BAD INFLUENCE
Bad Influence - Episode 39&40
(•Tainting Her Innocence•)
GENRE: College romance
By, Mide L.
✧༺✰༻✧ ✧༺✰༻✧ ✧༺✰༻✧
✮{...THE CONFESSION...}✮
"Let me punish you"
Hailey’s breath caught in her throat, heart thudding violently as Xavier towered over her.
She stumbled back slightly, but he didn’t let her get far. His fingers gripped her wrist, firm but not painful.
"Don’t run. You like pushing me, don’t you? Acting all sweet and innocent… then letting another guy touch you"
Her eyes widened. "It was just a hug—"
"I don’t care. He doesn’t get to touch what’s mine.
"I'm not yours"
He smirked coldly. "Not yet"
Then, without warning, he pushed her gently to the bed, caging her beneath him. His body hovered close, breath brushing her lips, eyes burning into hers.
"I warned you, princess. Keep testing me, and I’ll break that good girl image you hide behind"
"You’re being unfair…"
He leaned in, his lips ghosting her ear.
"Life’s unfair. And so am I"
Xavier’s fingers traced the curve of her jaw, rough thumb brushing her lip.
Hailey suddenly shoved at his chest, her eyes burning with unshed tears.
"Are you serious right now, Xavier? I’m mourning Jessa! My friend just died and all you can think about is this?"
Xavier furrowed his brows, moving away from her and Hailey got up.
"You think I care about being yours? You think I give a damn about your stupid possessiveness when my best friend is gone? She’s gone, Xavier! And instead of being there, instead of just… holding me, you want to punish me?”
He stared at her, jaw clenched, but she wasn’t done.
"Can’t you be considerate for once? Can’t you just stop thinking about yourself and see that I’m barely holding it together? That I feel like she was killed, and no one’s even talking about it? Like her life didn’t matter?"
Her words hit him like a slap, and for a second, he actually looked… hurt. But Hailey didn’t care. Not right now.
"I came here thinking you’d understand. That maybe... maybe you’d say something that didn’t make me feel worse. But you just... you make everything about you"
Tears finally spilled down her cheeks. "I needed you. Not this. You"
Xavier stepped back, like her pain physically pushed him. His face darkened, but there was no anger... just something hollow beneath it.
The room fell into a tense silence.
Hailey’s chest heaved with each breath, but Xavier didn’t move. He didn’t say a word. He just stood there and that made her angrier.
"You’re not even going to say anything? Of course. You never do. You just look at me like I’m the one being dramatic!"
She laughed bitterly, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand.
"Asher was just comforting me, Xavier. That’s all it was. I broke down right there after hearing the news, and he was just... he was there for me! And you… you saw that and got all possessive and jealous like some maniac!"
Xavier’s fists clenched, his jaw ticking but still, he said nothing.
Hailey shook her head in disbelief.
"You don’t own me. You don’t get to treat me like I’m some toy that only you get to touch. Especially not when all I wanted was someone to just see me. To just hold me and say it’s going to be okay!"
Her voice fell to a whisper, trembling.
"But you couldn’t even do that”
Still nothing.
The silence between them was suffocating.
"You’re so used to shutting people out that you don’t even realize when someone needs you"
She stared at him through tear-filled eyes, her heart breaking all over again.
"You’re hurting, Xavier. I see that now. But you don’t get to use that hurt to hurt me too"
Xavier finally moved but not toward her.
Without a word, he turned to the nightstand, grabbed a half-empty pack of cigarettes, and slid one between his lips. His lighter clicked once, twice, then flared.
He inhaled slowly, like her rant hadn’t just torn him apart piece by piece.
Like her tears didn’t matter.
The soft crackle of the burning cigarette filled the silence, followed by the slow exhale of smoke from his lips.
Then finally, he spoke up.
"You done?"
Hailey blinked, stunned by his audacity.
"I’m mourning my friend, Xavier, and all you can think of is lighting a cigarette like none of this matters to you?"
He shrugged, puffing again. "People die. It’s life"
She stared at him, heart splintering.
"Do you even feel anything at all?"
Xavier turned his head slightly, eyes meeting hers through the cloud of smoke.
"I feel things. I just don’t cry about them"
The silence returned thicker this time. And in that moment, Hailey realized something deeper than just his coldness. He wasn't heartless. He was numb.
Dead inside.
And yet, that hurt worse than if he had shouted back.
