Fixing the broken bad boy

Chapter eighteen - Feeling comfortable

Xavier's POV:

Finally, I moved into Alexia's house. She told me to do it for a long time, but I didn't want to. Now I don't have a choice. The house in which I was living fell apart. Well, not at all. There is a big hole in the roof. I don't know if I can fix it. Also, this is not my house. If I do something to it, I might get in trouble. It's better if I don't do anything. I have to say that Alexia and her parents treat me well. I mean that I am a stranger. To be honest, it doesn't look like that. I'm trying to be nice, but it's hard for me. I'm glad that they don't make me do things. It's easy to follow the rules in the house. I can try to get close to Alexia, but I'm sure that her parents know what relations we have. They are not the best. I will treat her well, as long as I can. At least she understands me. If I have to be honest, I still can't believe she let me into her house, especially after the things I said to her. I guess she is not mad at me, or at least not that much. Whatever the reason is, I'm glad I have a place to stay. I don't want to go home for sure. It's not like dad will let me. I think that he feels better when I am outside. I should've stayed with mom. She might not be better, but at least she won't throw me away. Also, she can cook. I have missed eating homemade food. Alexia's mom is a great cook. I can stay in her house only for that. I hope that I will move out soon. I don't want to spend much time with them. I'm not a good boy, and they have to understand it.

Currently, we are sitting at the table. Miss Dean has made dinner. It's delicious, as always. I might have been here only for a day, but I feel like I'm part of them. Maybe it's because they treat me nicely. I mean that I haven't received so much care for years. It's good to see that some people care about you. I wish that I had this all the time. Less is better than nothing. The sad thing is that this is temporary. I can't live with them forever. Moreover, I don't want to.

All of us were eating peacefully. Alexia's parents were talking with each other. I started thinking again. So many things have changed since I moved here. What were the chances I would meet the same girl that I hooked up with at the party? Very low. Now I am living in her house. Also, I ran away from home. I never thought that one day I would do that. Well, not every kid is lucky to have parents who love him. I guess that I deserve it. Soon I felt a hand over mine.

- What?

- You zoned out. I was calling you.

- I'm sorry. I was thinking about something.

- Is everything ok?

- Yes, don't worry.

- If you want, there is more food in the oven. - miss Dean said

- Thanks, but I don't have space anymore. Maybe tomorrow.

- Tomorrow, I will cook something else.

- Do you rest?

- I do. A lot. - she said, chuckling

- What are your plans for the night? If it has stopped raining, you can go out. - mister Dean said, looking at Alexia and me

- Dad, I think that it's still raining.

- To be honest, all I want is to lay in bed. - I said

- At least you have a comfortable bed. - Alexia said

- There was nothing wrong with my old one.

- Except for the fact that it was older than you.

- Very funny.

After dinner, I went to the backyard. Watching how it rains makes me calm. It's just relaxing. Moreover, now I don't have to do anything. Before, I was worried about the next day. Now I don't have this problem. I have everything. Well, thanks to Alexia and her parents. I'm glad that they let me stay here.

- Why are you here? It's cold.

- Oh, I didn't see you there.

- Can I sit next to you?

- Yeah, sure. Come here.

- Thanks.

- It looks like it will rain the whole night.

- It's not like you have to go somewhere.

- No, I don't. Sleeping under the sound of the rain is something magical.

- I didn't know you believed in magic.

- I don't, but it feels different.

- If you say so.

We heard a loud noise, and she immediately snuggled. That wasn't thunder. Probably someone hit or threw something. I wrapped my hand around her and kissed the top of her head.

- That wasn't thunder. You can calm down.

- Then what was it?

- I don't know.

- It's better if I go back inside.

- If you want, you can stay with me.

- Thanks, but I prefer to be in bed. Call me if you need anything.

- Ok, no problem. Good night.

- To you too.

I went to bed around midnight. I woke up from thunder. Great. Now I won't fall asleep again. I looked at my phone and saw that it was only 2 am. Well, that was it. Two hours of sleep must be enough. Who am I kidding? Soon there was a knock on the door, and someone opened it. I saw Alexia holding her pillow.

- Alexia? What are you doing here?

- C-can I sleep here? Please.

- Why?

There was another thunder, and she flinched. I forgot that she was scared of that. I told her to come here, and she quickly hid under the quilt. If it had been someone else, I would've laughed. All I did was get under the quilt and pull her for a hug. I felt how her body was shaking. It's not a lie that I feel bad for her. I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. She needs to calm down. There is nothing scary in thunder.

- Hey, I am here. Calm down.

- I'm scared.

- You don't have to be. I won't go anywhere. You can trust me. Just like I do.

- What? Really?

- Yes. I'm sorry that it took me so much time. I had a lot of things in my head.

