---16---

ANDY:

2 days Later;

"What the hell is wrong with you Andy!?" Collie shouted at me, getting attention of all the people around.

"Shh Collie! We're in school! At least don't shout." I hissed to her. We were by our locker when I told her all about Paul and the little teaming up part.

Okay I really thought about it all over again about making Austin jealous and I ended up thinking what the hell I was doing!? Really!

I've planned to actually play with my fiancée! With his brother!!

Should I do this??

I mean... Austin has really changed... but has he really really changed??

He said he loved me but... he never showed!

All he was trying to do was to have sex with me last night before dinner... that's all... and that's what he always do.

But he hasn't been with any other girl since our engagement...

"If my shouting will bring your brain back than I will!" Collie shouted again, startling me.

Now seriously everyone was looking at us. I grabbed her elbow and dragged her out to the green area.

Austin and his team were practicing there for the upcoming Soccer match.

He was in his gym suit which was half drenched in sweat but darn he was looking amazing. His blonde hair was all messy and wet with sweat and his eyes were stick to the ball he was dodging in between his feet.

I think I'm really being wrong about him. May be he likes me.

Just maybe.

"Collie, I'm sorry about that but think about it this way-"

"No way Andy. You're not hooking up with Austin's brother!"

"I'm not hooking up with him! We're just trying to make Austin really like me..."

"He likes you already Andy."

"Will you buy the fact that Austin suddenly in just one night transformed into a sin -less butterfly when he was a player since he was born??"

"Will you buy the fact that his brother swears he won't ever imagine you naked when he'd kissed you while you passed out??" she narrowed her eyes at me.

"Urgh Collie! You're so you. But I'm telling you... Austin hasn't changed." I rolled my eyes at her.

"He will."

"I know." She smiled at me swirling her arm around me.

"So... tell me, this buddy of yours... is he cute?"

"If you're saying you're over Seth and want to hang out with other guys, then I'll say yeah he's real cute." I grinned.

"Who's cute?" we didn't noticed when Seth came to stand beside us.

We literally jumped breaking apart. Damn he'd think we're lesbians.

He crocked his eye brow, looking at us weirdly.

"Andy was just telling me how cute Austin is..." Collie lied pathetically.

"Okay..." Seth sang, brushing his hand through his wet hair because he knew she had lie.

He was panting hard because of all the running and playing. Austin was still on the field dodging the ball brilliantly.

Even before when ever I had to watch the soccer match I never fancied him but I think I will now.

"What are you two doing here by the way?" Seth asked sipping in the water.

"Uh... I was... here to um, watch you." Collie spluttered.

Wow! I didn't know it was this hard for her to lie to Seth. Strange.

"We were just going." I quickly said and we both turned to leave.

"'Ey Andy, you're gonna watch the practice later, right? Austin told me you'd be comin'."

"Um yeah I'll be there." As I told him, I saw Austin looking at me. He grinned but not for long till one of the team partner while running hit him and he landed on the grass.

"Yo Austin! Don't get distracted by your girl man!" Seth shouted, laughing at his face.

"Shut up Seth. I'm not distracting him." I stick my tongue out at him and walked in the school with Collie.

**************

I walked in the gym room but it was deserted. Austin told me to come at the field after school but he wasn't there, so I thought of checking out the gym. He could be there.

As I walked further in I heard someone talking in the changing room so I slowly stepped inside. It was dimly lit and creepy. I never ever went inside, especially alone because this was the last place I would ever want to be.

First off, I hated the smell here and second off, the guys are usually almost naked.

I followed the voice and just as I turned around the lockers I saw a girl leaning over some guy who was sitting on the bench. I couldn't see both their faces because she was behind him, leaning over him from the side so her hair was hiding his face.

"We shouldn't do this." He said huskily and I wished it wasn't Austin 'cause it sounded just like him.

"I'm just giving you a massage tiger..." it was Bianca.

My heart starting racing hard. Please don't let it be Austin.

As she pulled herself back I quickly stepped behind the locker in the dark. She backed a little swinging her arm and leg around him and hopped on his laps.

