A Slice of Life - 1. Senior Year Kicksoff

Watching all the kids run up to meet their friends after a long summer he just shakes his head and sighs, at least this is the last year he'd have to make this walk again. He pulled his bag over his shoulder and tried to get into his locker before he was noticed.

“Xavier!!”

He sighed; mission failed he should have known he could never sneak in past her.

“Jessica, how was your summer?” Xavier asked even though he didn't care.

He and Jessica had a love-hate relationship, to say the least, but he would rather not think about that right now.

“Oh, you know fabulous weather and exotic boys everything an island paradise is supposed to be.”

Xavier shrugged not sure how to respond and continued to his locker. Looks like it was going to be another year of all the same. He just wanted to make it through this year with as little drama as possible, but who was he kidding this is high school this place lives for the drama. Speaking of drama...

“Hey X I haven't seen or heard from you all summer.”

Xavier rolled his eyes and snorted this is what he would have rather avoided.

“That would be because I didn't want anything to do with you not sure why you would think otherwise.”

Done with the conversation Xavier closed his locker and walked off.

“Maybe you should have thought of a better opening statement Kyle, I mean he isn't fond of you after everything that went down.”

Jessica offered her advice before leaving Kyle there bewildered. He didn't think Xavier still held this kind of grudge.

Xavier hated the first days of school, not that he was a model student or anything it was just all pointless bull in his opinion. When he thought things would just continue as normal someone caught his eyes the likes of which hadn't happened since Ky....well let's just not think about that.

“Let me introduce you all to Jasper.”

And there he stood a smooth brown complexion darker than Xavier's caramel skin. His hair was dark black tied into a braid. The most interesting thing though was his eyes were light grey with spots of hazel and Xavier was instantly bewitched.

Jasper looked around the class not sure what to make of his new surroundings. It was bad enough that he was dragged here leaving everything and everyone he knew behind, but such was the life when your mother was running away from her grief. Looking around he noticed a boy who caught his attention but he quickly shut down those thoughts he wasn't ready to walk down that road again, at least not yet.

“Come over and take a seat near me. After class, I can even show you around a bit.” Kyle waved enthusiastically.

Xavier rolled his eyes, Kyle was quick on the uptake, of course, he hadn't changed why should he think otherwise.

“Sure, thing thanks for the offer I might as well meet some friendly faces here I'm sure it will make things easier.”

And just like that it's another bullshit year off to a wonderful start, Xavier sighed again as the bell rang and he made his way out to his locker just wishing this day would end already.

“So, have you seen the new kid? I heard he was super-hot and exotic looking,” Jessica asked leaning back against the lockers

“Yeah, I saw him and Kyle is already working his claws in, don't even know if the kid is gay or not, but I guess something like that has never stopped Kyle before,” Xavier let out bitterly.

Jessica flinched at that remark, she knew he might still be holding a grudge but it seemed just as fresh as it always was. She placed her hand on his shoulder to offer comfort but frowned when he moved away from her touch, yeah this was still going to take some time and groveling to heal.

“Do you want to get lunch off campus today and maybe not think so much?”

Xavier looked back at her with a raised eyebrow carefully considering her offer before he shrugged his shoulders.

“Sure, let's go I could use a break from this crazy place already.”

Jessica smiled at least this was a start on the path to redemption or at least she hoped as much. Of course, things don't always work out as planned and Jessica could only grimace as she noticed Kyle sitting in one of the booths of the local burger spot with what had to be the new kid and as expected Xavier turned around and scowled at her.

“I had no idea I swear please believe me!” she raised her hands in defense.

Alerted by the commotion Jasper looked up over Kyle's shoulders to see the boy he had noticed early along with a girl who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but where she was.

Kyle noticing Jasper's attention was drawn to something and looked over his shoulder.

“Damn I guess I should have known better considering they usually ate off campus,” he said begrudgingly under his breath, things were certainly not going his way.

“This isn't what it looks like I swear I just brought Jasper here to show him around and stuff!” Kyle tried to explain getting up and approaching the pair.

A confused Jasper followed behind him curious as to find out what this was all about and to get a better look at the boy.

“Whatever not like I should have expected anything different from you I don't care do who and what you want.” Xavier shouted angrily before turning on his heels and walking out leaving them all standing there.