Chained Hearts

Chapter Four

“Where’s Louise?”

Xavier’s voice sent shivers down my spine. Even though I’d heard that tone countless times before, today it carried something heavier—something that made me shrink deeper into the branches I was hiding in. From where I crouched on the thick limb, I stole a glance below. He looked exhausted, the dark circles under his eyes faint but visible from this height. His uniform was wrinkled, his usually sharp composure dulled by sleeplessness.

Why the heck would you even bother with me? Foolish person.

It’s been days since I started avoiding him. SPU wasn’t exactly huge—eventually, I knew he’d catch me—but for now, the crowd was my shield. Between class rotations and campus events, I used every possible route just to make sure he couldn’t corner me. The other girls even helped. Some out of pity, some out of the thrill of getting his attention themselves. Well, who wouldn’t? The Montreal name alone could make anyone swoon.

“Who?” Lace asked without even sparing him a glance, her tone dry as she flipped another page of her book. “I’m not a lost and found inquiry booth, Senior.”

I wanted to hug her from afar. She’d been my solid cover since day one. She knew I wasn’t ready to face him yet—to face the mess of emotions swirling in my chest.

It had been different when he first used me. I hated him then. I’d glare, snap, and pretend I didn’t care. We fought like cats and dogs, our encounters an endless cycle of stubborn pride that people around us were used to.

But now? Now I wasn’t sure what to feel anymore. I was too scared—scared that he’d tell me everything had been a joke, and scared that it might not be—that somewhere between his smirk and my stubbornness, we’d crossed a line we could never take back. I didn’t want to know which would hurt more. And worse—he’d taken my first kiss.

“Your friend?” he asked slowly, his patience thinning. “I’m getting tired of her avoiding me, Lace. I just need her to hear me out before she keeps assuming things.”

“I have so many friends, Senior,” Lace replied, her smirk audible in her voice. “But they’re mostly faked. Well, except for a few I actually like.”

“Patricia Louise Salcedo,” he said flatly, and I could hear the restrained frustration. “Lacey, don’t add to my stress. Just… be a good junior.”

“Oh, her,” Lace said, feigning indifference. “Who knows.”

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose—a familiar gesture when he was close to losing it. “Just tell her to stop this nonsense. Because I’m not going to stop pestering her until she listens.”

He started to leave, but Lace’s next words stopped him in his tracks.

“Do you really mean it, Brother Carl? Everything?” she asked, lowering her book. “I’m her friend. I’m just… worried. Pat’s not good with relationships.”

Xavier turned back slowly, his expression softening. “You know me, Lace. I messed up once when I used her. But I’m serious about her now. Let’s just say I’m too masochistic to fall for someone who glares and fights with me every chance she gets.”

With that, he gave a faint smile and walked away.

“Satisfied?” Lace asked, looking up at me from below the tree. “I’ve known him since before. He’s friends with my brother. And from that face of his, I can tell—he’s serious. He really wants to talk to you.”

“The foundation day thing?” she added. “It was all him. He planned everything just to confess. Out of all the girls who wanted to be chained to him, you were the one he chose.”

“Lace, this is different,” I murmured. “I can take the teasing, the arguments—but this? Staking my heart?” I laughed weakly. “You know how my father left us. Falling for someone feels dangerous. What if I end up like my mom?”

“Then give me a chance.”

I froze at the sound of his voice, coming from below—on the opposite side from where he’d left earlier. Before I could even react, my grip slipped, and the next thing I knew, I was falling.

I screamed, bracing for the impact that never came. Instead, I landed on something solid yet soft… someone.

“Are you okay?” Xavier groaned beneath me. His arms instinctively wrapped around my back to steady me.

My cheeks burned as I scrambled to my feet. “You shouldn’t have—”

Before I could finish, he pulled me close. His grip was desperate, his heartbeat loud against my ear. “I’m just glad you’re not hurt,” he whispered.

His scent hit me next—faint cologne mixed with that familiar warmth I tried so hard to ignore. My mind went blank, my heart racing in betrayal. “You shouldn’t have surprised me like that,” I muttered, trying to sound annoyed even as my voice trembled.

“Sorry,” he said softly but didn’t let go. “I’m just… desperate. Too desperate, Louise.”

“Why me, Xavier?” I finally asked, the words slipping out before I could stop them. “We’ve done nothing but fight. How can you say you want to court me? I’m just… me.”

“And I’m just Xavier,” he replied gently. “Not perfect. Not special. Everything I have, I worked for. So why can’t I choose you? Can’t it be that I annoy you because I like seeing you react? That maybe… all those fights were just me trying to get your attention?”

