Chapter 10

Xavier's POV

 I didn't go to school today due to some personal issues I had to solve, so I didn't really know what occurred between Xander and Natalie. Either way, I dreaded going home, because it meant I had to go see Xander. I stayed in the car for few more moments taking in deep breaths while closing my eyes. When I was sure I was ready, I got out of the car and walked in.

It looked like a storm had hit the living room. Everything was scattered around, and it was completely messy. I gulped. It could only mean one thing. Xander was here, and he was in a bad mood. No... Not bad, terrible. I managed to make my way out of the mess and started to look for Xander.

”Xander!” I called, but no reply. Gosh! Where is he?? I can't go look for him in every nook and cranny of this house. I eventually found him, and he was sat in the midst of empty liquor bottles. He had been drinking with his head bent as if he was crying, although I wouldn't be sure. I heard no sobs.

”Xander?” I called, this time more gently. He looked up and glared at me, all the hatred showing from his eyes. God please.... Don't let me mess this up.

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 Xander's POV

”Xander?” I heard a voice call, and it turns out it was Xavier. But what's he doing here? I haven't seen him all day.

“What are you doing here?” I growled, my speech slurry as a result of the alcohol.

”I came to see you. Check up on you. Looks like you are not so good.” he said, his voice gentle. “Want me to help you?”

I scoffed. “Just go away. I don't want to see you. You can go to hell for all I care.”

“I know you're mad at me, but you can keep doing this to yourself. What happened??”

There's no way I'm telling him it's because of Natalie. He'll probably just laugh at me and guess he has the upper hand, like he always thinks he does. Anger pulsed through me, and I found myself yelling.

 ”Just go away!! Why don't you listen!!” I said staggering up. God I'm dead drunk. Xavier didn't move, he just put his hands in his pockets.

 ”Is this about what happened? Two years ago? For the millionth time, Xander, I didn't do it.....” I cut him off 

 ”That doesn't matter, I don't care!! I saw you with Lucy and there's no denying the fact!” I yelled, my veins pulsating in anger.

 ”Why don't you listen to me!” Xavier said, raising his voice. I was getting on his nerves. “You never listen, Xander. For God's sake, it's been two years already tone it down.... Please.” He begged.

“Just go away.... GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE!!” I yelled, smashing the bottle with me and destroying everything that was around me. 

 ”I don't know what to do anymore, Xander.” I heard him say, dejected...” I've tried, but it just looks like you don't want to hear me out. I'll leave now,” he said and left the room.

 I sagged on the floor, groaning. You can do this Xander, I chanted in my mind. You can do this....

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Natalie's POV

 I was laughing at one of my dad's joke. Greg had taken me to see him because he requested for it. Jace was there as well, likewise Derek, the eldest and the only one married among them. The Maddox twins were somewhere around the globe being the gamers they are. They make and play video games, earning money from that. They rarely come home except it's very important, otherwise they just video call. Above all, we all get along just fine.

 ”I've missed you and your jokes,” I said sincerely after another round of laughter. The rest weren't laughing along. After all this while they were still scared of dad being a military official. They say he's gentle on me because I'm a girl, well.... Whatever.

 ”I missed you, my little warrior princess. How have you been doing?” He asked, pulling my cheeks.

 ”I'm good, fine actually.” I answered.

 ”Don't worry.... I'll get better, you just keep being the good girl I raised you to be.” He said.

 I crossed my heart. “I promise.” We both chuckled. Then pouted. "Dad....” I drawled. “You seriously have to tell Derek and the rest of them to stop calling me bush baby. I'm not a busy baby.” I whined and watched from the corner of my eyes, see them widen their eyes.

“Who has been calling my warrior princess, bush baby?” He growled. I chuckled silently.

“Um, we really aren't calling her bush baby.....” Greg began but Jace cut him off.

”That's what mum called her!” Jace objected. Greg glared at him.

”What?? It's the truth!”

“Shh... All of you. You are making a lot of noise.” Dad ordered. Even though they are all grown-ups, dad still treats them as kids. They kept quiet and glared, all giving me an am-gonna-kill-you-look- when-we-get-home.

My dad laughed. “That's the truth though, it was the nick name your mum gave you when she first gave birth to you.”

”She held you in her arms and said, ' she is such a cute bush baby!' it stuck ever since.” my dad explained.

“I've never liked the nick name, but after hearing the history, I'm going to keep it,” I said.

”That's my little warrior princess. One more thing....” Dad reached into his pockets and brought out a bracelet. 

”It's your mom's, it'll complement the necklace.” He wore it for me.

“Awn. It looks cute. I'm such a cute bush baby!” I repeated. Everyone laughed.

