Bad Influence - Episode 25&26

 

 BAD INFLUENCE

Bad Influence - Episode 25&26

(•Tainting Her Innocence•)

GENRE: College romance 

By, Mide L.

    ✧༺✰༻✧    ✧༺✰༻✧    ✧༺✰༻✧

               ✮{...EAVESDROPPING...}✮

She swallowed hard, nodding once, even though she wasn’t sure if it was true.

Because something told her that after tonight, nothing would ever be the same again.

___

Hailey lay beneath Xavier, her body still trembling, her heart pounding like a drum against her ribs. His weight pressed down on her, making it impossible to escape the reality of what had just happened.

She had given herself to him already.

And yet, as his fingers trailed gently down her side, as his breath warmed the curve of her neck, she felt something unexpected.

A quiet… stillness.

Xavier wasn’t moving. Wasn’t smirking or teasing her like he usually would. Instead, he was just there, his head dipped slightly, his fingers idly tracing patterns over her skin. It felt almost… tender.

Which was why it startled her when he finally spoke.

"Hailey"

Her breath caught. He said it again. Her name.

Not princess.

Just Hailey.

It sent a strange ache through her chest, like she was suddenly made of something fragile.

She hesitated, unsure of how to respond, how to even breathe under the weight of his gaze. But then, he shifted, propping himself up on one elbow, his fingers grazing over her cheek.

"You’re still shaking" he murmured.

Her lashes fluttered, realization sinking in. She was.

Xavier’s dark eyes searched hers, something unreadable flickering in them. It wasn’t his usual arrogance, nor the amusement he always wore like an armor. This was different. Something raw. Something uncertain.

"Are you… okay?" His voice was quiet.

It was such a simple question. And yet, coming from him,it felt like a storm breaking through her chest.

Was she okay?

She should feel regret, shouldn’t she?

She should want to pull away, to escape before she lost herself completely to him.

And yet…

Her fingers lifted before she could stop them, brushing lightly against his jaw.

"I don’t know" she admitted. 

Xavier exhaled sharply. He looked like he wanted to say something... like he was battling something inside himself.

Then, suddenly, he was moving.

Hailey gasped as he rolled off her, the warmth of his body leaving hers far too quickly. The loss of it sent a shiver through her, though she wasn’t sure why.

Xavier sat up, rubbing a hand over his face, exhaling roughly. His body was tense, shoulders tight as if he was struggling with something he didn’t want to name.

Then, in a voice that was too quiet, too unlike him, he muttered, "Shit"

Hailey’s stomach twisted.

He regretted it.

Her chest tightened painfully, but she forced herself to sit up, to ignore the sting behind her eyes. She wouldn’t let him see how much that single word made her heart crack.

Before she could say anything, he turned to her.

"Go take a shower, Hailey" he said.

It was the way he said it. Not cold. Not cruel. But distant.

Like he was already pulling away.

Like he was already leaving her behind and now she regrets it.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat, nodding once before slipping out of bed. Her legs trembled as she stood.

She couldn’t walk properly, she looked up at him and saw him staring at her intently and then looked away, not saying a word.

Hailey stood frozen at the bathroom door, she didn’t want to ask but the words slipped out before she could stop them.

"Do you regret it?"she asked solemnly. 

Xavier’s head snapped up. His dark eyes locked on hers, something unreadable swirling in their depths. For a long, agonizing moment, he said nothing.

Then, his jaw tensed, and he exhaled sharply.

"Not even a bit"

Hailey felt relieved. 

She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear that until the weight in her chest loosened just a little.

But then… why?

"Then why did you say shit?" she asked, searching his face. 

"Why do you look like that?"

Xavier leaned back against the headboard, rubbing a hand over his face. He let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head slightly.

"Because, Hailey" he said,  almost frustrated. "I don’t know what the hell is happening to me"

"What do you mean?"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he dropped his hand and looked at her... really looked at her.

