3. Boo-hoo

XENIA'S POV

"Here," Jayden hands me a water bottle the moment I step down the treadmill.

"Thank you," I wink playfully at him before taking a large gulp of water down my throat. "Ahhh, that was refreshing." I grin as I wipe beads of sweat off my face. I could see our reflection in one of the vast studio mirrors.

"Still as consistent as ever I see," he chuckles, leaning against a wall.

"My yeah," I smile as I glance around the big studio again. "I'm impressed by how well you accomplished your dreams within five years buddy." Turning back to look at him, I playfully nudge his side. "You're now a big name in Atlanta, just like I have always known you would be," I said and he smiles. "While I was away, I heard this gym's renowned as many celebrities' favorite and that you're very famous amongst the female celebrities in Atlanta, not only as a fitness coach -- you know, something more," I give him a knowing look and Jayden burst out laughing so hard. "Yes bud, you know the drill. Guess what?" I smirk and lean closer to him. "Turns out they were right," I whispered.

"My goodness, Xenny," Jayden said between laughter. "You wouldn't be the death of me." He added, making us laugh again.

I've lost count of the number of ladies I have seen him flirt with since I came in to see him after a long time.

Though my closest friend, Jayden has always been famous amongst the ladies. He's the biggest and most real playboy I ever met.

"Hey coach," a pretty blond called his attention, waving that he comes over.

"Oops," he winks. "Let me go finish what I started," he leans away from the wall. "Don't worry, I won't be gone for long," he winks again and I fake a gag.

"Gosh, not with me bud," I said with mock disgust on my face.

"Why?" He leans closer to me and whispers. "Or are you worried you'd fall for me?"

"Oh gosh," I roll my eyes. "Damnit Jayden, you're so sick." I finger flick his forehead and he laughs, leaning away from me and pushing behind several strands of his black hair from off his face.

"It's a shame you can't get rid of me, Xenia." He laughs as he turns around and begins to walk away.

"Well, I agree with you on that," I said after him and he turns back to wink at me again.

"See? I know that so well."

"My, my," I click my tongue pathetically. "There's no point, we both know you're so insufferable." I sigh in feigned exhaustion and the silly boy went ahead to blow me a kiss.

"I love you too, muaaahh."

I can't help but laugh as I watch him leave.

What did I expect? I would be worried if he ever changes.

Jayden's been my best friend since senior high. And he's been the best of friends anyone could ever ask for.

Ever so understanding and ever so supportive.

I smile after his retreating figure for a while before I turn around to continue my workout. But as I did, someone walk up to me.

"He's one interesting coach, isn't he?"

I look up to see an unfamiliar face smiling flirtatiously at me. His eyes ran over my body and I sighed inwardly from mental exhaustion.

Well, I have to deal with this again...

VIN'S POV

"Of all weekends, why this one?" Sharon murmurs beside me as we walk along the entrance hallway of our parents' mansion. "I mean, I already planned to go shopping with my friends today but I had to stall because of this family lunch with the Graysons." She went on.

"You can always go shopping after lunch, Sharon," I said and she frowns.

"Of course, I know that." She sighs. "The problem is that the mood would be ruined by then. I'm certain of it." She glances sideways at me before she continues. "With Annalisa there, of course."

I roll my eyes but said nothing because I know she was right.

If I'm told Annalisa is my Karma, I wouldn't be surprised.

.....

"Congratulations Vin, on your new position as CEO. Truly, there's no better candidate than you for that post."

I smile in appreciation and was about to reply to Lilian Grayson, Annalisa's mom over her compliment as we have lunch in the large dining hall in my parents' mansion but I was interrupted.

"I doubt everyone would agree to that. Neither do I," She haughtily mutters, though loud enough for everyone present to hear.

Sharon glare daggers at her instantly and was about to lash at her when I quickly but gently place my hand over hers on the dining table briefly. She looks at me and I smile knowingly at her before she reluctantly continues her meal.

My parents saw my gesture but said nothing, Mom only sent a warning glance Sharon's way and she frowns. Oh well, indeed the mood is ruined.

"Uhm, thanks, Mrs. Grayson. I'm flattered by your words and..."

"Oh, of course, you are." Annalisa interrupts again, twirling a strand of her blonde hair indifferently and I swallow painfully as I feel anger rising within me. I look at my parents, my dad especially, and then decide to ignore her.

Why does she hate me so much?!

"Lisa!" Director Grayson sent his daughter a warning glare making her smile in a sickly manner.

