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"I've missed more than 9500 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." –Michael Jordan.
Dedication: Albus-Potter for the amazing cover!
Recap:
"Ma'am!" I heard a person say, gripping my arm. "You can't go over there."
It was him. It was Xavier.
He was laying on his side, motionless.
A wail tore from my throat as I collapsed onto the hard ground below me.
This was all my fault.
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Xavier's P.O.V:
That could have gone better.
Groaning, I ran my hand roughly through my hair. I shouldn't have blown up like that. Faith was just trying to help.
But how was her dad going to help? I've met the guy once. He knows nothing about me or who I am as a person. And besides, he isn't even here.
And the police? What was she thinking?
Kicking out, my foot connected with a rock and I winced as pain shot up my leg. I had decided to go to a place that I knew was quiet, where I could think clearly. Which was the waterfall, that Faith and I had decided was our place.
Which is ironic, in a way.
I don't know how long I've been here, but it's been a fair while. Probably a few hours, or so. Faith was probably worried sick.
"Stupid," I muttered, re-thinking what she said and how I reacted.
I don't even know who is in the wrong here.
Sighing, I sat heavily on a rock. Jamming my headphones in my ear, I slid my thumb across the volume dial, putting it on the loudest it could go. The music could drown out my thoughts for a while.
Closing my eyes, I shoved my head in my hands, just focusing on the music and not on my argument with Faith.
That lasted about two whole seconds.
The music cut out as my phone began vibrating. It was Faith, I'm sure. She had tried calling me several times. Squinting, I stared at the screen. I was surprised when it said "No Caller ID".
Had she resorted to putting her phone on private now? Rolling my eyes, I let it ring out.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated again, but it was a text.
Unknown: You're going to want to answer the phone.
Staring down at it, with my eyebrows raised, I began to get an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.
The phone rang again. With a sigh, I answered.
"What?"
"Xavier," his rough voice greeted me. "Long time, no see."
The blood inside my veins went cold. How the hell did he get my number?
"Andrew," I choked out, my voice suddenly hoarse.
"Missed me?"
I scoffed, suddenly regaining somewhat of my composure. "Yeah right."
"Now, that's no way to speak to your father," he tsked.
Scowling, my fist balled beside my body. "You are no father to me."
"You watch your tongue," he hissed, the charismatic tone he had suddenly twisting into something far more bitter. "You're tough over the phone, aren't you?"
"Stay the fuck away from me," I growled. "Just leave me alone. I don't want any part of the shit you're doing."
"You don't get to choose that," he said and I could tell he was shaking his head. "You know that, Xav."
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" I groaned, feeling the familiar sensation of helplessness well inside my chest to the point I could hardly breathe. I gripped the rock, the rough fragments biting into my flesh. "Wouldn't you want a loyal employee?"
"Can't get any more loyal than family."
"We're not family," I bit out, shaking. "You took us in because you could use us. You just needed drug mules and we were perfect for the job."
"Xavier," he snapped and the venom in his tone made my back stiffen. "I'm not fooling around anymore. You're coming back to work for me. Got it?"
"Get fucked."
"Really?" he asked. "Is there anything that would change your mind?"
"No."
"Really?" he pressed again and I did not like the tone in his voice. "Nothing?"
My lips were pressed together. I could hear him moving. The phone went slightly static for a moment.
"Now, Chase," he said.
Suddenly, I heard a feminine scream. My body lurched at the sound of it. My heart stuttered to a stop and my skin erupted into goose bumps. I felt like I was going to puke.
"You know who that was?" Andrew sneered. "Your little girlfriend, who you left all alone..."
I had no threats left inside me. I had no words to resort to.
All I had, was fear of the girl who I'd fallen for, being hurt. I don't even know if I hung up. It was all a blur. I was sitting on the rock, the phone pressed to my ear a second ago. Now I was blindly sprinting through the thick mass of trees, to where I dumped my bike.
After stacking it a few times and literally face planting, I managed to make it to my bike. Jumping on it, the engine roared to life underneath me. I took off, dirt spraying behind me as I did.
My eyes were watering as I tried to focus on the road.
What kind of person would black mail another like this?
I knew he was sick. But I didn't think he was this sick.
Cutting people off and going way beyond the speed limit, I floored it to her house.
I almost made it.
As I was going at such a fast pace, I didn't notice a black car sitting at the intersection. When I did, it was too late.
Slamming on the breaks, the bike shuddered and slipped on the road. Flipping, I crashed into the top of the car, before rolling over it and landing with a sickening thud on the bitumen road.
The car took off, narrowly missing me as it did.
Groaning, I slowly tried to sit up, seeing my bike laying on its side. My body was screaming at me to stay still.
I was in so much pain.
"Faith," I whispered, trying to crawl to her, before darkness pulled at my vision.
***
Faith's P.O.V:
"Why don't you go home and rest?" Brooklyn's soft voice suggested and she squeezed my shoulder.
