Bad Influence - Episode 55&56

 

 BAD INFLUENCE

Bad Influence - Episode 55&56

(•Tainting Her Innocence•)

GENRE: College romance 

By, Mide L.

    ✧༺✰༻✧    ✧༺✰༻✧    ✧༺✰༻✧

                  ✮{...NOT A THIEF}✮

"Hello, Princess" he said in a raspy and smug voice.

Her lips trembled.

"Xavier…" she whispered.

___

She took a shaky step backward, her heart pounding violently against her ribs.

"No. No, this can’t be real" she murmured, blinking rapidly like he would vanish if she looked hard enough.

But he didn’t vanish.

He stepped forward, the way he always used to when he was about to tease her. Only this time… he wasn’t teasing. There was something darker in his gaze.

"You’re not hallucinating" he said, tilting his head slightly. "I’m real"

Hailey’s hand flew to her chest. 

"You… you died. I saw, I mean… they said you were—"

"Dead?" Xavier arched a brow. "Yeah. That was the point"

"What does that even mean?" she gasped, voice cracking. "Do you know what that did to me? What it did to all of us?"

"I had to disappear" he said simply. 

Her knees wobbled, and she stumbled backward until she hit the edge of the bed. "You disappeared for five years" she choked out.

"And now you sneak into my friend’s house through a window like some criminal?”

"Guilty" he said without missing a beat, raising his hands mockingly. "Breaking and entering… to see my girl"

"I’m not your girl" she snapped. 

"Not anymore" He added.

He smiled the kind of smile that used to both irritate and unravel her. 

"We’ll see about that"

Hailey’s breath caught in her throat. She didn't know whether to slap him or hug him.

Xavier was alive.

Her mind picked the latter.

Xavier took a step back, heading toward the window again.

"I have to go—"

"No, you don’t" Hailey snapped, grabbing his wrist and yanking him back. "You don’t get to do that"

He stopped, brow furrowed as he looked at her.

"I haven’t seen you for years, Xavier" she said, breath shaky. "And you want to just show up like a damn ghost, say hello Princess, and vanish again? Definitely not possible. You owe me more than that"

He remained silent, letting her words hang in the air.

"Don’t I deserve to know what happened those past years?" she added, voice breaking. "Where were you? Why did you let me think you were dead?"

Before he could say a word—

"Hailey? I brought you juice—"

Jasmine strolled in, holding a glass of juice, still in her oversized tee and bonnet. She froze mid-step as her eyes landed on the tall figure standing in the middle of the room.

Her brain short-circuited.

The juice trembled in her hands. Her lips parted. "Holy sh—"

The glass dropped from her hands with a shatter, and she dramatically clutched her chest like she’d seen the literal Grim Reaper.

"X-Xavier?" she called breathlessly. 

And then—

Thud.

She fainted on the spot, collapsing backward like an old movie scene.

Hailey blinked. “Oh my God, Jasmine!"

Xavier stared at her body on the floor, with mild interest  "Well... that went well"

Hailey shot him a glare. "You think this is funny?"

A small smirk played on his lips. "Little bit"

Jasmine groaned softly, blinking her eyes open like she’d just returned from the afterlife. "What... the hell..."

Her vision cleared and the first thing she saw was Xavier standing there, arms crossed casually, hoodie still on, like this was normal.

He gave her a lazy two-fingered wave. "Hey"

Jasmine yelped and scrambled upright on the floor like "possessed cat. "Oh my God! Oh my GOD!”

She pointed a trembling finger at him. "You—you’re DEAD!"

Hailey folded her arms, standing to the side with an exasperated look. "You can see I wasn’t hallucinating anything"

Jasmine’s eyes darted to Hailey, then back to Xavier. "This is not happening. There’s no way—"

"Oh, it’s happening" Hailey said, tilting her head. "And you fainted. Dramatically"

"I don’t faint" Jasmine protested, wobbling as she sat on the edge of the bed. 

"I just… took a horizontal break"

"Right" Hailey muttered with a smirk.

Xavier leaned against the wall, watching them like a live show. "So… are we done fainting?"

Jasmine glared at him. "You have jokes now? Really?!"

He gave a cold, crooked smile and murmured, "My regards to your boyfriend, Princess"

Then he turned and walked toward the window.

Hailey stood frozen, lips parting but no words coming out.

Jasmine blinked. "He means… Asher?"

Xavier gave a lazy salute as he slipped back through the window.

The room was quiet.

Too quiet.

Hailey stared at the space he’d just occupied, her heart aching and her jaw clenched.

She pursed her lips.

"Damn it, Xavier…"

Hailey dragged her fingers through her hair in frustration, pacing like a tiger trapped in a cage. Her emotions were everywhere... confusion, anger, heartbreak… longing.

