Sorry, to everyone, for not updating as much. We’ve all been busy with school and what with mid-year looming ahead, it’s as if our work-load has been trebled! So, starting from today…we are taking a hiatus until the 22nd of May, 2010. (:

We’ll be back very soon! BYE!

I was scared. Frightened even.

Rosie was back. The girl who has a massive crush on Avery, my sort-of boyfriend. She was bound to know sooner or later. And knowing this school, it was bound to be soon. Somebody was probably telling her right this minute.

My heart raced. She’d hate me. What was I thinking? For a minute there, I forgot who Avery was. Sure I might love him but so did, what, the rest of the female population?

No! Technically, I didn’t tell Avery that I loved him so it doesn’t count. I didn’t betrayed her. 

“Anna, are you coming?” Eliza asked.

I was called back to Earth. Or, French class to be more specific. Most of the students had already left while I was busy day dreaming.

“Yeah, right, of course.” As I was precariously gathering my stuff, my french test paper fell. Eliza retrieved it, inspecting my grade with awe.

“You’re a genius,” she complimented, handing me the paper.

“I doubt geniuses would get a B-,” I pointed out with a smile.

“Anna, can you please tutor me?” Eliza blurted. “I know you’re busy, but like, my current tutor might as well tell me a bedtime story. I can’t help but fall asleep everytime. And I’m not even improving!”

“Alright, alright!” I interrupted, stifling a laugh, “I’ll do it.”

Eliza squealed and enveloped me in a hug. “Are Saturday afternoons good for you?”

“They’re fine.”

“Anna.” I stopped in front of the classroom door. Avery was standing there, his hands shoved deep in his pockets.

“I’ll talk to you later,” Eliza said, skipping merrily along the corridors.

I glanced maniacally around the empty hallways, afraid that Rosie would appear out of nowhere. I felt the tugging sensation of my books being removed from my grasp.

“Girls shouldn’t be carrying anything heavy,” he explained, already removing my tote bag from my shoulders.

“I bet those women who weight lift or do shot-put disagree,” I replied, making a lame attempt at achieving my books. “Now stop being sexist and give me my stuff back.”

He chuckled and held the book farther away from my reach. I leaned in against his chest and ignored the way his cologne smelled. It made me dizzy, to be honest. A good dizzy, but dizzy nonetheless.

“Anna!” A shrill voice rang through the corridors.

I would know that voice anywhere. I made a swift attempt at retrieving my bag and book and thankfully, succeeded in doing so.

“Oh, hi, Avery,” Rosie said, blushing violently.

“Hey, Rose,” he said, coolly. “Welcome back.”

“Thanks but what are you two doing here?” Rosie eyed me curiously. Does she know? It looks like she knows. No, of course she doesn’t. If she did, she’d already be grilling me with questions.

“Avery just stopped to say hi,” I answered blandly, shooting Avery a withering look that warned him to disagree.

“I thought you hated Avery. I guess a lot can change in a month, huh?”

“You have no idea,” Avery answered, shooting me meaningful look.

“I should let you two catch up bye!” I refrained from slapping my forehead at my run-on sentence.

I gave Rosie a one-armed hug and raced out of that awkward situation like a bullet.

The corridors were eerily silent, save for the squishy sounds my pumps were making. I was halfway near the entrance when I heard a groan. Fear made me stop in my tracks. I gulped and took another step. Another groan. It sounded like a guy.

I listened intently and heard that it was a more of a…pained groan. Like someone was torturing him. There was a loud crashing sound that came from..the biology lab.

I braced myself and opened the door.

Three Fenderbaum High guys were surrounding their victim in a semi-circle. The guy had black hair. That was all I could deduce from his crouched position. The three guys turned their attention to me and I suddenly wished more than ever that it was a ghost rather than these scary looking ruffians I had encountered.

Then the black-haired guy looked up and I saw, amidst the blood and bruises on his face, a familiar countenance. Jacob.

“What the hell are you doing?” I snapped, surprised that my voice wasn’t cracked. It was probably my adrenalin speaking.

“Don’t stick your pretty little face into other people’s business,” the middle, and fatter among the three, barked. He was sneering.

I walked over to Jacob, ignoring his order. “Are you okay?”

“Get out, Anna. I’m fine,” he said, standing up. His left eye was swollen and his knees nearly buckled if not for my support.

“You heard him,” the tall one said, “Get out.” He, too, was sneering.

“No.” I stood in front of Jacob, crossing my arms. You could say I was brave, but right that instant I was thinking of how stupid I was, as the middle one shoved me aside. My left shoulder hit the wall and pain shot through my whole arm.

“Anna!” Jacob yelled, in a mixture of anger and concern.

“Anna?” The third guy repeated, incredulous. “Bennet?”

I ignored my bruised arm as I walked over to them, anger overriding pain.

I couldn’t think of a good cuss, so I just yelled as I punched the middle guy in the face. I heard a satisfied crack as his nose broke. I probably would’ve jumped for joy but I winced in pain instead. My fist hurt more than my shoulder. Then I realized with absolute certainty that the guy’s nose wasn’t the only thing that broke; my hand did too.

“You bitch!” he snapped. “You little—”

“Maverick, stop! She’s Avery’s girl!” The tall one interrupted, a look of fear replacing his sneering expression.

“What?” he said, dubiously, clutching his bleeding nose.

“W-we’re so sorry!”

“Dude, let’s get out of here!”

I thanked heavens that Avery was the alpha male of the school. As soon as they bolted, I collapsed on a nearby wooden stool. Now that I was robbed of my adrenalin, I was more aware of the aches all over my body. My left arm felt heavy and my fist was throbbing.

“Are you okay?” Jacob asked, worriedly.

“Me? I should be asking you that.”

“I’m fine. I told you, I’m used to it. What the hell were you thinking when you punched that guy?”

The door swung open and my heart jumped to my throat, afraid that the guys would come back and kill us both so that we wouldn’t report this incident to Avery. I was, of course, letting my imagination get the better of me because instead of those hooligans, Avery walked in.

“Anna?” He exclaimed, walking over to me in three strides. “What happened to your hand?” Then he noticed Jacob and stiffened.

“Do those guys always beat you up?” I purposely ignored Avery’s’ question and shifted my attention to Jacob, who had been badly beaten up.

“It’s not always them,” he said, glancing briefly at Avery.

Then it hit me. Since Avery had boycotted Jacob, the whole student body also boycotted him.

“Let’s get you to the hospital,” Avery said, breaking the awkward silence.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” I snapped.

“Anna.”

“I should go,” Jacob said, shuffling to the door.

“Wait for me.” Jacob glanced warily at Avery but nodded in my direction nonetheless. As soon as the door was shut, I glared pointedly at the guy who had caused this.

“If my fist wasn’t sore and my left arm wasn’t paralyzed, I would slap you right now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing to me?” I asked, anger coursing through my veins. “Do I look as bad as Jacob looks? Does my pain even amount to what he’s been through for months?”

“No.”

“Well at least you have the brains to answer that correctly.”

“Wait—”

“Did you know that he was getting beaten up?”

“Yes, but—”

“He’s not some garbage, Avery! He’s human! What makes him so different from us?”

“Why are you mad at me? I wasn’t the one who beat him up!”

“BUT YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN! You know that when you make someone an outcast, the whole school will do the same!”

“But I didn’t know that it would be this extreme!”

