ride with others
1254 Words
Ashlyn POV
“Where is this girl? We are going to be late again.” Desperately, Evan glanced at his phone screen, probably checking the time.
Sitting on the stairs, I watched him getting his bike ready. They were supposed to leave for their class half an hour ago, but Emily never showed up.
Since it was also Xavier's time for work, I saw him exiting his house. Hastily, I got up, recalling the previous night. Embarrassed to face him, I turned to enter the house. However, I froze upon hearing his call.
Slowly, I turned back to him and replied, “Yes!”
In a solemn tone, he questioned, “Why are you still not ready for your class?”
Squinting my eyes in surprise, I mumbled, “Class?”
He darted at Evan and asked, “Isn't she supposed to join class from today?”
Scratching the back of his head, Evan replied, “Yeah, but you didn't confirm her enrollment so–” He laughed nervously.
“Tell her to get a bus to the college,” he said, and as he was about to walk away, Evan said, “How about I give her a ride?”
Without sparing a glance at him, he raised a question, “What about Emily?”
“How about you drive her?” Evan suggested.
“You know I have long stopped babysitting you guys,” he answered in a cold tone.
“Um! Yeah, but since Ashlyn is new I think she will have trouble finding the bus stop and–”
“That is none of my problem!”
“But brother –”
“You can just take her, Evan,” suddenly Emily appeared at the door. “I no longer need your ride.”
She then walked out dragging her luggage.
“Oh! Come on!” Sighing heavily, Evan grumbled, “Emily, didn't you have enough drama already?”
“No, not until you guys stop spinning around this intruder.” With difficulty, she carried the luggage past me and down the porch.
“For God's sake, when will you understand that our father married her mother? So she is no longer an intruder.” Evan tried to defend me.
“I don't care.” She glared at him. “For me, she was-is-will always remain an intruder.”
Then she moved ahead to Xavier. Looking up at him, she said, “Brother! I am leaving the house.”
Hands tucked inside his pocket, Xavier stepped aside, making way for her. No words, no glance, Xavier paid no attention to her. I was in shock to see his reaction.
‘Why is he so cruel to his siblings?’ I could not help wondering.
As she began to walk away, I ran after her. “Emily, wait. Don't go. Please. I am sorry. I promise I will leave soon please.”
It was a fact that I reciprocated her hatred, but I never wanted her to leave because of me.
“Inform me when you do that, then I will be back!”
I grabbed her luggage. “Stop please!”
“Stay away from me,” she yelled in rage. “Stop acting innocent when, in fact, this is all your doings.” Then she shoved me.
Tottering back, I was about to fall, but Xavier’s strong arms caught me, pulling me close against him. His grip was steady, grounding me in a way that sent a rush of warmth through my chest.
His dark eyes locked onto mine, holding me captive for the moment. The world around us seemed to fade, the only sound my quickened breath mingling with the steady rhythm of his.
“You okay?” He asked, and for a fleeting moment, his expression softened.
I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. I nodded. I couldn’t bring myself to look away from him. Then, as if he’d realized how close we were, he stepped back, the absence of his warmth almost startling.
Clearing my throat, I looked out for Emily, but she was long gone. Having no expectations from Xavier, I asked Evan, “Why are you not going after her?”
“No, need!” Xavier declared. “Go and get ready for class. You are coming with me.”
“No!” I refused. As soon as I noticed his expression turning cold, I said, “I– I will come with Evan.”
“Yeah, don't worry about her, brother. I will bring her with me. Just spare us from punishment at college.” I noticed a sly smile on his face.
~~~~
Evan stopped his bike at the shore of a tall building. I was amazed to see the place where I was going to continue my studies. The area was clean and green.
“Be careful!” he suggested, as I grabbed his shoulder to get down.
Once, I was on the ground, I struggled with the helmet. So, he helped me with it.
“Teach me!” I requested, trying to look at how he undid my belt.
“Why teach you when I am always here to undo it?” He winked at me with a smile.
“What if you are not with me? What if I ride with someone else?” I raised my brows.
“That day is never coming. Not even in your dream. I will never allow you to ride with others.”
Following him, I replied, “I never said I would be asking for your permission. I am going to ride anyway.”
“Trust me, you don't want to do that.”
“Why, if I may ask?”
Suddenly, he came to a halt and turned to me. Unexpectedly, he leaned closer. I froze, finding his face just an inch away. Gulping hard, I tried to speak but nothing came above my throat.
“I care for you, that's why!” he said before shuffling my hair and resuming his walk.
‘s**t! What was that?’ My heart hammered against my chest, but the feelings I got were no more near the feelings that I came across in front of Xavier.
“Come on. We are late. Remember?” he called out.
When we reached the class, we found the door locked. Evan looked through the door window, and tried to get someone to open the door. However, the professor inside showed no mercy towards us.
My first day of first class was spent outside the classroom. Since I had always been punctual my whole life, I kind of enjoyed being late.
After, the class ended and my supposedly classmates swamped outside. Evan went inside. Probably, to seek an excuse for the day. Shortly after, he came back with a sad face.
“What happened? Was he very harsh on you?” I couldn't help asking.
“He is calling out for you." He provided no answer to my question. "After you are done I will meet you at the cafeteria. It's in the west wing of the building.”
Then he just walked away, leaving me at the door with the curiosity why the professor asked me to meet me on my first day. As I pushed the door and stepped inside, I froze, seeing the person before me. Immediately, I turned around to leave, but I embarrassed myself by colliding with the door.
Still, as I tried to get out, "Stop!" Came a command from behind.
- Writer