"Go take a shower" he said again.

But Hailey didn’t move. She couldn’t. Not until she understood what he meant. Not until she understood what this was.

What they were now.

"Xavier—"

"Just… go, Hailey!" He snapped at her and she flinched. 

He groaned seeing her flinch but didn't say anything.  Hailey entered the bathroom almost at the brink of tears.

He's so complicated. 

By the way Hailey came out of the bathroom, Xavier was already gone.

Her breath hitched as she took a hesitant step forward, her hands gripping the towel wrapped around her body. He left. Just like that.

She should have expected it. He wasn’t the type to stay, was he? Like the way he left her at the uncompleted building, the night rain fell.

And yet, the sight of the empty space where he once lay made her throat tighten painfully.

Blinking back the sting of tears, she forced herself to move. She dressed slowly, slipping back into her discarded clothes, her fingers trembling as she smoothed down her skirt. Her gaze moved to the bed.

The sheets were rumpled. The imprint of their bodies still visible.

And there, against the stark white fabric—her stain.

Swallowing hard, she reached for the covers, her hands moving swiftly as she tried to straighten them, to erase the evidence. But no matter how much she adjusted the sheets, she couldn’t erase the feeling in her chest.

Something had changed.

Taking a deep breath, she turned towards the door.

She could still hear the frat party downstairs—the music loud, voices blending together in an intoxicated buzz.

She stepped out into the hallway, her legs still unsteady. She prayed and prayed that no one would notice how she walked, how different she felt, how everything felt.

But the moment she reached the staircase, a voice called out.

"Hailey?"

She froze.

Jessa.

She stood at the bottom of the stairs, a red cup in hand, her brows furrowing as she looked up at Hailey.

Her heart pounded in her chest as Jessa’s eyes narrowed slightly, scanning her from head to toe.

And then, she smirked.

"Well, well... where have you been? We've been so worried" Jessa mused, taking a slow sip of her drink.

Hailey's fingers curled into fists at her sides, her throat dry. She forced a small, shaky smile, trying to steady herself. 

"I was... just upstairs"

Jessa arched a brow. "Upstairs?"

"I had to find the restroom, and I had trouble finding it"

Before Jessa could respond, Brielle suddenly passed by. Hailey caught the way her cousin stared at Jessa, almost suspicious. Jessa, in turn, tensed and looked away immediately, taking another sip of her drink as if she hadn’t noticed.

Jessa’s lips pressed into a thin line before she turned to Hailey.

"I'll be right back" she muttered.

Hailey barely had time to process the strange exchange before Jessa disappeared into the crowd. 

She turned towards the exit, ready to make her way back to her dorm room. But before she could take another step, a warm hand caught her wrist.

"Hey, I've been looking for you"

Hailey turned, surprised to find Asher standing there, his usual easy smile on his lips. 

"Let's danc," he offered, tilting his head towards the crowded dance floor.

"I'm not in the mood" she admitted, her voice quieter than she intended.

Asher studied her for a moment, his smile fading slightly. 

"Are you okay?"

Hailey forced another small nod. 

"Yeah… just tired"

He didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t push. Instead, he slid his hands into his pockets.

"Then let me walk you back"

Hailey shook her head quickly. 

"No, don’t bother yourself. I’ll be fine"

Asher hesitated, as if debating whether to insist. Then, with a small sigh, he nodded. 

"Alright. But if you need anything, you know where to find me"

"Thanks, Asher"

He gave her one last searching look before stepping back, allowing her to leave. 

•••

Jessa pushed open the restroom door, stepping inside quickly and locking it behind her. The music from the party outside was muffled now.

Brielle was leaning against the sink, her arms crossed, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

"Took you long enough" Brielle murmured, tilting her head slightly.

Jessa huffed, stepping closer. 

"I couldn’t just disappear. People would notice"

Brielle rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she reached out, grabbing Jessa by the wrist and pulling her in.