“Funny, I thought all you rich jerks thought the same,” I spat.

I walked past him, trying not to wince as I opened the door. Jacob was, sure enough, waiting for me outside.

He looked at me cautiously. “Are you okay?”

I suddenly felt exhausted. “No, but I will be.”

Avery walked out of the lab, his face unreadable but the cool facade soon crumbled as he pleaded. “Anna, please listen to me.”

“I’ve heard enough.”

“Just—”

“Give me some space. I need to…think.”

Then I turned on my heels and walked out of Fenderbaum High, each step feeling heavier than the next.

- Ikah.

The next day, I was with Vic during lunch. Avery had football practice and Jeremy had something to do for his mysterious “Wendy” girl at home. Plus, I had to tell Vic about it, just in case she knows anybody named Wendy at this school.

Before I got the chance to ask Vic, my Sidekick vibrated in my jacket’s pocket. I took out my Sidekick and read the caller ID.

“Rosie.”I said to myself.

I stared at the screen for a few more seconds until she stopped calling, leaving it as a missed call on my phone.

“Who is it?” Vic asked me her mouth almost empty with whatever she was eating.

“Rosie.” I told her.

“Why didn’t you answer her?” 

“I— don’t know. What should I say? I haven’t seen her for more than 2 weeks. I wonder how’s she’s been doing in a foreign country.”

“Nah, i bet she’s fine. At least you know she’s alive.” Vic told me.

“Right. And at least she called.” I added another point.

“Exactly. Why don’t you call her back or something?” 

“I don’t know.. what if she asks about Avery?” I asked her, I could tell that my face was my nervous-plus-worried-plus-scared-plus-afraid look.

“Just say he’s fine.” Vic told me calmly.

“Okay.” I bit my lip for a few seconds, “I’ll call her.”

***

I redialed her number and pressed the screen of my Sidekick onto my right ear. 

Ring, ring. Ring, ring.

“Hello?” I heard a Rosie voice speaking.

“Rosie? Is… that you?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Oh my god! Oh my god! Anna!” She squealed. 

“Rosie! Omaigod, hey! How’re you?”

“Fine. I missed you like, hell! I got presents for ya, too!” She told me.

“Seriously? Like, presents, with an ‘s’?” I laughed.

“Yes, Anna! I know what I said!”

“Aww, you shouldn’t have! Really! But thanks. What did you get me?”

“Well, you’ll have to see it for yourself!” 

I laughed, “Alright, alright. I can wait! When are you coming back, by the way?”

“I’m not sure…” She paused, “Probably, the next 2 days or next Monday. Today is Monday, right?”

“Eh, yeap!” I confirmed.

“Alright.” Before she could say anything, I heard screaming and shouting in the background, which I think was a woman’s voice. “Ugh, hey Anna listen, I gotta go, I’ll email you or text you if anything’s up, yeah?”

“Alright, pretty please!” I told her.

“Oh and before I go—”

“Yeah?” I cut her off.

“How’s Avery? Did he mention anything about me?” Her voice sounded with hope.

“Umm…” What should I do? I don’t wanna lie. Lying is seriously not my thing. Maybe I should just… “Oh, he’s fine I guess. I think he’s been busy with basketball and all, so yeah. That’s pretty much it.”

“Oh, he didn’t mention me at all?” Rosie asked again.

“Umm… not to me. But… maybe to his friends, yeah. I guess.” I told her.

“Okay!” She beamed. “Thanks, Anna! Talk to you soon! Bye!”

“Bye, Rosie.” And then she hung up.

***

I went back to the cafeteria and walked my way to the table where I sat with Vic and a few people form the cheerleading squad and football team were.

I pulled out the chair which was where I sat next to Vic and sat down.

“So? How is she? Did she break an arm? Leg?” Vic paused, “Her face, perhaps?”

I rolled my eyes, “Vic, be nice.”

“What? She’s not here. It’s not like she’s going to find out anyway.” She said as a-matter-of-factly, before she took a bite of her clean and smooth red apple.

I sighed, “She’s fine. She asked me about Avery, if he mentioned anything about her to me or not.”

“And you said…?”

“I said, to me no. Maybe to his guy friends, yeah.”

Vic smirked, “Nice answer, Anna.”

“That isn’t called lying, right?” 

“Not technically…” She told me.

“Right, thanks for the tip.” I told her as I took my orange juice and took a sip from it. 

At the corner of my eye, I saw a familiar figure. I squeezed my eyes, so that it could focus clearly on who that person was.

“Jacob.” I whispered.

“What, Anna? Did you say something?” Vic demanded.

“Uhh.. no. Hey Vic listen I gotta go and… be somewhere.” I told her as I got up the chair and picked up my Chanel hand bag and slung it over my right shoulder. “See you later?”

“But where are you going?” Vic asked me again.

“I have to do an…” I looked at Jacob who already went out the cafeteria doors. “An.. interview! With someone.”

“Who?”

“Err, someone… who’s… practically, anonymous to me.” I told her.

Vic gave me a glare and said, “Fine. Call me later.” 

“Okay! Bye Vic!”

***

“Jacob?” I called out.

“Anna?” I heard his voice, “What’re you doing here?”

“Just wanna… get to know my new friend.” I told him with a smile. “I’ve doughnuts, wanna share?”

“Sure.” He replied. And that was, the first time, I saw Jacob’s grin. 

And boy, was it a cute one.

- Wai.

Jeremy and I were already okay when PE rolled around. But he still wouldn’t tell me who he liked. I’m still convinced it’s Wendy though.

The coach apparently decided to be nice today and let us all have a free play. I watched as people milled around the huge gymnasium forming teams for netball, badminton and other sports games, I would’ve instantly failed at.

“I’m going to play football with the guys, wanna come?” Jeremy invited, helping me up.

I suppressed a look of distaste, as I shook my head. Just then, Avery pushed open the double doors, followed by five very tall guys wearing the basketball uniform.

“I need to talk to Avery anyway,” I told him. “Go break a leg! Figuratively! Not um, literally.”

Jeremy knitted his eyebrows before exiting the gym to the football field. I walked over to Avery who was currently shooting some hoops. All of them, I observed, shot straight into the basket.

“Hi Avery!” I greeted.

“Hi.” He barely glanced at me as he threw another ball straight into the basket.

“Jeremy likes someone,” I told him, unfazed by his cold response. I took a ball from the metal trolley, pathetically trying to dribble it. “I’m convinced it’s Wendy but I’m not sure.”

Avery was prepared to shoot, but turned his focus on me instead. “Who?”

“Wendy,” I repeated, lurching my body forward to prevent the ball from escaping my control.

“I heard you. But who exactly is she?”

“I was hoping you’d know,” I said, dejectedly.

“Why do you think it’s Wendy?” he asked.

“Because her name starts with a ‘W’,” I explained. I started to giggle as I remembered this morning’s incident when I recklessly assumed Jeremy was gay. His face was ridiculously confused and my body convulsed with a new set of giggles at the image.

Avery looked at me like I was crazy. Which judging from the fact that nothing was funny, I probably was. “Care to share the hilarity in all of this?”

I tried to regain control but failed. Avery sighed irritably before turning his attention back to his game.

I recovered long enough to notice Avery’s clenched jaw. Anger surged through me as I remembered his iciness this morning.

