Chapter 32 Thirty -Two

Chapter 32 Thirty -Two
Chapter Thirty-Two

Xavier 

Just when I wanted to tell  how I feel about her. How I can’t stop thinking about her, the way she just crossed my mind out of the blue, the way my stomach fluttered anytime I see her smiling and then my phone starts ringing making the words die in my throat.

I looked at my phone, Cassie's face popped up on the screen, why is she calling me now?

“I need to take this call, ” I said and pulled away, I could see her shoulders slumping and the relief in her eyes.

I walked further, putting the phone on my ear.

“Hey,”

“We need to talk!” Was the sharp, commanding voice that came out from the other end.

“Talk about what? ” I spat out.,“I’m busy.”

“ Well I can see you and you aren’t, we need to talk now!”

I looked up and I saw her at the other end of the walkway close to the parking lot. 

I swallowed, feeling a bit embarrassed.

I got to where she was standing, her arms folded across her chest and her legs slightly apart.

Her chest thrust out, and there was a tightness in her expression.

“You know you embarrassed me in front of her?

“ I was only trying to protect her,” I said simply.

Her eyes widened and then she unfolded her arms from her chest, balancing her weight on one leg.

“When did you start doing that? 

“Since the day you decided to become violent towards people for no reason,” I said calmly.

“Xavier, you were hugging her.”

“So?”

Her mouth fell open, no words came out of it.

“I thought we were together.”

“That doesn’t stop me from hugging people.”

“Then why her of all people?” 

“You can’t tell me who to hug and who not to just because we are dating.”

She twisted her lips, and then she folded her arms across her chest, going back to that position she was when I arrived here.

“Are you in love with her?”

I coughed, involuntarily. The question came out as a jab making me lose my balance in a way. I didn’t know when one of  my legs started shaking.

I didn’t say anything, I just stood there staring directly into her eyes, swallowing hard. She refused to break off from my gaze, mirroring my expression.

I don’t want to confirm that . 

I didn’t want to deny it either, but it was as if she sensed it, from the way she didn’t look away from me, the way she was still staring at me intently.

I didn’t even know if I was in love with her yet. I have this feeling anytime  i looked at, her smile —

I never planned for this to happen. Kimberly wasn’t supposed to matter, she shouldn’t even be in the picture, but I just can’t get this feeling away from me.

Cassie feels familiar with me, I have known her since middle school, she knew almost everything about me, well not everything per say. She doesn’t know the darkest part of my life, I wouldn’t want her to know about that. 

She mostly just cares about my status, wealth and sometimes I have wondered if I wasn’t Xavier if she will still be drawn to me.

But Kimberly just feels different.

The few times I have been around her, I just feel somewhat safe. 

The way she was when Cassie was about to slap her, it just made my heart ache.

And then when she said you have a girlfriend.

I just wanted to tell her, I wish it was her.

“I’m joining you on the ride   today,” Cassie said and started walking towards my car. My driver was already here.

I didn’t even protest, because it will just escalate into more talk. Maybe I should just find an excuse so I could get away from her, so she can just go  alone. I'm not ready for any more arguments or tension between the two of us.

I followed her from behind, wishing that anything should just come up right now. I checked my phone and was just hoping someone will just call or send me an emergency message so I could use it as an excuse.

Just then I saw Kimberly holding hands with Andre, they were coming out from the library. She was smiling so hard. What was  he telling her?

She wasn’t just smiling anymore, she was now laughing whole heartily. They were both laughing and he was holding her hand, swinging it playfully.

I swallowed, my jaw tightened and my hands clenched at my side.

I moved one leg forward, my body pushing me to go there and shrug his hand away from hers.

My body tensed  as he touched her hand casually.

I looked around, Cassie was already sitting inside the car.

I found myself losing control and walking towards them.

As soon as I got there. They stopped what they were talking about immediately, their laughter dropped.

A dazed look was on their faces.

“What do you want?” Andre questioned.

“I’m not here to talk with you,” I answered firmly.

“Kimberly, it’s time for us to go home,” I said simply.

Her face faltered into confusion.

“When did we start going home together?”

“From today I guess.”

“Well I don’t want to go with you, I have already accepted a lift from Andre.”

As  I heard that, my stomach twisted. That means they are going to be in the same space together. What if he moves too forward or something. I don’t want to even imagine that.

Andre took a step forward.

“You heard her, you can leave now.”

My jaw tightened. What is he trying to prove?

I leaned forward and I grabbed her arm. It wasn't as gentle as I had intended.

“What are you trying to do?” Andre questioned, his gaze shifting to my hand.

I didn’t bother to look at him.

“I need to talk to her,” I said, pulling her hand away.

Andre rushed forward and pushed me backwards making me stumble on my foot.

He stepped between us, his gaze cold.

“You can’t touch her like that.”

I