Chapter 21 CHAPTER: 021
Asher can't believe he's doing this. Can't believe he's letting Xavi get to him.
Once again, he had stayed awake at night, tossing and turning on his bed while his roommate slept without a single worry bone in their body but then once midnight struck, he found himself sneaking out of bed, dressed in oversized clothes that covered every part of his body and then he treaded down the hallway that led to the rooftop and the moment the cool wind brushed against his face and red hair, Asher realized what a terrible idea it was to come here again after many week, after Principal Selene has let him off without punishment, after Asher was reminded of the consequences of what would happen if he accidentally touched the ice elemental.
Asher has lived his life following the rules and nodding to orders. He was a boy who barely had a single reckless bone in his body, yet here he is, breaking the rules just because of a boy that's going to be the death of him.
Asher hates how he easily gives in. What if the principal sees them together again? There's no way Asher will go on unpunished this time. He might even get exiled. Many scenarios play in his head, yet Asher doesn't turn to leave, as if his legs know where he wants to be.
Besides, Asher misses the view from the rooftop that keeps his mind at peace and keeps him through the night. He isn't necessarily here to see Xavi.
“I knew you would come,” Xavi smirks from where he stands in the distance, a knowing smirk on his face while a little bag lies low in his hand.
Asher snorts. “Don't flatter yourself."
Xavi grins in amusement and nods. He walks over to the edge of the rooftop and sits down, motioning his chin towards the space beside him. “Siy,”
Asher doesn't move from his spot. Every instinct in his body tells him to leave, turn away, and never return or glance at the boy ever again. “We can't be seen together, so I'm going to stand here."
Xavi whips his head to look at Asher, a stoic look occupying his eyes. “I said sit.” He orders sternly, giving Asher no room to refuse.
Like an obedient pup, Asher walks over to the space and sits, making sure to keep a wide distance between him and Xavi.
Xavi smiles and cocks his head, suddenly sporting a fond look. “You look cute when you're taking orders."
“Shut up,” Asher murmurs, refusing to admit that he likes being ordered by the boy.
Xavi smiles. He unzips the bags and takes out a few cans of beer before throwing the bag over to Asher, who catches it before it falls over the edge.
Asher frowns as he opens the bag. His frowns deepen when he sees what's inside! A few bottles of soda and meat on a stick.
“Where did you get these?”
Xavi sneers. “The city's only far from you, pretty boy, not from me. Eat up and drink; we have the whole night to ourselves.”
Asher rolls his eyes and takes out a can of soda. “You're going to have us both killed,”
“Yet you came running when I called, petal. Tell me, do you also enjoy the thrill? Sneaking out and breaking the rules?” Xavi looks at him with a glazed look in his eyes.
Asher gives him a blank look. “I think you're just crazy,”
Xavi shrugs and opens a can of beer, taking a few gulps down his throat. “It’s the only thing one can do around here to pass the time. Training and learning get boring. I find ways to entertain myself.”
“By sleeping around and killing yourself with cigarettes. Classic,” Asher snorts.
Xavi stares at him with amusement. “You sound bitter…and jealous."
Asher stiffens slightly at the accusation, his fingers tightening around the can in his hand.
“Jealous?” he repeats, like the word tastes foreign on his tongue.
Xavi hums, tilting his head as he studies him, eyes slow and deliberate, twinkling in a way that's like he’s peeling Asher apart layer by layer. “You don’t like the idea of me with someone else,” he says, like it’s a fact, not a mere guess.
Asher scoffs immediately, turning his head away. “You’re delusional.”
“Am I?” Xavi’s voice teases.
Asher takes a quick sip of his drink to avoid answering and the fizz burns his throat, but it’s nothing compared to the heat crawling up his neck. “I don’t care what you do or who you do it with," he mutters after a whole minute of silence.
“Liar,” Xavi points out and smiles. “But I think it's cute, though. You're cute when you're flustered. Do you also blush this hard when your little fire elemental roommate flirts with you, or is it just me?”
Asher’s jaws pull taut. “Are you always this annoying?”
Xavi chuckles. “Fair enough,” he utters and shoves his hand into his pocket, taking out a pack of cigarettes, popping one into his mouth. “Tell me about yourself. Your life before you arrived at the academy,”
Asher instantly looks away, his jaw clenching more as he recalls the life that got away from him. “There's nothing to say,”
Xavi snorts and lights up his cigar, holding it between his fingers. “Your eyes always stay blank, and you never smile. I believe there's a story behind it."
“Do you have a story behind the reason you're killing yourself with cigarettes?” Asher snaps, almost as if Xavi hit a sensitive spot.
Xavi doesn't look offended by the outburst; instead, he shrugs. “I've been in the academy my whole life; I don't have a backstory, and my actions don't need a reason as long as they're to my satisfaction. Tell me, did I hit a sensitive spot?”
Asher hates how the boy can read like an open book. He looks at the sky, watching as the stars align. “I grew up with three siblings and my parents. I got called names and locked up in my room because of my abilities…”
Xavi's cigarette pauses halfway to his mouth as he watches Asher speak, suddenly ranting on and on about his life. Xavi's blue eyes trail along his jawline and smooth skin and go to his perfect lips.
He tilts his head, mesmerized by the sight. He wonders how they will feel pressed against him. Fuck.
Xavi doesn't even realize he's moved closer until Asher snaps at him.
“What are you doing?” Asher's eyes widen at the proximity, his heart pounding in his throat as he realizes Xavi had been leaning in.
“I want to kiss and touch you so bad,”
Asher’s breath catches instantly, his entire body going rigid as if he’s been struck by lightning, and for a second, he can’t move and can't think. All he can hear is the loud pounding of his heart, echoing in his ears like a drum about to burst.
Xavi is too close. So close that Asher can almost feel his breath, see the faint frost clinging to the ends of his lashes, the slow rise and fall of his chest, and the way his lips part slightly after speaking those reckless words.
“I—” Asher starts, but his voice fails him; his throat feels dry, while his thoughts are tangled. What is he doing?
Immediately, Asher jerks back and scampers to his feet. He shouldn't have come here, shouldn't have gotten close to the reckless boy. “You're crazy. I shouldn't have come here.”
And that's all he says before he turns and runs away.
What was he thinking?!