“Why are you like this?” I asked, traces of laughter gone from my face. I crossed my arms.

He smirked, but his attention was on the ball, as it sliced through the air and inevitably into the hoop. “Why am I like this? Why do you always bring up Jeremy?”

I bit back the urge to point out I’ve only done that twice. “Why are you always jealous?”

“Why can’t I be?”

“Because I’m not your girlfriend!”

His thunderous expression softened so suddenly that I had a hard time wrapping myself around the fact that eh was angry. “Then be my girlfriend.”

“What?” My face twisted in bewilderment. “You’re confusing.” What was wrong with this guy? First he was ice cold, then he was angry, and to top it all of he asked me to be his girlfriend?

“And you drive me crazy,” he replied with a nonchalant smile.”I guess we’re a perfect match.”

“Tell me why,” I blurted.

“Why, what?”

“Why you want me to be your girlfriend.”

He smiled, unfazed by the question. And I realized with absolute certainty, that he had been thinking about it.

“Because I love you.”

I thought he’d list down all the things he liked about me(like all those cheesy romance movies) or maybe kiss me(because he didn’t know what else to say) but to say that he loved me? When we just gotten to know each other? When I wasn’t even sure if I felt the same?

Jeremy, however, interrupted before I could say anything. “Hey Avery.”

Avery looked like he was annoyed by the intrusion but smiled nonetheless. “Hey, Jeremy.”

Jeremy took a swig from his water bottle. I took advantage of the break to focus on the five boys who were now practicing their shooting.

“I should go,” Avery announced. Even though I was looking away, I could tell he was looking at me. “See you later, Jeremy.”

“Sure, man.” They knuckled bump and Avery left. As soon as he, as well as the other basketball players, exited the gym, Jeremy turned towards me. “Are you alright?”

I opened my mouth to tell him about Avery, but decided not to. Not until I knew what I was gonna do. “Just tired.”

“You didn’t even do anything.”

“Doing nothing is considered doing something. And doing something is tiring,” I said matter-of-factly.

He chuckled, and I faked a laugh.

But my mind was still on Avery.

- Ikah.

I woke up the next day feeling absurdly happy. Last night’s date was completely beyond what I expected…and that was a good thing.

As soon as I finished showering, I got dressed, slipped into my black Chanel flats and picked up my bag on the way out. It felt heavier; I frowned, remembering that yesterday it also felt heavy, but I thought that was due to fatigue.

Putting the colourful tote down, I unzipped it carefully and looked through my books.

Chemistry. Biology. English literature.

White book.

Wait, what?

I pulled out the white book gingerly and stared at it in confusion.

It was a very thick book, which explained the weight of my bag. Taking a moment to admire the intricate artwork on the cover, I opened the book gently and flipped through the numerous amount of glossy pages.

The pages were completely empty; I felt disappointed. I expected it to be a wonderful read. Since the cover was beautifully done. I flipped through the pages again, and caught sight of a thick ivory card.

I took the card and scrutinized it quizzically.

W,

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

Rough winds do shake the darling buds of may,

and summer’s lease hath all too short a date.

- J.

I reread the lines over and over again before bursting into laughter. It was part of Shakespeare’s famous sonnet, and it was extremely corny.

I also knew Jeremy had written this. Checking my Tag Heur watch and making sure I was still early, I picked my Prada tote up and slung it over my shoulder, holding the book in my hand.

Exiting the room, I glanced at the book in my hand and giggled.

****

George pulled up in front of the school and turned around to look at me.

“We’re here, Ms. Bennet.”

I looked up from my book and smiled at George.

“Oh, thanks George.”

I reached for the door handle, but the door swung open before I even touched the handle. Avery’s smiling face met my eyes.

“Good morning.”

Sure I was beaming like a lunatic, I got out of the car and looked at George. He raised his eyebrows at me before Avery closed the door, and the limousine drove off, leaving me giggling at Geroge’s quizzical expression.

Avery turned to me, the corners of his lips turned up in an amused smile.

“What’s so funny?”

I shook my head and smiled at him.

“Nothing. Have you seen Jeremy?”

He started walking, his face suddenly taut with emotion. I hurried up and caught up with him, studying his face carefully.

“”Avery, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” His reply was curt and cold. For some reason, it offended me.

I quickened my pace and left Avery behind. To be honest, I didn’t really care. His mood swings were becoming tiresome, and my exuberant mood was ruined.

Not for long.

As I headed for my locker, I saw Jeremy struggling with putting textbook in his locker. I suppressed a giggle and walked towards him, grinning from ear-to-ear.

“Hey, Superman.”

He pushed the books in and turned to me, his face lighting up.

“Hey! Did you—”

“I went on a date with Avery last night!”

“That’s gr—what?”

I laughed at his thunderstruck expression. “I know I told you I hated his guts, but that’s different now. I think I’m actually falling for him.”

Jeremy looked at me oddly; he was smiling, but it looked more like a grimace.

“Are you alright?”

He nodded quickly and smiled, sincerely, this time.

“So, why aren’t you with Avery, now?”

I frowned. “Do I have to?”

“No, it’s just—yeah, nevermind.”

I stared st him, and then remembered the thick white book that I had stuffed in my bag. Stifling a laugh, I pulled out the book and casually placed it on top of the pink folder I was holding.

Jeremy’s gaze flicked over the book, and strayed to his locker.

And then shot back to the book.

He let out a strangled sound which I think was a choked gasp. I raised my eyebrows, a skill I had recently learned from Avery and George.

“What’s that?” His voice was extremely low, and sounded panicked.

I handed it to him before gently saying, “It’s okay, Jeremy. I won’t tell anyone you’re gay.”

He dropped his textbooks.

“WHAT?”

I patted his back, comfortingly. “It’s okay. No one will know you’re in love with this William.”

 Jeremy stared t me like I was crazy.

“Who the hell is WILLIAM?”

“I don’t know! You put W in the card!”

I contemplated the chances of guys having names that started with the letter ‘W’, and frowned. The only name I could come up with was William.

Jeremy was staring at me. “What card, Anna?”

“Oh! Is he Asian?” I continued, “His name is Wang, or Wong?”

He stepped closer and I stopped rattling off Chinese names.

“Anna, what the hell?”

I frowned. “What? You were the one who put the card in this book I found in my bag.”

His eyes widened.

“Why do you think I’m gay?”

“Um, because that sonnet’s for a guy.”

“What?”

“Yeah. Shakespeare wrote that poem for a guy.”

He shook his head. “No, it’s for a girl.”

“Your copy or Shakespeare’s? Because if you’re talking about Shakespeare’s, I’m gonna drag your ass to the library and make you read sonnets.”

“My copy, Anna. It’s for a girl.”

“WENDY?”

“Stop creating names for the person! It’s not Will, it’s not Wong and it’s not bloody Wendy!”

Jeremy was practically shrieking; it sounded funny because he had a deep voice, but I didn’t voice my thoughts nor did I laugh, because his harsh words had hurt me. I took a step back and crossed my arms.

“Fine.”

Then I turned on my Chanel flats and walked away, just as the bell rang.

*****

I was still smarting from Jeremy’s words when I pushed the lab door open and entered the Chemistry lab.

“Miss Bennet! Good of you to finally, grace us with your presence.”

Mr. Kruek’s sharp voice greeted me, and I smiled apologetically.

“Sorry, Sir, I was just—”

He cut me off and turned to the class.

