CHAPTER 16: SOMETHING IN BETWEEN

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Xia is in the dining room with Xander for breakfast. Most days, Mr. Vanderwood leaves early in the morning leaving only the siblings by themselves. As Xia bites her sandwich while happily scrolling through her phone. Xander watched with his brows raised.

Yes, she may have let him see her happy side. Sure she smiles and giggles but not in a way that makes him cringe. Xia looked at him after sensing a pair of two eyes piercing through her.

"What? Is something on my face?"

Xander shook his head, "No, nothing... You seem to be excited about something again. Be careful, it might backfire on you after"

Xia glared at him, she is already enjoying her life when someone just has to burst her bubble. Xia kept murmuring to herself which Xander found childish yet adorable. He smiled and sighed, time to let her fly herself.

Xander dropped off Xia to school. After Xander lectured her about safety for a few minutes, Xia turned to walk to her classroom. She took out her book and started reading. Suddenly, an arm embraced her that made her lose balance. Her face hits against the chest of the one who embraced her.

Looking up, she met Vincent's eyes. Realizing their state, she immediately pushed him away and ran off. Vincent smiled, to be greeted at school with a cute face that is red all over. Thinking about it made his heart skip a beat. Someone in the shadows has her eyes filled with killing intent.

-----♠-----

(Xia's pov)

What the hell?! Why would he do that in front of so many people? I feel my heart racing so much, I need some space to breathe and calm myself down. I opened the doors of the women's bathroom and looked myself at the mirror.

"ARRGH!!!"

I can't stop thinking about it. What is happening to me? This isn't normal. Come on Xia, snap out of it. You need to maintain your composure. I took a few breaths then looked at myself again. I touched my cheeks who are warm and flushed red.

This feeling–

*Bang!!

-----♠-----

Ann stormed into the bathroom and looked at Xia directly into the eyes. Her eyes are sharp as if it could tear your soul. Xia shook her head and explained.

"It was accidental okay... Who knew he throw a stunt like that?"

"You would have avoided it if you were alert enough"

"Ann come on, do I have to bring my Assasin self inside the school for these kinds of things? Besides, it's just a friendly embrace"

Ann rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, "Friendly embrace? You liked it huh?"

Xia blinked at her, "What do you mean?"

"You liked it when he does that"

"No, where did you even get that?"

Xia pulled Ann to head to their class while Ann grunts with her arms crossed. They arrived at the classroom and took their seats. Not long after, Vincent arrived followed by a few girls who stopped at the door. Ever since he enrolled in this school, he is often surrounded by female students who have a crush on him.

Ann rolled her eyes in disgust with the girl students who are screaming and blushing at Vincent's charms. Xia saw this and laughed. Ann shook her head and took out one of her textbooks to distract her.

While Ann is focused on her book, Vincent took the chance to steal a wink to Xia. Xia shook her head and smiled, she is unbothered by his gesture as they are just friends on her part.

Vincent smiled, but a hint of disappointment came along with it. Sighing, he sat at his chair and waited for the teacher.

»»»»»♪«««««

(Ann's pov)

I know that something happened when I am not around. I keep getting strange pulses coming from Vincent. Xia seemed to be nicer now towards him.

I need to be more vigilant now otherwise Xia might fall for his charms. No.... wait... she isn't like that, she is strong and independent. There is no way she will fall for him merely by his charms.

But, she is nicer to him recently... God, what happened these past few days. How come I am the only one unoriented? This is so unfair.

»»»»»♪«««««

Ann sat silently trying to cover up her inside anxiousness. She has been racking her brains since this morning, trying to get a hold of the situation.

Xia listened quietly during the lectures while taking short glances at Vincent and Ann who are lost in their own world. She shook her head and buried herself in reading her book.

Class ended and students started to leave the classroom one by one. All of them head towards the cafeteria. Later, the only ones left are Xia, Ann, and Vincent.

"Uhmm... Is it possible to invite you guys for lunch?"

"I'm sorry but—"

Xia grabbed Ann's arm, interrupting her from rejecting Vincent's offer. She smiled at Ann gently, making Ann swallow back her words.

