Fixing the broken bad boy

Chapter seventeen - Falling apart

Alexia's POV:

The whole week it has been raining. I went to see Xavi a couple of days ago. His house is wet. I brought him some things, but he threw me away with them. I don't know what to do to make him talk with me. He makes it look like I am the bad one. All I want is to help him. At one moment, he is nice to me. Well, at the next one, he treats me like crap. I don't know what to do with him. I'm not that bad. After all, I didn't do anything to him. He shouldn't be complaining. I want to know why he doesn't accept help. Xavi knows that he needs it. The thing is that he will never ask for it. I am starting to think that his parents have something to do with that. I don't know them. Since he ran away, they must have done something. I can talk with them, but I'm afraid Xavi will get mad at me. Honestly, before I met him, everything was better. I can stop caring for him, but I don't want to. The thing is that I feel bad for him. That type of life no one deserves it. I mean him. I see that what has happened is upsetting him. Thanks to this, he became the person he is now. He can be a good person. I have seen this many times. Xavi wants to be nice to me, but something is not letting him do it. I wish that we could have good relations. That way, everything was going to be easier. One day, this might happen. I hope that he will change and be the person he was. I didn't know him, but I felt he was good. I would love to explore this side of Xavi.

I woke up and looked through the window. It's another rainy day. I should get used to this. It has been raining for a whole week. I don't know what's wrong with the weather. In my mind appeared Xavi. He lives in this cold house without electricity or anything which can warm him. I have wondered how he charges his phone. I guess that he found a way. Maybe I can go and visit him today, but he probably will throw me away. I should get used to that. Lately, we don't understand each other well.

I got ready and went for breakfast. This time there was no one in the kitchen. I checked into my parents' room and saw them sleeping. Mom and dad sleep late only when they don't have to go to work early. It's rare, but they have some days. I guess that today is one of them. When I finished with my breakfast, I walked to school. Xavi was already there. I would love it if we could talk, but I don't know what to tell him. Talking with him became hard. I left my things in the locker and saw Taylor coming. As always, she was in a good mood.

- Good morning. How are you?

- To you too. I'm fine.

- Your face tells me other. What did this boy do?

- Nothing.

- Are you sure?

- Look, I don't want to talk about this.

- But I do. Let's go.

She grabbed my hand and dragged me to an empty classroom. I know she wants to help me, but I don't want to talk about Xavi. Especially here. Of course, Taylor checked the room. Luckily, it was empty. Only we were here.

- Now tell me what he did.

- Nothing.

- Alexia, I know that you are lying. I won't tell anyone. I promise.

- Fine. I tried to be nice, but he wasn't.

- What do you mean?

- I won't say much because it's personal. I brought him some things, but he threw me away with them.

- What? Why would he do that?

- Because he is an assw***e.

- Hold on. Do you know where he lives?

- No, I don't.

- Then where did you bring these things?

- Look, I don't want to expose his problems. Let's say that I found him.

- Is it that bad?

- He doesn't want to listen to anyone. Xavi needs help, but he doesn't want it.

- Maybe he needs some time. I don't know.

- I want to stop being nice to him, but I can't.

- Can I ask you something? Don't get mad.

- Ok, go on.

- Do you like him? I know that you already answered this, but I think that this time your answer might be different.

- Honestly, I don't know. I am acting more like a mom than a potential girlfriend.

- Maybe he needs that.

- How am I supposed to know? He never shares anything with me.

- I think that he doesn't want you to mess with this.

- Well, I have no problem with that.

- Some people like to fight their battles alone.

- I know. Can we go to class? I don't want to be late.

- Yeah, sure. We can talk later.

I walked into the classroom and saw a free place next to Xavi. I wanted to sit there, but I didn't. It will be better if we don't talk to each other. Otherwise, we might argue, and I don't want to. I looked at him and received a sad look. Did I do something? I don't think that it's because of me. I wanted to say something, but he got up and walked away. It looks like he won't be in this class.

Until the end of the school day, I didn't see Xavi. I guess that he went home. I mean the house. That makes me feel worse. I took my things and went to the house. I saw him coming from the other side of the street. At least it stopped raining. He passed by me without saying anything. Xavi was about to open the door when I noticed that some roof boards were about to fall.

- Watch out! - I said and pulled him next to me

In that moment, they fell to the ground. I saw a big hole in the roof. There is no way that I will let him stay here. He might be mad at me, but I don't care.

- Are you ok?

- Yes, thank you.

- Xavi, you can't keep living here.

- Why? I will clean the boards, and everything will be as it was.

- There is a massive hole in the roof. Don't you see it?

- Oh. I can put something to cover it.

- No! I'm taking you home.

- I told you that I don't want to go home.

- I mean my house.

- What? I can't go with you.

- For once, forget that you are mad at me and look at yourself. You need a place to stay.

- Look, I appreciate it, but I can't do that. What will your parents say?

- Leave this to me. Please. I won't leave you here.

- Do I have a choice?

- No. Let's take your things.

