Ch 1 Rekindling

If I told you that the world or everything you loved would be gone in an instant you'd call me crazy right", someone says puffing a cloud of smoke from a half-lit spliff. "Trust me I wish I were wrong I'd give anything to change what happened but shit just hit the fan and like that everything and everyone I knew was doomed". 

The man in question seemed to be talking to a group who were brandishing weapons and the looks on their faces with this man explaining some story seemed to be holding them.

"You couldn't have known what would happen, don't be too hard on yourself", a woman explained as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I guess not", he responded as he continued his smoke and looked on thoughtfully.

He remembered everything almost as if it were a vague dream, and he closed his eyes going through all the events that took place.

6 MONTHS AGO Summer 

"Flight for Jamaica boarding in 20 minutes", the loudspeaker said as he looked up.

He took his time entering the flight and sat down with an elderly woman beside him and she exchanged a warm smile with him as he returned it.

"First time heading to Jamaica?" she asked. 

"Oh no, it's my place of birth I've just been returning after some time away", he told her. 

"Oh wow, maybe if we end up seeing each other after our flight you should show me around", she piped up excitedly.

"I'll be more than happy to ma'am", he told her as she smiled so warmly at him it slightly made his stomach flutter. "Strange, I haven't felt that since….., since mom". 

He dozed off soon after and fell into a deep sleep. 

The flight lasted several hours but as soon as they landed he made his way through the Montego Bay airport and finally reached the pickup entrance, he had waved off the elderly woman whose name he had learned was Antoniqua. As he continued waiting on his ride he saw it appear, a gray Toyota supra with his long-term friend Kirk Wilson behind the wheel. The two hugged and before long they hit the road

"You know when you called me to pick you up I was quite surprised", Kirk told him. "You've been gone for what is it, almost 5 years, barely any calls vague messages, just what the hell has been going on with you Xavier?"

The man in question he was speaking to simply sighed as he looked out the window 

"I know bro and I am sorry for how distant I've been", Xavier responded.

"It's not the fact you've been distant, hell the entire gang, Antonette and Barnaby have been worried sick about you", Kirk told him and it only made him feel even more guilty. "Look whatever happened out there in the States from what Ajenka told us it has something to do with the big announcement the Prime Minister made".

"Yeah it has a lot to do with it, and this might not be the best time to bring this up but from what I can tell you and recall it's not gonna be a good time a couple of year's from now, a war is brewing amongst the first world countries", Xavier explained. 

"But that's just a theory on your part right?" Kirk asked him as he made a left turn on Leader's Ave.

"Yeah to an extent, anyway I didn't want to mope for the entire time we're here", Xavier told him. "You did get everything as I told you right?"

"It's all sorted out, the gang was pretty surprised that you even managed to get an all-inclusive trip for this entire summer at Secret's Hotel", Kirk responded looking impressed. "Considering the number of us there you'd think your bank book would be rubbed out clean".

"Well consider it a step to restore me in your good books", Xavier smirked as the two shared an all too familiar smile. 

DRIVE TO SECRET'S

Xavier POV

Not gonna lie I've missed being around these people, and it seems they've missed me too. The wonderful vibe they bring is just so much warmer than the amount of shit I experienced in the USA. Othniel Barnaby with his usual antics and his love for soca, considering the scent of his breath must either be close to drunk or tipsy, Ramona Smith she's gotten bigger as well in a good way of course, last I had seen her she was never this thick and of course that idiot Othniel has a crush on her without knowing how to express himself. Antonette Sinclair one of my closest friends from GC seems to be enjoying the moment, has she gotten taller I can't tell my ass has always been stuck at one height and she seems to be a lot more mature than when I left her here and that's without mentioning how flawless her skin looks. Paul and Ajenka Conners were one of two married couples on the trip, I honestly half expected Ajenka to abandon this but I guess for Paul and my own sake she decided to try to see if she could have some fun, considering the hell she had been through with me over in the USA she deserves it, I can see the anxiety radiating off her but I'll worry about that later. Then we have Kirk and Christina Wilson they were the ones who I honestly have so much to thank for, had it not been for them I wouldn't be here not in one piece anyway.