“Um dad... We have to go now. We'll see you later.” Derek said, standing up.

“Okay sons, I'll be waiting.”

”Get better.” I whispered and stood up. I waved a bit before walking out of the ward, then breaking into a run so my brothers couldn't catch me. That didn't work though. Jace dragged me by the arm, yanking me to his side.

”I'm sorry, I'm sorry...” I pleaded.

”You dare report us to dad? I'm so going to kill you.” He threatened me, it was only a joke though.

”But I already apologized!” I pouted admiringly, the way Ariana thought me to. Derek softened. “Leave the bush baby alone, you were worse when you were her age.”

“Such a tattle tale.” Greg supported.

“Every one of you were tattletales,” Derek said, and got into his car. “Bye, bro,” I waved at him. He waved back and drove off.

“I'm still going to kill you.” Jace said. But I had already gotten to the car and strapped my seatbelt. “Can we go home now?” I asked.

Jace frowned, angry that he didn't get to punish me. Greg scoffed and got into the car, starting it up and driving home.

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That night before I went to sleep, I stared at the bracelet that dad gave me. I smiled to myself. For some reason, my thoughts wandered to the Anderson brothers. I wondered if they spent time together like mine did. They seemed too far apart.

Not my business, I said to myself. I shouldn't care. I removed the bracelet and necklace and put in on the dressing table, going to bed.

But I couldn't sleep... Because despite how much I didn't want to have any interest in their lives, a part of me wanted to know what was wrong. And unfortunately for me, it was the part I always listened to. Always.....

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Natalie's POV

 The next day I arrived in school. Everyone seemed to scurry away from sight. It looked like they were scared of me. Well, who wouldn't be? I just talked down on one of the most important people in school. I walked into the school hall and, as usual, ignored their stares and peering gazes, making my way and finding my locker. As usual, Mira was waiting for me at the locker. I waved at her.

“Good morning.” I greeted. She smiled.

“Good morning Natalie. How was your night? ”she asked, closing her locker after bringing out her books.

I shrugged. “Fine” I said. I didn't tell her I was tossing and turning and finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning.

 ”Good.” She said and waited for me. I expected her to talk about the incident of yesterday, but she never brought it up. I locked up my locker, and we began walking to class.

“Guess what?” She suddenly said.

"What?” I asked.

 ”The brothers, they're in school today. Both of them.”

 ”Are they?”

“Yes, but there is something weird though. They haven't been talking to each other since they arrived. It's quite unusual.”

I stopped in my tracks.

“They haven't??” I repeated. Oh dear....

 ”Yeah, students are speculating. It has something to do with the bet, but no one's really sure.”

 I shrugged, trying to make light of the matter.

 ”Maybe it is, maybe it's not. We don't really know, do we?” I asked, glancing at her. She smiled at me. I smiled back.

“No we don’t.” She answered. I sighed softly.

“Let's not focus on that.... I'm trying not to be late for my first class.” I said.

 Mira giggled. “Me too... Let's hurry.”

We got into class and settled in our seats, waiting for the teacher. Once I caught Tricia staring at me, giving me that 'I'll get you'' look, I frowned and waved it off 

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Before I knew it, classes have sped by, and it was already lunch. As usual, Mira and I were sat together, eating silently since there was nothing to talk about. All of a sudden the Trio walked into the cafeteria and came directly to our table, slamming their trays on our table. I stopped and looked up at them, face blank.

“Oh hi, Natalie. Didn't know you were here...” she said sweetly, so sweet it was fake.

“But I'm sitting here..”

“Please don't mind me, I wasn't looking.”

"What do you want?” Mira asked. I guess she was just as disgusted with them as I am.

 ”Wasn't talking to you, pip-squeak!!” Tricia threw back, Mira recoiled. I cleared my throat.

 ”Yeah, what do you want?” I asked again.

 ”Nothing much... Just came to remind you. You may have gotten lucky during the prank and party, but you are going to run out of that soon....” Tricia muttered, her eyes glowering. I smiled sweetly at her.

“Let me guess..... You have something planned for me?” Tricia snickered and played with my hair. I slapped her hands off.

 ”I sure do... And there's nobody, I repeat nobody, who will save you from this one.” she spat. Then stood up and picked up her tray, smiling suddenly. “Guess I have to go now.... See you later!” She called and sashayed away with her friends.

Someone hissed. It was Mira.

 ”Always thinking she's the best...” Mira muttered, then looked at me with worry. “What if she's serious?”

I shrugged, although I couldn't help but feel a little panicky inside.

“Guess I have to be prepared,” I said. Mira nodded, not out of understanding, though. “Okay...”