- It's ok. I'm glad that you trust me now.

- I do. Let's sleep. We can talk tomorrow.

- Can you promise me something?

- What?

- That you won't go anywhere.

- I promise. I will be here with you.

- Thank you. I needed to hear this from you.

- Goodnight.

- To you too.

I woke up in the morning. Alexia was snuggling into me. At least it stopped raining. I won't lie that it was nice having her here. We didn't do anything, but her presence made me feel better. Soon I heard a knock on the door.

- Come in.

- There she is. - mister Dean said

- I can explain.

- I was searching for her. Can I know why she is in your room?

- Alexia came around 2 am with her pillow. She wanted to sleep there because of the thunder.

- Don't say more. Sometimes I forget that my daughter is scared of thunder.

- Can I know why?

- This is since she was a kid.

- I know, she told me.

- To be honest, I don't know why. In Alexia's kindergarten, one woman told the kids something. If they didn't sleep, someone would come and get them. It wasn't good, but I guess that it worked.

- I see.

- Wake her up and come for breakfast. Soon it will be ready.

- Why me? She is your daughter.

- I have one woman to take care of right now. She is yours.

- What? It's not like I wanted her to be here.

- Then you could've thrown me away. - Alexia said

- I thought that you were sleeping.

- I was, but I woke up.

- Look, I didn't mean that.

- Don't worry. I won't bother you anymore. - Alexia said and left

- What? - I asked mister Dean, who was looking at me

- Fix it.

- How?

- This is not my problem.

- Why do you have to be like that?

- You will thank me later.

- This is not fair.

I got up and walked to Alexia's room. She was changing her clothes. Well, I have seen girls with less, so she doesn't have to cover. I walked up to her and made her face me.

- What are you doing here?

- We need to talk.

- You can't walk into my room just like that.

- I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it that way.

- I don't care. Go away.

- Please. I wasn't sure how your dad would react when he saw you with me. I don't know if you have told him everything.

- If you mean the party in the summer, no, I didn't. Neither plan to do it.

- I'm sorry. Don't be mad at me.

- Hey, it's ok. You don't have to be upset.

- I'm trying to be a better person, but I can't.

- Some things take time.

- No matter what I say, I will always upset you.

- You are not upsetting me. Only playing on my nerves. - she said, chuckling

- I don't know how you can stand me.

- I have my secrets.

I didn't say anything and hugged her. That feels ten times better than physical touch. I pulled away and looked at her. Sometimes words are useless.

- Can I get dressed now?

- Yeah, sure. I will go out.

- You can stay as long as you don't do anything.

- It will be better if I am out.

- If you say so.

I walked out of her room and went into mine. None of us have plans for the day, and we can go out. For now, it has stopped raining. Well, we'll take an umbrella if it starts again. Soon Alexia came into my room. She looks different. Maybe it's from the clothes. Both of us went for breakfast and later walked out. I have no idea where we are going, but I don't care. The thing is that I feel comfortable when she is around. We passed by a park, but we couldn't sit anywhere. It was still wet. Later, we went to the abandoned house. Now the hole in the roof is way bigger. I'm glad that I listened to her and walked away. Otherwise, it could've fallen on me.

- Xavi, are you ok?

- Yes. I was thinking about something.

- Can I know what?

- I'm glad that I listened to you and moved away.

- So now I'm not that bad.

- You never were. I'm sorry if I have made you feel this way.

- It's ok. Now I know why you did it.

- Do you want us to go for hot chocolate?

- Only if it has marshmallows.

- Deal.

Like that, both of us walked to a coffee shop. A warm drink is what we need on a rainy day. Both of us were drinking peacefully. This time there was a comfortable silence. We made eye contact, and she smiled. I won't lie that she has a beautiful smile.

- Hey, are you here?

- Yes. Right in front of you.

- You zoned out again.

- This time, I didn't. I admired the view.

- Will you tell me what that view was?

- You.

- Really?

- Yes. You have a beautiful smile.

- Um, thanks. - she said and blushed

- What do you want us to do now?

- I might lay in bed for the rest of the day.

- Can I join you?

- As long as you don't do anything.

- I promise to behave. Moreover, I owe this to your parents.

- Let's see if you can do it.

- Do you want to bet?

- No. I trust you.

- I trust you too.

With that, a big smile appeared on her face. I mean everything I said. The rest of the day we spent inside. In the afternoon, Alexia wanted to take a little nap, so I had to take it with her. Let's say that she wanted a cuddle buddy. It's not like I mind. It was nice. I know that the good boy is trying to show up, but I don't know if I have to let him out. After all, I don't want to end up like my parents. On the other side, that is the type of person Alexia needs. I would love to be that person, but I can't promise her anything. It's better if we keep it friendly. I don't want to break her heart. She doesn't deserve it.