I thought he'd let it go.
I really did.
We were walking back from breakfast, Calvin and Mira a few steps ahead, arguing about something unimportant. The morning air was cool, calm—too calm.
Then Xavier spoke.
"So…" he said casually.
I glanced at him. "So?"
He slipped his hands into his pockets, eyes forward, voice calm—but there was something playful hiding underneath. "I didn't realize you were the type to steal people's first kisses."
I stopped walking.
"What?"
He turned to look at me then, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I mean… that was my first."
My face instantly went hot. "X-Xavier! That was an accident!"
"Mm," he hummed, clearly enjoying this. "An accident where your lips somehow found mine."
Calvin, hearing this, whipped around. "WAIT—FIRST?!"
"CALVIN!" I shouted.
Mira burst out laughing. "Oh my God."
Xavier chuckled softly. "Relax. I'm not mad."
I crossed my arms, trying—and failing—to look annoyed. "You're teasing me."
"Maybe a little," he admitted. "But I don't regret it."
That made my heart stutter.
"I just think," he added gently, leaning a bit closer so only I could hear, "if someone was going to steal it… I'm glad it was you."
I looked away quickly, cheeks burning. "You're unfair."
He smiled. "You're cute when you're flustered."
I groaned. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Probably," he said.
As we started walking again, I realized something important.
Xavier wasn't teasing to embarrass me.
He was teasing because he felt comfortable.
Because he trusted the moment we shared enough to joke about it.
And maybe—just maybe—
That meant it mattered to him too. 💫