For a second my heart skipped a beat and I couldn't feel myself alive when I saw Austin was the guy. Bianca was now on his laps, her arms curled around his neck, slowly rubbing his nape of the neck.

Austin was shirtless looking tired but he had a smile on his face like he liked it.

"You like it tiger?" she asked sexily.

Austin smiled. "Better..."

She smiled wide and closed in, touching her lips on his jaw.

"Babe not now..." Austin whispered closing his eyes.

"Shh... don't talk." She moved her lips to his neck, leaving the trail of kissed. I could see Austin's body relax and then he slipped his hand in her hair, pulling her up to his mouth and he was kissing her.

Her arms got locked around his neck just as Austin pulled her much closer.

My image got blurred. Why the hell I'm even watching this!? I turned around and ran, trying to find the way out, but I think I was lost. I couldn't see anything because it was kinda dark and also my eyes were full of tears.

Why was Austin such a jerk!?

Just for once I really thought he has changed but all he does is break me over and over again.

I ran out of the changing room to the gym. A few of the players were discussing the game. I didn't notice Collie was there until she called after me. I tried to run away but she stopped me before I could leave the gym room.

"I've been waiting for you here. Where the hell have you been?" she turned me around but I looked away.

She grasped when she noticed my tears. Stupid tears!

"Andy! What happened? Where were you?" she turned my face and looked at me. "Say some thing! Why the hell are you cryin'?" she was freaking out.

"Just tell me When Austin will finally change and like me like he should!" I quickly turned and ran before she could ask more.

Damn it! I can't even go home.

I just ran out to the parking lot when I dumped into someone, falling badly on the ground.

"Andy!" I looked up and saw Paul looking down at me.

Shit! What is he doing here?

He gave me his hand pulling me up. "Wh-what are you doing here?" I spluttered, quickly wiping my tears.

"Had nothing better to do so I thought of-". He stopped as he saw my face. "What's wrong princess?"

His expressions changed into rage when he saw the tears that were still hanging loose on my eyes.

"Did Austin do anything?" he asked, putting his hand on my shoulder.

How is it possible that two brothers are so different from each other? Austin is so arrogant and feeling-less and Paul... I don't even know him and he cares about me.

Why can't be Austin like him?!

Paul looked at me intensely, waiting for me to answer.

"Can we go?" I tried to keep my voice normal.

"Where?"

"Away from here."

He nodded, swirling his arm around me. We got in his car.

"Now will you please tell me what happened before I totally go outa my mind?!" he asked as soon as we were on the road.

"It's nothing Paul. Really." I tried to smile.

"Don't lie princess! I know Austin has done something. I'm gonna kill that ass!" he punched his fist against the steering.

"Relax Paul. It's not like it's the first time I've seen him do that." I sighed, wiping my tears off, composing myself.

I seriously shouldn't be surprised to see that 'cause I've known Austin all the time doing that with every girl!

"Um, so where are we going?" I sounded casual.

"You'll see..." he smiled.

A few minutes later he parked the car in front of the beach. Why did he bring me here?

"I use to come here a lot whenever I was sad.." He said like answering my silent question. "This place helped me wipe my tears."

"You use to cry?" I was kinds shocked.

"Not like you princess. Let's just say I wasn't always a happy man." He grinned and he got out of the car.

Paul brought me to the place I never want to come. It has 'Lee' written all over it!

I didn't know when he held open the door for me. I slowly got out. The cold breeze touched my face bringing a lot of memories but I shook them away. There was no point in living in the past.

"C'mon." he looked at me and crocked his eyebrow. I guess my expressions say a lot! "Don't tell me you don't like the beach?!" he quickly gripped my wrist and pulled me out.

He curled his arm around me, dragging me in the sand. I looked around wishing Lee won't be here. How will I face him?

When ever I see him I feel like crying because I had to choose an arrogant jerk over an angel! Why was it had to be me?

PAUL:

I didn't expect this to happen. I thought Austin liked Andy! I don't know what he did to her but what ever it was, it had hurt her bad. Why does he always have to hurt her?! He's such a jack ass!

