57.0

57.0
XAVIER

The last thing I want is to be reminded of past events where I fucked up badly. Mom knows that. She knows I've changed. I'm a better person. This Xavier wouldn't do the things that he did before. Not to Harper, not to anyone. 

"Mom, please. Harper is different."

"I brought that girl here, because I saw in her a daughter. I wanted her to be my daughter from the moment I saw her. You are not ruining that.'

"Did you call CPS?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at her. It's a stupid accusation that I expect her to deny. I mean... she's the same person who's been trying to protect Harper from the same people. I shouldn't have asked her that. It'll only infuriate her the more.

"You think I made that call? That I'd put her in a position where she has no choice but to choose me? Is that how lowly you think of me, son?"

I groan. I don't even know what to think anymore. I just... I breath in and out. "Mom, I promise..."

She's already walking out of my room. "Don't make promises, Xavier. I don't trust them anymore. You promised with Gia too. How did that turn out for any of us? Poor girl." Mom sighs. "You stay away from Harper. Don't make me say that again."

I nod, shutting my door behind me. Stay away from Harper? I doubt that would be possible. My brain is screaming at me. Harper and I have only just met for not long. I don't know what it feels like to actually care about someone so bad that you get paranoia for the person. 

What's there not to love? She's breathtaking, with her thick black luscious hair and her killer smile. She doesn't know what effect she has on me. I've been with so many girls. I've studied girls. And I'm proud to say that none of the many girls I've been with, hold a candle to Harper. 

I love the way she's not perfect and knows she's not. The way she learns from her mistakes. The way she's strong. Hell, she is strong. I know she's been through a lot. She's still there, pulling herself together. 

This act... the one where I've been acting like a dick to her, seems uncalled for. I just think that space will make her come to her senses. I pull out my phone and scoff at the text.

MASON;
Yo, you up for a meet?

XAVIER;
No. Got to go.

MASON; 
It'll be fun, man. Just a few handshakes hear and there. Don't tell me you're still babysitting!

XAVIER;
Is Drew there?

MASON;
You coming or not?

I don't think before I grab my keys. He's the love expert. I'm not going there to smoke or get high. I'm going to ask him what he thinks about what I'm doing for Ctap. 

Because I care about her that much.



"You're sure you'd do anything for her? Like anything?" Drew asks, puffing and insane amount of smoke up in the air.

"Your mom sounds suspicious. So she brings a girl home, yeah? Now she wants to adopt? Exactly after the CPS came?"

I glare at Mason. The fuck does he mean? "What the hell are you driving at man?" 

He shrugs. "Don't know. I just think that she knows something you don't know. With the way you explained her reaction, she's too protective of Harper. Now, it's up to you. Would you do whatever we ask you to do?"

"Can't be that bad, right?" I look at them both.

"Well, all you have to do first is stop the adoption. Or delay it. I was thinking of framing your mother?"