Chapter 19

Natalie's POV

Gobsmacked, I stared at Xavier, my mouth hanging open. What the hell was Xavier doing in my house and how did he even get the address?? I stared at him for a while before speaking up.

“Um, Xavier, what are you doing here... And how did you get the address to my house?” I asked, still confused.

“Oh... I wanted to return this to you...” He said bringing out my lost ID card. “But I didn't see you in school, so I asked the principal, and he gave me the address to your house.” He answered. Such smarty pants! I thought. Maggie was just standing there, watching the whole exchange.

"Well, thanks... But you can leave now.” I said, going to him to collect my former ID.

“You sure? Because I got invited for dinner.” He said. I stopped right in my tracks and glared at Maggie.

“What!?” I piped out.

“Aww, come on Natalie. The guy over there is a gentleman. And that's the only way I could repay him for waiting so long for you. So why don't you go upstairs, change, and come right down for dinner?”

I glanced at Xavier, and he was smirking. I wish I could slap the smirk off his face. Maggie began pushing gently. I sighed softly before taking up my bag and walking up the stairs into my room.

“Don't be late!” I heard Maggie call.

“Whatever....” I muttered before closing the door behind me. Seriously... Oh, darn it.

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“Please have a seat.” Maggie gestured, and Xavier sat opposite me. I scoffed before frowning. Xavier just shrugged.

“Thanks, miss.” He said, smiling at Maggie.

“Oh, just call me Maggie... Hate those titles.”

“Maggie, it is then.” Why is he being so well behaved?? I closed my eyes while we prayed on the food and once we were done, we began digging in... With me staring at Xavier intently.

“Wow... This tastes good. I haven't had something like this for a while now.” Xavier complimented.

“Thanks for the compliment,” Maggie beamed. “But it's not that hard to make.”

“It sure isn't..” Xavier added.

“Then why don't you make it?” I taunted. Xavier glanced at me, his eyes smiling.

“Because I don't know how to cook?” He added mischievously. I tried hard not to scoff.

“I could give you the recipe... Or perhaps you tell your mom to make it.” Maggie added unknowingly. I became alarmed and stared at Maggie, communicating with my eyes. Maggie glanced at me, confused.

“What?” She added. I nudged Xavier. All the color had already drained from his face, and he looked pale.

“Did I... Say something... Wrong?” Maggie asked carefully. Xavier hid it with a smile.

“No, it's okay... She's late actually.” He added.

“I'm so sorry... I didn't know...” Maggie added, perturbed. Xavier smiled gently.

“No, it's okay... Really. Nobody would have guessed anyway.”

Maggie sighed in relief. “It sucks, doesn't it? Losing someone you care about and a young time. I never saw mine. Died at childbirth.” Maggie said as she dropped her spoon.

“I'm sorry, it must've hurt a lot,” Xavier said with a lot of empathy in his voice.

“It did. Raised by a stepmom. Was a nightmare.”

I've heard the story before, from Greg when he first met Maggie. So I pressed her hand and smiled gently.

“It's okay. You're fine now. We'll take good care of you here.” She smiled back, her eyes on misty.

“Thanks. I'm grateful for that.” Then she turned to Xavier. “I hope you are also taking good care of yourself. Times can be hard.” She said. Xavier smiled, but I could tell it was a lie.

“Yes, miss... I mean Maggie.” He said, and we all chuckled.

“That's good to know. Okay now, enough of all the sorry moments and let's finish this food. I can't afford for any of it going to waste.” She said with mock seriousness. We all laughed and continued eating.

“So... When can I get the recipe?” Xavier asked, cleverly changing the topic. Maggie beamed.

“Oh you can get it right now; all you need is.....” Maggie began talking. I rolled my eyes and glanced at Xavier, who made a weird face at me, making me stifle a laugh. Dinner went pretty well after that.

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“I'll take care of the dishes!” I called out after dinner ended, packing it all up.

