Chapter 25

I snapped my head away from Xander and glared at him as his hand fell back down on the bed.

"Why are you here?" I asked in return.

He breathed out slowly, not breaking eye contact with me. "Car accident," he said, simply. "But again, what about you?"

"What happened, Xander?" I asked. "I thought something was up when you didn't show up to class and wouldn't answer my text."

"Sounds like you were worried about me then," he said, a small smirk appearing on his lips.

"Everyone was," I told him, glaring. "But now that I'm here, are you going to tell me what happened?"

He brought his arm up to his forehead, rubbing it with his hand as if he was frustrated.

"Quit talking," he sighed. "I have a headache."

"Did you hit your head?" I asked, instinctively leaning closer to the bed to look at him.

"Probably," he said.

"Probably?" I repeated after him.

"I don't remember, Jasper," he replied. "Jeez."

"Sorry," I mumbled, turning my gaze to the ground as Xander leaned further back in bed and closed his eyes. I glanced back up at him and thought to myself, "Well, jeez. Had I known he'd be sleeping the whole time, I wouldn't have bothered coming here."

But then my mind said something to me that I would have rather not heard.

You came because you were worried.

I sighed before pushing back the chair I sat in to stand as it creaked against the floor, figuring Xander seemed to be okay.

Without opening his eyes, Xander's deep voice sounded as I stood. "Where are you going?"

I was slightly startled at the sound of his voice as I replied, "You're sleeping."

"And?" he questioned, slowly reopening his eyes as he placed his hands behind his head.

"I'm not going to sit here and watch you sleep. That's weird," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Just stay," he said, shortly, causing me to raise my eyebrow at him.

"Okay..." I said, slowly. I pulled back the chair I previously sat in and lowered myself on it, watching Xander as he tried to push himself up on his bed, causing his face to crunch in pain.

My hand shot out to grab his arm as I slowly pulled him up into the position he was trying to get himself in.

"You're hurt," I said, releasing him.

"No shit," he said. "All I know is my car was hit from the side. I probably have some broken ribs," he breathed.

"Shit," I said. "That's gonna hurt like hell."

"That's why you're going to help me with whatever I need," he replied, a small smile growing on his lips.

"Me? What could I possibly do for you?" I asked as I resisted to tell him that he was being ridiculous.

"You can start by moving my hair so it's not going in my eyes," he said.

I frowned at him. "You have arms, Xander. I saw you raise them before."

"Yeah, and it fucking hurts when I move them," he responded. "But my hair is seriously irritating me right now."

I sighed as I stared at him, debating whether or not I should get up. But, I knew the guy was in pain and figured I should at least help him out a bit.

And so, I stood from my chair and leaned over to Xander's bed, reaching my hand out to his forehead. His light green eyes followed mine, as my fingers traced across his forehead, moving his dark hair to the side. His eyes stayed on mine, and I found myself lost in them as my breath caught in my throat.

He then rose his own hand, sliding his warm fingers into mine, sending shocks up my arms. It surprised me as my eyes widened.

"I thought you couldn't raise your arms, you bastard," I hissed, becoming embarrassed for falling for his stupid trick. I tried to pull my hand away, but Xander held on tightly.

"Xander," I said. "Let go."

"Sit down," he replied, bringing our hands down to the bed. "And then I'll release you."

I complied with what he said, hoping he would release me, but I really should have known he wouldn't. He simply adjusted his hand in mine, sending another wave of warmth through me.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked, raising our arms up in order to show him our clasped hands.

"Because I want to?" he said in a questioning tone.

"My god," I sighed again.

Xander immediately grinned, and my heart skipped a beat as it always seemed to do when he smiled. It was these moments that just made him look so innocent, and as much as I didn't want to admit, cute.

"Smile Jasper," his deep voice told me.

"What? Why?" I asked, purposely pursing my lips.

"Like you did that one time," he said. "I've only seen you really smile like that once."

"And?" I asked. "My goal in life is not to please you with my smiles."

He rolled his eyes, making me smirk.

"Just smile, you big idiot," he said.

"You're calling me an-" I started.

"It's attractive, Jasper," he cut me off.

My face instantly grew hot and I knew that it was flushed. Xander took one look at me and bursted out in laughter, clutching his side as it hurt him as he laughed.

"Dude," he said in between laughs. "You're fucking blushing."

I took the opportunity to rip my hand away from his and angled my head to the ground.

"Quit laughing," I mumbled. "It's the first time I've heard that from someone."

He raised his eyebrows. "Do you not smile at anyone? I'm sure they'd all say the same thing."

"I do," I shot. "But nobody has ever said anything."

Xander's smile stayed spread on his face as he watched me. "So I'm the first one to tell you?"

"I guess," I muttered, looking into his eyes.

Xander didn't speak and just leaned back in bed again. I thought about leaving, and apparently Xander did too because he spoke up shortly after.

"Is Hayden picking you up?" he asked.

"No," I said. "I took the bus here so I'll just take it back."

His eyes widened and he laughed. "You really are an idiot."

"You dare to say that again?" I asked, glaring at him.

"The buses aren't running anymore," he told me. "It's too late."

"What?" I practically yelled.

Xander kept laughing. "Well, there's no helping it."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Helping what?"

He grinned before opening his arms.

"C'mere."

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