"I killed her" He said nonchalantly and she blinked at him, thinking she must’ve heard wrong.
"What… what did you just say?"
Xavier took another long drag from his cigarette, his eyes cold and unreadable.
"I said…" he exhaled slowly, letting the smoke curl around his face like a mask, "I killed her"
Hailey stumbled back a step, her hand flying to her mouth.
"No…" she shook her head. "No, that’s not… You’re joking. You have to be"
His lips twisted into a smirk.
"I’m not, and I don’t regret it" he said, voice calm, almost bored.
Her knees buckled, and she gripped the edge of the bed to steady herself, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Jessa… She didn’t deserve to die"
Xavier tilted his head lazily.
"She did"
He flicked the ash to the floor, not even flinching.
"She got what was coming"
Hailey’s breathing grew erratic, her vision blurred by tears of disbelief and heartbreak. Her fists trembled at her sides as she stared at the boy who had once seemed like a mystery she wanted to solve and now, he was a nightmare she needed to escape.
"You’re sick. You’re not just broken… you’re evil"
Xavier tilted his head, watching her quietly, the cigarette still burning between his fingers. His silence infuriated her more.
"You’re a monster, Xavier. A real one. And I hope you rot in that cold, dark place you call a soul"
She didn’t wait for a response.
With one last look at him, Hailey turned on her heels and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
•••
ASHER'S PLACE*
The soft hum of the TV filled the living room, flickering lights dancing across Asher's face as he leaned back on the couch, one arm draped over the throw pillow. A mug of warm coffee sat untouched on the side table, steam curling into the air, forgotten.
His brows were furrowed slightly, lost in thought.
The door creaked open behind him and a pair of heels clicked against the floor.
"Hey" came Lucy’s voice, light and sing-songy.
Asher turned his head, eyes widening slightly at the sight of her.
She stood there with a sly smile, her hair loosely pinned up, makeup light but intentional, and a figure-hugging sundress that screamed date night. She clutched her phone and a mini purse in one hand, her other hand brushing down her hip nervously.
Asher sat up straighter.
"Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?"
Lucy rolled her eyes dramatically and plopped down on the armrest beside him.
"Out. It’s not a crime to look nice, you know"
He narrowed his eyes playfully.
"You look too nice. Who is he?"
"His name is Cory, and we’re just getting milkshakes and catching a movie"
Asher snorted. "Yeah, just milkshakes. You’re seventeen"
"Almost eighteen" she corrected.
"Still a minor"
"Still going" she replied smugly, standing up to check her reflection in the mirror near the doorway.
Asher sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"At least text me if you’re gonna be late"
"I will"
"Don’t let him kiss you"
"I make no promises"
He groaned and tossed a pillow at her, which she dodged with a giggle.
The playful banter faded as Lucy grabbed her coat, and just as she reached for the door handle, a loud knock made both siblings freeze.
Lucy raised a brow. "Are you expecting anyone?"
Asher shook his head slowly. "No"
Another knock followed... louder, more urgent.
He rose to his feet, something in his gut twisting uneasily as he approached the door.
"Stay back" he told Lucy quietly.
She nodded and took a cautious step back.
Asher opened the door…
And there she was.
Hailey.
Her eyes were red and swollen, her shoulders trembling. She looked like she’d just walked through a storm, even though it hadn’t rained.
"Asher…" she whispered, voice breaking.
He didn’t ask questions. He didn’t hesitate.
He just pulled her in.
Asher held her tightly, arms wrapped protectively around her as her body shook with silent sobs. The scent of her shampoo, the tremble in her breath... it all hit him at once.
He gently pulled back just enough to look at her.
"Hailey… what happened?" he asked softly, brushing strands of hair from her tear-streaked face.
"I... I didn’t know where else to go"
That’s when it clicked.
That message.
30 minutes ago, she’d sent a single text.
• Can I come to your place? Please send me the address.
At the time, he’d been confused and worried but she hadn’t replied after he sent it. He thought maybe she’d changed her mind.
Now, looking at her shattered expression, the weight behind that message made sense.
"You messaged me…that’s why. That’s why you wanted to come here"
Hailey nodded weakly.
"I didn’t feel safe, not around him. Not after what he said… what he did"
"Xavier?"
She didn’t answer.
His jaw clenched, but he forced himself to stay calm for her.
