Xia and Her Protector by Tammy Crowe (books for 8th graders .TXT) 📖

I was sitting trying to focus on my studies in the library when I felt a breeze. I shivered involintarily and immediatley a coat was around me. I looked up to thank my protector, Xavier, who was smiling down at me.
"No need to thank me, it's what I'm here for." He said and I smiled.
"Actually most don't do this sort of thing. This is extra. You're supposed to protect me from attackers." I answered.
"Well aren't you a little know it all." He got me back knowing I hate being called little.
"I am not little!"
"You're four years younger than me. Which makes you sixteen. Which makes you little to me, an adult."
"I only won't be an adult for one more year, you know they changed the way it was years ago."
"I know but for as long as I can I will use it against you." He said and I sighed. Then he broke into a smile. "I'm just yanking your weave." He said and I grinned at my phrase. Since I loved all things girly even if I was suppossed to be a nerd, I said weave instead of chain. He didn't like to use it because he said it was 'ghetto'. Then I heard the door to the library slam open and then closed. I looked up to see a boy, one I hadn't seen before. It didn't surprise me that he was alone, boys didn't need a protector according to the government. If you asked me it was a load of crap. He walked over and wasn't exactly quiet about it.
"Hey! Since you're the only people in here can you tell me where I can find room 201?" He half-shouted as he walked toward us.
"Excuse me but even if we are the only ones in here, you should be a bit more respectful and be quiet." Xavier said sounding irritated.
"Sorry madam, I just need directions though." He said to me and I was confused. I thought he was asking Xavier. No one at he academy ever adressed a person studying, they always asked whatever protector was around.
"Umm room 201. When you open the library doors you take a right and go to the split. Then you take a left. It's toward the end of that hall." I told him and he smiled. Then he picked up my hand and kissed it.
"Thank you madam. I have manners unlike this guy here obviously." He gestured to Xavier and I couldn't help but laugh. "What's so funny?" He demanded and I held back a giggle.
"Nothing, it's just that well he has more manners than you. You barge in here and shout at us for directions in a library. Then of all things you ignore Xavier, my protector and rudely interrupt my studies to ask me for directions. You didn't even bother with introductions." I told him and Xavier cracked a smile for the first time since the unknown boy had barged in.
"Protector? I didn't know people here had to have a protector. You a government kid or something?" He asked and I looked at him incrediously. He hadn't apologized at all or introduced himself before demanding information about me. Then Xavier stepped in front of me.
"She is not a government 'kid'. Firstly she is sixteen, almost an adult. Second all girls here have one if you haven't noticed. Third, I would appreciate and I'm sure she would to if you would apologize for your rude behavior and start treating her with respect." Xavier crossed his arms. The new boy held up his hands.
"Whoa sorry dude. I just needed directions but I'm going now jeez. Most people won't talk to me since I'm a newbie. Before I leave though, I would just like to say that this lovely girl probably doesn't want you speaking for her." He said leaning to look at me but Xavier leaned to blocking his view.
"Xavier, it's okay he just doesn't know the academy ways yet." I said, standing and gently putting my hand on his arm as I moved to be in sight.
"Listen, I'm Xia. Don't mind Xavier he's just doing his job. That and no one acts so outspokenly here at the Acadamey. But that's okay you'll learn the ways."
"Thank you that's the first good greeting I've heard all day. Anyway I'll be off."
"If you need someone to help you again, I'll be here." I said and he left. As soon as he left I looked at Xavier who was frowning. "Shoot, I forgot his name did you catch it?"
"He wasn't wearing a name tag and he never said it."
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just don't like that kid."
"Why, because he was disrespectful?"
"Partially but I just get a bad feeling from that kid." He said adjusting his watch. Then he started piling my books into his arms. "Come on, it's time for rehearsal." I got up as he checked out my books. We got to dance class, only to see we had the same new student from earlier.
"Great." I heard Xavier mutter behind me. The instructor called role and then looked the new student over.
"Young man, are you new?"
"Yes ma'am. I have danced before in case you're wondering and my name is Xanthus pronounced like Xanthos which means the X is a z sound." He told her and she nodded adding him to the attendance sheet. Then Xavier interjected.
