The Ice In His Soul//One-on-one// (CLOSED)//

She shook her head, staring at the road. “It make sure me happy to see others happy. If I smile it makes them smile. Even if you aren’t feeling good, you can make someone else feel good just by smiling at them.” She lived by those words. If she smiled, she could make someone else smile.

Xio hesitated, staring up at his face. “But do you really believe that you will?” She freed herself from his arm, instead slipping her hand into his and giving it a light squeeze. “I can’t make you like yourself, but I’m just going to keep saying you’re amazing and hoping it’ll settle somewhere up in that stubborn head or yours. I can tell you that I’ve seen your self confidence shine every now and then. It was there during our snowball fight and when you flustered me.”

She sighed loudly. “Whether valid or not, I like seeing people smile.” By her tone it was obvious she wasn’t going to change that. She could smile all she want even if it was all fake.

“Mm… I won’t pressure you. Everyone needs time to heal.” She nudged him, feeling the urge to hug him again. He was more broken than she had thought. She wanted to help him, to at least arrange those pieces if she couldn’t fix them. “Oh to me it means you like me.” She teased, a small laugh leaving her lips. Emotion. She didn’t feel as numb. “Don’t tell me it means nothing to you. I thought I was finally starting to get you to be my friend.”

“I know.” She winked. “Maybe I’m trying to get you to fall for me. Maybe I’m a witch who can only steal a soul through a kiss.” She snorted at that thought. Her eyes widened and she gently punched him, laughing. “Me? Insufferable? I’ve already known that for a long time.” She bit her lip, holding back a fake grin. If he didn’t like her faking it she maybe could tone it down. “You say I’m insufferable yet you still hold my hand.” She noted.

As he left, Xio stood outside admiring his home. It was bigger than her’s and overall nicer. She did live in the more ghetto part of town. It was the only place they could afford. She joined Kai when he moved to unlock the garage. “Still think I’m insufferable after being alone for a bit?” She teasingly asked.

“Oh I’ll talk myself into my grave.” Xio reassured him. She waited patiently for the garage door to open, eyeing the car inside. She was only a little bit jealous. Well, she was a lot jealous. It was a beautiful car. She stared at it, shaking her head when he spoke.

“Wait, really!? I can ride in that?” She grinned from ear to ear, hurrying to the passenger seat and climbing in. The first thing she did was buckle up. Her father had drilled that into her. “This car is amazing…”

Xio laughed. “So her name is Baby? If I had a car I’d be weird and name it something like the Deer Slayer or something. Then again, that would mean it would have to had hit a few deer…” she frowned. Deer weren’t too common in the city.

She stared out of the window, watching buildings and people whiz by. It was relaxing to drive in a private vehicle after so long. She couldn’t believe how quiet it was.

“I’d me afraid someone would do something too. I don’t blame you. She’s too pretty to be defaced.” Xio laughed. Personifying a car was one thing she hadn’t ever done.

She leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes. Her thoughts were trying to creep back in and she didn’t like that. “You know which hospital right? The big one on the east side?”

“She is…” Xio placed her hands in her lap, a soft sigh escaping her lips. She was exhausted for some unknown reason. Granted, she did stay up well past three AM waiting for her father to return home. She needed him and missed him. This Saturday was his day off.

“Just making sure…” she mumbled, half asleep. Her head fell against the window, a strand of her hair falling into her face. She blew it away, yawning. “I’m tired…”

“A nap? I don’t need a nap…” was the last thing she murmured before she had fallen asleep. Xio’s body relaxed, all tension she had been holding melted away. This time when her hair fell into her face she did nothing about it.

The poor girl must have worn herself out. Today was filled with many events from her speaking with her father in the early morning hours to the snowball fight in the halls and again to her slight mental breakdown. At least now she looked comfortable and relaxed. Her red lips parted slightly, her chest rising and falling in a calm manner.

Xio blinked her eyes open once shaken. She groaned and covered her eyes with her arms. “I don’t want to get up.” She whined, a yawn breaking her words. She stretched her legs out, glancing over at Kai. “Are we there?”

Slowly she began to shake her tired muscles awake, unbuckling her seat belt. She sat up, looking around. Her hair was even more of a mess than before. She ran her hand through it, only tangling it more. “Curse natural curls.” She mumbled. Her hair was naturally wavy but those waves often turned into curls.

“Oh. Yeah.” She giggled. She closed her eyes one final time, preparing herself. She did want to see Jeremy. Badly. “I’m up, I’m up.”

She blushed, covering her mouth with her hand. Cute? She shook her head and climbed out of the car, her eyes filled with fear. She put on a face of happiness, however, and trudged towards the doors. “This place gives me the chills.” She admitted. “Reminds me of how badly I was beaten.”

Xio relaxed at his touch, blushing slightly. She returned the squeeze, staring at his face with a longing gaze. “Lets pretend it’s not a hospital.” She decided. “It’s a kingdom for people so strong, they have to be looked after.” Her and her imagination.

Once inside, Xio moved to the desk. There she checked them both in and bit her lip. “The lady said room 314.” She muttered, walking through the halls. Patients whispered and moaned from their rooms while nurses and doctors hurried about. The air smelt like bleach and cleaner. It was too sanitary for Xio. Her hand moved to her ribs, a grimace replacing her smile.

“Can I still hold your hand?” She asked softly, her voice breaking. She felt like crying again. She held it in.

“Thank you” Her voice was a mere whisper, hoarse and afraid. Room 314 stood right in front of them. Her grip on his hand tightened. Xio’s stomach churned. She carefully creaked the door open, looking around the room. A few flowers and a large amount of skittles - Jeremy’s favorite - rested on the nightstand next to the hospital bed. Laying in that bed was a boy so pale he matched the white sheets around him. His tousled ginger hair reached his ears and green eyes peered curiously at the door. He smiled at the visitors. “Mari!” His voice was nearly gone.

There were many tubes supplying blood and liquids to his body. Xio’s breath hitched. “You idiot… why are you scaring me.” She cried out, the damn holding her tears back breaking. She sobbed as she rushed to the teen in the bed, her hand slipping out of Kai’s. She threw her arms around her friend, complaining to him the whole time.

“Mari calm down. Geez you’re so emotional.” Jeremey mumbled. “I’m sorry to say that I’m not sitting up for even you. It makes my head spin.” He admitted. She shook her head, pulling away and whipping her face.

“You’re stupid…” She mumbled, looking him up and down. He seemed fragile and small. Not the Jeremy she usually knew. Jeremy’s eyes moved to Kai, a low sigh leaving his lips,

“Xio. Did you get another boyfriend?” she blushed, shaking her head.

(Am I fell asleep but thanks for telling me.)

“Kai? The one Jason always talks about? Man that kid is a loudmouth.” His eyes flicker shut for a moment as if speaking is hard for him. “I:m Jeremy. I know, dumb name in this day and age but my mother liked it.” He complained. Xio laughed, a few tears escaping her eyes. She wiped them away with her hand.

“You’re such a dork.” She murmured, looking over at Kai with a soft smile. “Kai’s cool. I was hoping you two could get along.”

“I can do that, Mari.”

“Oh good heavens…” Xio collapsed into the other bedside chair, groaning under her breath. She was dang tired again. Jeremy laughed softly.

“Glad Xio found a new friend.”

//Sorry, fell asleep//

"She's stubborn" Jeremy said rolling his eyes. It wasn't a shock to him to hear Xio had stood up to Jason.

"Well, I am slightly psycho." She admitted, grinning at Kai. She punched Kai's shoulder. "And he's a bully who gets on my nerves." A soft laugh escaped Jeremy's lips.