"Come on" he said gently, wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"You’re safe now. Just breathe"
From the corner, Lucy watched quietly as her brother carefully led the broken girl to the couch, Hailey leaning heavily into him like she was afraid she might collapse if he let go.
Quietly, Lucy left the house.
Asher barely noticed, he was too focused on Hailey.
He reached for the throw blanket on the couch and gently draped it over her shoulders.
Hailey sat still beneath the throw blanket, her fingers twisting the edge of the fabric.
Asher stayed close, not touching her now, just watching her.
Then, she looked up.
Their eyes met.
And for a moment, neither of them blinked.
Asher moved slowly,carefully... like if he rushed it, she’d shatter completely.
Hailey’s breath hitched as Asher leaned in. His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing gently across her skin as his face inched closer.
She didn’t stop him nor looked away.
When their lips finally met, it wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t hungry or demanding.
It was soft and comforting.
When he pulled back, just a breath away from her, Hailey’s eyes fluttered open. And that dam she’d been holding back?
It broke.
"I didn’t know where else to go. He said he killed her. He looked me in the eye and said it like it meant nothing. Like she was just… disposable"
Asher froze. "What?"
"And the worst part is, I believed him. I believed that he meant it. That he actually—"
She covered her mouth, shaking her head.
He gently pulled her into his arms, letting her fall apart against his chest.
Asher held her close, his fingers running gently through her hair as her trembling started to ease.
Then he pulled back just enough to look into her eyes.
"I’m glad you can finally see it. See him for who he really is"
Hailey blinked at him.
He exhaled slowly, brushing a tear from her cheek.
"He’s heartless, Hailey. A monster. And I hated watching you fall for the illusion he kept feeding you"
"I hate him, I don't want to have anything to do with him again" she said and Asher smiled inwardly.
Hi peacemaker on 08037873157 to be added you to the stories group
•••
XAVIER’S PLACE*
Xavier sat sprawled on the leather couch, shirtless, tattoos etched across his skin. A cigarette burned between his fingers, the embers glowing red each time he took a drag. His jaw clenched and unclenched, the silence in the apartment matching the storm brewing behind his eyes.
He didn’t flinch when the door opened.
Didn’t move when the heels clicked against the floor, echoing through the hollow space.
It was Ava or rather Layla.
Her jacket slid from her shoulders and hit the floor with a soft thud. Then her black tank top followed, peeled off with slow, teasing fingers. Lace. Red. Bare skin gleaming in the low light as she stepped closer.
"You sure you wanna play this game?"
She didn’t answer. She didn’t have to and that was all it took.
He was on his feet in an instant, the air between them snapping tight. He reached for her like a man possessed, his hands gripping her waist, dragging her body against his. His mouth crashed onto hers. Hot, wild, unrelenting.
Her hands tangled in his hair, nails scraping his scalp as their kiss deepened into something dangerous. Messy. Desperate.
The smoke curled around them, thick and suffocating, but neither of them cared. It was madness the way they clung to each other, all teeth and tongues and tangled limbs.
Layla suddenly stopped and looked at him with a smirk.
"Xavier Knight. Thought you are with Hailey now" Layla purred, her red-painted nails tracing a line down his chest, dangerously close to the tattooed script there. Her dark eyes, however, held a knowing glint that went beyond mere flirtation.
"Don't talk about her"
"Oh? Did the little innocent finally see your true colors? Or perhaps she ran to someone else for comfort?"
"What are you implying?"
Layla chuckled softly, a low, throaty sound. "Oh, nothing much. Just that I happened to be driving by Asher's place earlier and wouldn't you know it? Our sweet Hailey was just letting herself in"
"You saw her go into Asher's house?" he asked, his voice dangerously low.
Layla nodded slowly, her eyes locked on his, enjoying the effect of her words.
"All teary-eyed and needing a shoulder to cry on, it seemed. Asher looked more than willing to provide"
He pulled Layla closer, his grip almost painful. "What else did you see?"
"Just enough to know that you might not be the only one she runs to when she's sad" She trailed her fingers up his neck, her voice a seductive whisper. "Looks like the little bird might be spreading her wings"
Xavier's jaw clenched so tightly his teeth ached. The cigarette in his hand snapped under the pressure of his grip.
"I know you didn’t kill her. You really enjoy when people hate you, don’t you?"
"Maybe" he moved away to the window.
" 'cause I don't want people missing me when I'm finally gone"
___
💕TBC💕
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