Chapter Seven: Address
RILEY'S POV
I didn't see Xander at school the next day.
I wanted to return his jacket—and thank him—but he was nowhere to be found.
There was someone I kept seeing though.
Mason.
Xander's younger brother.
I had heard Nat mention that his siblings attended the same school as us, but I hadn't actually seen them before. Now, somehow, Mason and I kept running into each other—as if the universe was deliberately placing us in the same space.
We talked a few times.
Then a few more.
And now, here we were again—meeting at the parking lot after school.
"Riley, this is the fifth time I'm seeing you today," he said, laughing. "Are you a witch or something?"
I laughed too.
"Hey, dkhead**, hurry up and get your butt in the car!" Jason yelled from inside the car.
"Sure, balls! I'll be right there!" Mason yelled back.
My smile widened.
"I'll see you later, Riley." He paused, then turned back. "Are you free this evening? You could come over, if you want."
"Um… sure," I replied.
I didn't know why, but I felt comfortable around Mason.
He pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled something down. "Our address. In case you forget."
He waved before jogging back to the car.
I woke up from my nap later that evening, washed my face, and rinsed my mouth.
I changed into a pink oversized shirt and black sweatpants—comfortable, simple. It wasn't like I was going to a party.
I checked myself in the mirror.
Okay… pink actually looks good with black.
I smiled.
I arrived at the address Mason had given me and paused, staring at the house. It was beautiful during the day—but at night, it looked even better.
I had brought Xander's jacket with me, neatly folded. I was hoping to return it to him.
Almost immediately after I rang the doorbell, Mason opened the door.
"Told y'all she'd come," he laughed.
Jason muttered something under his breath.
Kayla waved at me just as Kai walked in.
"Ha! You're special, Riley," Kai said, pointing at me with his plate of chips.
Seeing my confused look, he continued, "You're the only person who's managed to find something interesting in this dumbass." He pointed the plate at Mason.
Mason rolled his eyes but showed me around. We joked, played games, and laughed. I found myself liking him more than I expected.
I learned a lot about the family—and a little about Xander.
Mason and his twin were fifteen. Xander was seventeen.
Apparently, when Xander came back, he was academically behind and had to repeat a class.
Came back from where?
Mason wouldn't say. He just shrugged and told me it wasn't a topic he was meant to bring up.
I didn't push it.
We were sitting in front of a large screen, watching Mason lose—again—while the others mocked him, especially his twin.
I smiled, watching them.
I wasn't used to this kind of fun. Cleo was always busy—on her phone or with friends. I'd never really had friends before, and now I wondered if it had been the city holding me back… or maybe just me.
Either way, I was changing. Improving.
I heard Kai cursing as he chased Jason with a shoe.
Then I remembered the jacket.
"Hey," I said, "why didn't Xander come to school today?"
"He skipped," Kayla replied without looking up from her phone.
"Mason," I said, standing, "do you mind helping me return Xander's jacket?"
I pulled it from my backpack.
Kayla finally looked up. "How did his jacket end up with you?"
"He—"
"Never mind," she cut in.
…Okay?
"Uh, sorry, Riley," Mason said distractedly. "I need to beat this idiot first."
He promptly lost.
The others shook their heads. "He said no one should disturb him."
"Alright," I said. "Can someone tell me where his room is?"
"Last floor," Mason said. "Left, then the last room."
"That's no how to give directions" Jason taunted.
I left them arguing and headed upstairs.
At the third—and final—floor, the hallway split in three directions.
Left.
Right.
Straight.
I chose straight.
At the end of the hall was a door with a large X carved into it.
Xander's room.
I knocked.
No answer.
I knocked again.
Still nothing.
The door cracked open slightly, and curiosity got the better of me. I pushed it gently and stepped inside.
The room was massive—not your typical teenager's room at all.
No one was there.
I was about to leave when I noticed steam coming from what I assumed was the bathroom.
Oh no.
The bathroom door opened.
Xander stepped out—shirtless—with a towel wrapped low around his waist and another in his hair. Water droplets slid down his chest and—
Stop. Looking.
He noticed me instantly. His brow lifted in mild confusion as he dropped the towel from his hair.
"I—uh—I…"
Words failed me.
Since when did I become this person?
A piece of clothing flew past my head.
"What are you doing here, Rachel?" he asked flatly.
"I came to return your… jacket," I said, stepping back—only to trip and land painfully on the floor.
Perfect.
I bit my lip, resisting the urge to rub my sore backside.
I saw his lips twitch.
I stood up quickly and handed him the jacket.
He tossed it into his closet, shut the door, and turned back to me.
"Aren't you leaving?"
Before I could respond, he reached for the hem of his towel.
Panic hit me.
I spun around and collided with the door.
"Shit," I cursed, yanking it open and rushing out.
Stupid, stupid Riley.
By the time I reached the end of the hallway, I was breathing hard—my heart racing for no reason.
Author's Note
Thanks for reading 🤍
See you in the next chapter ✨