BAD INFLUENCE
Bad Influence - Episode 45&46
(•Tainting Her Innocence•)
GENRE: College romance
By, Mide L.
✧༺✰༻✧ ✧༺✰༻✧ ✧༺✰༻✧
✮{...HIS DISCOMFORT...}✮
The sound of Cecilia’s heels echoed through the hallway as she stepped into the living room, her nose wrinkling in disgust.
"What kind of mess is this?" she hissed, eyeing the pile of unwashed dishes and dusty furniture. A cobweb dangled boldly in the corner, untouched.
She muttered under her breath, tugging her bag higher up her shoulder.
"Useless girl" she snapped, even though Hailey hadn’t lived there in weeks.
Back then, the house sparkled because Hailey had kept it that way. Cooked. Cleaned. Obeyed. Even with all the insults and punishments. And now, with her gone… Cecilia was left with the reality.
The front door creaked open just as Cecilia was muttering about the mess in the living room.
Brielle sauntered in, a cigar tucked between her fingers, smoke curling in lazy spirals above her head. Her crop top barely covered her chest, and her micro mini skirt looked more like a belt.
Cecilia barely lifted her eyes. "You’re back early"
Brielle rolled her eyes. "Lectures were boring"
"Did you see Hailey at school?"
At the mention of the name, Brielle hissed loudly and headed straight for the stairs without answering.
Cecilia sighed and looked around the dirty living room again, muttering under her breath.
"Useless girl... at least Hailey knew how to keep a house"
Upstairs, Brielle slammed the door behind her and tossed her bag on the bed, the cigar now resting on the edge of her lips. She grabbed her phone, fingers moving fast across the screen.
Her eyes narrowed as she typed, a wicked smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.
• If you don't want me telling the whole world you killed my girlfriend, you better be ready to obey me and do as I say.
She hit send, leaned back on her bed, and watched the screen with satisfaction.
•••
CORY KING HIGH SCHOOL*
The closing bell rang, echoing through the corridors like a reminder that another hellish school day had come to an end.
Lucy stepped out of the classroom last, her eyes swollen and red from all the tears she had silently cried. Everyone had already left, but she didn’t care.
Her heart felt like it had been crushed a thousand times over.
Cory didn’t believe her.
He actually thought she tried to steal the necklace.
Her heart ached all over again just thinking about it.
As she turned the corner, still lost in her thoughts, she bumped into someone... books slipping from her arms and tumbling to the floor.
"I—sorry" she mumbled quickly, bending down.
"Careful" the guy said, already crouching to help her gather the books.
She glanced up.
Dean.
They knew each other. Same class. Worked together a few times during group assignments. He was quiet, observant, and had this calm aura around him just like Cory, just that he was more social.
"Thanks" Lucy whispered, taking the books from him.
Dean looked at her for a second, eyes narrowing slightly at her tear-stained face.
"You okay?"
She nodded quickly. "Yeah… just tired"
He nodded and handed her the last book.
"Umm... my driver’s not coming today. Mind if we walk together?"
She hesitated for a second, then gave a small nod. "Sure"
A tiny smile tugged at Dean’s lips. "Cool"
They fell into step beside each other, walking to the gate in silence.
•••
EVENING AT XAVIER’S PLACE*
Xavier lay on the bed, shirtless under the warmth of a thick duvet that was tangled around their bare bodies. His arm rested behind his head, his other hand lightly grazing the soft skin of the girl lying beside him.
Hailey.
She was curled against him, her head resting on his chest, her legs tangled with his. She looked peaceful in sleep, something about the way her lashes kissed her cheeks and her lips were slightly parted made her seem almost innocent again.
He watched her, his expression unreadable. No smirk. Just quiet, unmoving stillness.
His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.
She stirred.
A soft murmur left her lips as she shifted slightly, blinking slowly as she woke. Her eyes fluttered open and met his gaze.
A lazy smile curled on her lips. "I’m too beautiful, huh?"
Xavier didn’t answer immediately.
He just stared.
Then finally, he muttered with a slight lift of his brow, "More like too cocky for someone who drooled on my chest"
Hailey gasped in fake horror, smacking his shoulder playfully.
"You’re so annoying"
"You love it" he said simply, she grinned.
Hailey scrunched her nose and stretched, pulling the duvet up to her chin.
"You talk too much for someone who was moaning my name like a prayer few hours ago"
Xavier scoffed. "That wasn’t me. You must’ve been dreaming"
"Oh really?" she teased, propping herself up on her elbow. "So it wasn’t you begging for five more minutes?"
