BAD INFLUENCE
Bad Influence - Episode 15&16
(•Tainting Her Innocence•)
GENRE: College romance
By, Mide L.
✧༺✰༻✧ ✧༺✰༻✧ ✧༺✰༻✧
✮{...STAY AWAY FROM HIM...}✮
Hailey’s fingers curled into fists.
What the hell had he done now?
They suddenly heard noises coming from the school garden and they rushed there in curiosity.
Brielle was on her knees in the middle of the garden, looking nothing like the confident, cruel girl she always was.
"Please, Hailey…" Brielle when she saw Hailey among the crowd.
"Forgive me… Please"
Jessa stiffened beside her, eyes darting between the scene and Hailey.
"What the hell?" Jessa whispered, confused.
Before Hailey could even react, a noise sounded from somewhere nearby...like someone tapping their fingers against wood.
Slowly, Hailey followed the sound.
That was when she saw him.
Xavier.
He was seated on a bench just a few feet away, legs spread apart, elbow resting lazily on his knee. A cigarette burned between his fingers. His eyes dark and unreadable were locked on Brielle like a predator watching its prey.
The sight sent a chill down Hailey’s spine.
Without thinking, Hailey stormed forward, shoving past students who had stopped to watch the scene.
"Xavier, what the hell is this?"
His gaze lifted lazily to hers, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips.
"What do you think, princess?" He asked before turning to Brielle, his smirk deepening.
"Now. Apologize to her"
Brielle’s body jerked slightly, like she was suppressing a sob. Her fingers curled into fists on her lap, but she didn’t move.
Xavier’s eyes glinted dangerously.
"I said—" He tilted his head, voice dropping lower, "apologize. In front of everyone"
* This is getting interesting
* A whole Brielle apologising
Brielle swallowed hard, her lips parting as she struggled to find her voice.
"I…" she started before lifting her watery eyes to Hailey.
"I’m sorry, Hailey for everything… for how I treated you"
Hailey stood frozen. The sight of Brielle kneeling and begging for forgiveness was something she never imagined.
Xavier leaned back against the bench, satisfied.
"I'm not leaving you until she accepts your apology" he said to Brielle.
"What is this? What did you do to her?"
Xavier let out a low chuckle, bringing the cigarette to his lips and inhaling slowly before exhaling the smoke into the air.
"Relax, princess, I just made sure she learned some manners"
Brielle flinched at his words, her hands trembling.
Hailey’s chest tightened. She had spent years dreaming of a moment like this of Brielle being put in her place, of justice finally being served. But this… this didn’t feel right.
"I don't need this" Hailey said, shaking her head.
"I don't need an apology forced out of her"
Xavier’s smirk twitched, but his eyes darkened.
"That’s cute, but it’s not about what you need, princess. It’s about what she owes you, and she’s not leaving until you accept it"
The students watching gasped. The tension in the air was suffocating.
Brielle's lips trembled.
"Please" she whispered, barely able to meet Hailey’s gaze.
Hailey swallowed hard.
"I forgive you" Hailey said quickly, the words rushing out before she could even think. She just wanted this to be over.
Brielle sagged with relief, nodding hurriedly as she moved to stand. But before she could fully rise, Xavier’s boot pressed against the ground in front of her, halting her movements.
"Not so fast" he said smoothly.
Brielle froze, her breath hitching.
Xavier tilted his head, his expression a picture of dark amusement.
"You’re forgetting something, sweetheart" he said, flicking his cigarette away.
"You think you can just say a few words and walk away?"
He turned slightly, nodding toward someone in the crowd.
"Give her a taste of what she gave Hailey" he ordered.
Gasps rippled through the watching students as someone stepped forward, carrying a bucket filled with thick, sticky paint...the same humiliation Brielle had once gleefully dumped over Hailey.
Brielle’s eyes widened in horror.
"No!"
Cold, viscous liquid splattered over her, drenching her from head to toe in bright, sticky color. The crowd erupted in shocked murmurs, some laughing, others too stunned to react.
Brielle let out a sharp gasp, her hands clawing at the paint now dripping from her hair, her clothes, her face.
Now she knew how it felt.
Xavier leaned back, watching her struggle with a satisfied smirk.
"Looks good on you" he muttered.
Hailey swallowed hard, her hands gripping the hem of her dress as she watched Brielle tremble, drenched in paint.
Beside her, Jessa let out a low whistle.
"That’s so cool" she muttered, nudging Hailey with her elbow.
"I wish I had someone like Xavier to get back at my enemies"
"Now you know how it feels. Next time, think twice before trying to ruin someone else" Xavier said and walked out in swag.
Brielle’s body tensed, her shoulders shaking as she pushed herself up from the ground. She just turned and walked away, dripping paint with every step.
