chapter 13

" so you're saying you've never had peanut butter and jelly before? Not even peanut butter cookies?!" Tyler asked, his eyes round in surprise.

" Well I did, once in 6th grade but then I was rushed to the hospital as I had almost died." I said to a sympathetic looking Tyler as we ate breakfast that morning.

He had offered me his PB and J to have a taste, gushing about how amazing it tasted but I couldn't eat it since I'm allergic.

" Awwn, poor Coco, you're missing out on the Best food ever invented." He pouted, making him look ridiculous but still adorable.

" Yeah, I don't think so, I've tasted jelly and didn't quite like it." I told him and he gasped dramatically.

" Well, it's not still the same as Peanut butter and jelly. Right, Sid? " He says to Sid who had been quite since the beginning, she had gotten a boiled egg. Just one. Come to think of it, she never likes to engage in food-related conversations, unlike Tyler and I who were absolute food lovers.

" Yes, right. " She said with a small smile.

" Hey. " A voice spoke and we All turned around at the same time to see who it was.

Nathan Lawson. How TF does he always appear from nowhere?!

" Hey, Blondie. " I said.

" Hey, Nate, great game on Saturday by the way, you were amazing. " Sid squealed.

" Thanks, Sid. It was a team effort. " He flashed his gorgeous grin at Sid.

" Nice game, Nathan. " Tyler spoke.

" Thanks Man," Nate patted his back playfully before turning to look at me suddenly serious.

" So, what do you think about.... " He started but trailed off

" The game?." I said he nodded, looking... dare I say, a bit nervous.

He's the best player in the state why would he be nervous?

" It was good. You were alright." I shrugged and he let out a breath before an evil smirk appeared on his face

" Just alright?" He asked and before I knew it, he was tickling me!

" Okay okay, you were awesome!" I said in between fits of laughter as I tried to push his hands away, how childish.

I'm pretty sure my face was red as a cherry right now.

" I love hearing you laugh." He blurted with a smile out looking deep in my eyes as my laughter died down.

" How corny. Who cares what I think anyway, you're the best player in the state." I said, looking up at his face.

" I care. A lot." He says, slowly.

"Hmmm okay. One thing though, never in your whole life tickle me again, Blondie." I said, poking his chest playfully and he caught my hand in his.

" No promises." He smirked, smoothing a thumb over my hand.

" Ahem!" Sid cleared her throat and I quickly looked away from him, creating distance, I haven't realized how close we were.

Sid was wriggling her eyebrows making her look weirder than usual while Tyler was smiling brightly and winked at me when our eyes met.

I chuckled softly. Idiots.

What the hell are they thinking?

Offering Nate an apologetic smile for the idiocy of my friends, I went on finishing up my food

" So what college are you applying for." Sid asked.

" I don't know, a bunch had shown interest but no rush..." Nathan shrugged like it was no big deal, I rolled my eyes, pretty sure he had different schools lining up for him.

" Whatever college you get in would be sooo lucky to have you." Sid said.

Tyler shook his head.

" Of course they would be. Thank you Sid." Nathan said.

" Ugggh." I scoffed and he smiled sweetly.

Just then, the bell rang.

" I'll see you guys later." Nathan said quickly standing up to leave but not before he winked cheekily at me.

" Oh...." Sid said wriggling her eyebrows again on our way to class.

"Please stop doing that." I said.

" Ugggh don't ignore it, Nathan Lawson likes you." She said.

" Here we go again." I spoke.

" He like totally does, tell her Tyl." Sid said.

" Leave me out of this." Tyler raised his hands.

 ****

I groaned for the hundredth time as I looked at the half painted wall in front of me.

My arms hurt and pink paint adorned my apron, some spilled on my outfit too.

Mrs. Fisher had made us repaint the hall which the event was to take place, assigning two people to each of the four walls. I got paired with a quiet boy and thankfully, he did most of the work as he was tall enough to reach higher, I only had to paint the low part but, boy! It was hard work.

"I'm pretty sure this is illegal." Frida Alonzo said, after what happened yesterday, she was a little bit more cooperative and with the help of her partner, she had almost finished her wall.

" My arms..." I groaned.

" We should sue her, this is definitely child labor." She said to me and I nodded.

Unlike yesterday, Mrs. Fisher didn't stay to supervise and the atmosphere was less tense and more playful.

" All done." My partner, Klaus Finnegan said, as he came down from the ladder.

" Good work." I said and he nodded.

Now to get this paint off my body.

I turned to see the other students progress and my eyes zeroed on Xavier, I didn't realize he had removed his jacket.

He actually came on time today and had immediately got to work and his side was the neatest out of the rest.

It was almost like it was done by a professional painter.

" He's so hot isn't he?" Frida, who I hadn't noticed was beside me spoke.

" Nah. I don't see it." I shrugged, Lies.

" Right." She laughed mockingly at me.

" Wonderful Job, everyone. Have a good evening and I'll be seeing you tomorrow." Mrs. Fisher says at the end of the class.

 ****

The last thing I needed right now was seeing Xavier's handsome but stupid face as I walked towards my dorm but, no. Curse my ill luck.

" How low of you, Miss Millers. I didn't peg you to be the creepy stalker-ish type." He said from behind me and I paused taking a deep breath.

" What the heck are you talking about, Xavier Cage." I said as he came to face me.

" My bag." He said and I turned to see that I was indeed holding his bag.

" Oh I must have mixed them up." I mumbled.

" I've had a fair amount of stalkers and obsessed girls and boys but yours is next level." He chuckled softly and I felt goosebumps on my skin.

" Just when I thought you've reached your limit of asshole-ness you go ahead and prove me wrong." I said.

He raised an eyebrow.

" I'll be taking that." He says taking his bag from me. I scoffed. Now I have to go back and get my bag. Xavier didn't move though, looking at me funny.

" What?" I asked and suddenly someone spilled their drink on me.

" What the fuck!" I gasped.

Xavier smirked before chucking dryly.

" I'm so sorry...I really didn't see you there I'm sorry..oh god... I'll... I'll fix it....here let me." The freshman who had spilled her soda on me spoke frantically, pointlessly trying to get the liquid off my shirt.

At this point, everyone who passed by were staring, some laughing at my unfortunate situation.

" I'll wash it for you..no, I'll buy you a new shirt... please..I'm sorry..."

" It's okay." I spoke, most of my anger melting away.

" I insist." She said, truly apologetic.

Even if she wants to, I doubt if she would be able to afford the shirt, it was a limited LV t-shirt and I'm sure it costs up to half of my tuition.

" It's okay, it was already ruined with paint anyway." I smiled at her.

" Sorry again." She said before leaving.

Such a sweet girl.

"That's a good look on you." Xavier says.

" What is your problem? Does seeing me hurt somehow makes you feel better about your miserable life?" I said. And his face dropped, and I might have said he looked sad if not for the next words that he spoke

" It does. 100 percent. You know why? Cause I hate you, Colette Millers. I. Hate. You." He says.

" Guess what Xavier Cage. The feeling is incredibly mutual." I said.

He gritted his teeth before speaking,

" Good." He said, and with that, he was gone.