Like that, both of us walked home. I never thought that I would live with Xavi. That is the best decision. I won't leave him like that. To my surprise, my parents were at home. I thought that they would go to work late. Maybe they have a free day. Soon dad came. I smiled at him, and he returned it.

- Hi, dad.

- Hey. I see that you finally brought a friend home.

- Um, yeah. Xavi, go to the room next to mine. I will come in a minute.

- Ok, no problem. - he said and left

- Alexia, is there a problem?

- I need to talk with you and mom.

- Ok, come in. She is in the kitchen.

- Hi, mom.

- Hey, I want a hug.

My parents love me a lot. That's why I hope that they won't get mad about Xavi. I don't want him to live on the streets. That is horrible. I looked at them with a sad smile.

- Honey, are you ok? - mom asked

- Yes, I'm fine. Can you do me a favor?

- What is it?

- I'll tell you the short version of the story. Xavi ran away from home. He has been living in one of the abandoned houses for the past month. Dad, you know this one. It's at the beginning of the street.

- Do you mean the one with the big window?

- Yes, this one. From the rain, it got wet. I mean the walls. Today part of the roof fell, and there is a big hole in it. Can Xavi stay here for a while? Only until he decides to go back home. I don't want him to live in the streets.

- I'm glad you want to help, but does he want to be here?

- It's not like he has a choice. The other houses are in the same condition.

- He can stay here as much as he wants. The rules you follow are for him too.

- No problem. Thank you.

- You're welcome.

I walked to the guest room and saw Xavi on the bed. His things were still in the backpack. I looked at him and saw that he was upset. For some reason, I feel bad. I made him look at me.

- Is everything ok?

- Not really.

- Will you share it with me? I won't tell anyone.

- Yesterday I went home to get money. Dad was doing his business in the kitchen. He got mad that I interrupted him and threw me away. I couldn't even go to my room. He said that I don't live there anymore. - he said with tears in his eyes

- Why would he say that to his own son?

- Because he is an assw***e.

I didn't say anything and pulled him for a hug. I feel horrible. If I have to be honest, I want to kick his dad's a*s, but I won't do it. I felt a couple of tears on the back of my shirt. I pulled away and carefully wiped them.

- I'm sorry.

- It's ok. If you want, we can watch something.

- I would love that.

Xavi and I watched movies until dinner was ready. I was snuggling the whole time, but he didn't say anything. I looked up and saw that he was sleeping. It's visible that he is tired. Not physically. Dad came to call us for dinner. I woke him up, and both of us walked downstairs. I noticed that he was feeling uneasy. Mom put the food on the table, and we started eating.

- From where did you buy it? - Xavi asked

- Actually, I did it. - mom said

- That's why it's so delicious.

- I'm glad that you like it.

I know boys need more food than girls, but he ate everything in ten minutes. I didn't say anything and continued eating. People shouldn't judge how someone eats.

- Do you want more? - mom asked

- I would love to, but it's better if I don't eat that much.

- Why? I made enough food. Give me your plate.

- Thank you.

- I see that you like it. - I said

- Your mom cooks amazingly. I haven't eaten homemade food in three years.

- What? Really?

- Yes.

- I'm sorry.

- Here you go.

- Thank you, miss.

- Can't your mom cook?

- My parents are divorced.

I looked at him, unable to say anything. Now I know why he is acting like that. He has no support at home. What surprised me was that he had no emotion in his eyes. Like this is something normal.

- Don't be sad. That is not the worst thing.

- You accept it calmly.

- Actually, my dad did. According to him, my mom cheated on him. I didn't believe it until she admitted it. She was the only one with who I shared everything. I trusted her more than anyone else. In five minutes, she broke everything. Now I don't even know where she is. I started to think that both of them cheated on each other. Dad is changing women as if they are tissues. Somehow, he convinced me that mom was guilty, and I lived with him for the past three years. Maybe it was a mistake.

- What about your mom? Why don't you call her?

- Dad said that she had changed her phone number. He probably lied to me, but I was stupid enough to believe him. I deleted her number. Now I don't know how to find her. Well, she is probably still in our hometown.

- I'm sorry to hear that.

- Now you know why I am who I am.

- I'm sorry for all the yelling.

- You had the right to do it. I was treating you like crap.

- But you were hurt. Something that I didn't know.

- It's ok. Don't think about it.

- I feel bad.

- Why? You didn't do anything.

- That's the problem.

- Hey, I'm fine. I promise to try to be nicer to you.

- Don't worry. I got used to your mood.

- I'm sorry about that.

The rest of the night we spent together. Mostly we were talking in his room. I had no idea how many things he went through. No one deserves this. I would gladly speak to his dad, but I don't think Xavi will let me. He will say that this is not my business. It's not a lie. I shouldn't mess with people's lives. From now on, I will try to be more supportive. I know it's not easy for him, but mom and dad will help him. I know it. They won't leave anyone to struggle. That's why I love them so much. One day I want to be like them. I hope that we can help Xavi. At home, he can feel safe and loved, especially by my mom. Her love is unconditional.