^^Andrew's Aston Martin

"LOOK OUT!"

My head snapped towards the chandelier that was close to us and I froze in my place as I watched it fall.

Andrew pushed me to the wall behind us and stood in front of me like a shield. My eyes automatically squeezed shut when the cracking sound of woods and chattering of the lights and crystal echoed through the room.

There was pin-drop silence in the hall. I peeked through my eyes to see my hands on Andrew's chest and felt his heart beating furiously under my hand. My back was against the wall, and Andrew's hands were on either side of me. I swallowed hard and slowly angled my neck up to see him staring at me with his wide blue eyes, both of us breathing heavily. Heat crawled up my neck because of the proximity.

The gasping and murmuring sound of everyone snapped us out. I took my hands off his chest and Andrew jolted himself away from me in a flash as I burned him and blinked his eyes at me.

I averted my gaze from him and glanced at the chandelier, and my eyes bugged out. The whole thing was broken into pieces. I stepped closer as everyone formed a circle around it. Some cursed, seeing their hard work ruined.

"What the hell are we going to do now?!" a girl from the committee cried. "The whole thing is broken!"

"How the f**k did this happen?!" Nate shouted. Everyone looked at each other and not knowing who it was.

I ducked my head and mumbled. "It was my fault."

"This happens when you let a nerd do things!" someone said and everyone started criticizing me.

"What are we going to do now?!"

"We only have a day left for the event!"

"Guys, hold on-" Nate tried to calm the commotion, but it didn't work. Tears filled my eyes, but I closed them as I listened to them quietly.

I will not cry in front of them like a baby.

"We worked so hard on it!"

"F**k, that was a waste of time!"

"It is all her fault-"

"Shut up!" Andrew roared and immediately everyone slammed their mouths. "It was my fault."

"Huh?" With wide eyes, I stared at him as he stood beside me.

"I was the one who pushed her to the pillar." He lied.

"Why did you do that?" Nate growled.

"Because she was in my way." Andrew shrugged, and Nate scrunched his face in confusion.

"But that will not undo all this." A blond guy from the committee pointed at the mess. "What are we going to do about it?" He turned towards Nate.

"Miss Grace is going to kill us." A girl mumbled.

"No one is going to inform this to Miss Grace." Nate sternly said. "We'll figure something out."

"It won't be easy to hide." The Blond guy said. "We have a budget to maintain and now we have to buy everything for this." He pointed at the chandelier. "And don't forget about the damaged pillars."

"How are we even going to fix this?! We have other things to do according to the schedule!"

"I can help rebuild it." I offered.

The guy scoffed. "It took the entire team to make it in days and what... You're going to make it alone in a day?" I hung my head in embarrassment when everyone snickered.

"We'll do it together," Andrew barked and crossed his arms. "I am also responsible, so we'll fix this. You don't have to worry about it." He said and looked at Nate.

"Easier said than done." The guy scowled. "This isn't one of your playboy games." Andrew narrowed his eyes at him and opened his mouth, but Nate cut him off as he stepped forward.

"Alright calm down people! Everyone clean up this mess while we think of something." He instructed them and looked at me and Andrew. "You two come with me."

Nate walked ahead, and we followed him. I felt Andrew's gaze at me as we walked, but I kept my head down. Nate stopped in front of a door next to the storage room and opened the door. We entered and I observed the room. It looked like it hasn't been used for a while and was almost empty, with a few tables, chairs, and shelves in the corner which were covered in dust and cobweb.

Nate stood in the middle of the room and put his hands on his hips. "What the f**k was that?" He growled at Andrew.

"I already told you," Andrew said in a monotone and shrugged.

"Why don't you get in your dumb head to leave her alone!" Nate snapped.

"You are no one to order me." Andrew rolled his eyes.

"Ben is going to kill you."

"He won't because it was an accident."

"But you just said that you pushed her!"

"Yes... I did... By accident."

"God, Andrew, why do you have to be such a d**k! Do you have any idea how much trouble you have got me into!"

