Chapter 11

Thoughts Altered

Aeris gave a squeak of surprise, "Oh! Uh... Hi Xander!"

Xander was leaning on the door frame, arms crossed, "Why do you have my laptop?"

Aeris quickly thought of a lie and avoided eye contact, "Uh... I just wanted to see your art!"

Xander smiled, "I don't have art on my laptop, I hand make them."

Aeris tried to act surprise, "Really? Okay then. Sorry for taking your laptop."

Xander walked over and took it from her hands, "It's okay, just ask next time."

Aeris nodded, "Okay..."

Xander smiled and walked away, leaving Aeris to think about what she had just read.

The next morning

"Queeny! Time to cook!"

Aeris blotted up, looking around.

Xander looked over her, concern on his face, "What's wrong?"

Aeris looked at his face, remembering what she discovered last night, "Uh.. Nothing. Just a bad dream."

Xander shrugged, "Whatever. Just don't skip out on your duty."
Xander helped Aeris up and she noticed something, "Xander, where are your shades?"
He smiled, "I thought that I shouldn't wear them when I'm just at home."

Aeris smiled, "Good, you look better without them."

Xander scratched his head, "Really? I thought I looked cool in them."

Aeris rolled her eyes, "Well, aren't you cocky?"

Xander thought about, "...Not really."

At the breakfast table

Aeris was constantly looking over at Xander, hoping that he wouldn't notice.

"Hey Xander, can you pass the salt?"

Xander turned to Leo, "Dude, if you eat anymore salt, your blood's going to rival the ocean."

Then Xander turned to Aeris, causing her to flinch, "And besides, Aeris' cooking is salty enough."

Aeris stood up, "Are you saying I suck at cooking?"

"No. Just that you add a little too much salt. You should add just a pinch to your soup, not a teaspoon."

Aeris sat down, "Great, now you're an Iron Chef?"
Xander bowed, "Hai!"

Aeris just rolled her eyes as Leo snickered.

Xander drained the rest of his soup and stood up, "Ah! I'll go to my room. I got stuff to do."

Leo waved his hand, even though they were barely 3 feet away, "Okay!"

Aeris pretended to no care, but wondered what he was going to do.

Xander looked back, "Oh, and Aeris, can you follow me?"

Aries started to worry, "Uh... sure."
In Xander's room

When Aeris walked in, Xander was facing away from the door.

"So, was looking into my past fun?"

Aeris acted surprised, "What are you talking about?"
Xander turned around and smiled, "You are such a bad liar."

Aeris still tried to pretend that she didn't know what he was talking about, "What are you talking about?"

Xander still smiled, "I hate liars."
"What are you talking about?"

Xander's smiled melted like butter on the sun, "You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you? It's a good idea to close the document you were viewing if you're trying to snoop around."

Aeris did a face palm.

"Looks like I was right, but why did you do it? Were you just really that curious?"

Aeris nodded, "I'm sorry, but tell me, would you really kill that person?"

Xander looked away, "... I'm still not sure... but I want that person to know what I went through."

Aeris gave a breath of relief.

"Hm? Why are you happy?"
"I really thought that you would kill someone!"

Xander frowned, "I honestly thought I would at first, but I'm not so sure anymore, it's all thanks to you guys."
Aeris froze, "Huh?"
"You guys just really lightened my life, you were the only people that didn't drive me out because of my... 'talent'. In fact, I was thinking of committing suicide before I passed out because of hunger."

Aeris gasped, "You were going to commit suicide?"

Xander smiled, "Was. But not anymore. You guys showed me that life is so full of surprises."

Aeris gave a nervous chuckle, "Yeah, full of surprises."

Xander shrugged and grabbed his bag.

"What are you doing?"

"I just finished my new project. I was going to the firing range. You know what, I'm taking Leo along, a video gamer like himself will love my project!"

Aeris shrugged, "Fine."