"Sure, we don't usually eat with anyone else but I think everything is fine. Right?"

Xia looked at Ann not erasing her smile that is still plastered at her face. Ann sighed, she wants to separate the two of them but Xia is happy and smiling. A rare phenomenon.

"Fine, whatever... As long as Xia is safe and happy I won't mind"

Lips curving into a smile, Vincent nodded and let the girls exit the room followed by him after.

"Since the cafeteria will be crowded and I know that you two don't like crowds so... How about in the garden at the back of the school? There we can sit on the grass and enjoy nature while eating"

Ann thought for a moment and looked at Xia. Seeing her reassuring face, she nodded to Vincent. Vincent led them to the area and they sat there as the three of them unpack their lunch.

"What made you suddenly invite us?"

Ann asked, Xia, kept quiet beside her. Vincent sighed as he lifted his head to look at the sky.

"Nothing special... Just wanted some company"

Ann raised her brow.

"There are a lot more students out there who could give you one... Why us?"

"I don't know... Maybe because you two are quieter and like to keep things simple and practical"

Ann shrugged, "Didn't think you are a person who lives peace and quiet"

"Why not?"

"Hmmm... Let's see... You are always a part of large crowds, multiple girls are always at your tail and you seem to enjoy it"

Xia butted in, Ann looked at her with a smile. Xia stated all of them in one go. Not leaving room for retaliation. The straightforward answer came crashing towards Vincent. He just blinked, unable to speak.

"What cat's got your tongue"

Xia mocked, she and Ann giggled as they watch his reaction. Xia felt relief as Ann seems to be less hostile towards Vincent. Vincent still dumbfounded, shook his head and smiled. The afternoon went by smoothly.

Xia got home. The moment she stepped into her bedroom, she can feel someone else's presence behind her.

"How was school?"

Xander asked, Xia, turned to face him and smiled.

"It was all good"

"Really? you seem to be light and happy today... Anything happened?"

Xander caught her gentle smile to be serene and cheerful. Xia is usually different outside her space, getting her to return home with a good mood is a slim chance.

"Xander, don't you not like it? I can change my attitude for you if you feel uncomfortable"

Xander shook his head. That little statement seemed to be a threat towards him. He chuckled as he pats Xia's head who looking at him with her innocent look.

"Go on and change... Dinner will be ready in a few minutes"

Xia nodded her head like a child and went straight in her room. Xander laughed, this adorable expression of her's can always brighten up his own mood. Xander's phoned vibrated. Looking at the number, it was from Ann.

*Hello, Ann... I hope you had a wonderful afternoon

Xander greeted, Ann on the other side sighed as she rolls across her bed.

*Yes, everything turned out good... Well, I guess

*Did something happened?

*Something did happen but not negatively

*Okay...

*We had lunch today with Vincent

Xander paused for a moment, he knitted his brows as he read Ann's message.

*Well...

Ann understood and started explaining.

*Vincent asked us... As I was about to reject him, Xia stopped me... I think she wants me to cool off towards him since I have been keeping my guards up whenever Vincent is around.

*Continue

*Well, you know me... I couldn't say no to my BFF so yeah... We had lunch together... Everything went well... Don't worry, I will still watch him... Who knows what he'll do

*Good... I will ask Xia about this matter later

Xander turned off his phone and went to the dining room.

Inside the dinning room, Xia and Xander are eating. Pin drop silence filled the room. Xia opened her mouth to speak but is one second late than Xander.

"I heard that you had lunch with Vincent this afternoon"

Xia was left hanging, swallowing back her words she replied.

"Yeah, I was about to tell you that... Everything went well, I mean it was just lunch. No need to worry to much"

"You should also calm down, I was just asking. I heard it from Ann and I just want you to tell me about it as well... Nothing to be scared of little sis"

Xia raised her brow at him.

"You're the one who told me to be wary of him"

Grumbling some words, Xia continued to eat her food.

"I know, just be careful..."

"mhmm"