“As I was saying, today I will move you around since some of you-” he looked pointedly at Keri Fuller and May Vietra before continuing, “-are too comfortable with your seats.”

Keri scoffed and mouthed “Whatever” to Mr. Kruek, who ignored her and swiped a piece of paper from his table.

As he read off the list names, I moved through the aisles and sat as far away from Jeremy as possible. I was glad fro the seat-change. Because that would mean I was going to sit in another bench than Jeremy.

“Miss Bennet on bench four, Miss fuller on bench six, Mr Wayans on bench one…”

I tuned out and picked up my tote, ignoring my lab mates as they stood up and moved to another bench.

I sat on the first chair of bench four, and pulled out all my chemistry books. Taking no notice of the people sitting on bench four, I started doodling on my workbook.

“Hey Anna.”

Jeremy’s voice scared the crap out of me; I jumped in my seat, looked at Jeremy who, to my dismay, sitting next to me, and then I turned to the front, looking at Mr. Kruek.

“Aw come on. I’m sorry I yelled at you. And I’m not gay.

Silence.

“I like a girl okay? And I was gonna give her that b ook but you accidentally took it. But, I want to give it to you instead. As a peace offering.”

Silence.

Jeremy placed the book on the table, the cover had my name embossed on it in gold handwriting.

“There. I’m sorry.”

I touched the front of the book tentatively.

Damn, he’s good.

I opened the book and stared at the inscription on the front page.

To Annalene,

For you to write your poems in.

- Jeremy.

P.S; No one can steal your poems if you write them here.

I smiled at  the last comment and drummed my fingers on the table.

“So. Am I forgiven?”

I looked at him. “‘That person’ won’t mind?”

He shook his head. “‘That person’ came up with the idea.”

I kept quiet.

“What? I already apologized!”

“Okay okay, you’re pardoned….for now.”

He grinned. “For now’s good enough, Wonder Woman.”

- Mum.

After taking my books from Jeremy’s locker, I headed back to mine alone. Seeing as Jeremy had basketball practice and it was all the way at the other side. He gave me a smile as he sauntered off.

I could’ve sworn my pile of books were heavier, but I chalked it up to exhaustion.

Our lockers were identically cream. So, even from a mile away, I saw the sticky note on my locker. Balancing all the books on one arm, I tore the Post-It.

Happy Valentine’s Day.

- A.

P.S; I’m sorry.

I could tell from the handwriting it was Avery. And because I didn’t have much friends that started with the letter A.

I stuck the note on my Biology textbook and opened my locker. A ratty baseball sat at the center of my neat locker. It was definitely from Avery. My mind drifted back to when he told me about the time he argued with his grandfather for the baseball.

Woven around it was a white gold necklace with a baseball charm on it. I carefully took the ball and placed my books where the baseball had been. Behind the necklace was the letter ‘A’.

“I see you’ve found your gift,” a voice said. Avery stood next to my locker, his hands shoved inside his navy blue blazer.

“Uhuh,” I replied. My hands were turning clammy against the baseball.

He smiled slowly. “I have basketball practice today. Do you wanna have dinner with me tonight?”

“I don’t—” I started, realising that I was supposed to be mad at him.

“I’ll explain everything,” he interrupted. “I promise.”

Without thinking, I said, “Pinky promise?” Nervousness did this to me. I thought he was going to laugh, but he held out his pinky and thumb, making the shape of a telephone.

I smiled and intertwined my pinky with his before our thumbs met. It was probably an unusual sight. This respected senior doing a pinky swear with a mere junior, but it made my heart leap. Don’t ask me why. It just did.

“I’ll pick you up at 8,” he promised and walked away.

I stared at the baseball and without meaning to, smiled.

*****

The restaurant we went to was very fancy. I was hardly surprised since Victoria predicted he was going to be a bit formal tonight. When I asked her about it she simply explained, “The first few dates were intimate. Like, a testdrive so it wasn’t serious. Now the real dating begins. Champagne, music, yadda freaking yadda. The point is, he’s falling for you. Hard.”

The thought made me more nervous.

I was wearing a champagne coloured dress that ended below my knees and golden Chanel flats. Avery’s necklace hung around my neck.

When he saw me, he didn’t say anything, he just…stared. Which was worse for my part. “Uh…um, let’s go.”

The first few minutes in the car was awkward. Until I said something stupid(per usual) as we stopped at a traffic light.

“I always wanted to run a red light,” I blurted.

Avery turned to me, his brows furrowed. “Aren’t you a goody-two shoe.”

“Precisely my point.”

“So…you wanna do life-threatening things?” he asked.

“I think both our lives are gonna be threatened by the guy behind us if you don’t go.”

“What?” he turned his attention to the green traffic light and drove off. “You’re a distraction.”

“It’s not my fault you have the attention span of a gnat.”

“Gnats have short attention spans?”

I nodded. “And you know what else?”

“What?”

“They look like you.”

He laughed. It was an infectious one, so I joined in too.

That basically ended our uncomfortable phase.

*****

My mind reeled with questions but I couldn’t bring myself to ask them. The vibe between us was good.

In the end, he was the one who brought it up.

“So I guess you’re wondering why I’m an ass to Jake, huh?” He said it lightly, like it didn’t offend him. But I could trace an edge to his voice.

I nodded. “If he’s your brother, how come people bully him? And how come nobody knows? Why is his surname different?” I didn’t mean to ask all at once, but it just kinda…stumbled out.

“He’s my half-brother,” Avery replied, calmly.

“That doesn’t make sense,” I said, my face twisting in confusion. “If he was from a previous marriage—”

“Who said he was from a previous marriage?”

My eyebrows knitted. “Because your parents are still married, aren’t they?”

He looked at me. And suddenly I knew what he was going to say before he said it.

“My dad had an affair.”

*****

Now when someone says that their dad had an affair with someone, and that woman had a son, what were you supposed to say?

Of course, I managed to say something stupid, as usual.

“I wish I had a sibling.”

He smiled, but it soon faded. My heart went out for him. I realized then, that he wasn’t a bully, he was just angry.

“My dad loves him,” he said, bitterly. “I knew my dad had an affair. Heck, he still does it. Which is ironic since he’s known for having ‘The Perfect Family’. It shocked me when I found out the woman had been raising him, all the while.”

“How’d your dad find out?”

Avery swallowed. “He searched for…our dad.”

“My dad, instead of paying him a mound of money like he did with all his…liaisons, decided to raise him as his own. He met up a lot with Jake. More than his…legitimate son.” He winced. “Until he finally sent Jake to Fenderbaum. It was like a slap in the face. But of course, we all had to keep it  hush hush because how would it look like, the hotshot of New York, raising an illegitimate son?”

I suddenly felt sorry for Avery. That really wasn’t fair. It was bad enough that his father cheated, but to raise the result of that affair, was like he was supporting his wrong deeds.

“You shouldn’t blame, Jake,” I said, softly.

“If he didn’t look for his father, I would’ve still had one.”

“Wouldn’t you look for your father if you were in his situation?”

“No.”

I looked meaningfully at him.

He sighed. “I guess I would.”

“Avery, you’re not mad at Jake are you? You’re mad at your dad.”

He was silent.

“Well, I pinky promise I won’t tell anyone, if that helps,” I said, raising my pinky in the air.

