CHAPTER 13: BUDDING INCLINATION

At Viveria's Classroom...

As Viveria sat down in her seat, she could feel the pain of her cramped leg. Sure, she had been strong till the end but only she knew the continuous pain she was going through. Jackie had gone to fetch an ice pack and Daniel had gone to the canteen to get some food for her. Everyone was on the field for the P.E class.

Just then, the announcement for the results of the show were declared. Dew and Rosie had been selected for the Fashion Show competition. Viveria smiled, Dew deserved it and more importantly she knew she had given her best, so it's okay to lose. At least she lost fighting.

Hearing footsteps approaching her, Viveria looked around to see Xavier standing in front of her with a smirk.

Xavier: So you didn't win. I told ya, it's not your cup of tea!

Viveria: Yes, thank you. However, I'm really curious. So what happened to the arrogant Xavier back at the stage? Why did you come to my rescue? Also, what made you think you could carry me in bridal style? Are we in some series of ' Damsel In Distress?' We are not that close you know.

Xavier: Well to be very honest, I was just in a good mood. I felt that I should help someone today. Also, you seemed like you could use my help. And regarding me trying to carry you, isn't that what all girls dream as a criteria for their perfect boyfriends? It was your loss that you rejected me. But I just wanted to say, your speech back there was impactful but also too good to be true. Why are you always so positive about stuff? And as far as being close is concerned...

Xavier bent down a little and was face to face, staring directly into Viveria's eyes

Xavier: Do you want us to be close?

Viveria could again feel that strange feeling where her heart started to beat frantically. As she was feeling too lucky to have Xavier staring at her like this, she also realized that this must again be one of his stupid jokes and this time Viveria was not going to let him get away with it.

Viveria ( shyly smiling) : You know it would be an absolute honor for a girl like me to get the chance to get close to you. But sadly, you don't meet my standards and honestly, I'm too good for you. So cut the crap and stop bothering me.

Xavier ( with a devilish grin) : You wanna play hard to get, don't you?

Viveria ( feeling a little disappointed) : You know Xavier not all people like to play games with their own feelings. If you want to remain as my friend, please don't look down upon me ever again. There must be mutual respect between us, otherwise it is going to make things difficult. Also, you may think everybody is dying to date you. But not me. I'm anyways, too busy to fall in love. Busy making my career, you know. Something which must be like foreign language to you.

Realizing his joke had gone too far, Xavier straightened up and calmly pointed towards her ankle.

Xavier : You should take care of that ankle of yours. I don't want you going around getting hurt. After all, I am your friend, so I do care for you, whether you like it or not. You can't back out now.

Just then, Daniel entered with the food and saw Xavier looming over Viveria. Instinctively, Daniel rushed to Viveria's side.

Daniel: Vive, you okay? Is he bothering you again? Like seriously Xavier, could you please behave like a grown up? She is hurt and we all know who betrayed her last moment. Why should we believe that it wasn't a joint plan of you brothers?

At this Viveria became alarmed. Why hadn't she thought of this? Well to be honest, she really did not want it to be true and thus, willfully tried to ignore the possibility of it being true. Xavier wouldn't stoop so low, or would he?

Xavier ( glaring at Daniel) : You know, I'm really starting to get sick of you. Don't talk about things which you don't know. I'm Viveria's friend and I was talking to her not you. You don't always have to butt in to show you are the good guy here, okay?

Jackie entered with the ice pack in her hand, totally oblivious to the heated argument going on between the two boys.

Jackie: You know someday, I'm going to complain to the principal. They did not have an ice pack at the infirmary. It's an infirmary! How can they not have ice packs? I went down to the chemistry lab to get the ice for you. Like seriously, why do we pay the emergency fees for?

Realizing a weird tension filled atmosphere, Jackie became alert. She looked at Viveria, who seemed equally tensed.

Viveria decided it was time to intervene before things get out of hand.

Viveria: Xavier, you should go back to your class. Also, thanks for coming to my help on stage. Dan, I'm really hungry. So how about we eat up first?

Xavier looking at Viveria, shrugged his shoulders and left.

