Ten minutes of waiting and my worry grew. Should I follow him and check on him. It would be weird right? Two guys didn't just go to the bathroom together. Especially if that person happened to be your crush and had kissed you the night before and you still hadn't talked about it. But what if Xander needed help?

Help with what- his zipper?

I shook my head hard, making the room spin slightly as the ache returned with a vengeance. Control yourself.

Sighing I went over to the door and knocked.

“Xander?”

Nothing, not a sound.

Worried I poked my head in. The light was off casting the room in a semi gloom only penetrated my the one large window. At first I didn't see him but when my eyes adjusted to the lack of light I spotted Xander standing against the far wall under the window in it’s shadow.

“Hey is everything okay?” I asked walking in, the door shutting behind me loud and final.

He stiffened at my approach quickly covering his face with my book.

“Get out, Lumir.” He said voice thick and slow. An underlining warning clear but I pushed past.

“Xander, what's going on?” No response. “Can you lower the book?” He still didn't move and if I didn't know better I'd say he was holding his breath. “Please?” I tried.

Huffing I crossed over to him, hand hovering a breath away before lowering the book myself, a little surprised by what I saw on the other side.

His eyes were wide and bloodshot- fangs protruding from his upper and lower lips at a painfully curved angle- almost like tusk, even his hands looked different. The skin around his nails up towards his wrist had darkened to a smoky black all the way to the tips of his- claws.

“What's going on? Are you alright?”

He shook his head and oddly enough I could almost feel his confusion, it was thick enough to perfume the space between us.

He looked around anywhere but me then caught sight of himself in the mirror. The sound he let out reminded me of a wounded animal and it broke my heart.

I cupped his face making him turn away. “Xander talk to me, what's happening?”

He somewhat snapped out of his panicked state sucking in a strained breath pointing to his mouth.

“My… fangs… they won't…” His voice came out forced and clipped, I could tell each word was a struggle.

“Won't go back?” I finished for him.

He nodded his face falling, looking so defeated.

“Uh okay how can I help?”

He stilled, eyes wide.

“What? I'm not leaving you here to figure this out alone. I'm here let me help.”

He seemed shocked and it dawned on me that he may not be used to asking for help. Though he must have known he needed something otherwise why bring me?

I took his clawed hand. “How can I help?”

He frowned at our hands then back to my face. “Need to... calm… down.”

“A-alright how do you normally do that?”

He went to reach for his front pocket but couldn't get whatever he needed with the way his claws were.

I patted his hand to stopped him and- ignoring my impure thoughts- grabbed his phone.

“Play... the second... playlist…”

Doing as told, I unlocked his phone then hit the play button and listened as the sound of ocean waves filled the silence then slowly chanting and drums joined in.

Xander sighed as he sank to his knees leaning back against the tiled wall.

He looked calmer, though the way he was breathing said he wasn't doing any better.

“Xander?” He peeked his eyes open to look at me. “I don't think this is helping.” I said kneeling next to him a few minutes later, ignoring the aggressive throbbing in my knees.

He sighed and it looked like the action caused him pain. And he must be in a lot with the way his gums were swollen, his hands twitching- claws struggling to change back, muscles spasming, a whimper slipped past his gasping mouth.

“Um. I have an idea but you can't laugh and I swear if you bring this up to anyone later I'll deny it.”

Grimacing he gave a nod.

I took a breath trying to fight off the heavy blush then reached forward covering his eyes, he stilled again under my touch. I opened my mouth and began.

It was something our Mom did when we were upset or sick. At first I hummed her song liking the way it mixed with Xander's music then began to sing the lyrics.

"Hush now my little ones, time to let your blossoms dry, lift your faces towards the sky.  All will be fine my little ones ….”

As I sang I watched and felt Xander relax and slowly oh so slowly his fangs retreated to normal as the rest of him followed.

I continued to sing till he took my hands from his face to show that his eyes were back to that lovely chocolate brown.

He smiled. “Thank you.”

Pulling my hand away I tucked them in my lap too embarrassed to look at him.

