Alice spent the next hour in Xavier’s mind.

It was only until the bell rang for the third time, signaling the start of gym class did The Eternal shook away the paranoia that was building in his heart.

Of course, he tried not to make any decisions regarding the matter.

Thus far, he had been separated from the Cullens so Alice couldn’t see anything about his uniqueness, but now that the plot had started, Xavier had no doubt that was about to change.

Certain things were about to come to light.

Supernatural Beings would start appearing left and right, and Xavier knew for a fact that The Cullens and himself were not the only supernatural creatures at Forks.

This was not the book – there was no plot to be followed.

“What class do you have right now?” Jessie questioned, tired of standing at the intersection between the two halls.

“Why are you waiting for me to decide?” Xavier frowned, not enjoying the girl’s hovering. “Don’t you have biology class right now?”

“I rather go to whatever class you go to,” Jessie complained.

Xavier gave Jessie a deadpan stare and the tomboy couldn’t help but sigh and depart for her class. She knew how much Xavier disliked hovering, but it wasn’t like she had anything better to do.

Besides, people tended not to mess with her when Xavier was near.

“Don’t forget to slip into the cafeteria later and set things up for me,” Xavier yelled.

Jessie jotted her thumb into the air as she turned down the corridor. With the plan all but guaranteed, Xavier decided to head to gym class.

It was also about time he checked on Bella, less Charlie uses it as an excuse to resurrect his speeding tickets.

-----------

GYM CLASS

When Xavier made his entrance into gym class, a few of the volleyball players showing off to impress the girls had the urge to sit down.

It was well-known Xavier’s skill in seemingly every sport.

The class heaved a collective sigh of relief when The Eternal took a seat on the bleachers – the coach’s position to be exact, but even the PE teacher would not complain.

Xavier watched.

Bella had yet to notice his presence, or if she did, she chose to ignore him. Xavier had to admit, he rather enjoyed the squeamish look on her face whenever the ball drifted within ten feet of her position.

“And she will stare vampires down with no fear,” Xavier scratched the back of his head. “It’s hard to believe she will become that person.”

As the class proceeded, the males and females were separated into two different courts. The males ran drills while the females indulged in a game that couldn’t be considered volleyball, but a near cousin.

Then, something different happened.

Bella managed to catch a glimpse of Xavier from the corner of her eye, and the glimpse distracted her long enough to fail to notice the ball that was heading straight for her head.

WHOOOSH

As if she could feel what was about to come, Bella closed her eyes on instinct, but thankfully, Xavier had been paying attention the entire time.

Honestly, he was expecting to see the moment Bella met Mike, and Jessica butted in, but just by his action of coming to class, the introduction changed.

WHOOSH

The world slowed around Xavier – not too much, just enough to look as if he reacted quickly. The Eternal snatched a ball from the basket next to the coach’s seat, and with pinpoint precision, he tossed the ball.

BAP

The ball Xavier threw intercepted the ball heading for Bella’s head. Still, Bella was clumsy enough that even without being hit with the ball, she still lost her balance and ended up on her butt.

HAHAHA

HAHAHA

Sparse chuckles leaked from a few students.

Most students were surprised by Xavier’s precise throw, but The Eternal had little time to admire his own work. He rushed to Bella’s aid, arriving only after Jessica had helped Bella to her feet.

“You okay?” Xavier asked concernedly. “If you break a hip, Charlie will take my car away from me. Bella, I really love my cars.”

“Wow, G…” Bella rolled her eyes, dusting her bottom slowly. “Glad to see that my dad picked someone to give me a tour who cares about my wellbeing so much.”

Then, Bella turned to Jessica. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Jessica stood at attention, eyes darting between Xavier and Bella until she couldn’t help but inquire. “So, you guys know each other?”

Xavier shook his head subtly, a signal to the jealous girl that he wasn’t sleeping with Bella. For all her faults, Xavier had to admire that Jessica remained loyal to him even though they weren’t together.

Of course, they only occasionally messed around, but it was obvious she wanted something more, and Xavier made it obvious he could never give it to her.

“He’s my appointed babysitter,” Bella joked, completely misreading the atmosphere. “Bella by the way.”

“Jessica…” Jessica replied, shaking Bella’s outstretched hand.

