The Bad Boys Angel

Would You Fancy Baking With Me?

I feel my nerves rise as I realize what the time is, causing me to bounce my leg anxiously in awaiting of the last lecture of the day to end. My eyes dart to the top right corner of my computer almost every second, tracking the time that seems to be passing in a painfully slow manner. I inwardly groan once I note that it’s three-thirty, meaning that I have an additional ten minutes before I am released and sent of into the presence of Zanthus.

I replay our earlier conversation in my head over and over, smiling as I recall the way he smiled and held my hand warmly. I push the butterflies fluttering around my stomach down as best I can, knowing I am going to be back with him in now eight minutes.

Will things go well? Besides replaying our small lunch encounter on repeat in my head, I have also imagined basically every single possible horrendous end to this get together with Zanthus, must I say it hasn’t helped ease my nervous state in the slightest.

Overthinking, that’s what I do finest.

“Alright, you’re dismissed. Have a fine weekend. I’ll see you back here on Monday.” The professor says to us which instantly sends students into a frenzy f filing their papers away.

I’ve never understood the excitement of Friday’s. Then again, I’ve never really had a social life, so I guess that may be part of it. School isn’t all too bad, it’s truly the homework that’s such a task sometimes.

“Hey there, Angel.” I hear from beside me as I walk out the door of the now empty classroom, and turn to see Xander leaning against the wall with arms crossed, as if he were waiting for me.

“Uhm, hi?” I say back, still a bit confused as to where Zanthus is, but follow him as he motions for me to walk in step behind him.

Didn’t he say he was going to pick me up after Psych?

“Ah, I assume you’re looking for Zanthus?” He asks me, and I can’t help but blush that obnoxious red that’s made it’s present far too many times over this week.

“Yes!” I blurt out a bit too eagerly I assume, from the teasing glint in Xander’s eyes as he looks down at me.

“A bit chuffed to see him, are we?” He asks me yet I just stay quiet, not wanting to admit how oddly pleased I was to see the dark haired lad.

“Where is he off to now?” I ask after I sober up from my embarrassment best as I can.

“He had to head home to attend to some business, as he put it, so he told me to come to grab you and we can meet him at his pad.” Xander tells me as I blindly follow him through the campus to what I assume will be his car eventually.

“Not to pry, but do you know what business he was attending to?” I ask, hoping to learn more about the quiet boy’s personal life from his rather vibrant best mate.

“He didn’t specify what.” Xander tells me, and I nod my head in response before he takes a look my way and widens his smile. “In my sight though, I believe that was just a load of rubbish. I think the lad just went home to clean the place up before you came. Having the six of us bunk it in one place can get a bit out of pocket times.” He tells me, and I feel a question bubble at this statement.

“The lot of you live together?” I ask him, as he rounds a corner that begins to lead us out towards the parking lot.

“No, but we usually hang about his during our off time.” Xander corrects my assumption, though I wouldn’t be surprised if he had spoken my assumption to be the truth.

“Oh.” I say back simply, not sure what else to pop into our conversation.

“I live with him, the rest of the blokes are still stuck at home. Though they’re suckers for their families, so it’s not a bad arrangement.” He tells me, which I nod to acknowledge.

As we begin to slow, I see that we're headed towards a sleek black car with a bent looking Jax leaning against it staring at his mobile. To the sound of the car unlocking, his head snaps up to meet Xander and me.

“The one day, the one day I get my arse out to the car on time as you ask me, you’re late!” He exclaims, and Xander just laughs at the irritated boy before making his way closer to the car, me in step.

“Oh bug off, mate. I went to pick up the lady of the hour.” Xander tells him as he points to me, and I send a small smile Jax’s way.

“Hey, Angel.” Jax says as he sends a shining smile my way, and I send one back as I give a similar greeting.

“Did the others already head over?” Xander asks Jax, as he pushes past the boy to walk over to the right side of the car.

“They said they would be coming by later, Maxim wanted something from Belgo’s and the other two went along.” Jax tells, and Xander nods his head as he slides into his seat.

Jax turns to the car and opens one of the back doors, then turns to me. He stands there, and I can’t help but wonder why he’s not getting in. He doesn’t seem phased as he just continues to stand there, leaving me to feel a bit awkward.

“Do you plan on getting in, or would you fancy standing here the rest of the day?” Jax chuckles, and I do my best to keep my face level as I realize what an imbecile I've been.