The crowd slowly began to disperse, some whispering, others still snickering at Brielle’s state.
Hailey felt a strange mix of emotions twist inside her.
Xavier had done this for her.
She turned her gaze to him as he walked away, exuding confidence, power and danger.
Jessa was still grinning beside her, shaking her head in awe.
"God, that was satisfying. I swear, I wish I had a Xavier in my life" she said.
Hailey barely heard her. She was still staring at Xavier’s retreating figure, her heart pounding.
•••
CECELIA'S PLACE*
Brielle stormed into the house, paint dripping from her hair, her clothes clinging to her skin in a sticky mess. The humiliation from earlier still burned through her veins, but right now, all she wanted was a hot shower and a way to make Xavier pay, even Hailey.
Slamming the door behind her, she stomped toward the living room.
"Mom!" she called out, wiping her face with her sleeve.
"I swear, today has been the worst—" She stopped mid-step, her gaze falling on the couch.
Cecilia was naked with some new guy, shirtless, half-covered by a blanket.
Brielle barely blinked, it was like it was a normal thing.
She let out a tired sigh, kicking off her ruined shoes without care.
"Seriously, Mom? You could at least warn me before bringing home another one" she muttered, brushing past them.
"You’re one to talk. You look like a damn wreck" Cecelia said and Brielle rolled her eyes, running a hand through her paint-soaked hair.
"Yeah, no thanks to Hailey"
"Hailey did this to you? The same Hailey?"Cecilia asked with wide eyes.
"Yes mum and I'm going to deal with her seriously, you just watch" she seethed and went upstairs.
The man beside Cecilia finally spoke.
"She doesn’t even seem fazed walking in on us like this"
Cecelia shot him a deadpan look.
"Why would she be? You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last"
The man smirked, pulling her closer. "Guess it runs in the family"
•••
ASHER'S PLACE*
Asher pushed open the front door, stepping into the house. Silence greeted him just like always.
His mother used to be the heart of this house, but now she's gone. His father? Well, he was out there somewhere, doing whatever he did best and that's drinking, gambling and avoiding responsibility.
Asher dropped his bag by the couch and ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. The loneliness didn't bother him anymore. He was used to it.
Then, the front door creaked open again.
His sixteen-year-old sister, Leah, stepped in, her school uniform slightly wrinkled, her backpack slung over one shoulder. She looked exhausted, but the moment she saw him, she forced a small, tired smile.
"Hey" she said, shutting the door behind her. "You're home early"
"Yeah" Asher replied, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
"Had fewer classes today"
Leah sighed as she dropped her bag on the floor and settled on the couch.
"Lucky you. I had a math test, and I swear, I bombed it"
Asher smirked, taking a sip of water before sitting on the armrest of the couch.
"You always say that, and then you end up with an A"
She rolled her eyes. "Not this time. I literally guessed half the answers"
"You'll be fine and besides, you're smarter than you think"
Leah let out a dramatic groan before looking around the house.
"Dad’s still not back?"
"You already know the answer to that"
Leah huffed, curling her legs under her.
"Of course. Guess it's another night of takeout?"
Asher glanced at the kitchen, debating if he should attempt cooking, but he knew Leah would probably just turn her nose up at his efforts.
"Pizza or Chinese?"
"Pizza" she said immediately, then hesitated. "Wait. Do we even have money for that?"
"I got it covered" Asher reassured her.
Leah looked at him for a moment, her expression unreadable.
"You're always covering for everything"
Asher shrugged, ruffling her hair playfully. "That’s what big brothers are for"
Leah swatted his hand away, pretending to be annoyed, but the small smile on her face told him she appreciated it.
Asher pulled out his phone to place the order while Leah leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes.
"You should rest, I'll wake you when the food gets here"
She nodded sleepily.
"Thanks, Ash"
Asher leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment. This life wasn’t easy, but at least they had each other.
"I need to take this off" She said referring to her uniform before she bolted up to her room, shutting the door quietly before leaning against it. She dropped her phone on her desk.
She hurriedly stripped off her uniform, Her fingers trembled slightly as she grabbed her phone from the desk, opening the chat with him.
• Still waiting, babe. You know the deal.
Leah swallowed hard. The promise of money dangled in front of her like a lifeline. She needed it, there are somethings she needs to get for herself, she can't keep relying on her brother.
Biting her lip, she angled the phone, her bare skin exposed under the glow of her bedside lamp. She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then pressed her finger to the shutter button.
Click.
Just as she was about to send it, she heard footsteps.
Asher.
Panicked, she scrambled to grab a t-shirt from her chair, pulling it over her head just as a soft knock came at the door.
"Leah?" Asher called.