He looked up and smiled. Our pinkies intertwined and our thumbs touched. Somehow, it was more intimate than holding hands.

The waiter placed our dessert on the table and the magic was broken. He didn’t say anything(he was probably used to people doing crazy things)but I pulled my hand away and looked somewhere else.

In the menu, the Chocolate Cake looked so good. Now it looked…good, I supposed. But I lacked the appetite.

“I take it you’re full,” he observed.

“How’d you know?”

“You attack your food if you’re hungry.”

“Do not!”

“Maybe you should eat in front of a mirror.”

It was weird. Instead of blushing, I was laughing.

“We’ll have it to go. I wanna take you somewhere anyway,” he said, and snapped his fingers. The waiter appeared with the bill.

*****

Avery took me to Central Park. We sat at a bench that overlooked the pond which reflected the full moon, eating the cake with plastic spoons.

“So, how many girls have you dated?” I asked, bluntly.

“Straightforward, aren’t you?” he replied, laughing. “I’ve dated half the girls at school.”

“How about outside school?” I asked.

He grinned. “Do you really wanna know?”

Eventhough I was nodding, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.

“A lot,” was all he said. My heart plummeted. He seemed to have noticed my expression. “But none since I met you.”

“That’s awfully cheesy,” I commented, though my stomach did a million somersaults.

He shrugged. “It’s also the truth.”

I looked up. And he looked sincere. But I still wondered if this was his way of deluding the girls; by making them feel special.

“So no one knows about your dad?” I asked.

Avery looked like he was gonna say something but he just shook his head. “Only you.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I trust you.” I smiled. “And because I think I’m falling for you.”

I didn’t have time to blush before he leaned in to kiss me.

And this time, I let him.

-Ikah.

Brothers? Avery and Jacob? Avery, the alpha male related to Jacob, the underdog? How is that possible? Why doesn’t anyone know?

These thoughts occupied my mind for the first three periods. So much so that Mr. Albert, our relief Biology teacher, turned his attention to me. “Anna, what do you think is the answer?”

I blinked profusely. Thankfully, Jeremy slid his notebook closer to me. What is the function of mitochondria? He didn’t write the answer though. And he didn’t need to. I might get distracted a lot, but I wasn’t stupid.

“Site for energy production,” I answered.

“Moving on,” the cherubic teacher said, dissatisfied.

I mouthed my thanks to Jeremy as soon as Mr. Albert turned his back on us.

“Superman, to the rescue,” he whispered, sliding his chair closer to mine. “Mind telling me what’s so important that got you so distracted?”

“It’s nothing,” I whispered back, looking straight at the babbling man to avoid further questioning.

“It wouldn’t have anything to do with Valentine’s Day, will it?” he asked.

“Valentine’s Day?” I asked, glancing briefly at him.

“Yeah. It’s today. Don’t girls jot that down in their calendars?” We both looked straight ahead as Mr. Albert shifted his attention to us.

“Really? What do guys jot down in theirs?”

“Valentine’s Day as well. We wouldn’t wanna get our head chopped off for forgetting to buy you girls something.”

“You too?” I asked. Come to think of it, Jeremy never told me he had a special someone in his life. “Do you like someone?”

“No.” But he was blushing. Would you and could you believe it. Jeremy, the guy who always knew what to say, was flustered.

“You’re such a little liar. You like someone!”

“Keep your voice down. Do you want to get bombarded with questions again?”

I stuck my tongue out and paid attention to the teacher up until the bell rang.

****

“So, who is she?” I pressed. He looked so uncomfortable, I had to suppress a laugh. Imagine a worm squirming. That’s exactly how Jeremy looked like.

“I told you, I don’t like anyone,” he answered, avoiding my gaze until we reached his locker.

“Tell me!”

He stopped stuffing his locker and turned towards me, his face deadpanned and robbed of any emotion. “I can’t. If I reveal her identity, I might put her in grave danger.”

“No!”

“Yes! Joker knows, but Two-Face doesn’t. I wanna keep it that way.”

I cracked up. And soon after, he did too. The care-free atmosphere was momentarily interrupted when Avery walked by. He wasn’t looking at us, despite the fact that we were centimeters apart.

“Still doing the cold shoulder thing?” Jeremy asked, resuming his book transferring. Which reminded me of mine. I usually stuff all my textbooks for the day in my bag so that I wouldn’t have to walk all the way to my locker and then back to the cafeteria.

“Yeah,” I said, distractedly. “My bag’s kinda heavy.”

Jeremy shook his head. “Is this a hint for ‘can I please put my books in your locker?’?”

I grinned, already unzipping my totebag. Jeremy laughed and took my textbooks, stuffing them in his already crammed locker.

*****

The table was different today. Avery and Chace were absent and the same icy girls were acting weird. They were, giddy. It was frightening to see Lexi smiling and even being remotely nice to me. Okay, so she only said hi but still.

“This always happens during V-Day,” Jeremy informed, seeming to notice my shock.

“It looks like Vic is unfazed,” I observed. The Queen Bee was sitting elegantly at the head of the table. She was checking a text message and looking disdainfully at the other girls.

“Only because Chace forgot today was Valentine’s Day,” he whispered. “Which is weird since he never forgets. Last year he got her a Tiffany necklace and earrings. Last two years, weekend in Paris.”

“Jeremy, do you know where that bastard you call a bestfriend is? He’s not picking up his phone,” Vic said, icily.

“Sorry Vic, I haven’t seen him all day today,” Jeremy answered.

The look on Vic’s face right then, could kill thousands. Probably millions.

The cafeteria doors were opened and all of a sudden, the school’s marching band entered, fully synchronized. The song seemed familiar.

The marching band stopped at our table. It didn’t take a genius to know that it was for Valentine’s Day. Girls looked enviously at our table, specifically the lucky girl, turning their backs on their diamond-studded bracelet, fragrant flowers and sweet heart-shaped chocolate.

The cafeteria doors were opened once again. Chace walked in, and everyone’s jaw dropped. He was holding a bouquet of roses and was unperturbed as he walked to our table, followed by a few other juniors, I recognised to be from the Drama Club.

The marching band stopped and the boys started to sing.

“It’s all about you.” They repeated those words a few times, in an acafella mode. I realised then that it was the song from McFly. Back when I was in Paris, the British girl in my dorm, used to crank that music up every night.

After giving Vic her roses, Chace started to sing. I was so awe-struck. Vic, unsurprisingly, wasn’t.

Yesterday you asked me something I thought you knew
So I told you with a smile, it’s all about you
Then you whispered in my ear and you told me too
Said you’d make my life worthwhile, it’s all about you

A smile was playing at Vic’s lips but she quickly became serious because god forbid people witnessed her smiling.

And I would answer all your wishes
If you ask me to
But if you deny me one of your kisses
Don’t know what I’d do
So hold me close and say three words like you used to do
Dancing on the kitchen tiles, it’s all about you.

The marching band resumed their upbeat music and the quintet group started to sing along with Chace.

And I would answer all your wishes
If you ask me to
But if you deny me one of your kisses
Don’t know what I’d do
So hold me close and say three words like you used to do
Dancing on the kitchen tiles
Yes you make my life worthwhile
So I told you with a smile
It’s all about you

Then they stopped and the cafeteria went silent before a girl, seemingly excited, screamed for joy. The whole cafeteria joined in, whooping and clapping.

But Chace was only looking at Vic. “That was really good guys. Thanks.”

