Xio burst into laughter. “It was a joke. Don’t worry, I’m going for perfect attendance throughout all my high school experience. I wouldn’t dare skip.” It was the truth. If she skipped, her father would murder her as well. “Please don’t hate me.”
Kyle released a breath and nudged her, still frowning, "Not funny Xio. But I would never hate you," He was about to say something else when the bell rang, "Great, torture time."
“I thought it was funny. Your face was worth it.” She teased. Xio’s face fell when the bell rang. She hated school too. Even if it did keep her busy. “I don’t want to go but I will. Don’t miss me too much, Kai.” She said softly, winking.
Kai blushed lightly and smiled softly at her, "I won't. See you later, Xio." He gave her a small wave before heading off down the hall to his classroom.
“See you Kai!” She waved as well, hurrying to the school library where her study period took place. She groaned at the thought of it. Until an idea popped into her head. She could use the time to write about Kai. His story had haunted her dreams and thoughts but she enjoyed every moment of it.
The class was boring and dull. Kai didn't pay attention to anything that was going on until about the last ten minutes where he hurriedly scribbled down whatever was on the board. The day passed mostly like that, Kai not paying attention and zoning out until lunch.
Normally, Kai dreaded the thought of lunch. The idea that as soon as the walked in all eyes were on him. And yes, they still were. The whispers and looks were still there but now he had someone to sit with and ignore them with.
Xio wrote most of the day away. Once or twice her teachers scolded her for it but she ignored them. By the time lunch rolled around, she was beyond thrilled. Even if Jeremy was gone she still had a friend to sit by. And it was Kai.
She glanced around the lunchroom, seeking his familiar face. A few people glanced her way, she recognized a few faces from the hallway before school. Oh well. They could talk all they wanted. She was graduating this year.
Kai was sitting in the back of the room, trying to go unnoticed by 99.9% of everyone, mainly Jason and his gang. When he noticed Xio walk in, his eyes lit up a little and he quickly sent her a text to tell her where he was.
Back corner of the lunch room. Trying to be invisible to Jason… -Kai.
Xio jumped as her phone buzzed. She wasn’t used to getting messages at school unless it was her father. She grinned after reading.
Jason. She had to avoid him too. Xio glanced around for the bully, sighing softly when she didn’t catch sight of him. Yet. Hurrying across the cafeteria, she caught sight of Kai and waved.
Kait waved softly back, offering a small as she sat down, "Hey, how's you day been?" He asked, placing his phone in his pocket.
“Borrring.” She draped herself over the table, looking at him with a large smile. “I’ve done nothing but write.” Her lunch was pulled from her bag and set on the table next to her: an apple and some homemade Chicken Alfredo, her favorite food of all time. “At least I had you with me throughout all of today.” She winked.
Kyle rolled his eyes and pulled a mandarin out of his bag and began to peel it, shaking his head a little, "By me you mean the book version of me?" He glanced up and raised an eyebrow before turning back to his fruit.
“Mm, you’re right. But to me, they’re all real. You really do never understand that until you create your first character. It’s such a thrill. You live the life of that character.” She closed her eyes, smiling. “All that life… that adventure. I can’t live it on my own so I live it through them.”
"Alright alright, I get it," Kyle chuckled and placed a piece of the fruit in his mouth, "Go hang out with book me if you like him more then." He joked, kicking her under the table.
Xio gasped dramatically, giggling. “Maybe I will! Book you doesn’t kick.” She stuck her tongue out, something she seemed to enjoy doing. “Oh but then again, book you isn’t nearly as entertaining. Nor as cute.” she giggled again, covering her mouth. She hadn’t even started on her food, her snacking during class had cured her hunger.
Kyle blushed a little, "Yeah, but book me has more adventures," He sighed, "And I'm not cute." He muttered, placing some more fruit into his mouth to distract himself from becoming too flustered. He wanted to come up with a better response but his brain went into over drive and stopped.
“Mm, adventuring can be overrated. Sometimes being just a kid with ice powers is cool enough.” She told him, grinning. “If I tell you you’re cute or attractive, then you are. I have high standards.” She teased. “Besides, I have a thing for guys with messy hair and glasses.”
His mouth fell open for a second before he shut it and frowned, crossing his arms, "My hair isn't that messy… today anyway…" He muttered, the blush darkening the longer he thought about what she was saying. Damn him!
She opened her container, fork in hand, and began to eat, watching his face with a mischievous light in her eyes. She was telling the truth. He was rather attractive to her. But she didn’t have her hopes up too high. She was scared of relationships and he wasn’t even interested in them. “Mm, it’s still messy.” Her eyes flicked to his beanie then back. “You fluster easy.”
"It is not that messy. And if you keep talking about how flustered I get I'll kick you off the table." he muttered, standing to quickly put his peel in the bin before sitting down again. He hated how she could make him like this so easily and they'd only known each other a day.
Xio laughed nervously, looking down at her food. “Sorry, I went too far…” She should know better. Not everyone can take such flirty behavior. “Just know that if you ever decide to go into the dating realm, not every girl acts like me. I’m too flirty and confident. It makes a mess often.”
"You don't need to apologise and you didn't go to far," Kyle smiled softly at her, "And I don't know I'll ever go into the dating realm. If I find someone I like a lot then I'll go after them but I don't know if tht'll ever happen."
“That might be for the better. Don’t rush into it.” She rubbed her neck nervously, fingertips gracing her scars once more. It made her shiver.
She returned to her food, glancing around. “Jason hasn’t given you a hard time today has he?” She asked cautiously, narrowing her eyes. “I haven’t seen him today.”
Kyle's breathing hitched for a moment before he quickly shook his head, "N-No, he hasn't. I haven't seen him either which was good." Liar. He hated lying to he but he also didn't want her to worry about him either.
“Hmm…” she fell silent, her eyes searching the cafeteria. She sighed in defeat, flopping over. “I kind of hoped Jeremy would be here today… I forgot he’s in the hospital. I’m going to see him after school…” she said softly, eyes sorrowful.
Jeremy had been her only friend for as long as she could remember. It made her depressed to see him in so much pain. Some days at school he would have to go home due to a sick stomach. He often bled internally or ended up with ulcers too. It made her worry for him everyday.
Xio shook her head. “But I’m glad Jason has been leaving you alone…” she said to disctract herself. “He’s such a jerk.”
"I hope Jeremy turns out okay." Kyle said softly before his attention snapped back to the Jason situation, "Yeah, I'm glad he's been leaving me alone too." But he hadn't. After Xio had left the morning he'd found him and given him a few hit in the stomach and he was sure there was bruising.
“Me too…” Her eyes dropped to her food and she ate in silence for a while. Every now and then her eyes would flicker up to Kai’s, a relieved look on her face. He was here. Maybe she wouldn’t be so alone.
“Good. If he does pick on you I’ll be sure to sock him right in the face.” She stated, grinning.
Kai cracked a small smile, "Thanks. I'm weak as when it comes to physical strength so at least you can punch for me," He chuckled, "If only I could use my powers on him. That would be great." He sighed a little and leaned forwards slightly.
She shook her head, stretching her arms out in front of her. “I’m weak too. I don’t let it stop me.” She was a small, rather innocent demon at times and people feared her for that.
“After school do you want to come with me and meet Jeremy? He’ll be thrilled I made a new friend.”
"If only I had your confidence, midget." He teased, his eyes sparkling as he spoke. It was true. if he wasn't so shy then he'd be able to stand up for himself better.
"And if you really don't mind me tagging along then I'd love to come meet him. Two friends are better then one, right?" He cracked a smile.