He’s opening the door for me!

“I didn’t, I-” I stop myself and shake my head at my own attempt to explain, deciding it’s best to just leave it and get on with it. “Thank you.” I say softly which he responds to with a smile, before closing my door behind me and opening his to get in the passenger seat.

As Xander pulls out of the parking lot, I hear Jax tell him a bit more about the other boys and what went about during their days. I don’t pay much mind to what they're saying, because all I can think about is the puzzling boy who’s been taking up my mind the past few days. I don’t know how long I run around in my own head before I hear my name being called, snapping me back to reality.

“Pardon?” I ask feeling a bit embarrassed that I had to have them repeat what they said, though Xander doesn’t seem the least bit bothered about it at all.

“Are you alright?” He laughs at my undoubtedly confused expression. “You seemed a bit in the clouds back there.” He adds, and I just nod my head before I speak up.

“I’m alright. Just thinking.” I voice making sure I’m loud enough for the both of them to hear.

My eyes widen as Xander rolls down his window to punch in a code, causing the tall gate I had failed to notice began to pull open. I look around in awe at my surroundings, as we begin to drive down a road that I assume leads to Zanthus’s house. Trees and plants line the sides, and soon enough an extravagant fountain with intricate designs comes to sight.

Xander drives around the fountain, before going up a bit further and stops his car in full once we reach what appears to be a literal parking spot or something of the sort. Both boys move to open their doors and exit, Jax coming around to open mine which I thank him for graciously. As I follow in step behind them I look up to see a house that would much better be categorized as a castle.

“Oh, blimey.” I murmur, though I must not be too quiet as both Xander and Jax let out a laugh and shoot looks my way.

“It’s a bit round the bend, isn’t it?” Jax asks me, and I just nod in response eyes still fixed on the absurd palace which Zanthus lives in. “A bit much at first, but don’t be overwhelmed. You’ll get accustomed to it once you’re over enough. Soon enough it’ll be just like home to you.” He tells me, and shake myself out of my trance to respond to his words.

“I doubt that’ll happen.” I pick up my pace in order to keep up with the long-legged boys. “Plus, I doubt Zanthus will want me around that much.” A frown falls on my face as I voice my own insecurities, indirectly of course.

“You’re a bloody thick one, Angel.” Xander pokes at me, turning to send me a teasing smile as we begin to ascend the curved steps on the right of some garden or something of the sort. “I assure you he will. I’ll put my life on that one.” He insists, and I just keep quiet not knowing what to say in return.

After a bit more walking, we end up in front of a lavish pair of double doors. The boys stand in front of it before Xander turns to glance over me. I feel my foot tapping against the pavement impatiently as neither of them moves to head in when now all my brain wants is to see the jaw-dropping boy right this second

“Are you going to open the door?” I ask them, not doing well at masking my sudden eagerness to be inside, to have the company of Zanthus.

“We’ll open the door, but do me a favor and don’t bite any arms off when you see Zanthus, cherry.” Xander titters, to which my face flames up at with both the comment and the nickname.

Jax just sniggers and makes a move to put in what looks to be a code before a clicking noise is heard, and Jax pushes the door open in response.

If my eyes had been loose before, they are really about to fall out.

I take in the details of the interior. High ceilings, chandeliers, perfectly line pieces of framed art on the walls, and although it is indeed simply decorated, it looks so extravagant, almost as if the house is art itself. The white marble floors are practically glimmering in under the light, and a parallel set of stairs wrap in a circle much like the one outside, with an opening between them I assume leads to another room. The boys pay no mind to the halls and the room between, and instantly begin barreling up the stairs as I struggle to keep up. At the top of the stairs there’s an open room, filled with sette’s, countless electronic devices and sports balls scattering around the floor.

I’m a bit taken back when I realize the state of the items, the cushions practically ripped and thrown across the room, a football atop some shattered glass, the tellie screen accompanied by a huge dent, maybe two. It’s an absolute wreck, an expensive one at that too. I begin to wonder if someone’s broken in, or if this just a regular thing for them.

“He’s lost the plot again, christ.” Xander groans and answers my unasked question, a string of curses following in pursuit of his words.

“Does he know Angel’s here for company?” Jax asks Xander, observing the torn up room with a sort of worry in his eyes.

“He’s the one who invited her, good lord. Go check the third floor for him, I’ll check his room and about here.” Xander orders and Jax nods his head and immediately set off down the hall leading out of the room in front of us, which I suppose leads to another staircase.