Their lips met in a hurried, heated kiss, both of them desperate, as if they had been waiting too long for this moment.

Jessa pressed herself closer, her hands gripping Brielle’s waist. 

When they finally pulled apart, Brielle let out a soft chuckle, her breath fanning against Jessa’s lips before she suddenly frown.

"I hate your closeness with Hailey" Brielle said crossing her arms.

"Oh c'mon, she's just my friend. It's you forever"

"I just don’t like sharing"

"But I'm sharing you with others guys and I hate it"

"You know I'm doing it because of the money, and not for the pleasure" Brielle said and Jessa only nodded. 

"I need to go back"

"Fine go. Limit your closeness with my cousin, don't make me hate her more. Just tell her to always watch her back, i might strike anytime"

Jessa let out a slow breath, watching as Brielle turned away, smoothing down her dress in the mirror. 

"You don’t have to hate her, you know" Jessa murmured, crossing her arms.

Brielle scoffed, flipping her hair over one shoulder. 

"You don’t get it, do you? I don’t just hate her, Jessa. I despise her. Everything about her, right from childhood and she made Xavier deal with me, that was so embarrassing"

Jessa sighed, shaking her head. 

"You’re impossible"

"And yet, you still can’t stay away from me, girlfriend"

Jessa rolled her eyes but didn’t argue.

Brielle’s fingers ghosted over Jessa’s wrist before she leaned in, her lips brushing against Jessa’s ear. 

"Just keep an eye on her for me, okay? I need to know everything she does"

Jessa hesitated. "Brielle—"

"Just do it" Brielle cut in.

And with that, she turned and walked out of the restroom, leaving Jessa standing there, gripping the edge of the sink, her reflection staring back at her.

Brielle's words echoed in her head.

'Just keep an eye on her for me, okay?'

She should be used to this by now. Being caught between Brielle's twisted games, always toeing the line between loyalty and her own conscience.

But tonight… tonight felt different.

Because the moment she had laid eyes on Hailey in that dress, something inside her had shifted.

Jessa had seen Hailey before...of course, she had. She was Brielle’s cousin and her close friend.

Tonight, Hailey had glowed.

That dress had clung to her body in ways Jessa hadn’t expected. It had accentuated every soft curve, the delicate lines of her figure. It made her skin look even smoother, her lips even more kissable.

Jessa swallowed hard, gripping the sink tighter.

That realization had sent an unexpected pang through her chest.

Jessa exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if she could physically shake the thoughts away.

'No. This isn’t what you should be thinking about. Focus'

She had always felt something strange whenever she was around Hailey... something she couldn’t quite put a name to. But tonight? Tonight was different.

Her fingers tightened around the cool porcelain as the truth settled in her chest, undeniable now.

"I think I have a crush on you, Hailey" she whispered to herself.

•••

Hailey left the frat house, heading back to her dorm room. She didn't bother to inform her roommates.

Her mind was a mess.

Xavier had left without a word, just like she had feared he would. And yet, despite everything, he had said he didn’t regret it. So why did it feel like something had shifted between them?

Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him.

Xavier.

But he wasn’t alone.

A few meters ahead, near the dim glow of a streetlamp, he stood with a woman lady but it wasn’t just her presence that made Hailey’s steps falter.

It was the child.

A little girl, no older than five, standing beside the woman, her small fingers curled tightly around the edge of her dress.

Hailey’s curiosity piqued.

Who was she? And why did Xavier look so... tense?

From where she stood, she couldn’t make out their conversation, but their body language told her enough. The woman was looking frustrated, her hands gesturing wildly as she spoke, while Xavier stood rigid, his jaw clenched, his fists buried deep in his pockets.

Hailey hesitated, curiosity getting the best of her as she took a slow step forward, careful to stay in the shadows.

The lady's voice drifted toward her, sharp and filled with something bitter.

"You can’t keep running from this, Xavier. She’s your daughter"

Hailey’s breath caught in her throat.