Jasmine, still sitting on the bed, narrowed her eyes.

"Wait… no. Don’t tell me you're actually thinking of breaking up with Asher just because Mr. Hoodie-and-Dramatic-Window-Entrance is back?"

Hailey stopped pacing.

Her silence said too much.

Jasmine’s jaw dropped. "Girl, are you serious right now?"

Hailey turned slowly, arms folded across her chest. 

"I don’t know, okay? Everything's a mess. Xavier just walked back into my life like he never ghosted for five freaking years!"

"Yeah. Five years," Jasmine said, standing now, hands on her hips. 

"Five years of you crying, hurting, and thinking he was dead. Meanwhile, Asher? He stayed. He held you together"

"I know that, I know. That’s why I feel like crap right now"

Jasmine softened a little, stepping closer. "Then don’t let the ghost of your past wreck the one person who’s been your peace. Think carefully, babe. Don’t let nostalgia mess with your reality"

Hailey’s eyes glistened as she looked at the window again, like she hoped Xavier would jump right back in.

But the night outside stayed silent.

Still.

And empty.

"I just need time to think…" Hailey whispered.

Jasmine sighed deeply. "Girl, at this point, you need holy water and therapy"

Hailey let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "I hate how right you always are"

Jasmine smirked, flopping dramatically on the bed. "I know. It’s exhausting being this perfect"

They both laughed faintly but the weight in Hailey's chest didn't leave because Xavier was back…

And nothing would ever be the same again.

•••

NEXT MORNING, ASHER'S PLACE*

The sharp chime of birds echoed outside the window as the first rays of morning light filtered into the room and Asher blinked awake.

His hand moved straight for his phone on the nightstand.

No texts. No missed calls. Nothing.

With a dry throat and a tight chest, he tapped on her name.

Calling Hailey...

The phone rang.

And rang.

And went to voicemail.

He tried again.

Still no answer.

He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair, frustration tightening in his jaw. He tried one more time just to be sure.

Still nothing.

Throwing the covers off, he sat up and muttered under his breath, "Where the hell are you, Hails…"

He got to his feet, tossing his phone on the bed, and pulled on a shirt  His steps were heavy as he walked out of the room.

In the small open kitchen, the sound of movement greeted him.

Lucy was standing by the counter, dressed in jeans and a crop top. She had one AirPod in, dancing slightly to music only she could hear while stuffing things into her purse.

Asher leaned against the doorway, arms folded. "You going somewhere?"

Lucy jumped slightly and turned. "Jesus, you scared me. And yeah... i have a date. You good?"

He didn't respond right away.

She raised a brow. "What’s wrong with you? You look like someone kicked your puppy"

Asher exhaled, gaze drifting toward the living room window. "It’s Hailey. She didn’t come back last night… and she’s not picking my calls"

"Wait… what? Did you guys fight?"

"No. At least, I don’t think we did. We were good at the party… and then…" he trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck. "She just… left"

Lucy narrowed her eyes. "That’s weird. Did something happen?"

Asher didn’t answer.

Because deep down…

He already had a bad feeling.

She zipped her purse slowly, then leaned against the counter.

"You should just try reaching out again" she said gently.

Asher nodded half-heartedly.

Lucy sighed, then added more cautiously, "Also… the hospital called yesterday"

That made him look up.

"They were reminding us about dad’s monthly bill,” she said, her voice quieter now. “We still haven’t paid last month’s, Ash"

He pressed his lips into a thin line, then looked away, jaw tightening.

"I know, I’ll figure something out"

Lucy didn’t push. She knew he would, he always did.

Asher stood still, staring blankly at his phone lying on the counter. It buzzed once.

Not Hailey.

Just a bank alert.

He let out a slow breath. "I’ll try calling her again"

Lucy nodded, grabbing her bag. "Let me know if she replies. And please… don’t bottle it up like you always do"

"I’m fine" he said automatically.

She shot him a knowing look. "Sure, Mr. Emotionally Repressed"

Then she leaned in, gave his arm a gentle squeeze, and walked out, leaving Asher alone with his spiraling thoughts and unanswered calls.

The door clicked shut as Lucy left, leaving Asher standing alone in the silence.

He picked up his phone again and stared at Hailey’s name one more time, thumb hovering over the call button.

Knock knock knock!

He frowned, head tilting slightly toward the door.

Another knock, this time faster and more dramatic.

Here we go, he muttered under his breath.

Dragging his feet to the door, he opened it and there she was.

Lana.

Their bubbly, overly curious neighbor with a thousand excuses and a not-so-subtle crush on him.