END POV

He had been enjoying the breeze when he felt someone poking him and noticed Antonette's sheepish grin

"Penny for your thoughts buddy", she asked and he comically frowned.

"Man bun off dat bout buddy, wah kinda talking that", Xavier responded as he shoved her face playfully away from him as she tried endlessly to pinch his cheek 

The rest of the group looked on and smiled even Ajenka turned around to give a fruitful smile as she turned back to her husband and he held her hand.

"You ok?" he asked.

"Yeah, better than I have been", she responded. "And uh Paul, thank you, for you know putting up with me".

He simply kissed her hand and continued the drive to their destination. 

SECRET'S HOTEL 

It didn't take long for them to check-in, it was a rather quick process, and as Kirk had noted they had found out Xavier had made these plans a month in advance before he even told them about it, naturally The Conner's got their room and the Wilson's one for them as well while the other 2 went to Barnaby and Xavier and Ramona and Anto shared theirs. 

Everyone had their plans and Xavier went about giving this vacation the best after all didn't he earn this?

He was alone in the room, Barnaby had gone off in search of Ramona and Xavier had wanted to be able to speak to someone who hadn't heard from him for those 5 years. The phone clicked and Xavier held his breath before speaking.

"Dad?" he asked.

"Xavier, iyah haven't seen this number pop up in some time", he responded.

"Yeah, it's been hard for you I know but I plan on setting that right, I'm back in the country and I figured you and the fam weren't busy at all right now so I decided to send someone to pick you up", Xavier told him explaining that he made reservations for them to be at the hotel as well.

"Wow, damn I don't know what to say", his father responded still stunned by what his son told him. 

"You don't have to dad, I know I haven't been here and the time I have missed can't be returned but it would mean a lot if I can make new ones", he told him.

The two conversed almost as if nothing had changed but the moment he asked about his health Xavier sighed but he wasn't going to lie to his old man.

"It's been difficult, hell sometimes I wonder why I even continue living, I know she wouldn't want me to burden myself but it's hard", Xavier explained. 

"Your mother would be proud of you and so am I, I'm always going to be here for you", he told him which Xavier appreciated greatly.

They spoke for a few more minutes before Xavier hung up the phone. 

"Well, time to enjoy the resort, wonder if they have any shrimp available", he wondered to himself.

Later That Night

After dinner and he had mingled with his dad stepmother and sister, Xavier found himself on the beach drinking a Heinekin beer and just appreciating the gentle breeze and how beautiful the moon looked up in the sky. He took another chug of his drink but then the soft crushing of sand and somehow he had a feeling judging from just the footsteps only he had figured out who it was.

Glancing at the person the first thing that caught his eye was the puffy hair, he remembered it being shorter and then that familiar coconut scent slapped him harder than any tackle in rugby he could have gotten.

"Is this spot taken?" she asked and he shivered, knowing damn well just how sexy her voice was.

"Nope it isn't miss Bethany Simpson", Xavier responded.

She smiled and sat down beside him and they remained their in silence until she spoke.

" I never thought you'd be this silent, isn't there anything you have or want to say?" Bethany asked him.

"Is there anything that I can or would say that can make up for being a shitty boyfriend, hell let alone a shitty friend", Xavier asked her as he downed another chug of the Heinekin. " I'm not looking for anyone to forgive yet everyone has".

"You don't think you've suffered enough", she stated. 

Xavier didn't say anything he just sat there silently knowing it all to be true, he had rarely let anyone in these past few months and the only person who had known anything about what happened to him in the US was Ajenka and she was never going to speak. He then pulled her close to him surprising her but she didn't pull away if anything she latched onto him as if she wouldn't let him go and he made his decision.

"I'll tell you what happened for the last five years, whether you believe me or not it won't matter but this is the whole truth and nothing but the truth", Xavier said to her.

"Xavi your not making sense", Beth told him but the moment he took off his shirt she gasped and clasped her hands over her mouth.

"It will in just a moment", he told her softly.

END CHAPTER