Chapter 2
882 Words
The days that followed felt like something out of a dream .
College was supposed to be a whirlwind of new classes , tough professors , and caffeine-fueled nights . But for Marilyn, it quickly became about stolen glances, unexpected run-ins, and conversations that lingered long after they ended. And at the center of it all was Xavier.
He seemed to be everywhere.
In the library, leaning back in his chair with a book he barely touched. In the cafeteria, surrounded by friends but looking like he was searching for someone else. And every time Marilyn spotted him, he would flash that same knowing smile—the one that made her stomach flip.
It started small.
A casual “Hey, nerd” in the hallway.
A smirk during biology class when the professor made a dry joke.
A playful nudge when she stumbled over her words during an intro.
And then, one afternoon, everything shifted.
Marilyn had been sitting under an old oak tree behind the main building, trying to finish a reading assignment. The golden sun filtered through the leaves, casting a warm glow across the pages of her textbook. She hadn’t even noticed him approaching until his shadow fell across her lap.
“Well, look who I found hiding,” Xavier said.
She looked up, shielding her eyes. “Not hiding. Just… avoiding noise.”
He sat beside her without asking, his presence calm but electrifying. He leaned back on his elbows, legs stretched out, his eyes on the sky.
“You always this serious?” he asked.
“Only when I’m trying to pass organic chemistry.”
He chuckled. “I like that. You’ve got goals.”
Marilyn shrugged, trying not to show how flustered she was. “Don’t you?”
Xavier turned his head, studying her for a moment. “I guess. I just live day by day. No point stressing over things you can’t control.”
She wanted to ask him what he meant, but something about the way he said it made her hesitate. There was a flicker in his eyes—something dark, something broken—but it vanished before she could place it.
“Come on,” he said suddenly, standing and offering his hand. “Let’s get coffee.”
“What? Now?”
“Yeah. You’re done reading for today. I’m declaring it.”
She hesitated. She had planned to study for another hour, go over her notes, maybe call her mom later. But the way he looked at her—the way he offered distraction with such confidence—it was like gravity pulling her in.
She took his hand.
They walked to a nearby café just off campus, a cozy spot with chipped mugs and soft music playing in the background. Marilyn ordered tea. Xavier got a black coffee and added far too much sugar.
They talked.
At first, it was surface-level: classes, professors, favorite movies. But as the sky outside began to darken, the conversation drifted deeper. He told her about his mother—how she had died when he was fifteen. How he and his brother had never really spoken about it.
“She was the glue,” he said quietly, stirring his drink even though it had gone cold. “When she left, everything sort of… broke.”
“I’m sorry,” Marilyn whispered.
He looked at her then, really looked. “You’re the first person I’ve told that to in a while.”
Her chest tightened. In that moment, he felt like a puzzle piece that didn’t fit anywhere else—but somehow fit perfectly beside her.
He walked her back to her dorm afterward. The night was quiet, the stars clear above them. She stopped at the steps, not sure what to say. The moment stretched.
“Thanks for the tea,” she offered awkwardly.
Xavier leaned in. “Thanks for the company, nerd.”
And then he kissed her.
It wasn’t rushed or awkward or uncertain. It was soft. Gentle. Like he meant it. Like she meant something.
When he pulled back, he looked at her with a smile that could melt any resistance.
“Goodnight, Marilyn.”
She watched him walk away, heart pounding. Every step he took away from her made her crave him more.
From that night on, they were inseparable.
He waited for her after class. He texted her late into the night. He surprised her with her favorite chocolate milk when she was studying. She started skipping study sessions just to lie in the grass with him and talk about nothing.
He made her laugh like no one else. He made her feel seen.
And slowly, Marilyn started to fall—not just for his looks or his charm, but for the idea of him. The mystery. The warmth. The moments he let her see the sadness behind his smile. She believed she could be the one to heal him.
What she didn’t know was that he wasn’t looking to be healed.
He was looking for distraction. For control. For something he could hold onto temporarily before tossing it aside when it no longer served him.
But Marilyn didn’t see that. Not yet.
All she saw was a boy who made her feel alive.
And that was enough… for now.
- Writer
