The bully's redemption

Xavier settled into the couch opposite Kamsi's bed, his broad frame sinking into the cushions with a quiet confidence. Kamsi shifted under her covers, closing her eyes but finding no comfort in the stillness of the room. Her thoughts raced, and after a few moments of silence, she couldn't help herself.

"Xa—Xavier?" she whispered into the darkness, her voice barely above a breath.

For a moment, there was no response. It felt like an eternity had passed before his voice cut through the quiet, firm but distant. "I told you to get some rest."

Kamsi's heart skipped a beat, but she managed to respond, her voice soft, "I just wanted to confirm you weren't asleep."

Xavier sighed audibly, shifting slightly on the couch. Another long pause followed, and when he spoke again, his tone was heavier, almost like he was dragging the words out. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

Kamsi hesitated, debating whether to share what was truly on her mind. Finally, she muttered, her voice barely audible, "I find it hard to sleep when someone is around... someone like you." The last part slipped out before she could stop herself.

His eyes, which she thought were closed, flicked open, sharp and glinting in the dim light of the room. He turned his head slightly in her direction, as if weighing her words carefully. Then, with an exhale, he closed his eyes once more, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

"Then pretend I'm not here," he murmured, his voice laced with that familiar, devilish amusement.

Kamsi let out a deep sigh, her chest tightening in frustration. How was she supposed to pretend he wasn't there when his presence filled the whole room.

After a long moment of silence, Kamsi shifted beneath her blankets, her mind still racing. She couldn't stop herself from calling out again.

"Xavier?"

"Hmm?" came his lazy response.

"One last question?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of hesitation, almost like a plea. She heard him hum in acknowledgment, signaling for her to continue.

"The girl I saw you with the other day in front of your apartment… is she your girlfriend?" she asked, surprising even herself with the boldness of the question.

Xavier's eyes flicked open, his expression calm and indifferent, as though her question didn't ruffle him. Yet there was something calculating in the way he stared at her for a beat, as if deciding how much to reveal.

"Why do you ask?" His tone was smooth, guarded.

Kamsi swallowed, her heart beating a little faster. "Well... she threatened me," she admitted, voice a little softer. "Said if I ever spoke about what I saw, she'd make me regret it."

At this, Xavier's eyebrows furrowed, the first hint of real emotion breaking through his mask. His lips pressed into a thin line, and without a word, he got up from the couch. Kamsi's breath caught in her throat as she watched him move with quiet authority.

"Have a good night's rest, nudist," he said, his voice light but the undercurrent of something protective in his tone. "We don't want you falling sick and missing school."

He strode toward the balcony, but before stepping outside, he paused, his back still facing her. "Ignore Patricia's silly threats," he added, his voice firm. "She can do no more harm than a dead rat. Plus," he said, glancing back at her briefly, his eyes narrowing with a kind of quiet intensity, "I doubt anyone will be able to touch you from now on."

With that, he stepped out onto the balcony, leaving Kamsi alone in the room, her mind spinning as she tried to make sense of his words. What did he mean by that ? Her heart raced with questions, but exhaustion finally caught up with her.

Before she could overthink it, Kamsi drifted into sleep, her mind still replaying the strange, confusing encounter, and Xavier's lingering promise hung in the air.

Kamsi woke up the next morning feeling considerably better, thanks to Xavier's unexpected care. She stretched and glanced around her room, finding that the fever had finally broken. Felicia, her mom, was already back from her shift as a nurse, preparing breakfast in the kitchen. The comforting smell of pancakes and bacon filled the house.

Kamsi joined her at the table, where Felicia served a generous breakfast. Zendaya, Kamsi's best friend, arrived shortly after, adding a burst of energy to the morning. They chatted as they ate, the conversation light and cheerful, but Kamsi kept her thoughts to herself, deciding not to mention the previous night's events to anyone, not even Zendaya.

After breakfast, Kamsi and Zendaya headed to Washington DC International School. As they entered the school hall, they spotted the T3—Xavier, Damon, and Gilbert—making their grand entrance. The usual flurry of excited screams erupted from the girls around them.

"Ugh, this is never not annoying!" Kamsi hissed under her breath, though she couldn't help stealing a glance at Xavier. To her surprise, their eyes met briefly, causing her heart to skip a beat. Just as she was about to look away, Xavier's gaze shifted, and he walked purposefully toward Patricia, who was standing nearby.

Kamsi watched in confusion as Xavier grabbed Patricia's wrist and dragged her into an empty classroom. Patricia, caught off guard, initially thought Xavier was finally reciprocating her feelings. Her face brightened with hopeful anticipation as Xavier shut the door behind them.

Inside the classroom, Xavier's demeanor shifted to one of cold determination. "Listen and listen good, because this might be your last warning," he said firmly. "Don't you dare ever come close to Kamsi."

Patricia's eyes widened in confusion. "Who the hell is Kamsi? And why should I—"

Xavier cut her off, his tone growing colder. "Remember the girl you threatened in the restroom? She's off-limits. I don't want to see you near her again, or you'll regret it instantly."

Without waiting for Patricia's response, Xavier turned on his heel and walked out, leaving Patricia panting with a mix of fury and disbelief. She exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her anger simmering.

Outside, the rumor mill had already started buzzing. Whispers confirmed that Xavier and Patricia were dating, largely due to how he had dragged her away into the classroom. Kamsi, overhearing snippets of the gossip, found herself doubtful of the credibility of these rumors. Her mind kept drifting back to the previous night and Xavier's unexpected behavior.

"Whatever," Kamsi muttered to herself as she walked to her next class, trying to shake off the lingering feelings. "It's none of my business." Yet, the strange feeling of unease persisted, hanging over her as she navigated the rest of her day.