“Anytime, Chace,” they said and walked out.

“Happy Valentine’s Day,” he said, and sat next to Vic. It was like watching a romantic movie.

Vic’s expression was unreadable. “Decided to be cheap for this Valentine’s?”

My jaw nearly dropped at Vic’s comment. Jeremy was suppressing a laugh as he said, “She’s joking. Don’t worry.”

“Why not? My love for you is already priceless,” Chace retaliated. Everyone looked impressed. I was beyond impressed. He sassed Vic back!

Vic started to smile but stopped herself. “Do it again, and you’re dead.”

“Does she like it?” I asked Jeremy.

“Loves it,” he whispered back.

I turned to Avery’s seat and couldn’t fight the feeling of disappointment when lunch ended and Avery didn’t show up. I faked a smile and exited the cafeteria, hoping that class would distract me.

It didn’t.

- Ikah.

2 days later.

I breathed in the cold winter air on the way to school that morning, my thoughts occupied by the incident that happened just two days ago. I sighed, just remembering the look on Jacob’s face when Avery told him to go away, called him a loser, a nobody. And the thought of him telling me to not talk to Jacob just made my blood boil.

I need to know what the hell is up with Jacob. And why Avery doesn’t want me hanging around with him.

I realized that I was thinking too hard, and I even noticed that I was looking upwards, as if waiting for a bulb on my head to light up.

Ting!

I heard the sound in my head.

Vic.

I jumped with joy and clapped both my hands together.

Vic has to know why. I need to find her before class starts. Curiosity kills. And what Avery did was just the last, fricking straw.

And the next thing I knew, I was in front of the school’s gate.

Holy crap, that didn’t take long. Alright, now all I need to do is find Vic and ask her what’s with the tension between Avery and Jacob. Piece of cake.

***

I walked my way to the cafeteria, where Vic usually is in the morning before class starts. It’s still 7.30am, good. Class won’t start till 8am.

I half-way opened the cafeteria door. I popped my head in just to make sure Vic was there.

And she was. As usual.

I opened the door a bit wider and walked towards where Vic was sitting.

She was using a black cardigan over a white long-sleeved top. Her blonde hair was tied up in a neat and tight pony tail. She was sitting alone, at the table where we usually eat during our morning tea and lunch. Flipping through the pages of a Teen Vogue magazine, I don’t think she even noticed I was walking towards her.

“Vic?” I called out for her.

She looked up from the magazine and gave me a small smile, “Anna, hey.”

“Mind if I join in?” I asked.

“Why not? Pull up a chair.” She smiled, closing her magazine and putting it in her black Gucci hand bag, which, if I’m not mistaken, was a Christmas gift from her mother. “What’s up?” She asked, still thrusting her magazine in her bag and finally zipped it close.

“Nothing, just thought it would nice to, yknow, accompany you here. Aren’t you like, bored sitting alone here? And isn’t it just freezing?” I blabbed.

Vic raised an eyebrow up, “Right. Well, I do have my coat with me, Anna.”

“Right.” I repeated what she said and blushed.

“Seriously though, you wouldn’t come to me unless there’s something in your mindand just something you wanna ask me about, or tell me.” She said as-a-matter-of-factly.

“You can read minds too?” I asked, sounding stupid.

Vic laughed, “Oh yeah.” She said, “So anyway, seriously, what’s up?”

“Well okay, I do have a question. If you don’t mind me asking?”

“Sure. Shoot. What is it?” Vic asked as she leaned towards the table to look at me straight in the eye.

O-kay, so much for ‘piece-of-cake’. This is kind of tougher than I thought it would be. I bit my lip.

“Well?” Vic prompted.

“Okay, you see.” I said, taking a breath of air before starting to talk again, “Just asking if you know a guy named Jacob?”

Vic rolled her eyes as if it was a stupid question to ask, “Anna, be more specific. There must be a hundred of students named Jacob here.”

“Er, he has really black hair and pure black eyes?” I suggested.

Suddenly, Vic looked as if she had seen someone die in front of her eyes. After a few seconds, she shook her head and said, “And probably half the student body named Jacob has really black hair and pure black eyes.” She scoffed, “What’s his surname?”

“Er, I don’t think I can remember…” I said, recalling back how I met Jacob that day.

“Well then sorry to say, pretty face.” Vic shrugged, “Can’t help you on that one.”

“Hold on.”

***

“We don’t even know each other, so why are you so concerned?”

“My name’s Annalene Bennet and I’m sixteen. You?”

“Jacob Friedly. Sixteen.”

***

“Jacob Friedly.” I said, confidently.

Vic looked like as if she was slapped on the face, twice. She quickly looked away, not looking at me in the eye.

“Vic?” I called out, sounding desperate. Well, I am anyway. I thought.

After about five seconds, she looked at me and gave me a smile. “You mean, Jacob Friedly, the loser? The one that always sits alone and is always alone?”

“Er, I guess so. Yeah.”

Vic scoffed, “He’s a loser, Anna. A nobody. Why do you even wanna know anything about him?”

I rolled my eyes. “2 days ago I met him and that time his mouth was bleeding. I took him to a nurse, and left after that.” I told her.

“And…?”

“And then, I saw him again during lunch and asked him if he was okay, he said he was used to it. We were talking and talking, then like, suddenly Avery interrupted us and went all Professor Snape on us.” I explained.

“He called Jacob a loser, and he told me not to talk to him ever again. And I was pissed and we’re currently not talking.”

“Anna.” Vic sighed.

“What? Seriously! You can’t just go around acting like you’re King of everything and calling people losers!” I snapped.

“Anna, chill. Seriously. Pop a Xanax or something. You look like some one who hasn’t slept for a century.”

I gave her a pout in response.

Vic blew another sigh, “That’s because, Avery is technically the “King” of the damn school. And plus, that Jacob kid is a loser. I don’t blame Avery about it. I mean look at the guy, he sits alone and he doesn’t even have any friends.”

“But still.” I said, “He can’t just tell me to do things and boss me around. It’s justabsurd.”

“Have you been reading Harry Potter again, Anna?”

“Yeah. Why?” I said.

“You just said the word, “absurd”.” Vic said, implying a couple of air quotes on the word absurd.

“Well sorry, for going all Bri’ish now.” I said in a Birtish-y tone.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” Vic said, taking out a bottle of water from her bag and drinking it.

“But seriously, I’m really curious. I mean, I’ve never seen Avery and Jacob talk to each other, why did Avery tell me not to talk to him?”

“Anna,” Vic started talking, “I really wanna tell you why, but…”

“You know why? What? What’s with the “but”?”

“I don’t wanna get mixed up in this mess, so why don’t you just ask either Avery or Jacob yourself.” Vic told me in a relaxed tone.

“I’m not talking to Avery.” I told Vic.

“Then, find Jacob.” Vic suggested.

“Oh!” I said, almost jumping from the chair I was sitting on, “Maybe I should, during lunch.”

“Good luck on that.” Vic said, “Anyway, I gotta go to class, and I think you should, too missy.” She said, standing up.

“Okay, okay. Thanks again.”

“Anytime. See you later.”

***

During lunch, I waited outside the cafeteria doors, anxiously waiting for Jacob.Hang on, why am I even anxious? I thought.

“Hey, Wonder girl.” I heard a familiar voice, I turned around to face ol’ good looking Jeremy.