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“Hmm…” Xavier scanned Bella from head to toe.

“What?” Bella instantly became self-conscious, wondering if her bottom was still dirty.

“You should stick with me for now, less you accidentally trip over your own feet and die,” Xavier joked.

Bella was about to retort when a wave of dizziness struck her faster than she could comprehend what was happening. It was only when Xavier placed her on the bleacher next to himself that she regained some sense of self.

Xavier had scooped Bella into a bridal carry.

“Wha—” Bella’s brain seemed to have short-circuited.

As did Jessica’s brain – she simply stood at the same spot, wondering what had just happened. Ultimately, Mike came to chat with Jessica about the new girl, finally breaking Jessica out of her spell.

-------------

Bella didn’t speak until the bell rang, signaling the end of gym class.

“I need a ride home so we can talk now or in the car later, where you will be cornered by someone twice your size,” Xavier voiced. “Which would you prefer?”

“You picked me up…” Bella groaned.

“And you were pretty light,” Xavier was bothered by that for some reason. “You need to eat more meat.”

“That’s beside the point,” Bella weakly argued. “Won’t this send the wrong message? Now everyone will think that we’re dating or something.”

“Then you should be thanking me,” Xavier rolled his eyes, gesturing to the hungry gazes of the dozen guys on the volleyball court. “If I didn’t help you in such a blatant way, one of those guys would. Then, you would be dating one of them.”

“So... what?” Bella’s cheeks puffed. “Better the devil I know for literally six hours?”

“Better than the devil you’re about to meet for the first time,” Xavier justified, and rose from his seat, guiding Bella along.

This time she didn’t complain about the way it would look when Xavier escorted her down the bleachers by holding her hand because she knew better than anyone else the chances of her falling.

It was very high.

Between survival and Xavier’s flirting – if that’s what it was, Bella obviously chose not to fall down the plastic bleachers. As soon as they made it down the bleachers, she retrieved her hand.

Then, on the very first step she took on her own, Bella stepped on her loose laces, nearly tumbling onto her face had Xavier not caught her.

“Might want to tie your laces,” Xavier commented, feeling that everything was a bit absurd. “I mean, I would do it for you, but even I have limits.”

“Just—” Bella found she didn’t have the necessary words to retort so she could only silently heed Xavier’s advice, bending down to tie her shoes.

۞۞۞

Bella trailed silently behind Xavier as they made their way to the cafeteria. She was way too embarrassed because of her two previous walking failures.

“You know, you don’t have to walk behind me like some servant,” Xavier announced. “I promise, if you’re gonna fall again – I will totally let you.”

Bella picked up her pace a little. “Are you sure we are heading the right way?” She inquired. “I don’t see anyone around.”

“That’s how I know we are heading the right way,” Xavier replied. “Didn’t you read the map I got you? I don’t like crowds so I always take the longer, but less populated ways to get anywhere.”

“Direct is best,” Bella whispered.

“Says the girl who is tripping over her own feet,” Xavier whispered back.

With another minute of walking, Bella and Xavier heard the clambering of students storming into the cafeteria, and Xavier wore a victorious smirk.

Bella, on the other hand, wore a defeated expression, but she was simultaneously grateful that Xavier had taken her on the less crowded route.

She could already imagine she wouldn’t have survived long in the storming crowd. Just as the duo were about to enter the cafeteria, Xavier paused and glanced around.

“What are we waiting for?” Bella inqu+ired.

“That…” Xavier announced.

On cue, Jessie came with a duffle bag. “We got almost everything covered,” She voiced. “We just need someone on the tambourine. I will be setting up the camera – it's gonna contribute to my hustle for the party.”

Xavier shrugged and extended a hand, taking the duffle bag from Jessie.

“Here,” He said, passing the tambourine from the duffle bag to Bella. “Now it’s time to earn my friendship.”

“Didn’t Charlie already buy it with a lack of speeding tickets?” Bella groaned.

“Charlie has my friendship, but you’re his daughter. The highest level of commitment requires reciprocation,” Xavier chided.

Bella hesitated for a couple of seconds before taking the tambourine. “And what should I do with this?” She inquired. “I mean, I remember you said something about a confession. But, when do I pretend to start playing?”