He smirked, dragging his eyes slowly down her bare shoulder and back up to her face. "I’ll admit…" he murmured, voice dropping slightly, "You do have your moments"
Hailey rolled her eyes, but her cheeks flushed a little. "You’re impossible"
"And yet, here you are. Naked in my bed"
She huffed a small laugh and flopped back down beside him. "Remind me why I like you again?"
"Because I ruin you in all the right ways"
Hailey buried her face into his chest with a dramatic groan. "You’re such a bad influence"
Xavier’s arm slid around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Exactly what you signed up for, princess"
Hailey stayed still for a moment, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, before lifting her head again but this time, her eyes was twinkling with something playful… and maybe a little daring.
"Let’s go on a date" she said suddenly.
Xavier blinked, caught off guard. "A what?"
"A date. You know… popcorn, soda, big screen, romantic tension?" She grinned. "A movie date"
He stared at her like she’d just asked him to adopt a puppy.
"Hailey I don’t do dates" he said, looking bored already.
"Why not?" she challenged, propping her chin on his chest.
"Because I don’t waste time sitting in a room full of people, watching fake love stories on a screen"
"But you’re literally in a room right now," she pointed out, raising a brow. "Naked. With me. After doing things that are very… not fake"
He rolled his eyes.
"Come on, just this once. No shady deals. No cigars. Just me and you and bad movie popcorn"
He was quiet, eyes scanning her face like he was looking for a trap.
"You’re not going to shut up until I say yes, are you?"
"Nope" she chirped.
He groaned and dropped his head back against the pillow.
"You’re lucky you’re cute"
"So that’s a yes?"
"It’s a maybe. Don’t push it"
Hailey giggled and snuggled closer. "I’ll take it"
The room had gone quiet again.
She wanted to bring up the topic about his mum but decided against it, she doesn't want to ruin his mood.
So instead, she leaned up, pressed a soft kiss on his jaw, and whispered, "I’m gonna get dressed before I get too lazy to leave this bed"
Xavier didn’t stop her, just watched as she slid off the bed and picked her black lacy panties off the floor, slowly stepping into them.
His eyes darkened instantly.
Before she could reach for her bra, she felt him closely behind her. His chest pressed to her bare back, his hands sliding around her waist.
Hailey gasped softly, feeling something hard and unmistakable pressing against her from behind.
"Xavier…"
He didn’t say anything.
Just bent slightly, his lips grazing the shell of her ear.
"You’re really tempting fate, walking around half-n+ked in front of me" he murmured, his voice rough, thick with hunger.
She shivered as his hand moved down her stomach, stopping just above the hem of her panty.
"I thought you said you were tired" she teased breathlessly, her heart racing.
"I lied" he growled lowly, nipping gently at her neck. "Now shut up and feel what you do to me"
He gave a slow, confident push that sent her gently tumbling back to the bed.
Hailey let out a surprised giggle, the sound light and breathy as she landed against the soft sheets.
"Hey! You’re supposed to let me get dressed first" she teased, her cheeks flushing.
Xavier smirked, hovering over her, his hands on her waist as his eyes darkened with desire.
“Where’s the fun in that?”
She bit her lip and tried giggling, but he shut her up instead with a maddening kiss.
•••
NIGHT, THE CINEMA*
Hailey clung tightly to Xavier’s arm as they stepped through the crowd, weaving their way toward the ticket counter.
"Hold on tight" Xavier murmured, a sly grin playing on his lips.
Hailey’s fingers curled around his, and leaned into him, their closeness a comforting shield from the bustling crowd.
At the counter, she managed to grab the tickets with a triumphant smile. "Got them!" she whispered, squeezing his hand.
But just as they turned to head inside, she suddenly felt pressed.
"Excuse me" she said quickly, slipping away from Xavier’s grasp.
She hurried toward the female restroom, the noise of the cinema fading behind her.
Inside the restroom, the echo of her footsteps seemed unnaturally loud. She barely had time to catch her breath before a shadow moved from the corner.
A man stood there, slowly unbuckling his belt.
"Please—" Hailey tried to scream, but a rough hand clamped over her mouth before she could make a sound.
His grip tightened as he leaned in, muffling her voice, his other hand pinning her arms to her sides.
She panicked, her eyes searched desperately for a way out.
The man’s grip tightened around Hailey as the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway outside the restroom. His eyes flicked toward the door in panic.
"Shh" he hissed, yanking Hailey behind a stall just as the door opened.
Xavier’s voice called out anxiously from the entrance, "Hailey? Hailey, where are you?"
The man pressed Hailey’s back against the cold wall, his breath hot on her neck as he held her in the shadows.
"Maybe I should check the other restrooms" Xavier muttered.
He started to turn away, but then a faint buzzing sound pierced the silence.
