Elevator tension

Laura lay in her hospital bed, her face pale, and her voice barely a whisper. "You're awake," Xavier said staring at his mom her eyes were heavy with exhaustion.

Xavier, sitting close beside her, leaned in, his face etched with concern. "Why aren't you in school?" Laura asked, her voice trembling with worry.

Xavier shook his head, his eyes reflecting a deep, stubborn determination. "And leave who to take care of you?" he replied, his voice soft but firm.

"The nurses, of course," Laura answered, trying to muster a reassuring smile. But Xavier's expression didn't waver.

"I'm sorry, but I don't trust anyone with you, not even the nurses," Xavier said, his eyes filled with an intense protectiveness. "Your heart failure is too unpredictable."

Laura sighed, a mix of frustration and tenderness in her eyes as she looked at her son. "Xavier, I'll be fine. You need to focus on your studies," she said gently. "I just need to rest and take my meds."

Just then, Xavier's phone buzzed. It was Gilbert, his friend, calling to check in. "Hey, how's she doing?" Gilbert asked, concern clear in his voice.

"Better," Xavier replied quietly. "She's asleep. The doctor says her heart is functioning at 30% capacity, but with medication and rest, she can manage."

"Good. I'll come over after classes are done," Gilbert offered.

"OK, thanks, bruh," Xavier said, his voice softening with gratitude.

"His mom's awake now," Gilbert relied to Damon who heaved a relieved sigh."Thank goodness, we'll visit her after school then," Damon concluded.

As he ended the call, Laura turned her tired eyes to him. "You're missing school too often, all because of me ," she asked, her tone a mix of sadness and worry.

Xavier's expression softened, though his worry didn't fade. "That's why you need to get better soon," he urged gently. "Why haven't you been taking your meds, Mom? You know your heart failure needs consistent treatment."

Laura hesitated, her eyes lowering in shame. "It tastes so bitter," she admitted softly.

Xavier shook his head in disbelief, his voice growing firmer. "Promise me you'll take your meds," he insisted, his eyes locked on hers.

"Fine," Laura agreed after a long pause, her voice resigned. "But you have to promise me something in return," she added, her tone carrying a seriousness that made Xavier's face harden. He knew exactly what she was going to ask.

Meanwhile, Kamsi and Zendaya were making their way out of school. "Hey, Zendaya, my mom can't pick us up today. I have to go to the hospital to get some stuff from her," Kamsi said, her voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and urgency.

"I think I'll just go home," Zendaya replied, her tone casual but with a hint of reluctance.

"Okay, then," Kamsi nodded, giving her friend a quick hug before heading off. "Bye, be careful!"

Kamsi's heart raced as she approached the hospital. It was a massive building, imposing and cold, with its endless corridors and sterile smell. She made her way to the reception, her familiarity with the place showing as she approached the nurse.

"She's upstairs, fifth floor, room 58," the fair nurse behind the counter answered with a polite smile.

Kamsi nodded in thanks and hurried towards the elevator. The hospital felt even larger as she rushed to catch the elevator before the doors closed. "Just wait!" she called out, her voice echoing in the quiet hallway.

"Hey! Make it stop!" she shouted again, and just in time, the person inside hit the button, stopping the doors from shutting.

Kamsi rushed in, pressing the button in the nick of time. As the doors began to close once more, they suddenly reopened, revealing a familiar face that made Kamsi's eyes widen in shock.

What is he doing here? she thought, her heart pounding in her chest.

Xavier stepped into the hospital elevator, his expression indifferent as he pressed the button for the fifth floor. The doors began to close when suddenly, a voice called out, "Hey, stop!" But he ignored it, letting the doors continue their descent. Just as they were about to shut completely, they reopened, revealing a face that made his heart skip a beat.

Kamsi stood there, her eyes locking onto Xavier's with a mix of surprise and irritation. Her presence was unexpected, and for a moment, Xavier was thrown off balance. A smirk slowly curled at the corners of his lips as he recognized the familiar expression of annoyance on her face.

Kamsi stepped into the elevator, pressing the same button for the fifth floor without acknowledging him directly. She noticed the sly grin on his face, and her heart sank. "Why wouldn't I be terrified?" she thought, her mind racing. They were alone in the small, enclosed space, and the tension was palpable.

Xavier's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with mischief as he casually leaned against the elevator wall. "This guy is unbelievable," Kamsi thought, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "First, he ignores me, then he calls me a stalker? Unbelievable!"

Unable to hold back any longer, Kamsi snapped, "You're unbelievable!"

Xavier shrugged, his nonchalant demeanor only fueling her irritation. "I don't know, why don't you tell me?" he teased, his voice dripping with mockery.

Kamsi clenched her fists, trying to steady herself. "Look, Xavier," she began, but he cut her off with a playful tone.

"Oh, she even knows my name?" he taunted, his smirk growing wider.

Kamsi's frustration reached a boiling point. "Of course, everyone knows Xavier Alister, the infamous bully at Washington DC International School," she blurted out, instantly regretting her words. "Oh no, I just called him a bully to his face; I'm dead," she panicked internally.

Xavier's expression remained unchanged, his voice calm and almost amused. "So what else?" he asked, his tone deceptively casual. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he added, "Do you also know that no one steps on the tail of the lion?"

His voice was low and seductive, sending a shiver down Kamsi's spine. She instinctively took a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. "Can we both just act like the other isn't here?" she said, her voice trembling despite her effort to sound composed. The stories she had heard about Xavier's cruelty played in her mind, making her fear escalate.

Xavier's wicked smile didn't waver. "I see you still hold a grudge over what happened," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

"You made me get detention," Kamsi fired back, her voice laced with anger.

Xavier chuckled darkly. "You should be grateful; things could've been worse," he replied, his tone ominous, leaving Kamsi feeling more trapped than ever.