Chapter Thirty Seven.
One Week Later.
It had been a week since the whole video leaking incident, and Zealand was still going through a tidal wave of emotions. Not because of Hailey, but because of Xavia. He felt terrible for never taking her word. She was right about Hailey the whole time, yet he was too caught up on the simple fact that he actually had a girlfriend to even notice. After being single since he was fresh out of the womb, Zealand felt like he was on top of the world when he began dating Hailey. Now, he felt like his whole world had came crashing down.
According to the gossip that floated around the halls from other students, Hailey now went to an alternative school targeted for troubled teens that was in another part of the city. Zee didn't care where Hailey was, as long as she was far away from him. The distraught girl had attempted to call and text her ex boyfriend many times, yet Zealand had blocked her number and her social media accounts. The photos they had taken together all got deleted from his camera roll, as well as off of his Instagram. He wanted no ties or dealings with her.
When school let out for the day, Xavia walked to her car as she usually did. With her eyes glued to her phone, she didn't notice Zealand standing next to the vehicle. Xavi finally looked up, and almost shitted bricks.
"Oh my god!" She exclaimed, clutching her chest. A sigh then left her lips when she realized it was Zee who was standing there. "You scared the hell out of me." Xavia told him, trying to catch her breath.
"My bad." He said.
"Why are you by my car?" She questioned, pressing the unlock button on her remote.
Zealand stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I just wanted to let you know that I'm sorry. I put Hailey before you, and I shouldn't have. Over the past few days, I've been taking some time to just sit back and think. All of this could've been avoided if I would have gotten to know her more instead of jumping to get into a relationship. Everybody's true colors eventually come out." He said, staring at Xavia.
She shifted her weight from leg to leg, looking down at the concrete beneath her feet. Xavi knew she couldn't stay mad at him forever, in fact she didn't want to. But, she was still going to stand her ground.
"Zealand, I really don't appreciate how you came at me the other day." She told him sternly.
"I know, and trust me, it's been eating me up inside. I truly am sorry, Xavi." Zee told her, moving closer to her slightly.
Xavia sighed, sucking her teeth. "Fine. You're forgiven." She said. Though she forgave him, that didn't mean they were back to being buddy-buddy. She was about to make him earn his 'friend' title back.
"Thank you." He smiled, opening his arms and leaning in to hug her. Xavia quickly dodged his hug, which caused him to frown.
"Back up, sir. We aren't friends." She told him.
"I thought you said I was forgiven?" He was puzzled as to why Xavi was acting the way she was.
"I know what I said. You are forgiven, but I'm not letting you back in that easily."
Zealand then smacked his lips, "Really?"
"Yep. Now if you'll excuse me, I have somewhere to be." She lied, knowing she didn't have anywhere to be. Xavia then got in her car and started it up. Zee removed himself away from the car, shaking his head.
Putting a little fire under his ass would make him sweat.
••
"School is going to be so boring without you. I'm about to cry." Xavi pouted as she sat on FaceTime with Arnecia, who happened to be sneaking her phone since her parents took it away. On top of her getting expelled, she would also be on punishment for three months. Niecey had been skating on thin ice with her parents, and this was their last straw. She would be finishing off the last portion of senior year doing an online homeschooling program.
"I know, bruh. I knew this would end up happening but I had to give Hailey the long awaited ass whooping that she deserved. Malachi got lucky, because if he would've came to school earlier I would've let him have it too. I gives no fucks, these hands are bisexual." She told her cousin. "Anyways, what's been up?"
"Nothing much. The drama at school has died down but people still talk about it every now and then. Oh yeah! Girl, tell me why I came out of the building at dismissal time and Zealand was posted up by my car." Xavia exclaimed.
"Ugh, what the fuck did he want?" Arnecia questioned, jerking her neck back.
"He apologized to me and tried to give me a hug when I said I accepted his apology. I must've dodged that hug so damn fast! I'm like sir, just because I forgave you doesn't automatically make us cool again. I'm gonna make him feel guilty as hell."
"As you should! He was out of line for doing you the way he did. I really- oh shit, my momma just came home. I'll call you later, love you!" Niecey quickly said before hanging up the phone.
Xavia slightly chuckled. Typical Arnecia, always doing something she had no business doing. She didn't blame her, though. Three months without a phone? Pure torture.
Just as she was about to hop on TikTok, an incoming call startled her. It was Rashon.
She waited until the fourth ring to pick up. "Hello?"
"Hey beautiful." His voice said on the other end of the phone, making Xavia smile.
"Hey Rashon, what'cha doooing?" She dragged out, sounding like Isabella from Phineas & Ferb.
"Shit, chilling. I just came home from practice so I'm sore, but it's all good. What you up to?"
"Nothing much, about to go to the beauty supply since I ran out of edge control and wrap strips."
"Oh, okay. You had a good day today?" He asked.
"Yeah, it was pretty chill. What about you?"
"Yeah, my day was decent. I'm ready for Christmas break though, I'm not even gone lie."
"We just came back from Thanksgiving break though." Xavi laughed, grabbing her car keys.
"I know, but still. I'm just fed up with school. Senioritis is real, man. I'm ready to graduate like yesterday."
"I felt that. If I could, I'd fast forward to May. I can't wait to walk across that stage and never have to look back. What are your plans after high school?"
"I'm planning on going to barber school, but if I don't then i'm heading off to the Military." Rashon told her as he got settled in his room.
"Wow. Military, huh? You aren't scared?"
He shrugged as if she could see her. "Nah. Ain't too much on this earth that could scare me. I done seen some shit."
They talked more about their futures and goals they wanted achieve as Xavia left the house to hit up the beauty supply. Rashon was pretty much an open book, answering any questions that she may have had. He was a great conversationalist, and seemed to be very knowledgeable.
As the conversation went on, the topic of health and wellness came up which made Rashon become tense. Though Xavi couldn't see him, she could tell that something was wrong by the tone of voice he was now using.
"Xavia, I need to tell you something important. This is gonna be hard for me to say but I need to just let you know straight up. As much as I like you and want to keep seeing you, I gotta be honest."
"Okay.." She trailed off, easing her foot on her brakes as she came to a red light. "What is it?"
"I um..I got herpes."
••
"Zealand, what's sex?" Harmony asked, barging in her brothers room. Zealand choked on the water he was drinking as his eyes went wide.
"Say what now?"
"My friend Zoey told me that her mommy and dad were having sex last night. I know that's how babies are made, but what exactly happens during sex?"
"Uhh.." He trailed off, still trying to catch his breath. "Well, um." Zee stammered as he tried to find the right words to say.
"Hey y'all, I brung home Popeyes!" Draya poked her head inside of the room.
"Why don't you ask TiTi." Zealand quickly said, giving her a faint smile.
"Ask TiTi what?" Draya questioned, clueless as to what was happening.
"Your niece here wants to know what sex is." Zee told her, making her mouth hang open.
"I-Uh-"
"You two have fun, I'm about to go chow down on that chicken." Zealand quickly left the room, leaving just his aunt and sister.
When he got to the kitchen, he let out a relieved sigh. Thank goodness he was able to finesse his way out of having that conversation. Zee was not the right person to explain the birds and the bees to Harmony. Hell, he barely knew how sex worked his damn self.
TBC...
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I know, I know. I've been M.I.A but let's not focus on that. I'm back now 🌚.
This was just a filler chapter.
Thoughts?
Excuse any mistakes.