“Sorry about all this Angel. He’s not violent like this on the regular, something really pissed him off for it to get this way.” He informs me with a comforting smile, which I send back shakily.

Xander turns and begins to make his way down the silent corridors, my brain to focused on Zanthus to observe the details of the house. I feel a pit of worry bubble in my stomach as I think about Zanthus.

What happened to him? Did he hurt anyone? Was he going to kick me out? Will he be mad at me? Did I do something wrong?

“Zanthus, you prick, open the door.” Xander groans out as he bangs roughly against the wood in front of him, effectively snapping me out of my thoughts.

There’s silence in response, causing Xander to grumble a few curses under his breath before picking up his previous tactic again. I begin to wonder how many times he’s done this, considering how calm he appears to be while going about this situation, and how Jax had responded as well. It’s almost as if they have a drill they go about when things go off the rocker.

“Zanthus, just open the bloody door, please. I don’t want to have to tear it off the hinges, you and I both know it’s a pain in the arse. Just do me a favor and let me in.” He reasons, but we’re met with silence once again. “f*****g hell.” He mumbles before taking a step back with his hand steady on the handle, causing me to take a few backward as well.

At first, I think he’s going to shout or walk away, so I feel my body cringe at the impact of Xander’s body and the barricade known as, well previously known as Zanthus’s door. I watch in almost slow motion as the door falls to the floor, creating a less to welcoming entrance for me and the frightening boy beside me. I shudder a bit as I think of how strong he really is if he was able to do a task like such with ease, not even breathing heavily in the slightest as he stands in front of me.

“What happened?” I hear Xander ask softly as he begins to walk across the room, cutting me out from in my head and allowing me the opportunity to assess the situation at hand.

I look around the room which appears to be similar, if not worse, to the one I had first encountered. The duvet was on the opposite side of the absurdly sized room, while what I assume used to be a mirror now lay in pieces scattered all across the ground. There are puddles of shattered items everywhere, pictures, electronics, even the tellie is faced at an unnatural angle with gashes and wounds all over.

I feel my already shallow breath completely stop as my wide eyes take in the state of Zanthus. He’s staring out his balcony doors, which surprisingly doesn’t have any damage done unto it, but rather are just wide open. His expression is blank, yet I can only imagine how it had looked when he partook in the destruction of the two rooms. There are red rims around his eyes, either from sleeping or crying, though I am going on a bender to say the latter is correct. I feel a pull on my heartstrings at how tired he looks, almost broken.

Xander is now in front of the empty looking boy, kneeling down a bit so his hands are rested on his knees, searching for a response in his eyes but getting little to nothing. I watch as he sighs before murmuring something again to Zanthus, which goes to be ignored yet again. I shuffle around a bit on my feet making sure to stay quiet but moving a bit closer to get a better look at him. Despite how unbearingly awkward and out of place I feel right now, I can’t help my curiosity as to what’s happened to him.

It’s silly to think about how if I would’ve done anything to avoid being in this situation days ago, and now here I am wanting to go get closer to it, to him.

“Mate, I can’t really do anything to help if you don’t give me a sight of your own.” Xander pries, finally getting Zanthus to catch his eyes.

“M-mum rang.” Zanthus stammers just below a whisper, his entire demeanor becoming visibly tighter at his own words and Xander’s doing the same.

The already thick atmosphere feels as if it’s turned to complete stone, and for a bit, Xander and Zanthus sit without moving an inch or saying a word. I know contemplate dashing straight out of the room to be anywhere but here.

“Well did you answer?” Xander asks, receiving a sharp look from the brown haired boy in front of him as an answer. “Hey, I already imagined you did. I was just confirming my hypothesis.” Xander raises his hands as if in mock surrender, but soon enough a serious look swallows any playful feature of his. “What’d she say this time?” He questions yet is immediately shut down as Zanthus rapidly shakes his head side.

He squeezes his eyes shut tight and brings his hand up to run it through his hair, tugging at the roots a bit. That tug at my heart grows more forceful at the pained expression he’s sporting. I have a sudden urge to stalk over to him and hold him tight in hopes to make all his worries go away.

Did I just think that? Get a grip, Angel.

“Could you go on tell Jax found him?” Xander turns to me, his tone soft as he indirectly asks me to give him and Zanthus some time alone.

