Her lips felt swollen.  Swollen, like someone, had punched them hard or in this case, kissed them. Adeline was still red as a tomato, keeping her head down and she let her hair cover her face, she kept on eating her food.

She could feel the mother and son duo, looking at her and sharing looks. ​​

“Do you want more darling?” Cassandra asked holding up the chicken in front of her plate.

“Oh no, I’m full already.” She tried to deny as politely as possible. After that kiss, no thank you. I can’t possibly digest anything.

“Nonsense child. You’re all skin and bones! Here take some!” She said after taking two large scoops of the chicken and putting it on Adeline’s plate.

“Some…” She whispered looking down at her plate. How could more than half of her plate covered in the kitchen be considered some? Xavier let a laugh slip out as he watched her dejected expression but looked down as Cassandra shot him a look. 

“So, I heard from some Bridie that you two are dating!” She squealed happily.

Bridie? Didn’t Xavier tell her? She frowned. Was he hiding them?

“Yes, Cassy, we are.” She took her name as she had been instructed to do so.

“Well, I hope you’re going to the game then! He’s the quarterback!” She happily clapped her hands. “It took lots of hours of practice but he made it. His father and brother had him up and running at 5 am every morning and when he came back, he used to be dead tired and slept on the porch.”

“You didn’t need to tell her that.” He groaned covering his face.

“I’m glad she did,” Adeline replied with a cheeky smile. “On the porch? You could have at least climbed the stairs.”

“Stairs? Do you know that Dad and Alexander used to travel by car and made me run back and forth! If that’s not enough, I had one bottle of water whereas they had so many!” He looked like a child complaining about everything that was not going his way. Adeline laughed more looking at him talk.

The rest of the evening went by smoothly. They talked and ate nice food. For once, Adeline was eating food that had everything right because she and her father were not perfect chefs.

Xavier walked her back and Cassey gave her some chicken for her father as well. She was sure that he would it.

“Are you okay being alone?” Xavier questioned. He was going around her house and checking if the windows and doors were bolted shut or not.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She shrugged, making herself some cardamom milk. “It’s not the first time and trusts me, he calls and checks in every half an hour.”

“That’s good,” he muttered. “Hey, I know that you and I are not that into our relationship since we came into one yesterday but would you like to wear my Jersey?”

That was sudden and she had not expected that. “Um, what if I spill something over it? I’m a clumsy ninja turtle and it would spoil the jersey.” Okay, truth be told, it was a little early for that.

He nodded staring into her eyes. “Oh, it’s fine. You won’t be the first one to spill anything over it.” He laughed it off.

First one?

Who spilt that first then? A girlfriend, a friend with benefits? And what did she spill? Milkshake, coke, juice or semen?

“But I’m going to shop for a top and then it would be a waste.” She mumbled. “Plus, honestly, it’s been a day since we came into a relationship.” She didn’t mind saying that now or if it hurt his feelings.

“I understand.” He didn’t but the punching bag would feel his wrath.

“Do you want me to stay? Till your father comes?” He enquired.

“Oh no! You have to sleep early. Your mum said that the coach doesn’t let you miss classes instead he calls you early and lets you guys leave late. So you rest as much as you can.”

Xavier’s heart jumped a bit. She cared. Even though it was a genuine concern, he felt over the top.

He came to her and kissed her lips softly. Lingering them a bit, he kept them on top of hers, enjoying the intimacy. “Goodnight, girlfriend. Dream about me.”

“Oh I would,” she said and then woke up. “Have a good night, I mean.” She blushed.

He nodded and smiled and left to the front door. “Lock it behind me.” He said.

Adeline rolled her eyes. He is so much like her dad on this. She locked the door and heard him pull at it. “Good. Now I am assuming that your father has the key, so don’t open it for anyone!” She heard him yell through the door.

Nope, he is worse than dad.