Chapter Four
She went to Travis Springs for the weekend but her mind kept thinking about Xavion. His words kept playing and replaying in her mind like a broken record.
"Love me like I love you and I will leave everything"
She wanted to be his. She wanted to kiss him and be kissed by him. Her whole body tingled with excitement at the thought of that kiss, her first kiss. She wasn't the desperate, courageous and fierce type of girl who could jump into anything without giving it a second thought. On the contrary, she was shy, reserved and didn't have the courage to plunge headlong into anything without thinking about the pros and cons.
So, she was scared of committing herself to Xavion so fast. She didn't know him enough. What if he got tired of her and dumped her and moved on? Would she be able to survive that? No, she would die of shame. She couldn't be the topic of mockery in her class.
When Monday came, she went to the ĺuniversity and waited for Xavion. She missed him more than she should.
The moment she walked out of the hospital, disappointed with him, Xavion swore that he would never touch drugs in his life. Maybe then she would give him a chance and love him back. So with renewed hope he concentrated on his recovery over the weekend. Images of her, of the kiss filled his mind and his thoughts and he was on cloud nine. He waited to be released from the hospital, he waited to be able see her again on Monday.
Monday arrived and he waltzed into the classroom to find Juliette sitting there all alone, reading a book. Excitement coursed through him at the sight of her. He sat beside her and stared at her like a lovesick puppy. Juliette looked up at him sitting so close to her and butterflies danced in her stomach as a blush crept up to her cheeks.
"Hi, when did you come?" She said shyly and he smiled and stared at her mouth. She looked down at her hands seeing where his eyes were hooked on.
"I want to kiss you," he whispered and her eyes widened. She too wanted to kiss him but she didn't have the courage to say it aloud like him.
"Nooo, please not here," she said as she looked towards the door to check if anyone heard them.
"Then where?" He asked, still staring at her.
"I I didn't mean that," she stammered nervously.
"I know. Still I need to kiss you. It's my drug," he said, getting up as Damian entered the classroom in high spirits. The moment Xavion saw him he fell on a bench rolling with laughter.
Angela came in too and took in the scene. Then she froze after a glance at Damian. She wanted to die of embarrassment.
Damian looked at everyone in confusion. Then he strode towards Xavion and demanded, "Hey Xav, why are you laughing your as* off?"
"Because you've started using pink lipstick, Dam," said Xavion indicating the pink lipstick smudged on Damian's lips. Damian stared at him and then at Angela who sat covering her face with her palms.
He went up to her and shamelessly kneeled before her," Wipe your lipstick off, Angel," he said as Angela looked at Xavion and Juliette's grinning faces with embarrassment. Then taking out a handkerchief from her bag, she wiped the lipstick off Damian's face. Her pink cheeks turned more pink at Damian's hot stares. The ordeal over, the boys went back to their seats with smug looks on their faces. The others poured in and the class started as usual.
They had a tight schedule with back to back classes and there wasn't much time for any interaction. They had a studio class on Architectural Interior Design where they were taught the application of drawing and other communication skills for designers, including formal and spatial studies, life drawing, and perspectives. Then they were split into groups of four and asked to complete an assignment on it and submit. Although Xavion and Damian wanted to be grouped with Juliette and Angela, they weren't. The professor chose the groups and they watched with jealousy as Wesley and Derek were teamed with the girls. They were paired with Jacklyn who was a nerd of the class and William who was just the opposite of Jacklyn.
They all breathed a sigh of relief after submitting the assignments. Classes were thankfully over for the day and Angela rushed to her car. Damian too rushed after her and Juliette stood perplexed at what was happening. Xavion went to the administrative office to submit his medical certificate for missing a week's classes.
Juliette walked down to the campus gate to go home when she was suddenly caught by her arm and yanked aside. Candice, Virginia and a few other girls stood around her, blocking her escape.
Candice came up and slapped her,"Xavion is mine. You stay away from him, you bitch," she yelled with malice dripping from her tone.
Juliette overcame her initial shock and slapped her hard. "You are most welcome to Xavion. I'm not in the least interested. By the way, if he's yours why does he feel the need to pursue me?" She yelled back at Candice.
Virginia came forward and pushed Juliette, "You mind your tongue, bitch. Next time, we won't be nice, " said Virginia as she pushed Juliette, harder this time. Juliette fell to the ground. Virginia was much taller and heftier and she was no match against her. Her ankle twisted with pain and she couldn't get up.
"Serves her right, " said one of the other girls as they all turned away laughing to leave.
Xavion saw the incident from a distance but didn't hear what they were talking about. He rushed and knelt beside Juliette. "What happened Julie? What did they say?" He said as he inspected her ankle.
