The bully's redemption

A loud bang echoed through the hallway, sharp and sudden, breaking the morning's stillness. Laura's steps faltered, her gaze narrowing toward Xavier's room. Concern flickered across her face as she approached the door, knocking lightly. "Xavier, honey, what was that noise? Are you okay?" Her voice was calm, yet laced with maternal intuition—the kind that sensed trouble before it was confessed.

Inside, Xavier stood rigid, his fingers gripping the edge of the desk as if grounding himself. His heartbeat thundered in his ears, louder than the knock. "Yes, Mom. I'm fine. Nothing's wrong," he said quickly, his voice tight, forced.

Laura's hand lingered on the doorknob, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "Are you sure?" she pressed, leaning slightly closer to the door, trying to catch a glimpse through the narrow gap.

Xavier shifted his weight, his jaw tightening as he forced himself to stay calm. "Yes, Mom. I'm sure. There's nothing in here," he repeated, each word deliberate, his hand hovering near the doorknob, ready to slam it shut if necessary.

Laura hesitated, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Perhaps… there's someone?" Her tone was light, playful, but her eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Xavier's pulse spiked. He inhaled sharply, his grip tightening on the desk. "Mom, stop it!" he snapped, stepping closer to the door, his broad frame now a barrier. "Don't go in there. You'll make her uncomfortable."

Laura's smile deepened, victory twinkling in her eyes. "So, there is someone," she teased, her voice carrying that undeniable motherly triumph. "Who is she?"

Outside, Kamsi pressed herself against the wall, her breath shallow. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her shirt, the tension radiating through her trembling hands. Every muscle in her body seemed to buzz with nervous energy. Please don't let her find me, she pleaded silently, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Who is she?" Laura asked again, her tone soft but persistent.

"No one," Xavier muttered, his voice dropping lower, the tension rolling off him in waves. His eyes flicked toward the balcony, weighing his options. He considered making Kamsi jump over to the other side, but dismissed the thought—she wouldn't dare. "Mom, can you do me a favor?" His voice sharpened, desperate to change the subject.

Laura raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "A favor? Hm, what kind of favor?"

Minutes later, Laura found herself at the Chibuike residence. Felicia, dressed for work with her briefcase in hand, opened the door, surprised to see Laura. "Oh, Laura! What a surprise. I wasn't expecting you."

Laura's smile was warm, though a spark of mischief danced beneath the surface. "I thought we could have a little chat. Maybe as we walk out?"

Felicia nodded, locking the door behind her. As they walked down the street, Laura handed over a small gift, her mind replaying the morning's events. So it's kamsi...The realization brought a quiet thrill. This wasn't just any girl—it was someone important enough for Xavier to protect. She couldn't help but wonder: Is something happening between them? The thought filled her with unexpected excitement.

Felicia's voice broke her thoughts. "And Kamsi? She's probably still in bed," she said with a smile.

Laura's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Oh, I'm sure she's around," she murmured, her tone layered with meaning. They continued walking, their voices fading into the distance.

At the window, Xavier stood motionless, watching the two women disappear down the street. His tense posture eased, a slow grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "You can come out now," he said, turning to face the room. "They're gone."

Kamsi stepped out from behind the curtain, her face flushed, her eyes wide with lingering anxiety. She exhaled deeply, her chest rising and falling as relief washed over her. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice breathy and strained.

Xavier gestured toward the table, his eyes lingering on her a moment longer. "There's some food if you're hungry."

Kamsi shook her head, offering a small, shaky smile. "No, thanks. I'll eat at home." She moved quickly toward the door, pausing briefly, then glanced back at him. Her lips parted as if to say something but closed again. Without another word, she slipped out.

Xavier's eyes followed her, his smirk widening. Her nervous, guarded demeanor was gone, replaced by a trace of something softer. Scaredy cat, he thought with amusement, the grin lingering as he leaned back against the door, savoring the aftermath.

---

Zendaya's footsteps echoed across the tiled floor as she paced, her arms tightly crossed over her chest. Her jaw clenched, and her teeth pressed together in frustration. This can't be happening. She shot a sharp glare at Damon, her voice low but trembling with restrained fury.

"Oh my freaking gosh, Damon, this can't be happening."

Damon leaned against the wall, rubbing the back of his neck, his usual easy grin nowhere in sight. He lifted his hands in a calming gesture. "Girl, calm down. I doubt anything happened."

Her eyes narrowed, shooting daggers in his direction. "You doubt? Hopefully, I'm leaving." She spun around, aiming for the door.

But Damon's arm shot out, blocking her path. "Wait, no, you can't leave."

She stopped, eyes blazing, her heartbeat quickening. "And why is that?" Her voice was cold, daring him to come up with a good reason.

Damon hesitated, his fingers brushing through his hair as if searching for the right words. His usual confidence faltered under the weight of her glare. "Because... because my parents are home."

Zendaya's eyes widened, and her breath hitched. She took a step back, clutching her forehead as the realization sank in. "Oh my gosh, Damon! Why would you bring me to your house when your parents are home?"

Damon shifted uneasily, his gaze darting away. "Forgive me. It's not my fault. I was drunk... we both were."

Her fists tightened at her sides. "Drunk or not, this is a disaster. So, what do I do now? Is there another exit I can use without them seeing me?" Panic simmered beneath her frustration, though she tried to keep it from showing.

Damon exhaled deeply, avoiding her gaze as he rubbed the nape of his neck. "Well, there is... but it'll look bad. And, uh—" He hesitated, his voice dropping. "I need a favor from you."

Zendaya froze, her brow furrowing. She stared at him for a long, silent moment, her lips pressed into a tight line. His hesitation made her uneasy.

"And what is it?" she finally asked, her voice quiet but firm, bracing for whatever ridiculous idea he had.

Damon's lips curved into a nervous, almost apologetic smile. He scratched behind his ear and looked at her sheepishly. "I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend... just until they leave."

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and for a second, she just stared at him, blinking rapidly. Then she laughed, a short, incredulous sound, shaking her head. "You can't be serious."

"I wish I wasn't," Damon said, his voice softer now, his eyes meeting hers. "But if they see you sneaking out... it's going to look worse than you think. Just a few minutes. Please?"

Her breath hitched, her pulse thudding in her ears. His gaze was earnest, almost vulnerable, a rare sight beneath his usual cocky exterior. The intensity in his eyes made her chest tighten unexpectedly. Why does he care so much ?

She swallowed hard, glancing away to hide the warmth creeping into her cheeks. "Fine," she muttered. "But just this once. Don't think I'm doing this because I like you or anything."

A flicker of amusement danced in Damon's eyes, and the corner of his mouth lifted into that familiar smirk. "Of course not. It's strictly business," he said, but his tone hinted at something else, something that made her skin tingle.

Zendaya huffed, crossing her arms again to regain control. "Let's just get this over with before I change my mind."

Damon nodded, stepping back and offering her a reassuring grin. "Thanks, Zendaya. You're saving my life."

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small, reluctant smile tugging at her lips. He's lucky I'm considering this.

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