CHAPTER 6: THE UNEXPECTED SPARK
594 Words
The next day at school, I tried my best to ignore Xavier King. Tried being the operative word. Every time I turned a corner, there he was. Smirking, leaning against walls, talking to friends, or—most annoyingly—watching me.
I hated it. I hated how my heart raced when our eyes met. I hated how my stomach twisted into knots every time he flashed that infuriatingly perfect smile.
And yet… I couldn’t look away.
During lunch, I found a quiet spot near the courtyard fountain. I pulled out my books, trying to study, but the words blurred into meaningless scribbles. I exhaled, frustrated, and closed my eyes.
“Mind if I join you?”
I opened my eyes. He was standing there, leaning casually against the edge of the fountain. That smirk. Those piercing blue eyes. The way the sunlight caught the strands of his dark hair perfectly.
I wanted to say no. I wanted to tell him to leave me alone. But instead, I simply said, “I… don’t mind.”
He sat down across from me, just close enough that I could feel his presence radiating warmth—and something more. Something… dangerous.
“Studying?” he asked, glancing at my open notebook.
I nodded. “Trying to.”
He leaned over slightly, as if reading my work without permission. “Hmm. You’re… really smart.”
I blinked. “Thanks.” My voice sounded smaller than I intended.
He raised an eyebrow. “That’s it? Just thanks?”
I shook my head, frustrated. “I… I don’t know what you want me to say.”
He leaned back, watching me with amusement. “I don’t want anything. Not yet. But I have to admit…” His gaze softened, almost imperceptibly. “You’re different. And I like it.”
I stared at him. Liked it? How could someone like him even notice me?
“Xavier…” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. “You’re… impossible.”
He smirked, that infuriating, maddening smirk. “Yeah. And you… you’re impossible to ignore.”
My heart raced. Something in the way he said it… something in his tone… made my stomach flutter uncontrollably. I looked away, trying to hide the warmth creeping up my neck.
For a moment, we sat in silence. Just… sitting there. Close enough that I could feel him, but far enough that I could pretend nothing was happening.
And then, out of nowhere, a gust of wind swept through the courtyard, flipping the pages of my notebook. I bent down to catch them—and collided with him as I did.
Our faces were inches apart. His blue eyes stared directly into mine. My heart slammed against my chest. I could smell the faint scent of his cologne—warm, spicy, intoxicating.
“Careful,” he murmured softly, his voice low and rough. “You might just get me… distracted.”
I swallowed hard, trying to find words. My brain refused to cooperate.
“Y-You’re… dangerous,” I finally whispered.
He chuckled softly, leaning even closer, until I could feel the heat of his breath. “Maybe… but only for people who matter.”
My chest tightened. My cheeks burned. I looked down, pretending to focus on my notebook.
But the truth was undeniable: something had shifted between us. A spark. Tiny, dangerous, but impossible to ignore.
And for the first time, I realized I didn’t want to ignore it.
Something was starting. Something I didn’t understand. Something I knew could ruin me.
But I couldn’t stop it.
- Writer
