CHAPTER 15: JUST HANG IN THERE, I'M HERE FOR YOU

As Viveria returned to her seat, she found Dew pretty drunk and flirting with a very serious Jackie. They both had such contrary personalities but yet somehow, Viveria often feels that both Dew and Jackie may end up being more than friends.

Coming back to reality, Viveria remembered how close she had been with Xavier a few minutes back. She started to get her heart beating faster. Again!

However, suddenly someone hugged Viveria from behind. It was Daniel.

Daniel: So, I know this is a party for Dew, but I just wanted to say that I'm very proud of you Vive. You are always a fighter and though I don't often say this to you, but you do mean the world to me.

Viveria gave Daniel a warm smile. She knew, these were the moments which she were grateful for. Daniel always had her back. These moments mean the world to her.

As, they started to go back to their homes, Daniel had first dropped Jackie and Dew home.

Viveria was enjoying today's night so much! She just didn't know why she was feeling so happy but she also knew whenever, she feels too happy, it is also a sign that, she will soon feel too sad as well.

Daniel, understanding Viveria's mood suddenly took a turn opposite to the direction of Viveria's house. Viveria realizing what Daniel was doing, looked at him confused.

Viveria: Dan, it's already midnight. I'm too tired for a long drive. Let's just go home? Plus I'm pretty sure even you are very tired.

Daniel: Who said I'm taking you on a long drive? I'm taking you to someplace even better. A place which is bound to release you of all your fatigue.

As, Viveria started to guess the place, Daniel had already stopped the car. Looking outside her window, Viveria saw it was Julie's Ice cream Parlor, an instant radiant smile spread across Viveria's face.

Daniel was lost. He loved to see that smile on Viveria's face.

Daniel (intentionally trying to make Viveria confess exactly how happy she is) : So, if you are really tired to go in, then I guess we can come some other day?

Viveria ( suddenly pouting at Daniel, making a baby face which she pulls off only when she wants something from Daniel) : How can you do this to me? Let's go in! I can't wait to try my favorite butterscotch sundae. Even if some day I were to die, I would better eat an ice cream first.

Daniel ( suddenly turning serious) : How many times have I told you not to say things about death so casually? You never get it do you?

Viveria ( realizing she joked with the wrong guy) : Hey, Dan, I'm so sorry. I forgot that you don't like the death jokes. Please forgive me?

Daniel did forgive Viveria and as they entered the parlor. Daniel, as always internally prayed that someday, he would buy Viveria a whole brand of ice cream, rather than her talking about it as her dying wish. Someday, maybe he would be capable enough to do that.

At Julie's Ice Cream Parlor...

Viveria and Daniel were having a great time enjoying their ice cream and discussing about the latest books they were reading.

That's when someone entered.

It was Xavier!

Xavier went straight to the counter and ordered his favorite chocolate fudge ice cream. As, he was about to sit down to enjoy his ice cream, he noticed Viveria and Daniel, laughing hard on some joke they had just shared.

Xavier (internally) : God! This was the last thing he needs right now. He had just come to get an ice cream, why was he suddenly feeling like throwing the same ice cream on Daniel?

Controlling his urges, Xavier decided, he would rather go home and finish his ice cream. After all, it's natural that Viveria would be having ice cream with Daniel, so late at night and not him. God! They were merely 'just friends'. So why was it, that he is suddenly feeling like he should have been there sitting with Viveria instead of Daniel?

Xavier left the ice cream parlor feeling conflicted and uneasy. He glanced back and saw Viveria for one last time and turned around and got inside his red Ferrari.

The Next Day, at Walstrom High School....

As the classes continued at full length. It was announced that the date, for the final examination for the final year graduating students were to be held earlier. So the pre tests were to start from the coming week and everybody must be prepared for their final mock tests.

In Daniel and Dew's classroom...

Dew: Great, this is exactly why I say that I have such bad luck! Now, I not only have to get ready for the Interschool Fashion Fest but also for our mock tests? I'm surely failing. I am anyways gonna fail, so I'm not studying.

Daniel ( giving Dew, a serious look) : We both know that there is someone who would never let you do as you want? You seriously are in a fix, I admit but what I'm looking forward to see is how much you are going to get slapped around by Vive, during our group study sessions.

Daniel gave Dew a smirk and Dew, in return was about to launch on Daniel. However, Daniel swiftly moved aside and Dew feel flat on his face.

Daniel ( giving a laugh) : You really should save that face of yours. Otherwise, who knows you might just lose your face not only at the exams but also for the Fashion Fest!

As Dew again attacked Daniel and they both started to fight, the teacher entered and gave both of them an earful for their childish behavior.

At Viveria's classroom...

Jackie: Dude, how can they suddenly prepone the exams? Like don't they have any other work? I'm telling you examinations should be declared as a violation against student's welfare! This is so unfair! Vi, I'm so gonna fail! I'll be able to graduate.

Viveria ( giving Jackie a small nudge to bring her back from panicking) : It's just mock exams now, this pretest will help us to understand which areas we should work on. I'm not saying that I'm too happy for the exams, but I really feel that we should be aware of our weaknesses, before the finals begin.

Jackie giving Viveria an unbelievable look.

Jackie : You know I love you Vi, but these are the times when I really hate you! You are such a perfect student!

Viveria ( giving Jackie a laugh) : Don't worry. I know that! Anyways you guys have me and Daniel. After school today, let's meet up with the guys and arrange a group study session. I'll text Dan.

