BAD INFLUENCE

SCHOOL CAFETERIA*

Hailey sat at one of the tables in the cafeteria, her tray of food untouched in front of her as she absentmindedly poked at the fries. She had just finished her first class of the day and had gone to the dormitory, only to find it locked.

"Hey, is this seat taken?"

Hailey looked up, startled. A girl was standing in front of her, a friendly smile on her face.

"I'm not sure. I mean... yeah, sure" Hailey replied, gesturing to the seat across from her.

The girl slid into the chair, setting down her tray with a relieved sigh.

"Thanks. I just needed to get away from all those people" She chuckled, glancing around at the busy cafeteria before turning her attention back to Hailey.

"You look like you could use a break too"

Hailey smiled awkwardly. "Yeah... just trying to get through the day, you know?"

"I'm Jessa, by the way. We're in the same class, right?"

Hailey blinked, trying to place her.

"I think so. We had that...um, the intro to English class this morning"

"That's the one! You seemed kind of quiet, but you've got that... serious vibe. Like you're here to actually do something"

"Yeah, that's the plan " Hailey said with a smile.

"Well, if you ever want to study or just, you know, talk, let me know, I'm still trying to figure out where everything is on campus, and it looks like you might know your way around"

"I...actually went by the dorm, but it was locked" Hailey said, pushing the food around on her plate.

"Lucky you, I will be coming from home" she said.

'Not like I'm staying there' she said inwardly.

The cafeteria that was buzzing with loud conversations suddenly stopped the moment he walked in..

Xavier.

With his hands shoved casually into the pockets of his black jeans, he strode in like he owned the place.

Girls all around the cafeteria stilled, their eyes locking on him like he was gravity itself, pulling them in effortlessly. Some whispered among themselves, others bit their lips as they stared at him.

Jessa nudged Hailey slightly.

"Yup. That's Xavier Knight, the guy everyone warns you about"

Hailey stiffened, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. She didn't need the warning.

She already knew.

Her mind flashed back to the restroom, to the suffocating scent of smoke, the way his gaze had raked over her like he was seeing straight through her, stripping away every layer with just a look.

And now...he was here.

His gaze swept over the cafeteria lazily, as if he was unimpressed by the attention, used to it. But then, his sharp, dark eyes landed on her.

Hailey's breath seized.

Staring at her like he had just found something interesting.

A slow, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

Jessa shifted beside Hailey.

"Uh... do you know him?" she asked, sensing the strange tension between them.

Hailey quickly tore her gaze away, her heart hammering in her chest.

"No" she said.

She forced herself to focus on her food, her fingers tightening around the fork, but it was useless. The energy in the room had shifted, and it was because of him.

Jessa was still talking beside her, something about a professor and an assignment, but Hailey could barely hear her.

Her chair suddenly jerked backward.

A gasp escaped from her lips as she was pulled away from the table in one swift motion. The cafeteria spun for half a second before she felt warm hands grip her waist, steadying her.

Firm. Possessive.

The entire cafeteria went dead silent.

Hailey's breath stuttered as she tilted her head up only to find herself face-to-face with Xavier.

His grip on her waist didn't loosen. If anything, it tightened, his fingers pressing slightly into her sweater.

His dark eyes flickered with amusement, like he was enjoying her reaction.

"Told you we'd see each other again, princess" he murmured.

Hailey tried to move, but his hold didn't let her.

Everyone was watching. Jessa's jaw was practically on the floor. Girls were glaring, enviously. Others were watching with open anticipation on what's about to happen since it's Xavier.

'This wasn't happening'

'This couldn't be happening'

"Let go" she begged.

Xavier's tongue flicked over his lip piercing, his smirk deepening.

"Make me"

He was playing with her. Toying. And the worst part? She had no idea how to stop it.

Before she could react, before she could even breathe properly, he leaned down, his lips brushing just beside her ear.

"You're cute when you're nervous"

Heat crawled up Hailey's neck, spreading to her face.

And then, just as effortlessly as he had grabbed her, he let go.

Like he hadn't just thrown the entire cafeteria into chaos.

Like he hadn't just flipped her entire world upside down.

He stepped back, shoving his hands into his pockets again, that signature smirk still playing on his lips. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving behind nothing but shocked stares and a pounding heartbeat.