I curled my arms around her, pulling her close to me. I wish she could be mine but it just can't happen. She loves Austin.

I was like the waves of water that touched our feet and pull back and then trying to strike again. I would be like that always.

I could feel her pain. I've been through that. No body would believe that a guy like me could be hurt by a girl the same way she was hurt by Austin!

I looked down at her. The face was shining in shallow sun light and her light brown eyes were gleaming like honey. She looked quiet distant. Her eyes were staring in thin air and her lower lip flinches like she was fighting back a scream.

She was probably thinking about Austin. I wanted to ask why does she like him when he always goes around hurting her.

"What are you thinking?" I finally asked.

"How messed up my life is..."

"Not as much as mine is."

"Than it makes two of us." She pulled herself much closer to me.

"Not two of us. You're the one getting married. I'm not."

She looked at me and I grinned.

"Damn it Paul! Why'd you're family had to have such stupid traditions?!" she made a face and started laughing.

"If it wouldn't be for our family, you would never have got me." I grinned.

"I wish I really had you instead of Austin!" my heart flipped when she said that.

Damn it Paul! Stop thinking she'd ever be yours!

I shook the thought of her being mine and looked at her. She was staring at me blankly. I know she was regretting what she said.

ANDY:

Why the hell did I say that!? I felt Paul's body tensed up. We stood frozen where we were, looking at each other blankly.

Damn it Andy! That was the worst thing you could've said!

I don't wish to marry Paul 'cause I love Austin. I just like Paul, but not like that!

He stared down at me strangely. His emerald green eyes went dull. It was like the moment had stopped.

It was so intense that I felt blood rising in my cheek. Don't blush Andy! Not now!

But it was already late. I could feel my face burning.

Paul's eye changed from stone to soft emerald green. "You know you could just wish princess... but you're not my type." He chuckled.

I just stared at him. What was I thinking?! Paul won't like me that way. I was wrong about his silence. Stupid me.

"Snap back princess." he strokes me lightly.

"I was joking Paul. You thought I really want you!?" I laughed hard, hiding my embarrassment.

"Right now I think you'll love this!" he snapped his hand under my legs, lifting me up.

"What? What the hell are you doing!?" I panicked as he carried my in his arms.

"You don't want me? Huh? I think this will help you clear you're mini mind." He grinned as he walked much deeper in the water.

No shit!

"Paul let me down!!" I hammered my fist on his chest but he didn't even seem to notice it.

"Too late princess.. You asked for it yourself."

"No Paul! Please let me down." Damn! The water was rising till his thighs now!

"You sure you still don't want me?"

He kept walking in. The memory of me drowning in the water once when Lee saved me came flooding in my mind. "Okay! Okay, I want you Paul! Just drop me down." I clutched on his shirt tightly.

He grinned. "Okay." He let me go just there. I lost the grip on his shirt as his arms slipped from under me and I landed in the sea on the soft sand. I tried to stand up but my foot slipped as the water pressed against me, drowning me in. Before I knew it I lost control.

My whole body was immersed in the water. I tried to grip Paul's leg but like it slipped away from me. Was he leaving me here?

I'm drowning Paul! Help me.

I tried to push my legs against the sand so I could get my head out of water but the pressure of water just won't let me do it. I could feel the water rushing in through my mouth. A strange burning started up in my chest.

I tried to clutch on something but all I got was soft sand slipping from my hand. Suddenly a hand gripped me pulling up.

"Andy!!" Paul shouted, lifting me up. My eyes were burning and teary.

He carried me in his arms, running out of the water to the dry sand. He put me down kneeling beside me.

"Andy say something!" he shouted again. I could feel his hands shaking as he helped me sit up. He rubbed my back. "Andy please. Look at me. Say something!" his voice was shaky.

I coughed out a lot of water, catching my breath. "I'm okay." I barely said the words and Paul pulled me to him hugging me tightly.

"Why did you do that?" my teeth were shuttering.

He pulled back looking at me. "I swear I had no fucking idea you couldn't swim!"

"I uh..." I know how to swim.