Hailey’s phone was ringing, hidden deep inside her purse just within reach.
Xavier froze, eyes narrowing.
He stepped closer. "Wait… that’s her phone"
The man’s face twisted in fear, and Hailey’s heart pounded wildly as Xavier’s presence drew nearer.
Xavier’s eyes blazed with fury as he stepped forward, grabbing the man’s arm with a vice-like grip and yanking him away from Hailey.
"Let her go" Xavier growled.
The man struggled, but Xavier’s strength was overwhelming. With a swift, brutal movement, Xavier slammed him against the wall, the impact echoing through the restroom.
"You’re gonna regret this" Xavier snarled, fists flying. Each punch landed hard, a violent storm of rage unleashed.
Hailey watched, breath caught in her throat, as Xavier’s relentless assault took control. The man crumpled to the floor, gasping for air, bruised and beaten.
Xavier turned to Hailey, wiping blood from his knuckles, his eyes softening instantly.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded, tears of relief streaming down her face.
"I’ve got you" he said as he grabbed her hands, and led her out of the restroom.
•••
JASMINE’S PLACE*
She sat on her bed with fear as she read Brielle’s message for the umpteenth time.
• If you don't want me telling the whole world you killed my girlfriend, you better be ready to obey me and do as I say.
She has walked in on Brielle and Jessa arguing in the restroom that day...
FLASHBACK*
Jasmine headed toward the restroom to quickly reapply her makeup. She lifted her compact, but then froze from the corner of the hallway, she caught sight of Jessa and Brielle whispering.
"Brielle, I don’t think I can do this anymore. Let’s break up" Jessa had said.
"Wow, you totally fell for Hailey too, not just you but Xavier. What’s so special about her, for goodness’ sake?" Brielle sneered.
"Everything, Brielle. I love her" Jessa said desperately.
"But she doesn’t! Are you blind? She’s with Xavier" Brielle spat back.
"I don’t care!" Jessa’s defiance was fierce.
Suddenly, Brielle shoved Jessa hard against the wall. There was a sickening thud as Jessa’s head struck the corner sharply, and she crumpled down, motionless.
Jasmine gasped, heart pounding, hidden just out of sight. But before she could react, Brielle spun around and caught her staring.
"Well, well. Look who’s here" Brielle hissed, grabbing Jasmine’s arm and dragging her closer.
"See? You’re my only witness. We were only talking, I didn’t mean to touch her" Brielle defended herself quickly.
Jasmine knelt down beside Jessa’s limp body, feeling for a pulse. Nothing. Jessa wasn’t breathing.
"You killed her, Brielle" Jasmine whispered, her voice shaking.
"No, you did! You touched her. If you report me, I’ll drag you into this mess. I’ll say we planned it together to kill her. I’ll ruin everything! Now, cover me up. We move the body by night to the cliff, so no one suspects. Remember, we’re in this together. You saw everything from beginning to end" Brielle warned fiercely.
Jasmine stared at her in stunned silence, trapped by fear and disbelief.
END OF FLASHBACK*
Her hand trembled as she read the threatening message again. Her heart pounded in her chest like a warning drum.
She dropped her phone on the bed with a sharp clatter. The sudden noise startled her, but she couldn’t bring herself to pick it up right away.
Her mind raced.
If I tell the police, will it even help? She thought. What if they don’t believe me?
Jasmine’s fingers curled into fists at her sides, knuckles white. The image of Brielle shoving Jessa flashed behind her eyes.
She bit her lip, swallowing hard.
Slowly, Jasmine reached for the phone again. She can't remain silent forever.
Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the screen and began typing a message to the police tip line.
•••
BACK AT THE CINEMA*
The movie credits rolled, the theater lights slowly brightening.
"That ending... I didn’t see that coming" she whispered, glancing at Xavier.
"I thought the detective was the good guy the whole time. But nope, turns out he was behind everything"
She smiled nervously, watching him closely. Xavier remained silent, his face tightening slightly, eyes distant.
"Xavier? Are you okay?" Hailey’s voice softened as she reached out to touch his arm.
He swallowed hard and forced a nod, offering a small, strained smile. "I’m fine"
But his shoulders were tense, and every few seconds he shifted uncomfortably, pressing his hand lightly to his chest.
Hailey frowned but didn’t push. Instead, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his jawline, right where his pulse throbbed.
He stiffened for a moment but said nothing, keeping his face neutral.
"You sure?" she asked quietly.
"Yeah" Xavier said.
Hailey didn’t look convinced but let it go, settling back in her seat. Xavier kept his hand near his chest, hiding the discomfort behind a wall of silence.
___
💕TBC💕
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