Daughter?

Xavier let out a humorless scoff. 

"I told you, Liana, I don’t believe a damn word you say"

Liana rolled her eyes. "Oh, for God’s sake, Xavier. Look at her. She’s standing right in front of you, and you still want to pretend she doesn’t exist?"

Xavier’s fists clenched. 

"Because I never wanted her in the first place"

Hailey’s stomach twisted. The coldness in his tone was unlike anything she had heard before. But there was something else there too... something deeper, darker.

"Right. Like you had a choice that night?"

Xavier’s frowned. 

Hailey frowned. A choice?

"You were too wasted to even remember, weren’t you? But I do" She smirked. 

"The way you let me have you… the way you—"

"Shut the hell up" Xavier growled, his voice laced with venom.

Hailey’s heart pounded.

Liana’s smirk widened. "You can deny it all you want, but we both know what happened at that prom party. You drank what I gave you, and we spent the night together. And this—" she gestured to the little girl clinging to her dress—"is the result"

Xavier’s breathing was ragged, his shoulders heaving as he glared at her.

"I was drugged, I don’t remember a damn thing because you made sure I wouldn’t"

Hailey’s blood ran cold.

Liana had… drugged him?

Her lips parted in shock as she took another step closer, unable to tear her eyes away from Xavier’s face. She had never seen him like this... this furious, this broken.

Liana scoffed. "Please. If you were really out of it, you wouldn’t have—"

Xavier stepped forward so quickly that Liana took a step back, gripping the little girl’s hand tighter.

"Don’t you dare, don’t you dare act like what you did wasn’t disgusting"

Liana’s smirk faltered for just a second before she regained her composure.

"Well, disgusting or not, it happened" She shrugged. 

"And I’m not here to argue about it. I’m here because she deserves to be with her father"

Xavier’s jaw tightened. His gaze flickered to the little girl for just a moment before he looked away.

"She’s not mine" he muttered.

"Oh, for God’s sake, Xavier, do you really think I’d waste my time chasing you down if I wasn’t sure? You can do a DNA test if you want, but it won’t change the truth"

Xavier exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair before shaking his head. 

"I owe you nothing"

The little girl, who had been silent all this time, tugged on Liana’s dress. 

"Mommy?"

"It’s okay, baby" Then she turned back to Xavier. "You might not care now, but one day, she’s going to ask why her father never wanted her"

Xavier didn’t respond.

Liana let out a frustrated sigh before finally turning away, leading the little girl with her.

Hailey stood frozen, her heart pounding, her mind spinning.

Xavier had been drugged. He had been… used. And now, this woman was claiming the child was his?

She swallowed hard, her throat dry.

"How long have you been standing there?" He suddenly asked turning to her and she flinched in the fear of being caught eavesdropping. 

"I—I was just passing by" she stammered, her mind scrambling for an excuse. 

"I wasn’t eavesdropping or anything, I just—"

Before she could finish, Xavier grabbed her wrist. A startled gasp escaped her lips as he pulled her forward.

"Wait... where are you taking me?" she asked, trying to keep up as he led her toward his parked motorbike.

Xavier didn’t answer immediately. He stopped beside the bike, turning slightly to face her. His free hand reached up, tracing a slow path along her jaw before his lips curled into a smirk.

"Just so you know" he murmured.

"I don’t regret it" His thumb brushed against her chin. 

"And I’d love to do it again, princess"

Hailey’s heart skipped a beat. The way he said it... the deep timbre of his voice, the slight smirk playing at his lips... made her pulse race. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out.

Xavier let out a quiet chuckle, clearly amused by her reaction. 

"Get on" he ordered, tilting his head toward the bike. 

"Unless you wanna stand there blushing all night" he added.

Hailey blinked up at him, her cheeks burning, but then, to her own surprise, she smiled... broad and unguarded.

___

💕TBC💕

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