"Damn it Andy. You scared the shit outa me!" he leaned his forehead to mine, breathing hard. "You should've told me you can't swim."

"I had no idea you would do anything so stupid."

"I'm really sorry." He cupped his hand around my face, looking deep in my eyes. "I am really sorry princess."

He had such intensity in his eyes that the burning in my chest just flew away. He cared too much!

"You don't have to be sorry. I know swimming. I just lost control." I smiled. His body relaxed.

He sat beside me, curling his arm around me, pulling me near.

"Andy..." I looked up when someone called my name and saw Lee running to us with a surf board in his hand. My heart starting racing fast.

He was just wearing swim shorts. His wet hair bounced as he ran.

He came near kneeling beside me. "I-I saw you in the water. What happened? Are you alright."

"Uh yeah I'm... um okay." I pulled a lock of wet hair behind my ear. I couldn't even look in his eyes.

"The sea's crazy today." He looked at Paul who was concentrating on him. He looked back at me. "Um you should be um careful." It was just as hard for him as it was for me.

"I uh just lost control." I gulped in the soar throat. "This-this is Paul." I told him. "Paul, he's Lee, my uh... friend." I bit my lower lip. It was so hard to even talk about him.

They just looked at each other. Lee smiled. "So how have you been?"

"Okay." The awkwardness was constantly growing.

"So I guess I'll uh see you.. around... uh at school?"

"Yeah." I tried to smile.

He smiled back and stood up. He gave me one last look and left.

"Ookkaayy.. That was Awkward." Paul commented, breaking the silence. "by the way he still loves you..."

I rested my head against Paul's forearm, closing my eyes, washing away all the pain. It still hurts to see Lee in such pain. He was broken and I could feel it. I was the one to do this to him!

"I did this to him..." I whispered.

"No you didn't. It just had to happen."

"How'd you know about him?"

"You spill out too much when you're drunk, especially when it's a drunken girl. And I swear princess.. there was no stoppin' you." he chuckled.

I sighed. "I should've told him right then..."

"He'd be hurt any way princess. It wasn't you're fault. Sometimes you just can't always have what you want... sometimes there's no other way than let go someone. Because the more you try to hold someone closer... they just slip away more... " he trailed off, looking down at his feet.

I was cold and my teeth were shuttering but Paul's sudden sadness made me want to know all about him.

"What's you're story?" I asked.

"No story princess..." he tried to chuckle it away but I could feel his sadness. I kept my eyes at him. I know he's been through the worst.

He looked down at me. His soft emerald eyes were distant and sad. "I had a princess like you... Karen. I loved her since we were in high school. She was reason I got over my drug addiction because it hurt her and it hurts me to see her like that. I was crazy about her... I gave up my family because of her. Dad wanted me to get married to someone I didn't wanted and he didn't like Karen. A few months later she moved to Canada and I followed her there too. We went to the same college and I felt like she was the one and one day she told me she's pregnant..." he trailed off, looking away.

I waited for him. I felt my eyes going numb.

"...I was so happy princess that I forgot I don't have anyone.. because all I know was that Karen was mine and we were have a baby... I told her we'd get married but she..." he sighed. "...she changed. She knew I'd left my family and I had nothing on my own. Not enough money to give her what my father gave my mother! I still loved her and tried everything... everything I could to get her back... but she rejected me like piece of a shit and took away my baby even before it was born!" he sighed. A tear twinkled in his eyes.

"The last time I saw my baby was when it was still in her torso. I couldn't even kiss it goodbye. Next day I found out that she had left... and I never got to know if I had a girl or a boy..."

I couldn't blink away from his face. He had gone through so much all alone... he was practically a dad to a child he'd never know. My heart ached for him.

As I blinked the tears that I didn't even know I had in my eyes, rolled down my cheek. I wished I could take all his pain away...

"I still think about her... I don't hate her... I can never hate her because she made me what I am now... I only came back because I couldn't take the pain she left me in. Everyday I felt like finishing myself but I couldn't... because every time I tried... the image of my child in her torso came in front of me, keeping me from giving up. It gave me hope that some day... just some day I might get to see him or her..."

PAUL: