BAD INFLUENCE

The moment Xavier walked away, the cafeteria burst into chaos.

Whispers.

Gasps.

Stares.

Hailey barely registered any of it. Her heart was still hammering in her chest, her skin tingling where his hands had been just moments ago.

What just happened?

She slowly sank back into her seat, feeling Jessa's wide-eyed gaze burning into her.

"Okay... what the hell was that?" Jessa demanded, practically bouncing in her seat.

"Did Xavier Knight just...wait...what's going on between you two?"

Hailey shook her head quickly.

"Nothing. I don't even know him"

Jessa snorted. "Yeah, well, he sure as hell knows you"

Hailey clenched her fists, staring down at her untouched food. She wanted to disappear. To pretend none of that just happened. But the cafeteria wasn't letting her.

All around them, students were still whispering, girls glaring at her like she had just stolen something precious from them.

Brielle, who sat a few tables away, looked livid.

Hailey swallowed hard. She needed to get out of here.

"Excuse me" she muttered, grabbing her tray and standing up.

Jessa called after her, but she didn't stop. She just needed air. Space. Anything to clear her mind of him.

But the moment she stepped out of the cafeteria, she realized one terrifying thing-

Xavier Knight was dangerous.

Brielle suddenly came from nowhere, blocking her way with her arms crossed. Her two friends, Tessa and Lila were with her.

"Well, well, look who it is" Brielle drawled, tilting her head.

"The new school slut"

Hailey stiffened. "Excuse me?"

Tessa let out a dramatic gasp, pressing a hand to her chest.

"Oh, come on, Hailey. You really think people didn't see what just happened? Xavier Knight, of all people, touching you?" She laughed, shaking her head.

"That was pathetic"

"You know, girls have tried for months to get his attention. And yet, somehow, you just...what? Stumble into his lap?" Lila said.

Hailey clenched her fists.

"I didn't ask for his attention"

"Oh, but you got it. And trust me, Hailey, that's a very dangerous thing" Brielle said and then continued by moving closer.

"You're not special. You're just a toy he'll get bored of and when he does? You'll wish you never even looked at him"

Hailey swallowed hard, her throat dry.

"Stay out of his way because if you don't-" She trailed off, giving Hailey a slow, knowing look before flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Well... don't say I didn't warn you"

With that, she and her friends brushed past her, laughing.

Hailey stood frozen.

What had she just gotten herself into?

She let out a shaky breath, trying to push down the lump in her throat. Her hands clenched by her sides as Brielle and her friends walked away, their laughter still ringing in her ears.

"Hailey!" She heard a familiar voice call her.

Jessa jogged up beside her. "You really just left me in the cafeteria" she said, shaking her head.

"Cold"

"Sorry" Hailey muttered.

Jessa eyed her, then glanced back toward Brielle and her group, who just entered an empty class.

"I see they're already starting their usual nonsense"

Hailey sighed. "I don't get it. I don't understand why Brielle hates me this much"

Jessa shot her a confused look.

"Wait, hates you? You guys know each other?"

Hailey let out a dry laugh.

"She's my cousin"

Jessa stopped walking.

"You're kidding"

Hailey shook her head. Jessa's jaw dropped for a second before she scoffed.

"Wow. And here I thought she was just mean for fun. Turns out, she's actually heartless"

Hailey looked away, not wanting to let the conversation dig too deep.

Jessa nudged her lightly.

"Well, don't let her get to you. And while we're on that topic, try to avoid Xavier too. The last thing you need is more trouble" she said and Hailey nodded without saying anything.

•••

NIGHT, XAVIER'S PLACE*

Xavier pushed open the door to his small apartment, stepping inside with a lazy swagger. The light in the room illuminating the mess of clothes, empty bottles, and cigarette packs scattered around.

With a deep inhale, he brought the cigarette between his lips, sucking in the toxic relief as he kicked the door shut behind him. Smoke curled from his lips as he exhaled, his free hand reaching for the hem of his shirt.