She quickly swiped out of the chat, locking her phone before turning toward the door.
"Y-Yeah?" she called, trying to keep her voice casual.
"You good?"
"Yeah! Just—uh, changing!"
A brief pause before Asher spoke up.
"Alright. Pizza's on the way"
"Okay! Thanks"
His footsteps retreated, and Leah slumped on the bed, staring at her locked phone.
Leah barely gave herself a second to breathe before she shot up from the bed, yanking open her door and rushing toward Asher’s room.
"Asher!" she called.
He was in the middle of pulling off his watch, glancing up at her.
"What?"
"I need to borrow your jacket" she said quickly, forcing a smile.
"For a party tomorrow" she added.
Asher’s expression shifted slightly.
"My jacket?" He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head.
"Hate to break it to you, Leah, but I don't think you'd have it"
She frowned. "Why not?"
He exhaled, running a hand through his hair.
"Because it’s gone"
"Gone?"
"Yeah, some asshole burned it at the bonfire party"
Leah’s eyes widened. "Burned it? Who—?"
"It doesn’t matter, It’s just a jacket" he cut her off.
"Okay…" she said slowly, shifting on her feet.
"I'll just find something else then" She added.
Asher gave her a small nod, turning away.
Leah left for her room.
Damn it. Now what am I going to wear? She thought.
She had already picked out an outfit...a black mini dress that hugged her body just right. But the whole look was supposed to be tied together with Asher’s jacket. It was oversized, effortlessly stylish, and gave off the perfect I-don't-care-but-I-still-look-hot vibe.
Now, without it, her outfit felt… incomplete.
She landed on her bed, groaning.
'Maybe I can borrow someone else’s jacket? Or find something else to wear?'
But nothing in her wardrobe felt right. She wanted to look good. No, she needed to look good...especially for him.
Her fingers itched to grab her phone again. Maybe she could just ask for more money, buy a new jacket altogether…
But before she could do anything, she heard Asher moving around in the kitchen.
Then she remembered she hasn't sent the picture she took earlier, she unlocked her phone and finally sent it.
•••
HAILEY’S DORM*
Hailey sat on her bed, scrolling through her phone as she searched for jobs online. She needs to find a job and fend for herself since she's not under Cecilia anymore.
But concentrating was nearly impossible.
Riley and Nia were on Nia’s bed, giggling loudly over a TikTok video. Every few seconds, one of them would burst into laughter, making exaggerated comments about whatever was playing on their phones.
“Oh my God, look at his face! I can’t—” Riley wheezed, practically rolling on the floor.
“No, no, rewind it! I need to see that again!” Nia gasped between laughs.
Hailey sighed, rubbing her temples. She had been trying to focus for the past hour, but between their endless chatter and the occasional loud notifications from their phones, it was impossible.
She cast a glance at Ava, who was sitting at her desk, calmly flipping through a textbook. White earbuds were tucked into her ears, effectively shutting out the chaos around her.
Hailey envied her.
Maybe she should get a pair of noise-canceling headphones too.
Letting out a frustrated breath, she turned her gaze back to her phone screen and clicked on another job listing.
"Baby girl, we heard about what Xavier did for you. Are you fucking him?" Hailey heard Riley ask.
The question was so blunt, so unexpected, that Hailey felt heat rush to her face.
"What?" she spluttered, snapping her head up to look at Riley.
Nia grinned, scooting closer.
"Come on, Hailey. The whole school’s talking about it. Xavier Knight practically humiliated Brielle in front of everyone for you. That’s some boyfriend level of crazy"
"He’s not my boyfriend" Hailey said quickly, shaking her head.
"And I’m not… I’m not doing anything with him"
"Then why would he go that far? Xavier doesn’t do anything for free" Riley said.
"I don’t know" she said almost in a low tone.
Riley and Nia exchanged a look before Nia sighed dramatically, landing back against her pillows.
"Well, if you are screwing him, at least gist us about it"
Riley cackled while Hailey groaned, pressing her hands against her face.
Ava, who had been silent this entire time, finally spoke.
"Maybe you should all mind your own business" she said without raising her head from the book in front of her.
"Relax, Ava. We’re just curious. Not our fault Xavier’s got the whole school in a chokehold"
Hailey exhaled deeply. "There’s nothing to be curious about"
Riley smirked but didn’t push further.
Hailey turned back to her phone, pretending to focus on job listings again, but her mind was already elsewhere.
Because despite her denial, a small, nagging voice inside her couldn’t stop replaying Riley’s words.
Xavier doesn’t do anything for free.
What does he really wants from her?
"A little advice? Stay away from Xavier" Riley said and Hailey scoffed.
"Why do you care?"
"Because the last girl who got too close to him... disappeared"
___
💕TBC💕
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