Daniel: You know Vive, I really don't want you hanging out with that guy. I just don't trust him, I get that you have feelings for him. But can you just take a step back and look at things objectively?

Viveria: Dan, calm down. You know getting angry is not good for your health. And as far as Xavier is concerned, I promise I will be cautious and alert around him. You worry too much for me, not that I'm complaining. But I feel he really didn't know that Drake would not turn up last minute.

Jackie, applying the ice pack on Viveria's ankle, pitched in.

Jackie: See, at the end of the day, we will get to know what exactly happened. Drake has to give an explanation for dumping Viveria last minute and I guess Xavier was just trying to prove that he is the ' Prince Charming' of our school, by trying to help Viveria. So, let's just wait and see what happens.

Viveria (internally) : Damn! So that's why he was being nice to me. Not because he cared or anything but he was protecting his image as always of the hero who saves the heroine. Was she the heroine though? Well, now she didn't want to be. But then, back at the stage he looked like he was genuinely concerned for me. Also he just emphasized that he wanted and valued their friendship. Why was he always so complicatedly mysterious? How will she ever figure out what he truly wants?

Viveria felt tired of thinking so much, she needed rest and now she was going get some, finally as she had already submitted her assignment yesterday night.

Daniel feeding Viveria the food from the canteen, was quiet.

Daniel ( internally): My tolerance level is very low nowadays, I need to get a grip on my anger and just make sure I can keep an eye on both the irritating brothers. Despite, what Viveria says I will find out what's going on and only then will I be able to protect Viveria in a better way.

Just then, the bell rang, indicating it was time for the next class. As the rest of the students came back from the P.E class, everybody took out their books for the next class.

At Daniel's classroom..

As Daniel returned to his own classroom, he saw Dew pacing around the room worriedly.

Dew: How is she? Is her ankle okay? I wanted to visit her but they kept me back for the results. Tell me, has she eaten anything?

Daniel : Yeah, she is fine now. I fed her and Jackie helped her with the ankle pain. Congratulations, by the way. I'm happy for you getting selected.

Dew looking unbelievably at Daniel. Daniel had just congratulated him and actually complimented him. The guy was finally getting soft, thought Dew to himself.

Dew: Thanks man, means a lot. So how about we go and celebrate my victory in the evening? You, me, Viveria and Jackie. Are you in?

Daniel: Okay, Jackie will anyways be with Viveria at her apartment and help her move around with that limping leg. We should go somewhere near, I'll pick everyone up at 8.

Dew : Done.

Meanwhile at the Boy's Locker Room...

Xavier ( angrily murmuring to himself) : What does that Daniel think of himself? How dare he blame me for betraying Viveria. How can Daniel dare associate him with Drake? He never liked Drake and right now if Drake were to appear in front of him, he would probably beat the shit out of that guy. Why does his life always have to be so complicated? Would Viveria also doubt his friendship with her? Damn! It was all his fault, he should have just been more polite to her.

Flashback at the Fashion Show....

Xavier had gotten ready in the other rehearsal room. As he was tugging in the cravat around his neck, he heard rumors about Drake missing and dumping Viveria, last minute. He knew Drake had planned it all along. It was an old trick of that guy.

However, Xavier had decided, he wouldn't take the bait and whatever happens to Viveria, he won't help her and let Drake think that he cared about her. Rather, he would stay and witness Viveria's performance.

When he had first seen Viveria in the dress, he felt lost in her charm. She looked enticingly beautiful. But when she had tripped, something inside Xavier snapped, he compulsively felt he should help her. It was as if he felt responsible for her.

And when he saw her face filled with guilt for falling down and others laughing at her, he felt a sense of protectiveness towards her. Before he realized what he was doing, he was already by her side.

Returning to the present...

Despite what he said to Viveria earlier, it was clear that he cared for her. He would not let Drake spoil his relations with Viveria and he would also protect her while being the mean version of him. That's how he actually is, it's how he has become over time.

Xavier was confused about something though,

Why had his heart skipped a beat when Viveria had flirted back. Why did he so badly have the need to protect her?

Why does the friendship with her matter to him so much? Why does he want to help her without caring about his image?

Was he falling in love?

The main question is - Should he fall in love?