“Hey, Super man.” I smiled.

“Not going in?” He asked.

“Nah, I’m actually looking for someone.” I told him.

“Ooooreally?” Jeremy asked in a teasing tone, “Avery, is it?”

I rolled my eyes and smiled, “No, Jeremy dear.” I said and laughed, “Someone else.”

Jeremy laughed and blushed, “Well okay, I’ll meet you up inside then?”

“Of course.” I told him.

“Don’t take too long, yeah?” He said, walking backwards towards the cafeteria doors.

“I won’t I promise, and if I do, won’t you be finding me?” I clucked my tongue out.

“Oh yeah. That’s what Superman does.” He gave me a wink and went inside.

The coast seemed to be much more empty and clear, and I was still outside waiting for Jacob.

…And there he is.

“Jacob!” I called out walking towards him.

He looked up to me and said, “Annalene?”

“Hey.”

“What’re you doing here? I thought you aren’t aloud to talk to me.” Jacob said.

“By who? Avery?” I asked, “Please, Jacob. He doesn’t control my life. So, I can talk to whomever I want.”

“Really?” Jacob asked.

“Hell yeah. Plus, I’m not talking to him now.” I told him.

“Why?” Jacob asked, “Was it because of—”

“It was because of what happened two days ago.” I said, cutting him off. “And I’m sorry about it.”

Jacob smiled, revealing a dimple on his right cheek, and that is one hell of a cute smile. “Thanks, but really. I’m used to it.”

“What dyou mean, “you’re used to it”?” I asked him.

“Um, Annalene. Did you even know I existed when you first came here?” He asked.

My heart sank. “Well…no.”

“Exactly. And dyou see me with anyone? Any friends?”

“No.”

“There you go. I mean, I’m used to it. I am the loser of this school.” He told me.

“No. You’re not.” I told him, “You’re not a loser and I bet you’re a nice and fun person.”

He smiled again, “Thanks again, Annalene.”

“You’re welcome.” I told him “And starting from now, I’m your friend, okay?”

“Yeah.” He grinned.

“Oh, and can you do me a favor?” I asked.

“Sure, what is it?”

“Call me Anna, yeah?” I winked.

Jacob laughed, “Okay, Anna. And call me Jake, yes?”

I grinned, “Sure.”

“Aren’t you hungry?” Jake asked.

“Nah, you?”

“Not really.”

“Good, ‘cause I wanna talk. Yknow, get to know you better.” I told him.

“Well, okay. What dyou wanna know?”

“I wanna know—”

“Anna?” I heard a familiar voice call my name.

I turned around to see Avery. “What’re you doing here? I thought I told you not to talk to that loser.”

I looked from Avery to Jake, who was looking down on the floor. “Well, sorry to say, I’m not your puppet.”

“Anna, I’m serious, don’t—”

“No, Avery! You don’t!” I almost-shouted at him.

“Anna—”

“No, Avery. Shut up, and just listen to me.” I said and looked into his blue eyes, “You can’t just tell me what to do and not do. I have a life, too okay? And you can’t just call people you think look like losers to you, a loser!”

“Anna, I think I should go.” Jake said.

“No, you stay.” I said.

“Okay.”

I looked at Avery again, and he was now looking at me, looking like a little boy. “Okay, I’m sorry. I’ll go.” He turned around and went in the cafeteria before I could say anything.

“Are you okay?” I heard Jake ask.

“I’m fine.” I gave him a small smile. “Dyou wanna tell me what’s with Avery treating you like this?”

“I don’t really—”

“Please? I’ll treat you a Kirspy Kreme donut, and I’ll listen really well.” I rose a hand up.

Jake smiled, “Well, okay. But, really, can you take it?”

I scoffed, “Please, I’m Wonder girl. Of course I can.” I smiled, “So tell me. And along with what dyou mean by you’re “used to it”.”

””It”, as in, the beating and calling names?” Jake asked, making sure.

“Yeah.”

“Okay, you asked for it.”

“I asked for it alright.”

Jake took a deep breath and closed his eyes and looked at me straight in the eyes, “I’m Avery’s brother.”

- Wai.

I took a deep breath and entered Fenderbaum. Last night, I left Jeremy a bunch of messages. I was too upset to remember what I wrote. The way he looked at me hurt even more than his words.

I stuffed my textbooks in my bag, unaware of the approaching presence known as Avery.

“Hey,” he said, cheerily. I turned, adorning my most cheerful smile. He didn’t buy it, apparently, because his smile faltered. “Are you alright? Did something happen?”

I shook my head, “It’s no big deal. I’ve to get to class.” That was a lie. Class didn’t start for another 30 minutes or so, but I had to find Jeremy. And quick. Because I hated the uneasy feeling I’m getting.

I checked every class, just in case Jeremy was in one of them. In one of the English classes however, I was shocked to find a guy down on all fours.

I rushed to him and asked if he was okay. He looked up, his mouth bleeding and jaw bruised. “Oh what am I saying? Of course you’re not! Hold on, I’ll call the nurse!”

I stood up hurriedly, I only had 15 minutes till class started. The guy, whose back was agaionst the teacher’s table, grabbed my wrist.

“No nurses,” he rasped, “I’m fine.”

“Uh, your mouth would disagree,” I retaliated. 10 minutes left.

“I’m alright. Get to class. I can tell by the way you keep checking your watch that you hate being tardy.”

“Stay here,” I said, finally. I ignored his inquiry about why he had to wait and dashed out the door to the nurses’ office. There, I quickly asked for a first aid kit. The nurse was too occupied by her magazine to be curious.

I went back to the class, 5 minutes left to spare. Out of breath, I opened the box and took out some band-aid. I quickly stuck it to the side of his mouth which was still bleeding.

“That’s all I can do for now,” I said, “You should put ice on that bruised part.”

He scrutinized me. “Why are you doing this?”

“Oh crap! I’m sorry! I have to go. Like you said, I hate being late.” Then I ran to my class, ignoring his question on my identity.

*****

Class passed quickly, the teachers bombarded me with so much classwork that I had no time to think about Jeremy nor the guy who was bruised badly.

I entered the cafeteria, relieved to find Jeremy sitting at his usual seat. As I was nearing the table, however, my anxiety came back and I tentatively sat down opposite him, avoiding his eye contact.

“Hey Wondergirl, aren’t you hungry?” He asked, a smile playing at his lips.

I turned sharply to him and returned his smile with mine. “Sta—hold on a sec.” I stood up as I saw the guy who had been beaten up. He was applying an ice pack on his jaw. I approached him and sat at his desolate table.

“How’s the jaw?” I asked. I realised now that he had dark eyes and dark unkempt hair. His skin was white in contrast to those features. I don’t doubt that if he groomed himself better, his table won’t be so lonely.

“It’s alright. I’m used to it.”

“What do you mean, ‘used to it’? You get beaten up all the time?”

He nodded.

“That’s ridiculous! Why?”

He merely shrugged. “We don’t even know each other, so why are you so concerned?”

I tilted my head to the side. “My name’s Annalene Bennet and I’m sixteen. You?”

“Jacob Friedly. Sixteen.”

“See, now we know each other. So, why do you get beaten up?”

“I—”

“Anna,” Avery interrupted, his arms crossed. He had an icy expression as he looked at me. If I thought that was intimidating, the way he looked at Jacob was absolutely terrifying. “What’re you doing here?”

