Xavier

Chapter 14: Mine to Break

(Xavier's POV )

I didn't chase after her.

I should have.

But I didn't.

Because I was still trying to figure out what the hell just happened.

I had seen Elena Monroe cry.

Not just tear up.

Not just look away and swallow her pain like she always did.

She broke.

And I didn't know why the fuck that was still stuck in my head.

I ran a hand through my hair, breathing hard.

I needed to clear my head.

I needed to get back in control.

And that started with shutting Vanessa the hell up.

—

Finding Vanessa...

I found her exactly where I expected her to be.

Leaning against her locker, laughing like she hadn't just ripped someone apart an hour ago.

Ava was beside her, scrolling through her phone, probably enjoying whatever shit people were posting about Elena right now.

The sight made my jaw clench.

I didn't waste time.

I grabbed Vanessa's wrist and pulled her away.

"Xavier—" she yelped, stumbling slightly. "What the hell?"

"Not here," I muttered.

She huffed, but followed me around the corner, away from prying eyes.

The second we were alone, she crossed her arms, eyes narrowing.

"You wanna tell me what that was about?" she snapped.

I exhaled slowly, trying to keep my irritation in check.

"You need to back off."

Vanessa blinked. "What?"

I leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Elena. Leave her the hell alone."

Silence.

Then, Vanessa let out a short laugh.

"You're joking," she said. "Right?"

I didn't respond.

Her smirk dropped.

"Wait," she said slowly, narrowing her eyes. "You're actually serious?"

I exhaled, tilting my head. "Did I stutter?"

She scoffed, stepping closer. "Xavier, this is what we do. You, me, all of us—we own this school. We decide who stays, who leaves, and who gets crushed under our heels."

"Not this time."

Her eyes flashed with disbelief.

"Oh my god," she muttered. "You actually feel bad for her?"

I stiffened.

"No," I said sharply. "I don't."

I wasn't lying.

I didn't feel bad.

I just… didn't like it.

The way she broke in front of me.

The way it made me feel something I didn't fucking understand.

Vanessa scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Then why do you care?"

I met her gaze, my voice calm but firm.

"Because I'll handle her myself."

Vanessa stared at me for a long moment.

Then, slowly, she smirked.

"Interesting," she murmured, tilting her head. "You really are obsessed with her, aren't you?"

I clenched my jaw. "Don't push me, Vanessa."

She chuckled, stepping back. "Relax, Knight. I get it."

"Do you?" I asked coldly.

She nodded. "Yeah. You want to play with your little toy first. You don't want me breaking her before you're done."

I didn't say anything.

Because she wasn't wrong.

Vanessa's smirk widened.

"Fine," she said. "I'll back off."

Then, she took a slow step closer, voice dropping.

"But don't expect me to feel bad when she destroys you first."

I watched as she walked away, her laughter still ringing in my ears.

I should've ignored her words.

Should've let them roll off me like nothing.

But instead—

They stuck.

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