“S-sure. Did that help at all?”

He nodded rubbing his jaw with a wince.

“Should I call Nurse Vi? Your siblings? Your parents? My Dad?”

“I think your Dad would be best. Don't want my family to worry over something like this and the nurse can't do much.”

I fished out my cell and hit two speed dialing my Dad.

He answered on the first ring. “Hey kiddo. Is everything okay, are you and your sister alright?”

“We're fine. But something's wrong with Xander.”

“Xander? Are you with him?”

“Yes.”

“Put me on speaker.” His voice changed to a more professional tone.

“Your on speaker, Dad.”

“Xander hi this is Nicholas, Lumir’s Father, we met yesterday. Can you explain to me what's going on?”

Xander winced again shifting to sit up some. “I don't really know, I was stuck mid transformation- couldn't return to normal. I'm calmer now though, sort of back in control. I think I just need to go home for the safety of the other students.”

“Yes that seems like the best bet. I could come and get you and take you home, if you’d like?”

“Yes thank you, sir.”

“No problem. Lumir can you wait with him till I get there?”

I nodded then noticed he couldn’t see me. “Yeah I can wait- we're in the library's restroom.”

“M’kay I'll be there in tenish minutes.”

I hung up and got comfortable next to Xander on the floor relieving the pressure off my knees.

“Thanks Lumir. You really didn't have to do this.”

“Yeah but we're… friends right? It's not like I would've left you.”

“I know.”

We sat in silence my thoughts going back to last night. The way his lips had lingered, the way he spoke to me just to encourage me that everything would be fine.

Since the start he's been nothing but nice to me. But what did that kiss mean to him? Ellie did say I wouldn't know unless I asked.

I peaked over at his resting form. “Xander can I ask you something?”

“Go for it.”

“Wha-what…” I stopped and tried again. “Are we friends?”

He chuckled. “Yes we are. You just said so yourself.”

“Do friends kiss each other?” I whispered.

“What?” He asked turning to me.

“Why did you…”

What if I was overthinking this? Kamila kissed me to on the cheeks all the time but she was just overly affectionate, Ellie did too but she was my sister. So what did that make Xander? Another over affectionate friend- that happened to be a guy?

What if it was just how Vampires behaved? Though the way he acted after it… the way his face blushed, his panic?

Xander touched my cheek causing me to look up and it was the scene from last night all over again. Xander brushed my hair from my flushed cheeks back behind my ears.

“Why did you kiss me?” I whispered even softer. But once I blurted it out the words wouldn't stop. “Why are you so caring towards me? Why did you risk outing your whole world before knowing if I fit into it? Why did you risk your own safety when you fought against Mindy yesterday? Why do this for me of all people?”

He blinked owlishly before leaning back away from me, his hand dropping.

“Or am I misunderstanding this? Is this a Vampire thing?” I covered my eyes with an internal scream.

He snorted. “It's not a Vampire thing. At least I don't think so.”

“Then?”

“Truthfully... I feel like I can be myself when I'm near you and it's the first time I've felt like that even with my family. But this is-” The first bell rang cutting him off. Xander shook his head. “You're going to be late.” His voice sounding rough and scratchy again.

“It's alright. This- you are important, they'll understand.”

He frowned at me when I said that and went to say more but there was a knock at the door and it opened to my Dad.

We stood up and made our way over to him.

“You got here quick.” I pointed out. Both mad he interrupted and happy because now Xander could get help.

Dad patted my arm. “Yeah had to change cars didn't want to embarrass you by bringing the police one and give people the wrong impression.”

That was thoughtful. “Thanks Dad.”

“Yes thank you, Mr. Mark.” Xander glanced down at me as I helped him outside. “You should get to class before the tardy bell, you still have time. I could text you later?”

I forgot he had my number yet another thing to bring up. “Sure, get better.” I waved stepping back.

He started to climb into Dad's car when he reached out taking my hand.

“Lumir, please stay away from Debbie and Amy, alright? Or at least try not to be alone.”

I nodded as he let me go. I ran back inside, preparing for a long and lonely day.