Adeline was swooning. Sunday, Xavier and she had gone on a date and it was swoon-worthy. He did not leave her hand she did not overcome the blush.

"So," Elizabeth sang the word with a naughty smile on her face making Adeline worry a little. "How was your date?" She teased and Adeline's blush grew even more.

​​

Turning to her friend she frowned, "How'd you know?" She hadn't told anyone.

"I saw you, duh." She rolled her eyes giggling. "But seriously why were you guys at McDonald's?" According to her, there were much better places in town.

Adeline frowned. What was wrong with that?

"There's nothing wrong with that." She went back to rearranging her locker like she did every week. "We were spending time together and it doesn't matter if it were in a posh restaurant or just walking in a park. I was in the mood for nuggets and fries."

Elizabeth nodded as she seemed to be thinking about something. "Yeah." That was true. It seemed more intimate and personal. She saw how Adeline and Xavier seemed to enjoy each others company.

Adeline nodded and went back to rearrange the pictures too. Everyone had them here and she wanted to decorate her locker too. The pictures were of James and her friends from the previous school and her parents and then with Xavier. She was going to add the pictures of her friends here too.

He had bought a Polaroid camera for them. He took a photograph of them on every date that they went to.

Adeline peeked at her friend who was busy thinking something. She didn't seem to talk anytime soon about it, so Adeline poked the topic.

"What are you think about?" She asked but didn't receive any reply which had her turn to her friend.

"Hey," she called but Elizabeth didn't reply. So Adeline flicked her forehead.

"Ouch! What that was that for?" Elizabeth whined rubbing her forehead. The area was slightly red.

"Good for you it was her," Christine chimed in. "I would have gone for the nipples." She said to Adeline with a wink and animating a pinch.

Elizabeth shrieked with horror, laughing, Adeline returned a thumbs up to her.

"I was just thinking.."

"About who? Dylan?" Christine frowned as she knew the answer to that. "Don't lie to me girl, I saw you watching him in class."

"I like him." She confessed again.

"Then go and talk to him." Adeline offered. "It's been a week since you have told us."

"Excuse me?" Christine turned to her which visible dislike in her eyes. "You know that boy is trouble. "

"I don't know that and you don't know that," Adeline stressed her words. It was true. They had not talked to the not and how were they suppose to know what kind of guy he was?

"It's her choice to give him a chance and if Elizabeth wants to confess then go ahead."

"He shows up with god awful bruises. Do you expect them to be from something nice?" Christine's blazing eyes were ready to argue back to hell.

"I don't know, could be training for boxing or he could be involved in a gang. We don't know anything for sure and Christine, I have spent two and a half months here and he has shown no 'bad' behaviour. We are no one to judge." Adeline knew she was practically advocating for him for no reason. But it didn't feel right. They did not know him and thus, they had no right to stamp their opinions on anyone.

"Come on Christine, you know Addy's right on this." Elizabeth looked at Christine and placed her hand on her friend's shoulder. "We never talked to him for anything."

"No no, I agree but he might be involved in something dangerous for all we know."

"And if he is," Elizabeth nodded, "then I will immediately back off." And at last, she smiled, "but for now I am talking to him."

"Excuse me," Marcus, a boy from history came to her, "I. . Oh took your notes yesterday, here they are." He smiled and held out a blinder. "Thank you."

With a smile, Adeline took it and said, "You're most welcome." As she watched him stay rotted to his spot.

Now, she was slightly concerned. "What's wrong?"

Blush floored his face and neck and it was red which made it visible for everyone to see. "Do check what's inside. . Please." He whispered and she nodded understandingly not wanting to embarrass him.

"Okay, I will." She smiled again, now secretly wanting him to go. He nodded again and then left trying to make it a little less awkward but I'm themed, just ducked again and sped walked the whole thing.

"Awkward." Christine sighed heavily. "So. . Awkward even though it didn't have to be."

She nodded and taunted to her locker. She felt something burning on her back but ignored it. What could it be?

********

Taking their seat under the tree that Xavier had pointed to, they began eating what Cassie had sent them.

"She made burritos," Adeline awwed, "in the morning? I have to thank her for this."

"That's nothing. She just made extra for us. Dad had asked for them." Xavier shrugged as if it was routine for them.

"But she did put in efforts." She argued. "I think I will get back something for her."

"Something in vanilla. She likes that flavour." He informed her taking a bit of the burrito. "Also, who was the guy?"

"What guy?"

Xavier sighed, "The boy who came to you by the lockers. Who was he?"

Adeline glanced at him quickly once. Was he jealous? But he wasn't there today. He was standing outside with his friends, so who told him?

"No one but a classmate," she answered honestly. Anyone could be jealous and she had nothing to hide.

"Well," he poured her some more water, "Don't go befriending just anyone, okay?"

She nodded distantly and decided not to tell him about the thank you note that Marcus had left inside. She was watching Elizabeth go towards Dylan.

"Oh no," Xavier groaned as he followed her line of sight. "you played matchmaker didn't you?"

"I did not!" She immediately denied and her cheeks caught the blush. "I did no such thing. What I merely said was to tell and be done with it if she wants." She shrugged at the end. "She was thinking about it constantly." She Defended at the end.

"He had issues," Xavier commented she did not give much away. Adeline wanted to pry more.

"We see the bruises. And we agreed about it." She continued to talk while chewing. He didn't mind it. They were eating and taking, What could one expect?

"Not that." He denied, shaking his head. "He had issues at home." He told her once again.

She raised her brows but didn't immediately comment as he was still looking at Dylan. Turning to him she whispered, "Abuse at home?"

"Yeah, we patch him up sometimes. He's been saving money and he's going to move where he gets admission."

"His grades?" She asked.

"Good, well above average. He avoids talking in class and teachers understand that." He shrugged, "It's an unspoken understanding." That means the teachers knew too but then, why were they not doing anything? They could easily report it.

"But why can't he leave?" Adeline whispered. Her heart genuinely ached for him.

"He has a little brother and after eighteen he can claim custody. Which is around graduation and till then, he's getting money saved." He sighed as his shoulders sank, "The evidence would be provided then in court and the custody would go to him directly."

"So he is just waiting and then with evidence he can claim custody and won't be separated from his brother," Adeline said as she watched him leave with Elizabeth. "He has a plan." She was impressed with his thinking. He could have just packed up and left.

"He does," Xavier repeated. "He might agree, might not. But he won't promise her anything for the future."

"That is very thoughtful of him." She smiled, not promising her future was the least he could do. After all, he wasn't sure where he'd end up and especially with a bag in his hands.

"You know," leaning in he purred into her ear. "I have always wanted to make out in a school closet." He smirked.

Adeline blushed hard as she looked at him. He had looked away as if said with he just had the intentions of teasing her and not carrying it out. That only made her do it more. Looking at him up and down she stood up and started packing the stuff.

"Hey, I was joking." He panicked a bit on seeing her standing up and walking out on him. "I am serious. I didn't mean for you to—"

"Don't care River boy, we are making out in a closet." She winked and dragged him inside the school.

It was time to get a little wild.