"Wow thanks for the awesome food, Mr and Mrs. Winchester. I 'really' enjoyed it." She suddenly said in a clearly sarcastic manner.

Damnit! She didn't have to be so disrespectful to my parents. My fists clench tightly beneath the dining table as I struggle to control my rage.

"Well, since it's a family lunch and I'm done with mine," I watch her drop her cutlery. "I'm guessing I'm done here. Clearly, It's no fun." She smirks and stands up. Shocking everyone as she pulls her chair backward and exits the dining hall with her purse.

'Breathe in, Breathe out' I try to calm myself as I watch her leave.

"Annalisa come back here!" Mrs. Lilian shouts after her but she ignores and walks off.

"Don't worry, I'd go after her," I said with a small fake smile.

XAVIER'S POV

Sitting alone at the busy park in Buckhead and watching several kids play and run around, a lot of thoughts run through my mind and I'm forced to go back through memory lane.

My fingers caressed the colored notes in my hands and the familiar feeling of longing overwhelmed me.

FLASHBACK

NARRATIVE

~16 years ago~

*Aidan's Elementary School*

A little boy ran into the class of about fifteen kids.

"Y'all!" He called the attention of his mates. "I heard 'boo hoo' couldn't get his fees paid. Boo-hoo!" He went to stand in front of a petite boy of around the same age as himself, blocking the little boy's view and taking his books from him.

"Hey Boo-hoo, is that right?" Another boy joined in the taunting as the class laughed. The boy of age ten sat down helplessly in his seat. It wasn't the first time that they'd be doing this to him. And neither was 'boo-hoo' even his name.

"Guys, did you know? Boo-hoo's from the orphanage and his foster family maltreats him. Boo-hoo!" Someone else joined in the mocking. And the class continued to bully him.

"Oh, boo-hoo are you gonna cry?" They continued to jeer him but the little boy remained silent.

'It would be over soon.' he says to himself, refusing to cry or say anything else for fear that he may provoke them to even taunt him more. 'When the teacher comes in, it would be over. This ain't anything compared to what I've been through. It would be over soon.' He went on to encourage himself, deciding to ignore his bullying mates. But at that moment, something happened.

"Are y'all sick in the head or something?!" A girl yelled the moment she walked in and beheld the sight.

"OMG! It's Charming."

"It's the new girl!"

"We'd better stop this now, don't wanna get on her bad side."

"I heard her father's a big man in town."

Everyone scampered to their seats immediately and begin muttering to themselves quietly.

The girl -- Charming, as she's called, smirked when she saw how calm they all become. "Hmm, that's what I thought." She cast a glance at the kid and continued. "One more thing, I'm pretty sure y'all know his name. His name is Xavier and not Boo-hoo! Anyone who calls him boo-hoo next time would hear from the teacher. Is that clear?"

The boy raised his gaze and stared in awe and curiosity at the pretty girl who's just saved him from his bullying mates. She met his gaze and smiles brightly at him making him even more stunned. No one's ever stood up for him in his life like she just did.

'She must be an angel,' he thought. 'she even looks like one and she even knows my name. She knows my name?' He was even more stunned by this fact. Although she's a new student who just joined the class a few days ago, Xavier had only seen her once because he's been sent home since he couldn't pay his fees.

"Hey, you." Charming went on to call the boy who started the jeering.

"Me?" He fearfully asks.

"Yes, come here." She said and he did. She collected Xavier's books from him and went ahead to the empty seat beside Xavier. The seat was empty because no one wanted to sit beside him. But she did.

Xavier watched her in admiration and awe as she takes out a neat-colored sheet of paper from her backpack. She wrote something on it and placed it inside his notebook.

"Hey Xavier, it's nice to meet you. Here's your notebook." She beamed at him and Xavier smiled back eagerly at her while receiving his notebook.

.....

~Presently~

"Charming, where exactly are you now? How can I find you again? I have a feeling you're alive and doing well -- I hope, somewhere. But where?" I purse my lips as I stare into space.

Even if I meet her again? Would I recognize her? Would she recognize me?

That's another thing to be bothered by. I sigh just as my phone buzz in my shorts pocket.

I retrieve it and found a text from a friend.

*I'm in the studio now bro. See you soon.*

XENIA'S POV

I'm taking a break from my workout after successfully getting away from diverse pairs of unwanted ogling eyes when I raise my gaze to find Jayden walking up to me with someone very familiar looking.

"Xenny, there's someone I'd like you to meet." He says smilingly.