"All Xs on names sound like a z. Like my name sounds like it should be spelled with a z. So does Xia's. In fact it sounds like a z and then a long e then uh. You're name isn't that unique." He said it with an attitude and I turned around to face him and glare. He shrugged. I turned back with a flourish but Xanthus shrugged it off.
"Alright if you are finished. Xanthus you can be partnered with Xia since her partner is absent today." She said and Xavier's hand flew into the air. "Yes?"
"I'm supposed to dance today to help my flexibility in case I get into a fight." He said and she sighed.
"Alright, Xanthus I will dance with you." She said and Xavier stepped next to me. I giggled.
"What?" He asked and I laughed some.
"Nothing it's just you can't dance. You told everyone that when you came here silly. We're year six. How are you supposed to keep up?" I asked and he shrugged.
"You'll see." The teacher held up three for dance three and hit play. I grabbed Xavier's hand and he put his hand on my waist. We immediateley started to dance the tango. He was great at it, I didn't even have to lead. He moved quicker then I usually did. At the end of the song I was actually kind of winded. Once I got a drink of water I was actually kind of agitated.
"What was that?" I demanded of Xavier.
"Nothing."
"No, you danced quicker than I usually did and I'm the best one in the class. You told me you couldn't dance. All those times at dances and I could have had someone to dance with!" I said angrily.
"Well I'm not one to boast. Besides I just didn't want to dance and didn't want you begging for me to dance with you all the time." He said and my eyebrows shot up.
"Why are you suddenly referring to me like I'm a nuisance?"
"When you want something you are." He said and I pursed my lips.
"Fine then." I said and turned to the teacher who was telling Xanthus to follow and not lead until he was more experienced. "Mrs? I'll dance with him. Xavier said that he's done dancing now." I told her and she nodded sending him over to me. I saw Xavier glare at me out of the corner of my eye and turned to smirk at him. I took Xanthus's hand and we danced when the teacher replayed the song, each time she replayed the song Xavier's frown got deeper. At the end of class I changed and showered. Once I was finished I went out to see Xavier holding my bag at arm's length for me. I took it and thanked him. We were heading to my dorm when Xanthus rushed up.

"Hey you're really good at dancing. Can you tell me where I can find dorm 32?" Xanthus asked and I knit my eyebrows. They must have run out of dorms to double up with two people because that was my dorm. I sighed, even though he was nice I was hoping me and Xavier wouldn't have to share with anyone.
"Yeah I can. That's my dorm so I guess you'll be using my spare room." I told him and he smiled. I lead him to the door and unlocked it. When we got in I pulled my shoes off by the door with Xavier. Xanthus followed suit along with when I put my keys in the key bowl. I lead him to his room. "This is your room, I hope you don't mind it's kind of already painted gray and there's also a lamp in the corner and a bed in the center with kind of boyish sheets and what not." I told him and he nodded.
"That's fine because I didn't have a bed with me. I guess I'll be in and out for a while so I can get all my boxes in here and unpacked." He said and I nodded.
"I'll be in the book room if you need me. Oh and in the kitchen you can help yourself to anything except the coffee and the pack of chocolates. Don't tell Xavier but they're for his birthday tommorrow." I told him and he nodded.
"Cool, any chips in there?" He asked and I laughed. Every boy always had his stomach on his mind.
"Yeah and there's dip to." I said smiling.
"Coolio." He said and left. I went into the book room where Xavier was waiting for me. He didn't say anything just handed me my homework. I finished it and then Xanthus came in.
"Hey I bought some food and then made it for you or whatever." He said handing me a very yummy looking chicken dish.
"Thank you but just so you know Xavier usually cooks for me." I said putting the plate on the table.
"Alright he can cook for you from now on cuz I don't like to cook." He said and I smiled.
"That's fine I'm sure Xavier doesn't mind, right Xavier?" I turned and he just nodded while glaring.
"Go on try it." Xanthus ushered me and I took a bite of my chicken. Then I felt a tickle in my throat. Then breathing became hard. Oh god, I thought, he must have put basil pesto in it. I was highly