Dear Love, I Hate You (Easton High)

Instead, he cringes, rubbing at the back of his neck. “I doubt you’d have much use for what’s left of it.”

I pull back.

“What does that mean?” I ask.

Pity plagues his gaze.

“Logan sort of…”

He doesn’t elaborate, but I know exactly what he’s getting at.

Logan ripped it apart, didn’t he?

“Oh,” I croak. “So… when you found me, I was…”

“I covered you with my jacket. No one saw shit.”

My stomach sinks.

So, not only was I was passed out, I was also half-naked for the world to see. Got any more good news for me, Emery?

“Thanks… Again,” I mutter.

“What did I say about thanking me?” Xavier scolds me, but he’s smiling. I nod, swallowing a grin. “Let me put a shirt on. Then I’ll drive you home,” he says before taking the stairs two at a time toward his bedroom.

I wander around the living room while he’s gone. To think Principal Emery and my nightmare of a PE teacher live here. A large picture hangs above the L-shaped couch. Principal Emery has her arm wrapped around her son’s shoulders, kissing him on the cheek. Little Xavier is smiling wide.

I notice he’s not wearing his silver chain.

It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him without it.

“Creeping on my family photos, Harper?” Xavier’s breath tickles my cheek, and I jump.

When the hell did he come in?

“What? No, I just…” I ramble, adding to the distance between us. I can’t stand being this close to him. “Fine, I was creeping.”

He laughs.

“Can’t blame you. I’d do the same thing.”

?

?You two seemed close,” I point out, and Xavier’s eyes dart to the framed picture on the wall.

“We were.” A twinge of pain melts through his voice.

“I almost didn’t recognize you without that chain you wear around your neck,” I admit.

“I was seven then. Finn’s mom hadn’t made it yet.”

“Oh… she made jewelry?” I question.

“Yep. Made Finn and I matching chains when we were eight.”

That was a decade ago.

“Ten years, huh? You must really like it.”