I stepped back slightly, needing space to think. If I stayed too close, I might forget how to breathe. “Xavier…”

“I’m not asking for an answer now,” he continued, ruffling my hair. “Just… give me a chance. A trial, if that’s what it takes. Because right now, you’re making it hard for both of us.”

“When did it start?” I asked quietly. “Are you into b**m or something? Because this feels like a masochist move.”

He laughed, the sound easing some of my tension. “Not into that kinky stuff, don’t worry. But the first time you punched me, I swear—you left a mark that didn’t fade.”

“Wow,” I said, rolling my eyes. “So you fall for girls who break your nose?”

“To tell you the truth,” he said, gripping my head gently, “I don’t even know where this will lead. I’m not sure if it’s love yet. But you’re like my personal drug, Louise. I want to see you every day. Can we start from there?”

I bit my lip. Maybe I was crazy. But wasn’t I always reckless when it came to my heart? I took a breath and nodded slowly.

He cursed under his breath and laughed before suddenly lifting me up and spinning me around like a fool.

“I haven’t even said yes!” I yelped, holding onto his shoulders as he laughed like a child. “Put me down!”

“Yes, put her down,” Lace said dryly nearby. “In case you forgot, we’re in school as you clearly forgot about me. The bell already rang. Go flirt somewhere else.”

Xavier grinned and set me down, grabbing my things from Lace. “I’ll walk you to class. You can’t say no, Louise. I’m officially courting you.”

Lace groaned. “I’m surrounded by idiots.”

Xavier just laughed, and I couldn’t stop the smile tugging at my lips.

~*~

“So… why are you in detention?” I asked, dropping off the stack of papers my adviser had assigned me to deliver before going home. “Not that it’s my business.”

“Wifey!” Xavier’s face lit up the second he saw me. “Are you here for me? By the way, wait for me after this—I’ll walk you home.”

“Late,” Theo, his cousin, cut in before he could say more. “He got caught doing something stupid.”

“Shut up,” Xavier said, glaring at him. “Don’t listen to him, Louise. He’s just jealous.”

I chuckled as I took a seat beside him, ignoring the other boys scattered around the room. It seemed detention had turned into a Montreal family gathering.

“Seriously, why are you all even here?” I asked.

“Don’t look at me,” Alexis mumbled. “I just sleep in class. This is my nap zone.”

“Then how the hell do you even pass,” Xavier shot back, frowning. “You’re practically the detention mascot.”

“At least I use my brain,” Alexis countered before resting his head again. “You should try it sometime.”

Prince, the youngest, grinned from across the room while fixing his hair through his phone camera. “Older cousin, you should be happy. She’s not running away from you today. Did she finally fall into your trap?”

I turned red instantly. “No!” I protested, which only made Prince laugh harder.

“So weak,” he teased. “Want me to give you tips?”

“Thank you, Louise,” Xavier said sarcastically, pouting as he leaned closer. “You’re too supportive, wifey.”

“You look like a retard, bastard,” Theo said, laughing. “Pat, don’t fall for his act. He’s dangerous.”

“f**k off, Theo,” Xavier warned, glaring at him. “And stop dragging Az into your nonsense!”

“I didn’t drag him,” Theo argued. “He followed out of curiosity. Right, little bro?”

Azrael, sitting quietly with a book, sighed. “You forced me.”

Theo grinned. “See? Bonding.”

“When did this become a family tradition?” another voice said from the doorway.

We turned to see Eros leaning casually against the doorframe. “Aunt’s looking for you guys. Detention hours are over, so she wants you gone before she reports all of you to your parents.”

“Want to eat?” Xavier asked, standing and grabbing my bag before I could refuse. “I know a good place near here.”

“Let’s all go!” Prince exclaimed, grinning mischievously. “I’ll third-wheel if I have to!”

Xavier glared at him. “You’re not invited.”

“Cheepskate! She’s not going to say yes anyway!” Prince teased before running off laughing as Xavier chased him.

I couldn’t help but laugh too. Seeing him like that—playful, carefree—it was hard to reconcile him with the same boy who looked so broken days ago.

“Don’t hurt him,” a quiet voice said behind me.

I turned. Alexis was standing by the door, his bag slung over his shoulder, eyes half-lidded but sharp.

My smile faded. “What do you mean?”

He paused, one hand on the doorframe. “You’ll understand soon enough.”

And without waiting for my reply, he walked towards his cousin, leaving me with a chill I couldn’t quite explain. I stood there for a moment, watching Xavier wrestle with Prince outside, their laughter echoing down the hall. And for the first time, I wondered—who was really going to get hurt in the end?