I grinned. “Only one way to find out.”
We fell into a tentative, dance-pop-filled rhythm. Occasionally, Kira glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, still a little wary. But we stayed side by side, cleaning the entire classroom until the sun rose the next morning.
9
KIRA/LANDON
The Burrow Bitches
Britney: i saw on the news that the CCC was vandalized??
Ariadne: Not sure what’s more shocking, the vandalization or that you watch the news.
Macey: The vandalization, of course.
Ariadne: It wasn’t a serious…Never mind. I hope it’ll be okay, Kira.
Kira: We got through a lot of the cleanup. Just waiting for the windows and doors to be replaced.
Kira
I hesitated outside Xavier’s door for longer than I’d like to admit, staring at the faded black paint and the dent near the handle from God-knows-what night. My fingers hovered, curling and uncurling as I tried tosteady the whirlwind in my chest. Anger, confusion, and dread swirled together like a storm cloud pressing against my ribs.
Part of me hoped he wasn’t home. The other part—the more betrayed part—needed him to answer. I needed to see his face when I asked.
I knocked. Two sharp raps. No turning back now.
The door opened after a few seconds, and Xavier blinked at me like he’d just woken up.
“Kira?” Confused, he stepped aside, still shirtless, boxers and sweats hanging low on his hips. “Didn’t think I’d see you today. You should’ve texted.”
I walked in without saying anything. His place smelled like stale smoke, takeout, and that woodsy cologne he always overused—the one I used to like. Now it made my stomach twist.
“We need to talk.” My voice didn’t shake. Something to be proud of, at least.
He raised an eyebrow, scratching the back of his neck. “What’s going on?”
I turned to face him, arms crossed tight over my chest like armor. “Was it you?”
Xavier sat down on the couch, crossing one leg over the other. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Someone broke into the CCC and vandalized the art classroom this weekend.” I stepped closer to meet his gaze.
His eyes widened for a half second, but I saw it. Then he laughed like I’d accused him of stealing a spaceship.
“What? No. Kira, seriously?”
“I got texts from you that night.” I pulled out my phone and scrolled until I found them, then held it up like proof in a courtroom. “‘This is a fucking joke.’ ‘Fine crawl back to your ex.’ You don’t remember sending those?”
Yeah. Getting those text messages that night wasn’t fun. NowI had no idea how to respond. Call Xavier and try to figure out what was going on? Text him back and get into an argument?
In the end, I settled on going to bed. Then Mary called just as I was about to drift off.
I didn’t immediately suspect Xavier of the vandalization. I wanted to believe he wasn’t capable of doing something like that. It wasn’t until today, when I remembered something I said to Xavier that could have prompted the unhinged behavior.
As long as there is a CCC, I will be there, and so will Landon.
He groaned and rubbed his face. “Okay, yeah, I was drunk. I was still pissed at the thought of the two of you. But I didn’t actually do anything.”