Dragging my eyes from Xavier's bruised face, I rested them on her vivid, green ones. "I can't leave him."
"You've been by his side the whole time he's been here," she said, tilting her head. "Why don't you go home and have a shower or something? You've been awake for 24 hours."
Shaking my head, I shrugged out of her hand. "I'm okay."
Giving me a sad look, she patted my shoulder again. "I'll go get you a coffee."
Giving her a faint, thankful smile, she smiled back, before exiting the room. With a sigh, I readjusted how I was sitting and leaned onto the bed, clutching Xavier's limp hand in my own.
He hadn't recovered from his fight with Chase and now he was even worse. He was lucky to escape with what injuries he did have.
A slightly cracked rib, a dislocated shoulder, deep bruising down the left side of his body and a series of cuts and open skin wounds from his face, down to his hips. I shook my head at him as I studied him, for the millionth time.
Shortly after, Brooklyn emerged, a wonderful smelling coffee planted in her palm.
"Thanks," I whispered, taking the cup with both hands. "You go. You have school."
"So do you," she pointed out.
"Not today."
"Is there anything else I can get you?" she asked.
I just shook my head.
"I know you've told me like a hundred times you're not hungry, but I grabbed you a donut." She placed it on the bed. "It was that or chips."
"Thanks."
Kissing me on the forehead, she squeezed me. "Bye."
"See ya," I mumbled, before taking a tentative bite of my donut.
I was deep in thought as I chewed, when Xavier's finger twitched in my hand. I jumped in surprise, before chucking the donut and leaning towards him.
He groaned, before his eyes flittered open.
"Hey dumb ass," I greeted. "Good stack."
Groaning again, he went to sit up and winced. "What the hell...?"
His voice was raspy. I got up and quickly filled a cup of water, before passing it to him. Wincing again, he took it.
"Thanks."
"What were you thinking?" I asked, shaking my head. "Taking off like that and getting into an accident."
Suddenly, his eyes went wide. He whipped his head to me. "Are you okay?"
"Me?" I snorted. "I'm not the one who decided to leap off my motorbike."
"What did they do to you?" he ground out, successfully sitting up.
"Who are you talking about?" I demanded.
"I heard you..."
My questioning look didn't waver.
"I was on the phone... I heard you scream..." he trailed off, his forehead wrinkled as he tried to recall what happened.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Question marks filled my brain as I stared at him. Were the drugs too strong that he was on?
He groaned again. "Andrew called me. I thought... I thought he tried to hurt you."
My face softened as I collapsed on the chair again, gripping his hand. "No one touched me."
"Promise?" he whispered, his eyes never leaving mine.
"I promise."
He let out a sigh of relief. "I was so worried, Faith."
Biting my lip, I smiled at him. Leaning forward, I pressed my lips to his softly, before pulling back.
"Do you remember the accident?"
His face scrunched up. "All I remember is that I had to get to you, to stop Andrew. There was this black car... I hit it. It took off. They didn't even stop to see if I was okay."
I cocked my head to the side. "What?"
He shrugged. "There was a car there, I hit it."
I frowned at him. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," he said, a slight snap in his tone. "I didn't just hit thin air."
"Okay," I said, physically sitting back a little. "Make sure you tell the police that."
"The police?" he said in panic, whipping his head to me. "Why?"
"Because they want to interview you. You were already tested and you came up negative to having drugs or alcohol in your system, which is good. So you're not in trouble. I don't think. They just want to ask you a few questions about what happened."
With a sigh, he nodded. "Oh. Alright."
Silence fell and I gripped his hand a bit tighter.
"How are you feeling?"
"Like shit."
"That sucks."
"Wow, can you be any more sympathetic?" he asked, rolling his eyes.
"Sorry," I laughed, liking that he was coming back to normal. Dropping my gaze, I fiddled with his fingers nervously. "So, about our argument..."
"None of the matters," he insisted, gripping my hand. "Let's just forget about it, okay?"
"I'd like to, but it's something we need to discuss," I said, frowning. "This is really serious, Xavier."
"I know it is."
"Well, when you're better, we are going to talk about it. And so help me God, if you get up and leave again, I will hurt you, not some mysterious black car."
He cracked a smile. "Okay."
"Good." I said, leaning back.
"Hey Faith?"
"Hey yeah?"
"Could you find me a nurse to see if they can dose me up on some pain killers?" he asked, giving me his best puppy-dog-stare.
"Sure," I said. "I might try and score some too."
He laughed and I grinned, getting to my feet.
"Hey Faith," he said again.
I glanced over my shoulder as I paused in the doorway.
"Thanks for being here."
Shrugging, I just smiled, before exiting the room.
A warm, fuzzy feeling spread through my chest as I walked down the corridor.
I'm beginning to really fall for this guy.
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Yay, Xavier's okay! What do you think about the mysterious black car?