“I was just talking to Jacob,” I answered, confusedly. Jacob’s eyes were looking past me. And by his body language(his stiff back), I could tell that he feared Avery.

“I should go,” Jacob said, standing up.

“What, why?”

“Yeah, you should,” Avery interrupted, his voice monotonous. I winced.

Jacob didn’t say a word as he stood up and left the cafeteria.

“That was rude,” I said. “Even for you.”

Avery barely glanced at me before leaving the cafeteria himself. My blood boiled as I went after him. What the hell was wrong with him?

“Hey!” I said loudly, “Are you mad at me because I was talking to Jacob?”

“No,” he answered, walking briskly.

“Are you mad because I ditched you this morning?”

“I was.”

“Then what is it?” I snapped, gripping his forearm to stop him.

“It’s nothing.”

“THEN STOP IMPLYING THAT IT IS SOMETHING!” I snapped.

He didn’t winced or even blink. “Stop hanging around Jacob.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t like him.”

“Why?”

“Just because.”

I flailed my arms frustratedly. “ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You’re asking me to stop being friends with someone ‘just because’ you don’t like him? What is wrong with you?”

“He’s a loser, Anna.”

“And you’re an asshole, I still don’t see your point.”

“I—”

“I’ve to get to class and you need to grow up.”

Then I walked away, leaving him flabbergasted.

- Ikah.

Oh dear god.

Those three words came to my mind as I looked into Avery’s eyes, his right hand on my hand.

This was not good. The guy I was supposed to cold-heartedly break up with, the guy I was supposed to humiliate in front of every single Fenderbaum High student, the guy who broke Victoria’s heart and was probably playing with Rosie’s heart…was the guy I was falling for.

Avery wrote on the pad again.

I don’t know what girls usually think of me, and I don’t usually care, but with you, it’s different.

Holy crap on a cracker.

What do you mean?

Come on Bennet. Let’s stop this pointless charade.

What charade, Sinclair?

As he read the last line that I wrote, he smirked.

Let’s not try to deny that you don’t have feelings for me.

I managed to let out a snort of derision before giving him a cynical look.

I’m not trying. It’s kinda real.

He looked at me. Even over the roaring sound of the propellers, his serious voice could be heard.

“Really, Bennet?”

Thank the heavens that at that precise moment, the helicopter landed on the balcony. I gave myself a mental slap. I wasn’t supposed to be flirting with Avery Sinclair.

Thick, cold silence hung in the air; Avery was looking at me without blinking. In other circumstances, I would’ve laughed at this, but I couldn’t muster even a weak laugh.

The pilot suddenly cleared his throat and turned around, the sound he produced ripping through the uncomfortable silence. He gave Avery a thumbs-up.

‘Good to go, sir.’

Avery mock-saluted the pilot, and jumped off the helicopter. He turned and looked at me with raised eyebrows.

‘You’re gonna stay there all night?’

I gulped and looked at him. “Fear of falling, Sinclair. Fear of falling.”

He snickered and offered his hand to me gallantly. “Hold on to my hand.”

I grasped his hand tightly, and dismounted awkwardly, what with my Chanel dress wound tightly around my body.

When I finally landed on flat ground, I stepped away from the helicopter and smiled at the pilot. His eyes passed over me and Avery, and he broke into a wide smile.

“Have a good evening, sir.”

Avery nodded at him and watched the helicopter as it geared up for take-off, and then flew high above the building.

His eyes still on the helicopter, he spoke, “So where are we going next?”

I looked at him incredulously. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going home.”

As I turned on my heels, he gripped my arm tightly and forced me to turn around and look at him.

“Ah, but you forgot something. You’re my date.”

I opened my mouth to retaliate, but then remembered about something so important, I slapped my forehead because of my idiocy.

“Avery. I completely forgot about Jeremy! We have to go back to the ballroom.”

He glanced at me amusedly. “I don’t know if we have to. Technically speaking, you’re not his date.”

I glared at him, and strode off in the direction of the ballroom. He didn’t stop me this time. As I entered the ballroom, I could see the throng of people still dancing. Victoria was one of them; she was waltzing with Chace, looking effortlessly graceful.

My eyes scanned the room for any sign of Jeremy; after about five minutes, I gave up and turned around. Avery was staring at me, smiling patronizingly. I looked at him.

“All right. I give up. He’s not here. What do you wanna do for the rest of the evening?”

“Nothing new.”

*******

An hour later, I found myself walking on the sidewalks of Fifth Avenue, nibbling on a hot dog while Avery talked about the old days with his grandfather.

“And there was this one time when we went to a baseball game, and the baseball flew right into his lap, but he wouldn’t give it to me. He laughed the whole time because I was yelling at him to give me the ‘darn ball’, and I called him a selfish, stinky grandpa.”

I laughed out loud. “Selfish, stinky grandpa? Classy.”

“I’ll have you know, that’s the classiest insult any 6-year-old could come up with.”

We stayed there for another hour, and I suspected Avery would’ve continued sitting there had it not been for my Juicy Couture watch, which I checked.

The ride home was actually fun. I did most of the talking, to compensate for the time in Central Park, where he talked the whole time and I only responded with comments and laughs.

When the car finally reached my penthouse, I looked at Avery.

“Thanks for a great night. Surprisingly, I had fun.”

He smiled. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I kissed him on the cheek and left the car, walking all the way to my room in exhaustion.

The night’s events had both surprised and delighted me.

******

The next day, I headed to school early in hopes of finding Jeremy and apologizing about ditching him at the party.

As I arrived at Fenderbaum High, eating a granola bar, I went to my locker in a hurry. I couldn’t find him anywhere; he wasn’t by his locker, nor in the cafeteria. Instead, I found Avery, who was sitting in the library writing on a piece of paper.

“Hey Anna.”

“Hey Sinclair. Have you seen Jeremy?”

His brows knitted in confusion or displeasure; I couldn’t tell. He continued writing on the paper before turning back to me.

“He should be here by now. Check the cafeteria.”

I shook my head. “I’ve searched everywhere. He’s not here.”

“Why are you looking for him anyway?”

“I ditched him last night! Why do you think I’m looking for him?”

He smiled. “He’ll be at the cafeteria later. In the meantime, let me walk you to your class.”

And I ended up walking to class with Avery, forgetting about Jeremy again.

*****

Lunch passed by in a daze. Jeremy didn’t sit at our table; in fact, he wasn’t in the cafeteria at all.

I went through my last three classes without listening properly, my mind still on Jeremy. I had to apologize to him; knowing Jeremy, he probably wouldn’t be mad.

The bell finally rang; I practically ran to my locker and smiled in relief. He was there, putting his textbooks in his locker.

“Jeremy!”

He turned around, looked at me, and then turned back to his locker.

What the hell?

“Hi! Sorry I left you last night; it’s just that Avery took me for a helicopter ride and then I tried to find you but you weren’t there…”

I rambled on and on, nervous about his reaction.

He finally looked at me, his eyes serious and intense.

“It’s funny, I never thought you’d be one of them. You know, making promises and then ditching people.”

Shock ran through me.

“What? Jeremy, I’m sorry. It’s just that I-“

“Guess I was wrong.”

And just like that, he slammed his locker door shut and walked away.

-Mum.

P/S: Sorry for the delay! Gong Xi Fa Cai :)