Chapter 4: Return to the Known
The week just dragged on for Xavier. Everything seemed like it was back to the way it was before Monday. He had reasoned that the only way that he was able to throw those weights was because of some sort of adrenaline rush. There was no other way he could explain it to himself. Trying to convince himself of this reasoning worked until he remembered about the strange voice that told him to stop. It must have just been my conscience kicking in at the last second, he reasoned with himself. But the more he thought about it, Xavier realized that There was no way that that voice could have been my conscience; it was like someone was in the room talking to me, ordering me to stop. I would never have listened to my conscience at a time like that. I must be losing it or something.
While Xavier wrestled with his thoughts, the rest of the week passed him by. Everything followed the same routine: wake up, go to school, work, meet Jane, go home, eat, sleep. The one thing that bothered Xavier, however, was that twice, on Wednesday and Thursday, when he came out of school after working, he thought he saw Chris walking away from the main entrance where Jane waited, going to the student parking lot. Xavier couldn't be sure of what he saw, though; there were plenty of guys at his school that looked like Chris when their backs were turned to you: same overpriced clothes, same stupid haircut, same rich-boy strut. I'm just letting my imagination get out of hand. Xavier told himself.
It was Friday. Xavier was just getting home from school and was about to open the door to his family's apartment when he heard a door slam shut followed by the sound of soft footsteps coming down the hall. He glanced over to his left where the noise was coming from and was stunned. It was her, the girl with the beautiful green eyes, she was walking right towards him and once again, those were locked with his. Xavier couldn't move, even if he wanted to. He was mesmerized by the two emeralds. He was brought out of his trance when he heard an equally beautiful voice.
"Hi!" said the voice. The sound of it brought Xavier back to reality and quickly sent his mind racing again. Wow, she's beautiful. I wonder what she wants with someone like me. Aww shit, I'm probably a mess after work!
After a second delay, Xavier responded, "Hey."
"I'm glad I caught you. You go to Augustine High, right?" The girl asked. Her voice had entranced Xavier almost as much as her eyes had. She had a very soft, quiet voice.
Stumbling over his words, Xavier replied, "uh...Yeah"
"Do you take the bus to school?" She asked. Xavier was surprised that, although it seemed like she should be barely audible, he could understand every syllable perfectly.
"Yeah" He replied. He wanted to say something more, but his voice kept stopping in his throat.
"Well, I just moved into the area and I start classes at St. Mary's on Monday and, since it's just down the street from where you go, I was wondering if you could show me what busses to take on Monday."
"Um...sure." Xavier answered.
"Great!" She touched his arm, just below the shoulder, "thanks a lot!"
Before Xavier could respond, the girl spun around and walked back to her apartment. Xavier simply watched as the trail of red hair disappeared into the apartment once again.