“No Natalie. I'll do that. Why don't you walk your friend down to the gate?” She suggested. Friend? From where??

“No can do. You invited him in, so you do the walking down. I can handle the dishes.” Then glanced at Xavier. “Bye Xavier, see you in school tomorrow.” And with that, disappeared into the kitchen.

"Sorry, sometimes Natalie is a little weird.” I heard Maggie say. A chuckle followed after.

“Oh, I know. I've seen that before.”

“We are leaving now, Natalie. Are you sure you don't want to see him off?”

“Yes, I am. You two can go now.” I said from the kitchen. It's until I heard the door open and close before I released the breath I didn't know I was holding. There's no way I'm walking Xavier down the gate.

After a while, I heard the door open again and Maggie came to join me in the kitchen. I glared at her and frowned. She chuckled instead. What's so funny??

“Why are you looking at me like that? He's hot!” I momentarily stopped and glanced at Maggie in disbelief. She laughed even harder.

“I don't know what to say to you. Even if I did, I wouldn't say it.” I said and continued with the dishes and patted me on the back.

“Since you're already doing the dishes, I'll go to my room and have a shower. Maybe we can watch a movie before finally falling asleep.” She said and began leaving the room. Then stopped and turned to me.

“What?” I asked in frustration.

“Xavier, what a nice name for a nice guy.” She said and giggled. I groaned and pushed her out of the kitchen.

“Just. Go. Away!” I huffed. Maggie's laughter ringed out as she ascended the stairs. I put my hands on my hips and I turned back to the dishes.

Oh great... Now I am confused.

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I landed on the bed tired and was about to drift off to sleep when my phone beeped. I lazily reached out to it and opened the phone.

It was from an anonymous number. I frowned and clicked on it.

Hi, the message read. I frowned even more. Who the hell is this? It sure isn't Xander.

Hello, who is this? I sent it back.

After waiting a while, a message came in. I clicked on it.

It's Xavier.

Stunned, I sat up in my bed. Xavier, how did he get this one now???

Xavier?! How did you get this one now?

Maggie gave it to me.

Maggie!? I'm so going to kill her tomorrow morning. I waited a bit before replying.

So, what do you want? I asked.

“I just wanted to say thanks for letting me stay for dinner. I had fun.

“I didn't. Maggie did.”

“Nevertheless, I had fun anyway. Have a goodnight.”

I almost texted, 'wait' but stopped myself. On what grounds am I keeping him, anyway? I sighed and put the phone on the bedside table, put my head on the pillow, and laid myself to sleep.

Oh Great!.. Now I can't sleep! Ugh.

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Tricia's POV

Celine, Bella, and I were in my room, discussing how things have been lately. I was especially frustrated at the fact that we couldn't get at Natalie anymore. She seemed to know our every move, and that's just about as annoying.

“Don't you think we should give up?” Bella suggested. “If we create another stunt again, there's no saying that we'll get out of Alive! and without getting into trouble. We're lucky she didn't report us the first time.” Bella completed.

“Give up?” I scoffed. “Of course not. We just have to wait till another opportunity presents itself. But right now we can't do anything.” I said, rubbing my hands together.

“I'm not even worried about that.” Celine piped out.

“Then what are you worried about?” I asked, glancing at her.

“It's about Darren. He seems different. And not only that. I'm beginning to suspect that Mira might even have something for him!”

“That's impossible. Darren doesn't like girls like her!” Bella defended.

“I don't know, but if she tries anything nasty... I'm going to show her who's boss.” Celine gritted underneath her breath.

“And how are you going to do that? She's friends with Natalie.” I pointed out.

“I know, but I have other ways as well. You just wait and see. Darren will be mine in no time.”

I looked at her at first, then slowly smirked. It's true... Celine does have her ways. She is the master schemer.

“Well then, we just have to wait and see... Won't we?” I asked aloud.

“Sure....”

Maybe we still have some luck after all.