Victor? How could he come here? Wasn't he on the board till yesterday? He talked to me and yes, he did say, we'll meet soon but isn't he taking that too seriously?

He ran to me and took me in his arms. It's been a year that we saw each other.

We became friends when they were our neighbors. His dad got to move because of his job but we stayed in touch. They were still in the same city, so we used to play together but in middle-high school, Victor went to live with his uncle and we got next to none chance to see each other. But still, our friendship didn't get affected by it.

He is still my safe place. One time I remember, it was just 5 months of my parent's death, my uncle-aunt came to live with me, that day aunt pushed me because I wanted my teddy bear which Rita has taken from my room, without my permission. But Aunt didn't listen to me and pushed me, at the same time Victor entered the house and saw everything.

He literally twisted Rita's hand and take away the teddy. He was so angry that he told my Aunt to not behave like these all things are yours. You are just working for her.

I didn't like it back then so I scolded Victor but even after insulting him, he didn't leave me. He just frowned. And now I understand how correct he was back then.

Xavier is the same as him. They both saw what I didn't in my family. They both have an understanding of what is wrong and what is right.

"You know what I feel, I think you should just go and have a serious conversation. You both have lots of things uncleared." He said.

"What should I say to him? And what will he tell me? We really have nothing to talk about. Tomorrow I will just pretend that I saw nothing." I said with a sigh.

"You are making it hard for him to fill this gap between you two. You think pretending that nothing happened will make everything okay." He said frustrated and then continued.

"It will make you angry at him, you will be conscious around him, you will not trust him, you will get irritated and think how much he could take of your shit. In the end, you will loose who, I think cares for you as much as I do. That says a lot." He said in defeat.

"Nothing like that will happen. I am not that immature to take out my anger on him." I said.

"Let's see." He said.

"It's almost dark. Let's go." I said.

"Hmmm. I will take you home. I heard my stupid brother is in the hospital." He said while getting up.

Actually, I didn't tell him about that part. He didn't know that his brother is in that condition because of Xavier. I told him that Xavier beat up a guy because he was planning to do something bad to me. I didn't go into detail.

"Yes. I heard that too. Let's go fast." I tried to change the topic. I don't usually lie to him.

We reached home. He left after seeing me enter the door. He always does that. He has been overprotective over me since we were in school years ago.

I saw all four of my family were sitting on the dining table and having a good time. It's been long since I saw them all eat together.

I already had so much in the Cafè that I didn't bother them. I went up directly to my room.

I got ready for the bed and just lay down on the bed. I thought about what Victor told me.

Should I really just tell him how I felt when I saw them together? Or ask him how he feels... But he feels nothing romantic about me. It will be so embarrassing if he said he just thinks of me as a friend.

I buried my face in the pillow and went to sleep. I decided not to think too much. I will deal with it when the time comes.

**********

I woke up with a very lazy mood and body. I didn't even want to go to the bathroom but I dragged myself in there.

After almost eternity I came out. I wore a sweatshirt and a loose pair of jeans. I made a messy bun on top of my head.

When I exit the house I planned to not see or talk to anyone because I was not in the mood.

"Why are you looking like a zombie in the morning?" Asked none other than my stupid old friend.

"What the hell are you doing here in the morning Vic? Don't you have a bed to sleep in? It is too early for you to bully me." I asked him as nicely as I could.

"Good morning bunny. I am here to drop you at your school. You are too dull for a young girl." He said.

"You are too energetic for an old hag." I retort. I dodged his arms, which wanted to crush me into a hug, and opened the car door and sat in.

"I am serious, why do you look dead? And what's with this begger look you are pulling off." He asked.

"How sweet of you." I said with a fake smile.

"Are you on your periods? You are PMSing." He asked curiously.

"Shut up Vic otherwise I will kick you out of the car." I said putting my head on the car's windowsill.

"Just in case you have forgotten this beauty is mine." He said touching his car's dashboard.

Why boys are so freaks? If they could, they would marry their own cars.

"Whatever." I replied indifferently.

"Okay. To lift your mood. I have good news for you." Victor said with seriousness.

"What?" I asked.

"I decided how to punish Marcus." He said.

"What? Why would you... Oh, so you found out. Who told you?" I asked. I didn't want him to find out.

"He told me himself. The second I said that I came after meeting you, he started saying sorry. I knew something is the matter so I kept quiet and he told me saying it was just a joke. But before he could say more I kicked him out of the bed. Why did you not tell me that he was the one who made that bet on you and it was Marcus who got beaten by Xavier? I kinda like this Xavier of your." He said with a faint smile.

"You should not have hit your brother. He already thinks that I manipulate you." I told him.

"Shut up. He deserved that." He said pulling the car into our parking. He got out and came to my side.

"What are you doing? Just leave now." I said pushing him.

"I am dropping you." He said.

"You already have dropped me now leave." I said hurriedly.

"Why? I want to meet your friends. Especially one of them." He said wiggling his eyebrows.

"No. You won't..." I was telling him to leave.

"Anna." Someone shouted from behind.

I slowly turned to look, it was kate. With her were David and him.

I just saw them coming towards us. I didn't dare to look in Xavier's eyes.

Victor suddenly put his arm on my waist. I looked at him confused.

I was not uncomfortable but Victor doesn't usually do that.

"Who is he?" Asked Kate.

"I am Victor."

"Even his name sounds like a Villain." Xavier whispered but we all heard it. I think he wanted to be heard.

"You must be Xavier. I heard you injured my brother Marcus." When Vic said that shock could be seen on everyone's face.

After that many things happened suddenly. Xavier took hold of Victor's arm which was on my waist. Xavier twist his arm and pulled me away from Vic to himself. Then he let it go and side hugged me.

"You have the nerve to show up in here. But don't you dare your dirty hand on my...friend." He said 'friend' after a long pause.

It irritated me to no end.

I am just a friend and always will be. And if that is so then why he does these things to confuse me?

I struggled to get out of his arms but his grip tightened.

"What the hell Xavier. Who do you think you are?" I shouted at him. He looked at me a little shocked.

"Anna, I was just..." He tried to say something but I had enough of his nonsense.

"You don't even understand what you do or what you want? You will beat anyone you want. You will hug anyone you want and even kiss anyone. But I am not someone who will let you do whatever you want. So, Xavier, let me go." I struggled again to get away from him and this time he let me.

"Anna calm down. You will regret it later." Vic tried to calm me but Xavier interrupted in between.

"You, stay out of it. It is between her and me." Xavier said to Victor.

"No Xavier, you need to behave. He is not someone you can beat and your dad will save you. He is a Naval officer. So you better behave." I reminded him.

After saying that I regret it. I should not have brought his dad in between.

I looked at him. He looked very hurt. He put his hands in his jeans' pockets.

"I am leaving first." With that, he left but not inside of the school but out of the gate.

When I saw him leaving, an unknown pain set in my heart. The guilty feeling was eating me.

I looked at his retreating back and fear surrounded me.

Did I... Did I loose him forever ever?