As Viveria sent the text, there was suddenly a mass of students running through the corridor.

As both Viveria and Jackie became curious, they heard someone saying that there was a fight going on between the Derozio brother's at the Boy's Locker Room. According to the word of mouth, Xavier had hit Drake and now both the brothers are intensely fighting with each other.

Viveria immediately stood up, she took Jackie's arm and started to walk slowly but steadily towards the boy's locker room.

Jackie: Woah! Slow down Vi, why are we going there? It's not like we can stop two guys fighting?

Viveria : I just don't know why Jackie, I'm having a bad feeling about this.

Jackie : And here we go again! Bad feeling... Bad feeling! Why don't you just say that you are worried Xavier might be hurt?

Viveria ignoring Jackie's statement started to walk faster.

She wanted to know what suddenly happened, that made Xavier hit Drake. Though Xavier is the famous guy of the school, he was rarely rumored to be involved in fights. Viveria was just feeling that there is more to the story. Plus, she really hoped that Xavier would be okay.

At the Boy's Locker Room...

Xavier and Drake were on the floor. Drake had a firm hand around Xavier's neck and Xavier was trying to remove the hand and was struggling to get free.

As the other boys were trying to intervene to stop them, Drake was shouting at them to ' Back off!' Nobody dared to stop them. Actually no one really cared that much.

As the fight intensified. Xavier had released himself from Drake's grip and was now on top of Drake showering him with punches.

To the surprise of everyone around, Xavier had tears in his eyes!

As Viveria reached the scene, she saw Xavier crying while brutally hitting Drake. No one dared to take a step, they had never seen Xavier like this.

However, though it was not her place to say anything and Viveria knew she shouldn't intervene. She just couldn't stop herself!

Viveria ( cautiously taking a step towards Xavier) : Xavier? Stop!

As blood started to ooze out of Drake's mouth, one of the students said that the teacher's were having a meeting and they are all coming, any minute now.

Everybody started to go back to their classes, no one wants to be a part of the punishment the brothers would receive. As the crowd dissipated, Jackie, pulled Viveria by the arm.

Viveria, did not move an inch. She was just staring at a crying Xavier.

Jackie: Vi, Come on! We will be scolded for not being in class. Just let them be.

Viveria (shoved Jackie's hand) : You go. I can't just leave like this! I should do something.

Viveria took another step towards Xavier and shouted loudly but in a calm voice: Xavier! Stop! You will kill him! Please, Just stop.

It was as if Xavier had finally heard Viveria that he stopped his punch midair, Drake was semi conscious and was covered in blood.

As Viveria, saw Xavier not letting go of the bloody fist and trying hard to control himself. She went closer and just touched his shoulder lightly.

Viveria ( slowly and softly whispered) : It's okay. You are gonna be fine. Just please stop, Xavier!

Xavier turned around with tears streaming down his eyes. He looked at Viveria as if she was his last resort. Someone, he was desperately asking for help! His eyes were red and they were piercing through Viveria's soul!

Viveria felt her heart breaking, she had never imagined this version of Xavier. This is why she wanted to help him, not because she had feelings for him but because she could feel the immense amount of pain Xavier was in and thus the uncontrollable rage. She got how it feels. Xavier was triggered by something and just lost it. However, she, as his friend, wouldn't let him give into his anger. She will help him, no matter what!

As the teacher's came right at this moment and pulled both the boy's apart. Two of the male teachers supported Drake, to take him to the infirmary and one of the teachers pulled Xavier by the collar.

As one of the female teachers looked at Viveria, she understood that Viveria had been just watching the fight and had probably tried to stop it. The teacher motioned both Jackie and Viveria to go back to their class.

Viveria watched helplessly as Xavier was being taken away by the teacher. She felt, she had been wrong about Xavier from the start. He wasn't the bad guy here. There are actually no bad guys, it's just that everyone has their own share of demons to deal with and today she had seen Xavier at his weakest.

As Viveria and Jackie went back to class, everybody started giving Viveria weird looks.

At Viveria's classroom..

Some started to whisper, that the brothers may have been fighting for Viveria. Others said that Viveria was Xavier's girlfriend. Some started to say that Viveria just wanted to stop the fight. While, others claimed that she just wanted to show off her skills as the head of the school.

As Jackie, slowly touched Viveria's shoulder. She felt as if Viveria was troubled and lost.

Jackie: Hey! Only I saw what you did back there. It's okay. I'm so proud of you Vi.

Viveria ( still seemed pretty lost in thought, replied unmindfully) : Yeah! I hope I was able to help him. Xavier is definitely hiding something.

Jackie ( realizing exactly the thing by which Viveria was distracted, calmly kept a hand on Viveria's shoulder) : We all hide something Vi, it's human nature! What you did back there was really brave of you. But, now, stop thinking about it and focus in class. We will go to the infirmary later and check up on Xavier.

Viveria calming down, gave Jackie a nod.

She would find out, what had made Xavier react like that.

As, the teacher entered and continued to teach. Viveria was still pretty perturbed.

She couldn't get over those eyes which were filled with so many emotions. Xavier had looked so vulnerable and weak. Maybe she was just feeling too bad because she had feelings for him.

But then why was it that Viveria now felt like, she wanted to be the person who would calm Xavier down? Why was she feeling that she would save Xavier from his own dark thoughts? Why is she feeling that even if there would never be any relationship between them, she would still have his back.

Was Viveria falling in love more deeply without her knowledge? Would Xavier share his issues with her?

More importantly aren't they already in some kind of a relationship?