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 I had gone to the restroom after lunch to wash my face and relax my nerves as well. When I stepped out, I was looking at Xavier straight in the face. He seemed startled to see me. Perhaps he didn't expect anyone to be there, so it was kinda awkward standing there with him.

“Hi,” I called, my voice strangely stiff.

“Hey.....” he trailed off. We both glanced at each other and when our gazes locked, he looked away. Why does that feel weird?

”How's your brother doing?” I asked, in hopes of reducing the unknown tension between us. He looked dazed at first, but when the question registered, he nodded.

“He's..... Fine.” He forced out, pursing his lips.

 ”I said a lot a mean things yesterday.”

“Did you? Well, that explains things...” He stopped himself. I couldn't help but ask, “Explain what?”

He just stared at me, unsure if he should answer. 

“Nevermind.... It's already been sorted out.” I raised my brows, folding my hands.

 ”Really? Rumors has it that you aren't talking to him, that doesn't sound really sorted out to me.”

 He looked at me quizzically.

“What are you? A boy expert or something??”

I was going to answer that, but Mira came rushing in.

“Gosh Natty, how long does it take to wash hands?... Oh hi, Xavier!” She stopped when she saw Xavier and glanced at the both of us.

“I see you're busy... I'm just going to leave you guys..”

“No need. I was just about leaving, but you can talk to him if you want to.”

“Never mind. I just came to get you. “Mira laughed nervously.

“Guess I'll see you later then?” I stopped and turned, shrugging.

”Maybe?” Before walking away with Mira.

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Xavier's POV

I don't know why, but I felt glad after that conversation with Natalie. Glad that mine didn't end the way Xander did. Not that I was happy that Xander's ended the way it did cause now I have to bear the brunt. I glanced at her retreating figure, suddenly smiling for no reason.

Okay, I had better get out of here...

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(Closing)

Natalie's POV

“Isn't your driver coming to pick you up? “Mira asked while we were waiting for hers.

“Huh? Oh, he's coming... Maybe he's just a little late.” I said.

”Okay...” she trailed off. Her driver soon arrived, and she got into the car.

“Bye Natty.... And don't forget to take care of yourself, remember the threat.” she whispered.

I smiled smugly. “I didn't forget.” She waved and drove off. I waved back.

After a few minutes, my driver drove in, and I got in.

”You're late.” I complained.

”I'm sorry miss, I got a little held up.” He apologized. I scoffed.

”Okay... Let's go.”

He nodded, and we began driving out of the compound towards the highway. 

Suddenly while we making a turn, a car drove right in front of us, making her screech into a halt. I was jolted forward. I was lucky I had my seatbelt on. Six muscular men came out and started coming towards a car. When the driver tried to protest, he was knocked out. Realizing the situation at hand, I opened the car and began running out when one of them dragged me back and hit me across the face, making me taste my blood.

 I spat some of it away and stomped his foot. He groaned in pain and released me, one of them made to stop me but I kicked him the groin, he doubled over in pain, and I ran away. But there were six of them, in no time one of them caught up with me and put a handkerchief over my nose.... I struggled until I lost consciousness and felt myself being dragged to a car.

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When I finally regained consciousness, I discovered I was being tied to a chair, hands behind me. I looked around and saw all of them, including one who was nursing the wound I inflicted on him. I smirked through the pain.

“Looks like she's awake.” One of them said. I glanced at him, trying desperately hard to free my hands. That wasn't working so far, it had been expertly tied and I needed time, time I didn't have. He smirked and walked over, opening a pen knife.

”She sure is...” He muttered, lowering himself and giving me lewd glances. I spat on his face. I received another hit.

”You sure are feisty, aren't you? Let's see how far that gets you.” he said, using the pen knife to play with the edge of my blouse. My heart was pounding really fast when I realized what they were about to do. He brought his face closer to me, nuzzling my neck. I shuddered.

”Hmm.. you smell so good. I can't wait to taste you.” he muttered against my neck. I jerked back.

”Go to hell...” I gritted through clenched teeth. With a flick of the knife, one of my buttons went off. I held my breath.

 ”I'm going to make sure you never forget this moment.... I and the rest of them.” He said, toying with the next button. The desire to free my hands became even more violent now, but it wasn't enough. That button went as well and ran across the room. Lustful glances hit me from across the room.... Is this really how am going to lose my virginity???

Just as he was about to tear up the blouse, the door opened and someone entered, and hit the guy with a stick. The rest were startled as they didn't expect anyone to see them. I couldn't see the person since it was dark in the room.

”Don't you even dare!!” He growled at the Guy who now laying on the floor groaning in pain. “Hey Natalie. Are you okay?” He asked, his voice changing to that of worry and concern.

I was shocked when I realized who it was. What's he doing here and how did he find me? 

What the hell?!.