Chapter 18: (Xavier's POV)- Mother Knows Best

I like her. 

There, I said it. 

I like Aubrey Carthy. 

After those highly flirtatious moments, we retreated to my room in somewhat awkward but mostly comfortable silence. 

She cleared her throat, "Um- is the guest room free by any chance?" she asked while tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear before cracking her knuckles. Her nervous habits. 

I shook my head before replying, "Sorry. It's locked and I don't know where my mom keeps the keys." Lie. I knew exactly where they were but why would I tell her that? 

"Oh, okay then, nevermind," she mumbled before I opened the door for her, waiting as she entered before following behind her. We stood awkwardly there. She pulled the sleeves of my shirt down, having them run past her hands, making me realize how huge the shirt was on her and how adorable she looked. 

She cleared her throat but my eyes still roamed her body. "Can you please not check me out?" she spoke awkwardly while placing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. 

"S-sorry," I stuttered while scratching the back of my neck before plugging my phone off charge and plugging hers on for her since it was about to die. I turned around to see her sitting on the edge of my bed, with a book in her hand. 

Death On The Nile. 

Another murder mystery book I had, which was amazing. I remember we got to watch the movie in sixth grade, that was fun too. 

She sat in bed, against the headboard, pulling the blanket in her lap. 

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding before grabbing The Murder On Orient Express from the bedside table on her side and taking it over to mine, where I sat beside her reading. We were reading in silence when my phone rang. 

I answered it and heard my mom's voice. "Hey honey, is everything okay?" she asked casually while I heard shuffling in the back. 

"Yeah, mom everything's okay," I replied shortly as I heard what sounded like a pan falling onto the floor. 

"Is she okay? You two having fun?" she asked after shushing someone. 

"Yes, mom," I answered while my brain thought of whose house she was at since I didn't want to admit who I thought it was. 

She gasped, "You like her don't you?" 

I stiffened. "How did you know?" I mumbled, suppressing a groan and leaning my head against the headboard. 

"Mother knows best, sweetie. Mother knows best." I could picture the smug smile on her face. 

"Alright mother," I laughed. "I'll you call tomorrow morning okay?" I informed her. 

"Okay honey, goodnight, love you, and get to bed!" she demanded over the phone.

"Yes, mom. Goodnight, love you," I replied before hanging up. I knew exactly whose house she was at and I was not admitting it. Not tonight.

I got back to reading before I felt Aubrey lie down, still reading. I stayed still in my position until she turned on her side, still reading. Around twenty minutes later, she wasn't shifting at all and her breathing sounded steady. 

So I dared to look at her and found her fast asleep with the book falling onto the bed beside her head.

I slightly smiled to myself before slowly and quietly getting up and grabbing the book placing it on the desk with mine. I got back into bed as slow as possible, careful not to wake it, not before turning the lights off of course. 

I got into bed and closed my eyes, slowly dozing off to sleep but before that could happen, I felt two arms wrap around me followed by someone rest their head on my chest, that someone being Aubrey. I bit my lip to prevent myself from smiling but failed miserably so I gave in and wrapped my arms around her, dozing off soon enough. 

~~~~~ 

It was now the next morning and I woke up to Carthy still fast asleep, hugging wait no, clutching onto me tightly. Her hand rested on my chest which I slowly drew circles on with the tip of my finger. 

She gently stirred before changing positions, which resulted in her clutching onto me even tighter. Okay, now it was just getting harder to breathe. 

"Carthy," I whispered. 

She groaned before hiding her face in my chest. 

"Carthy come on, get up," I brushed my fingers against her cheek making her shift even more. 

Soon enough, she opened her eyes and looked around a little confused before her gaze lifted, meeting mine. 

Then she comprehended our position. 

Then she jumped three feet in the air and pulled away. I wish she wouldn't have but it is what it is.

"What the hell happened?" she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes while pouting adorably. 

I chuckled, "You fell asleep while reading and decided that hugging me was the most comfortable position for you to fall asleep in." 

She groaned, rubbing her hands over her face. She took in a deep breath, "What time is it?" Her eyebrows knitted together while the sun blinded her. 

I smiled. "It's about eleven in the morning," I informed her. 

She groaned before pouting even more and just sitting there with her eyes closed. A full minute had gone by and wasn't moving, just sitting there with her eyes sealed shut. Before I knew it, she was tumbling over, falling right back onto the bed. 

"No, no, no! Carthy, wake up. Come on, wake up." I grabbed her shoulders before her head hit the pillow which would have immediately put her back to sleep. 

"No," she spoke bluntly. 

"Aubrey," I spoke warningly. I sounded like a parent, gosh. "Aubrey, please get up," I sighed. 

"Just ten more minutes," she whined, wrapping her arms right back around me just like last night. 

"You're hugging me again," I pointed out, thinking it would snap her out of her sleep but instead she just turned her back to face me and hugged a pillow instead. I grabbed her shoulder, turning her to face me again to wake her up. 

God how the hell is she never late for babysitting me? 

"Aubrey, please wake up. Get ready! We have a whole day ahead of us," I brushed the hair that had fallen over her face away before she wrapped her arms around me, again. 

"You're comfy," she sighed. 

I took in a deep breath before giving up. I waited ten seconds before she unlatched herself from me and finally woke up. Are you kidding me? All I had to do was wait? 

"There, I'm up what the hell do you want?" she groaned before gathering her hair and throwing it in a messy bun at the top of her head. 

"A good morning kiss?" I smirked. 

She gave me a deadpanned look. "Xavier, god help me or so I will punch you," she spoke in all seriousness. 

 "I've been sitting here doing nothing for a while okay? You've been sleeping!" I exclaimed. 

"Well, that's your fault! It's your fault for being that comfy!" she argued tiredly. 

I scoffed, "Well, it's your fault for hugging me!" I reasoned. 

She took in a deep breath, containing her frustration. I don't know how she puts up with me. Usually, I'm a lot more annoying than now and right now, she's tired so props to her. "Can we please just lay in bed?" she pouted. 

I looked at her skeptically. 

"For today, just for today, please? I'm really tired, Xavier. Please?" she pleaded. 

"Fine, just go and brush your teeth." I grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet. 

She groggily walked to the guest bathroom before closing the door and coming back after a few minutes. She came back and plopped onto my bed, not before grabbing her phone which seemed to be having a seizure with texts from Violet spamming it. 

She groaned before placing it on silent and the nightstand, face down. "My head hurts." She sniffled while letting her hair down. 

"You might have a headache today from the rain you so eagerly danced in." I ran my hand through her hair, while she stuffed her face in my pillow. 

She looked up at me, grinning from ear to ear. "I would do it again in a heartbeat." She smiled, making melt. 

I laughed while shaking my head. 

God, I do like her. 

A lot.

*

*

*

*

*

The ship is sailing you guys... It's finally sailing <3