“You’ll see the signal…” Xavier replied dismissively, already taken to tuning the guitar. “Just head inside and await for further instruction.”

When Xavier no longer spoke, Bella got the memo and entered the cafeteria, already making up her mind to not play the tambourine no matter what signal was given.

------------

Bella joined the line to get her lunch, but not long after, an arm snaked its way through her own, pulling her along to the front of the line.

“Excuse us – two beauties coming through,” Jessica announced, parting the boys as if Moses parting the sea. “If we make it to the front, we just may be your date for homecoming.”

With Jessica’s guidance, Bella was able to get her meal in a matter of seconds instead of minutes. Jessica then guided her potential rival in love to her table of friends.

Bella recognized a few faces from the table – Eric, the guy who gave her the tour and wouldn’t stop talking, and Mike, someone who looked at her with more interest than she was comfortable.

“Here…” Mike slid a seat free from the table, offering the chair to Bella. “As all gentlemen should behave in front of a beautiful lady.”

Bella would have blushed from the embarrassment had Xavier not taken all the redness from her cheeks already. Stoically, she sat down.

“Mikey,” Erica’s voice was defensive and strained. “You met my homegirl, Bella?”

Though Eric just inched his chair a bit closer – to Bella, it almost felt as if he was breathing down her neck. Actually, all the eyes on her felt exactly like that.

“Oh, oh…” Mike stammered a bit. “Your homegirl?”

“Yeah…”

“Yeah…”

As Eric and Mike laid claim to Bella, a third party – Tyler – broke into the scene, intending to lay a quick kiss on Bella’s cheek. Alas, after the volleyball incident, Bella was alert.

She quickly intercepted the attempt with the tambourine.

“Guess I missed my chance,” Tyler lamented, throwing a challenging look at Mike. “Keep this one close or I’ll snatch her from you.”

“Get out of here,” Mike jokingly shoved Tyler away then turned to Bella. “You have good reaction time.”

“Just been on alert is all.” She replied.

“Is the tambourine also an anti-kiss tactic or?” Jessica was seething with jealousy internally, but the smile on her face remained constant.

“Smile…” A new face joined the table, attempting to take a picture of Bella, but once again, she held the tambourine in front of her face, blocking the shot.

“Seriously, Bella…” Mike couldn’t help but ask. “Why do you have a tambourine? Did you always know it was this useful?”

“Uh… Xavier just gave it to me,” Bella admitted. “He kinda twisted my arm to help with his confession to a girl named Angela. I am not sure about the details.”

Bella’s explanation was met with silence.

Then, Jessica, Mike, and Eric shifted uncomfortably in their seats, staring at the girl with the glasses – the girl Bella just realized is likely to be Angela.

Jessica, particularly, was bothered by the revelation that Xavier still wanted Angela back. After all, she had done everything in her power to steer Angela in someone else’s direction.

“I am so sorry—” Bella started.

“No, it’s fine…” Angela sighed. “I expected he would do something like this in the end. It’s so him.”

“You should just tell him the truth,” Jessica urged, possessing a double intention as she did. “I mean, say what you want about Xavier – he is persistent.”

“And an asshole,” Mike added.

“Here, here…” Eric seconded the motion.

“He is?” Bella frowned. “I mean, he does strike me as the misunderstood jerk, but… definitely not asshole-like.”

“And you’re right for the most part,” Angela nodded slowly. “He cares about people a lot, but at the same time, if you disappoint him – there is no such thing as forgiveness. So, it’s kind of a double-edged sword.”

“Don’t worry…” Bella stared into Angela’s eyes and promised. “He won’t get any encouragement from me. I won’t play the tambourine no matter how much he gives me the signal.”

Silence descended.

“Well, this conversation got awkward pretty fast,” Jessica mumbled.

“Let’s just focus on something else, like…” Angela’s eyes darted around in search of a topic, but when she noticed Bella’s gaze and traced it. “Oh, the Cullens.”

Mike’s and Eric’s faces turned ugly.

Jessica’s eyes lit up.

Angela bit her lips.

Bella knew that her unintended glance had opened a can of worms – very beautiful, pale-skinned worms, but worms nonetheless.

Jessica and Angela started the rundown of The Cullens – a speech they had given a dozen times before, so it was with practiced ease that they finished each other’s statements.