"They threatened me," she said quietly.
"Why did they threaten you?" He asked confusedly.
"Candice said that you belonged to her. She threatened me to stay away from you else they wouldn't be nice to me the next time, " said Juliette. "I can manage Xavion. I think you should go to her," she said trying to get up.
"What rubbish! I only belong to you. Get that in your head. I won't go anywhere. Here, let me take you home, " he said as he effortlessly picked her up in his arms and carried her bridal style to his car. Everyone stared at them. She saw Candice and her minions in one corner, glaring at them.
She placed her hands around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder to make them burn with jealousy and rot in hell. Xavion felt her relax in his arms and when her soft hands went round his neck and her head rested on his muscular shoulders he was a goner. He just couldn't wait to reach home and crush her in his arms and kiss her.
He placed her in his car and drove towards her apartment. Parking his car, he picked her up and carried her up the stairs to her apartment. Opening the door he carried her inside and kicked the door shut behind him. He placed her on her sofa and knelt in front of her. Slowly he took off her shoes. Then he got up and went to the refrigerator to get some ice.
He gave her ankle a good ice compress and she was feeling much better.
He sat down on the sofa beside her,"Thank you Xavi," she said shyly acutely aware of his nearness in her small living room.
"This won't do, I want you to thank me in another way," he said and she looked here, there and everywhere but at him, knowing very well what way he was talking about.
"What way?" She asked quietly.
"I want a kiss. I've sworn off drugs but I want a kiss everyday," he said, coming closer and picking her up onto his lap, straddling her.
Juliette's cheeks were tomato red with embarrassment. "What are you doing?" She asked when he pulled her flush against his body. She could feel his hard arousal poking into her core. It made her throbbing and wet already.
"Kiss me," he whispered and she placed her hands around his shoulders and planted a shy kiss on his cheek. He groaned and turned his face and captured her lips in a passionately hungry kiss. They both drowned into each other's mouth, tasting, savouring and enjoying the kiss which they had dreamt about every minute.
When they broke the kiss to steady their breaths, both of them knew that they couldn't stay away from one another anymore. Xavion made sandwiches for them and they'd ate together, laughing at the day's incidents at college. By the time it was evening, Juliette's ankle was much better. Xavion had wrapped it in a crepe bandage after spraying the area with medicine. She could walk slowly around the house. Xavion left to goto Damian's house to spend the night.
The next day Damian, Xavion and Angela didn't turn up at college. Juliette was worried sick for them. After her classes she took a cab and went to Angela's house. When no one opened the door, she thought of going to Damian's house next door and ask.
Xavion opened the door and pulled her into the house. "What happened to the three of you? Why didn't you come to college?" She asked looking around for Angela and Damian.
"Damian's dad committed suicide yesterday night," said a distraught Xavion. Juliette's eyes popped out at the news.
"S s suicide?" She stammered, trying to grasp the reality
"The police are here. Be careful with what you say," said Xavion and Juliette nodded her head. He led her to a room where Angela sat with her family and Damian sat with two police officers.
He introduced her to the officers and interrogations continued. Juliette found out that Damian's father was depressed and after he lost his job yesterday due to his excessive drinking, he had no wish to live anymore. Her heart went out to Damian who now had no one to call a family. Angela's brother Adam comforted him and answered maximum questions on behalf of Damian who looked like he was in a state of trauma.
The officers left and everyone got up to go home,"If you need anything just come over son, ok?" Said Angela's dad as Damian nodded at him.
Angela's older brother said, "Don't worry about the legal processes, we'll hire a good lawyer." Juliette didn't know what legal processes they were talking about so she just kept quiet.
Adam looked at Angela, "You can stay here if you want to," he said. Angela nodded at him and he left.
Damian hugged Angela and hid his face in her neck. Xavion pulled Juliette and brought her to the kitchen to give them some privacy.
Damian needed Angela the most at this crucial hour. It would be difficult to cope and go back to normal but he had to. Xavion informed Juliette that Damian's dad left him his grandfather's huge inheritance and also all of his own savings, his houses and other properties. He had been depressed ever since Damian's mom left them, but tried hard to face reality. He loved his work as a doctor and when several operations caused deaths of patients, his license was suspended and he lost his job at the hospital. He was a very good doctor but his excessive drinking was the cause of his downfall and eventual death.
Xavion and Juliette sat down feeling worried for Damian. After an hour Damian and Angela came down. All four friends hugged together.
"Thanks guys, it means a lot to me to have each of you here. Can you stay the night please?" Damian pleaded and they all agreed.
That's what friends were for, right? To support one other through thick and thin.