She stood there in pink slippers, a silk robe barely clinging to her shoulder, and a glass jar clutched in her hand like it was a weapon.

"Asher!" she chirped with wide eyes. "Thank God you’re home!"

He blinked. "What is it this time?"

She held up the jar dramatically. "I need you to open this. I’ve been trying for, like, ten minutes. My hands are too soft"

He stared at the jar. "It’s a jar of pickles"

"Yes! Vicious, stubborn pickles" she said seriously.

Asher took it without a word, twisted the lid open with ease, and handed it back.

"Oh my God, you’re amazing. Strong and handsome" she said, fanning herself with her free hand. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

He cleared his throat. "Yes"

She pouted. "Is it serious?"

Asher crossed his arms. "Yes"

Lana blinked. "Right. Okay. But you know… in case it doesn’t work out…"

He shut the door gently before she could finish.

Knock knock knock!

He groaned and opened the door halfway again. "Lana…"

Her eyes were round now, full of fake innocence. "Sorry. Forgot to say thank you"

"You just did"

She smiled sweetly. "Okay, well… bye then"

This time, she actually left clutching her pickles like a trophy.

Asher shut the door with a sigh and leaned his head against it.

"God… one crisis at a time"

His phone buzzed again.

Still not Hailey.

•••

A ROOFTOP CAFÉ*

The breeze was light up on the open rooftop, ruffling napkins and swaying the tiny potted plants lined along the railing. The city buzzed below, but up here, it felt like a bubble slightly disconnected from reality.

Lucy stepped out of the elevator, adjusting the strap of her purse as her eyes scanned the cafe space.

There he was.

Dean.

Already seated at a table with a view, tapping his phone with a half-frown before he looked up and caught her eye. Instantly, his features softened.

He stood to greet her, offering a warm smile that didn’t quite match the aloof, silent guy she remembered from high school.

"Hey" he said, slipping his phone into his pocket. "You’re right on time"

"Of course" she said with a smirk. "Fashionably punctual is kinda my brand"

Dean chuckled, gesturing to the seat across from him. "You look... great"

Lucy arched a brow as she slid into the chair. "Thanks. You’re not so bad yourself"

"Good you think so. I'm happy you finally went on a date with me"

"You're welcome, I hope it's worth it"

Dean chuckled, leaning his arms casually on the table. "Trust me, it already is"

"You’re really smooth for someone who barely said five words to me in high school"

He smiled, a bit sheepish. "Yeah, I was awkward. Thought you were way out of my league back then"

"Back then?" she echoed, sipping her iced latte.

Dean shrugged, eyes gleaming. "Still kinda think that"

Lucy rolled her eyes but smiled anyway. "Well, I’m here now, aren’t I?"

"And I’m seriously not taking that for granted"

They both laughed again.

For a while, they talked. About old classmates, cringey school memories, their now very different lives. Dean worked in tech. She was juggling side gigs and helping Asher keep their world together.

He tapped his fingers against the table. "So... you wanna stay here or hit that bookstore down the street? You mentioned you like the smell of paperbacks, and I haven’t stopped thinking about that since"

Lucy laughed, grabbing her purse. "God, you really listen, don’t you?"

"Obsessively" he joked, rising to his feet.

She shook her head, amused. "Fine. Lead the way, Paperback Boy"

And with that, they left the rooftop café.

•••

Dean had just opened the door to the little bookstore, the one Lucy mentioned loving because “it smells like wood, paper, and nostalgia”

They stepped inside, the bell above the door chiming gently. The space was quiet and cozy, filled with the soft rustle of pages and the warm scent of old books. Lucy moved toward the fiction aisle, fingers brushing the spines like she was greeting old friends.

Dean watched her with a faint smile. "You really love this place, huh?"

"More than I love some people" she teased, pulling out a book and flipping through it.

Then—

The bell above the door jingled again.

And in walked Cory.

With a girl clinging to his arm.

Lucy froze.

Her fingers tightened around the book.

Dean noticed immediately. "Hey… you okay?"

She didn’t answer. She was too focused on the tall guy with the familiar smirk, the confident stride and still annoyingly cute.

Cory.

And he’d seen her too.

His eyes widened for a split second, and then he looked at her before his eyes landed on Dean.

"Well... look who it is" Dean acknowledged him.

"Dean Walker. Damn. Been a while, man"

"Yeah. You still in town?"

"Moved back last year. Work and… stuff" He gestured vaguely, then offered a quick handshake.

Lucy didn’t say a word. She didn’t move either.

Cory didn’t address her. Not directly.

But as he turned to walk past, his girl chattering softly beside him, he leaned in barely brushing her shoulder and whispered, just loud enough for only her to hear:

"You're not a thief"

Lucy blinked.

___

💕TBC💕

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