Apparently, he was getting ready to leave and I didn't know how to feel about it.It was just the two of us standing there and there was silence. I wish I could hear everything he was thinking of. I felt the sensation and I knew more than ever that I was going to miss James.His lips formed a small smile like he heard what I was thinking and I just twitched my lips. I needed to enjoy the moment because it may be the last time I'd see him. I also knew his ailment had given him a short period of time to live and I really felt bad.I had no idea why I was feeling all those emotions at that point. There was this strong urge to hug him and just remain in his hugs. I remembered how welcoming and warm his arms were but I stopped myself. I didn't have to be overly emotional.I was trying hard not to think about James dying but I couldn't help it and before I knew it, a sob escaped my mouth. Tea
I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Xavier. He was staring at me with a small smile tugged on his lips. I got scared at first but the feeling faded and I felt okay."Why are you staring at me?" I asked with a frown."Why didn't you report James to the cops?"I knew he was going to ask that, I just didn't think it was going to be by 3 fucking a.m."I can't.""Why?""I can't even though I want to kill him myself. I know everything, I know the shitty things you did, I know you sold drugs."He twitched his like and continued looking at me. "Do you still sell drugs or do you deliver them in your sleep?"I grabbed the blanket and placed it on my body, turning to the other side to sleep."I need to sleep, leave me alone."He scoffed and I rolled my eyes. "I hate you."I heard him giggle, "I love you too," he responded.* * * *The door slamming open made me open my eyes. It was morning but I was hoping I could sleep a little longer."Emily, get up."Mom grabbed my hands before I c
The moment Mom asked if I saw James, my chest heaved. "No," I replied and twitched my lips. I didn't want to keep talking about him because of the emotions I felt whenever I thought of him."Emily."We turned and it was Xavier. I ran to him immediately and threw my hands around him. He hugged me back, even tighter. I couldn't believe I missed Xavier this much, it was hurting."I'm so sorry," he said as he hugged me. No one else was going to understand, not even Mom. "It's not your fault," she told him."The police found someone involved."My heart raced faster, I felt bad for James. He was going to die and I didn't want him to die in jail."Hi, excuse me." The doctor walked into us and turned to Mom. "There's been no form of abuse, she's fine.""She's fine?""Yes, she is," The doctor confirmed and gave a friendly smile.Mom gave a nod and appreciated him. She stood up from the chair and looked at me. "I need to go and feed Devin, no one is coming for him."I gave a nod, I understood h
I tried to open my eyes and the sunlight hurts them. I tried to figure out what was happening and I realized I was in someone's arm.I freed my eyes again and realized it was James and he was taking me out of the enclosed room. At that point I felt an adrenaline rush in me.He dropped me down and I felt hot tears roll down my eyes, I couldn't believe it. I hugged him right without thinking and cried into his arms.He returned the hug and just remained calm, watching me. I had no idea why I was crying and hugging him but I needed the hug.When I pulled away from his hug, he looked at me and smiled faintly. "You can do what you want now. Call the cops and tell them I rescued you from the teenagers who kidnapped you."Was he asking me to go?"Just go down the road, you'll figure your way. I'll have someone follow you from a distance just so you arrive home safely.""There's no camera Emily, I have my men dismount them so, the choice is yours. I love you."With that, he turned and entered
EMILY'S POVEvery minute I stayed locked in here makes me want to throw up. It feels like I’ve been kidnapped for years, I already lost count of days but I knew it was already weeks. My head split in pain as I tried to recall the incident. I was arguing with Xavier when I got pushed into a moving van. The details of the kidnap were blurry and I couldn’t remember much.I still have no idea how I survived the first day ‘cause panic attacks made me nauseated and disorganized. Their faces all scared life in me, I thought they were going to kill me because of how fierce they looked. The highest punishment I got for kicking one of the guy’s balls was a hard slap.It was hard enough to redden my face but not kill me, I wondered why they were being so careful with me till I overheard their discussion saying they sold me to a rich man and he didn’t want me bruised.I threw up hearing it and the rest turned out to be blurry vision and a bad headache. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a di
I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat the moment she looked at me. I looked at Devin and he was growling like he was going to pass out.She lowered her stance to him and cleaned him up without saying anything. You would never believe they knew themselves before now. I didn't care though, I just wanted to get away and that was my concern.When she was done cleaning his wounds, she turned the first aid box to where I was and used a wipe to clean off the surface of the bruises I sustained.I flinched when her hands touched my face and the iodine dropped on my injury."Fuck."She didn't apologize or say a thing. She just turned her box away when she was done. Devin and I remained silent for a while before we heard footsteps and turned our heads in the direction if the door. She had returned with two plates of food. She dropped it in front of us with bottles of water and latched the door.Devin hungrily grabbed the plate and spooned rice into his mouth. I looked at him wondering if
My eyes glinted open and I felt a sharp pain. I could feel the chill from the breeze cutting straight through my damp body.I felt a metallic taste in my mouth, I turned and realized where I was. I was in a room with no ventilation. My face was bruised and I could feel the dried blood clot on my body. I tied to move but realized my hands were still tied to the pole and I couldn't move.My eyes turned to the growling sound and I saw the hefty man who injected Devin beating him up. He was growling as the punches landed on his body.On the other side of the room, a bloodied man was laying on the floor. Devin was getting beaten for doing that to the man. Couldn't he just wait till we realized where the fuck we were?I scoffed and struggled to break free but the ropes holding my hands together had a grip hold. I paused after several trials and just looked at Devin who looked like he was about to die. He needed to get treated because his wounds were susceptible and they looked like it was g
I walked out of the sitting room glad the police didn't want to interrogate me yet. They probably felt he was saying all that because he was accused and it made me feel a rush of relief.I opened the door to my bedroom and looked around. The mess I made on Emily's bed was still there and I didn't have the energy to clean up yet. I knew she wasn't going to yell at me for messing up her bed because she wasn't there and it hurt me to think of her absence.I turned my face away and walked to my bed. I sat on my bed and fell on my back. I looked at the ceiling, thinking of nothing but how to sneak out of the house.Devin had a plan he says we need to see and talk about. I wondered if he had other motives in mind when he sent his invitation but I was blank. I could ask him to tell me the plan over the phone but he would refuse and say it had to be a physical meeting."Fucking hell," I scoffed in an undertone and turned to the other side of the bed. It was only 8 pm and I could get some slee