He pulled it over his head, tossing it carelessly on the couch. His toned torso flexed as he ran a hand through his messy hair, the nicotine buzzing through his veins.

The sound of water dripping sounded from the bathroom, followed by the soft padding of bare feet against the floor.

A girl came out, wrapped in nothing but a towel. Her damp hair clung to her shoulders, her lips curling into a sultry smile at the sight of him.

"Finally" she purred, her eyes trailing over his body.

"Took you long enough"

Xavier barely looked at her. His expression remained unreadable, his cigarette hanging loosely from his fingers.

Then, in that deep, commanding voice of his, he uttered the only words that mattered.

"On your fours"

Without hesitation, she let the towel slip from her body and did exactly as he said.

Xavier took another slow drag, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

Tonight, he needed a distraction.

And she was just that.

He flicked the cigarette into a nearby ashtray before picking another one and his fingers moved to his belt, unfastening it.

The girl shifted on her hands and knees, her breath uneven as she waited.

Xavier's smirk deepened. He liked this...having control, watching them surrender without question. It was predictable, easy.

Unlike the girl from earlier.

His jaw ticked at the thought of Hailey. Her wide, innocent eyes, the way she had stiffened under his touch. She was different. Untouched. Unaware of the danger standing right in front of her.

And for some reason, that made him want her even more.

But not now. Not yet.

Right now, he needed to clear his head.

With one last tug, his belt slid free from his jeans.

"Good girl" he murmured, stepping closer.

The girl shivered at his words, her lips curling into a pleased smile as she arched her back slightly, presenting herself to him.

Xavier rolled his shoulders, tossing his belt on the couch before taking another drag from his cigarette. His free hand raked through his dark hair, his mind still clouded...not from the nicotine, but from the lingering image of Hailey.

Her innocence taunted him.

It wasn't just that she was untouched,but it was the way she looked at him, like she had no idea what someone like him was capable of and that fascinates him.

...that made him want to ruin her even more.

"Xavier" the girl's voice pulled him back. She turned her head slightly, her glossy lips parting as she batted her lashes at him.

"You're distracted"

"Shut up"

With that, he stubbed out his cigarette, cracked his neck, and finally focused on the girl in front of him.

Xavier unbuttoned his jeans, sliding the zipper down. His eyes darkened as he stepped closer, gripping the girl's hip with one hand while the other ran through his tousled hair.

"You know the rules" he muttered.

The girl arched her back further, pressing her palms flat against the bed. She didn't dare to look up, she knew better.

But even as Xavier's hands moved, even as his body reacted, his mind was elsewhere.

That damn girl.

Hailey.

She wasn't supposed to matter. She wasn't supposed to be anything more than another naive little thing, easy to tease, easy to ruin. And yet, something about her was messing with his head.

Her wide, innocent eyes. The way she shied away from him but still held her ground.

She was different.

And Xavier Knight didn't like things he couldn't control.

Grinding his teeth, he pushed the thought away, gripping the girl's waist harder.

Tonight, he'd get Hailey out of his system.

Or at least, he'd try.

He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply, and when he opened them again... he saw her.

Hailey.

His fingers twitched around the leather strap of his belt.

In his mind, it was her on the bed, her soft breaths, her trembling hands pressed into the mattress.

His jaw clenched as his grip tightened.

"You have no idea what you do to me, princess" he muttered under his breath.

The girl beneath him blushed.

She had no clue.

Because in that moment, she wasn't the one he wanted.

And that realization?

It only made him want Hailey more.

With a sharp exhale, he pulled away from her, ignoring the confused look she shot him.

"Xavier?" she murmured, shifting slightly.

But he was already moving away from her.

Grabbing his discarded shirt from the floor, he shrugged it over his head, not bothering to button it as he stepped toward the door.

The metallic clink of his belt sounded in the quiet room as he worked it back into place, a cigarette already dangling from his lips.

He got on the street, taking a deep inhale. A slow burn in his lungs.

But none of it dulled the ache building inside him.

Because for the first time in his life, Xavier Knight had walked away.

And all because she wasn't Hailey.