First Time

Count on me

Chapter 8: Count on me

The next morning, when Kori opened her eyes, she wondered if last night had been a dream. She thought it surely must have been and that her secret was still that, her secret, but when she sat up in bed and saw Xavier sitting at her vanity dresser she realized it wasn't her secret anymore. It was his as well.

Standing up, she walked over to him. Although his back was to her she could see his face in the mirror. She could see the dark circles under his eyes.

"You didn't sleep?" she inquired, already knowing the answer but feeling she should ask anyway. He shook his head. "Why not?"

He turned his head slightly so he could look at her with the corner of his eye. "Had a lot on my mind."

"Oh...," her eyes met the floor upon saying this and the guilt rised in her chest. This was one of the reasons she never confided in anyone. She didn't want others to shoulder her burden. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I shouldn't have dumped my problems onto you."

"Your problems are my problems," he declared, turning in the small pink cushioned chair to face her. He looked at her seriously. "If you're going through something I want to know about it. I want you to tell me so I can help you."

It was sweet of him to offer her his services, but she couldn't accept. It was too much, she couldn't rely on him for every problem. It would be unfair. "Xavier-"

"Don't start. I can already tell what you're thinking," he revealed, holding up a hand to silence her. That raised hand eventually sought out hers, and once he had seized it he gently dragged her forward and into his lap. Kori was surprised the little chair they were on was able to support them both. "You wouldn't be taking advantage of me. You wouldn't be wrong for seeking help. We're friends, we're supposed to rely on each other. I'm not going to get upset or tired from helping you-"

"You're tired now," she pointed out.

"Doesn't count. The point is I want you to rely on me. If you don't that will hurt me."

She lowered her gaze, her hair shielding her face from his view.

He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear and planted a kiss on her temple. He then rested his forehead against it. "Promise me, Kori. Promise to let me help you."

She shut her eyes and nodded once. "... I promise."

"Good," he kissed her temple again before giving her some space. "Now, about last night..." He felt her tense up and rubbed her arms, hoping it would help her relax. "I was thinking about what kind of action we could take against Phey. I-"

"Action?" Kori repeated, apprehensive as she jumped out of his lap and took several steps back. Her hands were folded and pressed to her chest. "What kind of action?"

He stood up but didn't advance upon her, sensing her fear and worrying that she would flee from him. "Well you know, legal action. He has to pay for what he did to you."

"No... nononono," she shook her head. "I can't... If I do everyone will know."

"Kori, be reasonable-"

"No! I don't want to!" she insisted, her fist at her sides, her arms trembling and her breathing uneven.

Xavier wanted to push the issue, wanted to state his case. He felt action was necessary, whether it be legally or illegally, something he thought about suggesting but decided against it when he recalled how against Kori was when it came to criminal activity. He supposed he could send someone after Phey, that form of action worked particularly well when he dealt with Fang way back when. Unfortunately he didn't have the resources to go forward with a plan like that.