I begrudgingly agree with a nod of my head. No matter how much I want to stay and help comfort Zanthus and understand what exactly went wrong, I know I’m in no place to. I just met him days ago, and have talked to him once, which is in no comparison to his best mate who he’s known from birth.

“Thank you, Angel.” Xander offers, shooting me a smile in company to his words.

Zanthus’s head whips faster the light of day as he turns to face me. His eyes are wide, and I hear him take in a sharp breath as he glances over my whole once or twice. I see a bit of life make its way back into his face, and thank the heavens for that. I send him a small smile, but the pondering looks that had been on his face quickly wipes away and turns into one of almost embarrassment. I turn on my heels and make my way out of the doorless frame and do my best to trace back the path we took here. I find myself successfully back in the large room, where Jax was sat on one of the sette’s while playing a game on his phone.

“Uhm, Xander told me to report we found him.” I say quietly, my voice bringing Jax to smoothly lock his phone and slip it into his pocket.

“Is he alright?” He ponders as he looks up at me, and I shake my head lightly.

“I’m not quite sure, I-well, he didn’t say anything to me. His room was messed, and he was sitting there quietly, and he looked really worn down. Xander had to break the door down to get inside you know? I mean there was glass all over so I figure he’s not fine but then again I could be wrong, I mean maybe that’s just how he likes to decorate. Anyways, well he talked to Xander, I mean he answered his question. He said his mum rung him and then it got super tense, like really. I would’ve stayed but Xander told me to come to find you and-” I rush out, but am soon cut off by Jax’s voice.

“Slow down there, Angel.” He chuckles, and a sheepish smile makes its way to my now pink tinted cheeks. “Did you say his mum rung him?” Jax picks out, eyebrows furrowing a bit as he as he asks, which I nod to confirm. “f**k’s sake.” Jax groans, throwing his head back in annoyance causing a frown to settle on my face.

What’s so horrible about his mum calling?

“Is there something wrong with his mum?” I prod, and Jax sobers up as he slumps back against the cushions to face me.

“You could put it like that, yeah.” He tells me, and I instantly want to know more about her.

“Is she sick?” I ask him which he thinks over a bit before opening his mouth.

“Certainly. Most likely not how you’re thinking, though.” He informs me which I don’t have much of a response to. “Let’s talk about something else, yeah?” Jax steers the conversation elsewhere before I can even jump into my pool full of questions.

“Do you think Zanthus will be alright?” I ask quietly and wait for Jax’s answer, but the lad simply gets up and begins to walk past me.

“I think he’ll be just fine with you.” Jax shoots cheekily, before moving past me and thundering down the corridor I had previously come from.

“What do you m-” My mouth stops moving as my heart skips a beat when I turn to find Jax but am faced with Zanthus, who’s standing a bit awkwardly in front of me. “Uhm, hi.” I say in a timid tone, not sure what he’s come out to me for.

Oh bollocks, is he going to kick me out?

“Hey.” Zanthus whispers, bringing his eyes up to meet my own. “Do-Downstairs?” He offers up slightly cringing as he speaks for some unknown reason, and I just not to his proposition.

We slowly make our way to the staircase, me a bit behind him, and soon enough we reach the bottom. He walks towards the original door we entered through, but makes a right and begins to lead us down another corridor silently, leaving me to follow. We end up in a spotless kitchen, spacious like every other room though I’m too focused on Zanthus to think about inspecting the room.

“Are you alright?” I hesitate, breaking the silent spell between the two of us.

He shoots me a nod, stopping near a counter before he turns to me, leaning against it a bit. I rack my brain for something to say, but draw a blank and find myself fonding over Zanthus as he keeps his eyes locked on me. He eventually speaks up, saving me from potentially making another compliment about the weather, this time it would probably be about the AC?

“A-are you an-any good at bak-baking?” He asks me, and I find a smile appearing on my face at how damned adorable he is.

“I would like to say yes, but I’m quite rubbish at it.” I inform him, taking a few steps closer to him so were standing almost toe to toe now.

“W-wou-w-” He lets out what seems to be an aggravated groan and brings his hand up to run it through his hair, tugging at it harshly like he had done in his room earlier, then releasing it and setting his gaze on me again.

"What?" I question, urging for him to go on.

“Would you fa-fancy baking w-with m-me?” He stutters out, and I feel an achingly smile meet my lips at his proposition, quickly nodding in return.