A Slice of Life - 4. Chapter 4 - The Wheel of Fate

Kyle watched the scene unfold before him, the two people being drawn to one another almost by a supernatural power and he couldn’t stop the feelings of guilt, sadness, and envy washing over him. It wasn’t so long ago that it was himself sitting underneath that tree with Xavier, he sighed remembering what was and thinking about what should have been. Momentarily locking eyes with Xavier was all the push he needed.

“Hey, Jasper can we talk for a minute?” Kyle asked while towering over Jasper. Jasper didn’t respond and simply nodded his head not sure of what was going to happen. Kyle sighed before taking a seat next to him. “I think we have more in common than I initially realized.”

Not sure where this was going Jasper looked over at Kyle who was looking off in the distance in the general direction Xavier had run off to. “What do you mean by that?” Jasper asked apprehensively.

Kyle shifted closer to Jasper turning towards him, “I mean we might be able to help each other out,” Kyle said while placing a hand on Jasper’s thigh taking note of the fact that he did not immediately pull away.

Jasper was momentarily stunned looking at Kyle’s hand unsure of what was going on. “I’m not sure I follow what you are getting at here,” Jasper answered swallowing as his tongue grew heavy.

“Look we both have a thing for Xavier, but it is clear that right now he is just too guarded and won’t let anyone new in. So, in the meantime, why not just help each other out?” Kyle asked while he began to now rub Jasper’s thigh.

“I don’t understand why you think this would be the solution, I think that I will enjoy getting to know him.” Jasper countered, though for reasons he did not remove Kyle’s hand from his thigh taking small pleasure in the physical action.

“I’m not stopping you two from getting to know one another, but in the meantime, if you find yourself in need of relief come to seek me out.” They both stood and dusted themselves off, Kyle took the chance to help out and dust some dirt from Jasper’s back before running his hand down his butt. Walking off he turned back one last time winking at him, leaving Jasper there slack-jawed.

****  

“He said what?!” Jessica screeched nearly knocking the pizza tray over. “He asked me out, I think on a date,” Xavier answered with a slight blush. He had been replaying the conversation over in his head all day when “Oh shit. I forgot to give him my number.” He groaned as his face fell into his hands. “No sweat just remember to give it to him when you see him at school next no big deal right?” She was right no need to stress about that now at this point. Across the way, Jessica chuckled to herself happy to see a glimpse of the Xavier she was so fond of.

Pulling up to his house the good mood of the evening was immediately soured when he saw Kyle’s car in his driveway. He hadn’t told his parents the specifics of the breakup, he hadn’t told them that they had broken up as he had no desire to relive those events and they adored Kyle like a second son. He took a deep breath and prepared himself to walk through the front door.

“Hey, sport, in here. Look who decided to drop by. Kyle was just telling us about how he thinks they have a real chance at winning state this year, especially with some new team prospects.” Xavier sighed as his father gushed over Kyle, some things never change.

“Yes sir, conditioning has been keeping me busy over the summer. Coach demanded we stay in shape and not slack off; we want that title this year.” Kyle smiled smoothly creating an excuse for his absence.

“That’s my boy, you boys are going to win it for sure,” Xavier silently rolled his eyes. “Hey, sport your mother and I are headed out for the weekend. She has a conference up north and we figured we would turn it into a quick getaway. We added some money into your account and you have the credit card for emergencies.” At this point, his mother had walked down the stairs packed and with her last bags set by the door, which Xavier had failed to notice coming in.

‘We don’t mind having Kyle stay over, but please don’t let Jessica throw any impromptu gatherings again,” his mother gave him a look as a chill ran down his spine. The last time she threw one of her legendary gatherings ended up being the worst night of his life. Kyle at least had the decency to not look over in his direction.

“You have nothing to worry about there, she is still making up for the last time she did that,” Xavier shrugged hiding his true feelings.

“Well alright dear you boys have a good weekend, call us if you need anything.” A quick kiss to his forehead and a hug from his father and they were out the door.

“And now you can make like a bird and flock off,” Xavier grumbled before turning to head up the stairs. “No, wait just a minute can’t we move past everything that happened last year?” Kyle pleaded as he grabbed onto Xavier’s arm. He could barely contain his anger as he shouted, “Just forget? I’m sorry but seeing MY boyfriend balls deep in someone else is not something I could just forget just like that. You’re a selfish piece of shit.” Pulling his arm from Kyle’s grasp he continued upstairs making a point to slam and lock his door.

Xavier laid face down on his bed struggling to hold back the tears, he hated that Kyle still had such an effect on him. It was a relief to hear Kyle walk out the door and drive off. Reaching into the drawer he once again found himself holding that picture frame before he swiftly threw it against the wall, he was done letting the weight of the past hold him back from moving on and finding happiness. It was at this point that his phone buzzed with a new notification from a number he did not recognize. “Hope you don’t mind I tracked Jessica down for your number – Jasper”

Xavier could barely contain his smile as he responded. “No problem at all, it was my fault for not giving it to you anyway.” He waited anxiously for a reply, butterflies in his stomach. “So, about that date, how does tomorrow night sound? Dinner and a movie.” Xavier stared at his phone, he wasn’t going to let this chance slip away and he was going to go for it. “Sounds good to me swing by and pick me up at 8.”

This was going to be his year.