Paint Drops - Xavier Thorpe x Reader

Chapter 4: Smile for the Camera

It was the next day, and being admitted into the semester late meant I had the uncommon classes.

Of course I had some core classes, but I like the fact I have some rare ones. Plus, I get to be with Devyn for some of them too, so even better.

Speaking of which, Devyn and I were in photography. Depending if the yearbook team liked any of the photos we take, they may make it into the books.

As to complete our task for the day, we made our way to the fencing class. The clinking of swords could be heard from within the halls, echoing softly yet growing sharp as we reached our destination.

Walking in I saw Devyn go to a side of the room where there was seating. I followed suit as I didn't know what to do besides take photos. Plus, Devyn has been here far longer than I have so they have credibility.

I began to chat with my roommate, wondering what exactly we had to do.

Devyn just leaned back and smirked, "best part of being in photography here, little to no demand." I just smiled and leaned back against the wall like they did, watching all the students go about their day in class.

The door could be heard opening, and I couldn't help but look over. A girl dressed in all black fencing gear walked in. A perfect contrast to the white everyone else wore.

Devyn leaned over to me, whispering, "I think that's the new girl Enid mentioned on her blog. I can't remember, but I think her name was Tuesday."

I whipped my head in their direction, scrunching up my nose. "Devyn, how can you not remember her name?"

They cowered slightly and looked at me through their dark shades, "uh.." I sighed into my hands then looked back at them, "her name is Wednesday, I'm surprised you can't remember a day of the week."

I'll be honest, last night I couldn't sleep very easily and took Devyn's word on the blog they brought up. I've got to say, Enid really does know a lot about people here. I actually ended up following the account, I couldn't help it.

Devyn was about to say something before we heard the darkly dressed girl challenge Bianca to a duel. We both stared in awe of what was about to take place.

That was until a student pulled off his fencing mask.

His long hair fell out, perfectly framing his face. I was completely oblivious to what was going on in the challenge; especially as to what had been added.

The clashing of swords could be heard but it wasn't until a simultaneous sound of 'ahhing' was made that took me out of my thoughts. Devyn gasped and I followed their line of sight.

Bianca had a smug grin on her face as she looked at Wednesday, undefeated.

I couldn't see incredibly well from where I was sitting, but I could tell Wednesday had blood on her fingers.

After a snarky remark was made by the 'queen' herself, everyone slowly went back to what they were doing.

I was confused as I scanned the room, seeing everyone act as if nothing happened, going back to their partners. That was until my eyes met someone else's. I froze in fear as Devyn and I were caught.

I grabbed their shoulders while keeping eye contact. I made sure to barely move my mouth, just audible enough for Devyn to hear me, "we're in trouble."

Devyn, even with the shades that covered half their face, looked extremely confused. A small sharp inhale of air was heard as they realized the situation we were in.

I opened my mouth to ask what we should do, but instead I was greeted with a harsh tug of my hand.

My brain didn't even process what had happened until we exited the room; which was swiftly followed by the shout of, who I presume to be, the teacher.

We ran for a few minutes until Devyn's pace slowed down and then halted. They leaned against the wall while I slowly sunk down to the ground.

All I could do was catch my breath until I looked over to Devyn, who had a smile creeping up onto their face. We both exploded into a fit of laughter.

Devyn sighed after calming down and looked at me, "we probably shouldn't go back in there." They looked around the hallway as their hair flipped and their decorative beads made a slight noise hitting each other.

I got up from where I was seated, still leaning against the wall, "what should we do?"

Devyn looked back at me through their shades, an excited look gleaming in their eyes. "You said you found Nevermore beautiful, right?" I nodded as they grabbed my hand, "come on! I know where we can go."

When they said that, I didn't expect anything fancy. Out of every option that I could think of, I was not expecting the rooftop.

Devyn carefully closed the door we entered through and took a deep breath in. "This is one of my favorite places to go to on campus."

I couldn't help but walk in a straight line, one foot in front of the other. I watched my footing as I spoke, "anywhere else?" They bowed down to where they were in my line of sight, smiling, "just here. Here is home for me, well, besides my actual home."

They stood back up, and stretched. I followed suit, stretching my arms out in front of me, allowing the slight breeze to hit my body.

Devyn gasped and looked towards me, "super dumb, but do you want to see something?" I could feel a goofy grin spread across my face, one very similar to Devyn's.

They're so contagious, their good mood and smile especially.

We made our way to the edge of the roof where a gargoyle lived. Devyn outreached their arms towards the stoney figure that resided here, "ta-da!"

A small laugh came out of me from pure confusion and I'm pretty sure Devyn noticed too as they looked at me. They sighed in defeat and waved me over, "so believe it or not, but I hid something in this dude's mouth ages ago."

Devyn carefully hugged the gargoyle with one arm and reached in its mouth with the other. With a few strained grunts, they carefully pulled their way back on the roof in defeat. I sighed knowing what was next, "I'll try and get it."

They flashed me a big goofy grin and gave me two thumbs ups, "I've got your back, okay? If it'll make you feel better, I'll even hold onto you." I nodded as they held onto me for security while I slowly reenacted what Devyn did.

I felt a few cold drops hit my head, "is it starting to rain?" I tried to look over to Devyn as best as I could as they replied with a small hum. I sighed and dug around a bit, feeling nothing but the cold, rough surface of the statue.

It began to rain more and more by the second, until I felt something hit my hand. I gasped and grabbed the cold object, "I got it!"

Devyn helped me gain my balance, pulling me back.

I opened the palm of my hand to reveal a small key. We didn't care that we were getting drenched by the rain, just happy to have found the object.

Though the look of pure terror quickly washed over their face. It didn't sink in what was happening until Devyn grabbed my wrist, launching themselves over the edge I was just standing on.

I couldn't focus, realizing I was dangling off the side of the building. I inhaled sharply as the situation set in.

"Grab my other hand!" Devyn was holding onto me by their left hand, reaching their right hand out to me. I reached out though a heavy weight hit my arm.

I'm guessing their gaze met mine as they looked at the camera that was slowly falling from my shoulder. "Don't worry about that! Just grab onto me, please!"

I used all the strength I had to hold onto them, and before I knew it, I was back on solid ground and met with the warm embrace of my friend.

There was a voice nearby but I couldn't even make out where it came from as I hugged my roommate back.

What just happened?