"I said I'll fix it and don't worry about the money I'll pay for it."

Of course, he'll pay because he's rich and me... I can't even imagine how much will it cost.

They both bickered, and I watched back and forth between them. My head ached, so I sneaked out of the room and ran toward the bathroom. On my way, everyone gave me scowls and hateful gazes making me shrink.

Entering the bathroom, I stood in front of the mirror and observed my still red face and my eyes were watery. I took my glasses off, then splashed some water on my face. This was the first time I tried to get out of my comfort zone and instead of helping, I ruined things.

But it wasn't my fault...

It was Andrew's, if he would have left me alone, nothing like this would have happened. But I knew no one will accuse him because he's the popular rich guy and all will point at me.

I cut my thoughts off when Tiana entered the bathroom with a hand on her stomach. Without glancing at me, she ran inside the stall. I gulped and got out of the bathroom, wearing my glasses.

It still pained me to know she's been cheating on and I couldn't do anything about it.

I walked to the room again. Nate was nowhere to be found, and Andrew was sitting in the chair, scrolling through his phone.

Something burned inside me to see him relax like this while I was freaking out. Ignoring him, I walked to the corner and whirled around when I heard voices. The guys from the team brought the broken pieces of the chandelier.

"Here." The blond guy gave me a deadpan look. "Nate said to bring these and let's see what you can do with them." The guys with him scoffed and walked out.

I side glanced at Andrew and he was still scrolling on his phone with a frown on his face.

I'm sure it must be some of his girl's problems.

My teeth gritted as I walked to the shelves. I searched for things that could help me with the chandelier and found wood glue. Grabbing it, I strode to the broken pieces and tried to fix them.

After what felt like hours, I sat on the floor with the broken chandelier. I tried to glue the pieces again and hold them for about ten to twenty minutes, but they didn't stick. I grabbed some nails and a hammer to join it, but nothing worked.

I groaned in frustration and heard a chuckle echo in the room. Squinting my eyes, I twisted my head towards Andrew, who was still sitting on the chair playing on his phone, but his eyes were on me.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing." He coughed and covered his grin with his hand.

"Nothing?" I stood up from my place and let out a humorless laugh. "Of course, it's nothing for you."

"What is that supposed to mean?" His brows knitted in confusion.

"Well, for starters, you have nothing to worry about since no one is blaming you for what happened because you are the favorite popular playboy of the high school." I forced a smile onto my face. He opened his mouth, but I continued. "Oh, and of course, you have money to throw on everyone's faces."

"What-"

"And I, on the other hand, am going to get all the hatred even though it was your fault!" I stepped closer and took out all the burning anger and frustration inside me. "Because I'm a nobody. I'm the stupid nerd who got into this school on scholarship and I'm no one's favorite and I have nothing to pay... And for what... The mishap that happened because of you!"

"Hey listen." He stood up and came toe to toe with me. "I said I'll fix it so don't use that little brain of yours where it isn't needed and go study your books." He growled.

"What have I ever done to you?!" I screamed in frustration. "Because I clearly remember that we didn't even meet before the day you and your friends kidnapped me and after that, without even doing anything to you, you always give me stink eye... and this week suddenly you were being nice to me and helping me and today... you came up to me, accusing me of going after a guy who has a girlfriend and David! Why the hell would I go for a jerk like him?! I seriously don't get what's going in your thick head and what have I ever done to you to hate me like this!"

I heaved as I shut my mouth from my ranting. Andrew watched me with bugged eyes, shocked at my sudden outburst.

What the f**k...

Did she seriously just say all that?

I opened and close my mouth like a fish and nothing came out. I watched the anger burning in her green gaze and jaw clenched, making me gulp.

Miss goody two shoes know how to scare the shit out of people.

"Wait..." I tried to process what she said. "You are saying that David lied to me..."

She snorted. "Wow... I thought whatever I said flew over your head."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Okay listen here, Missy-"

"No, you listen." She cut me off, pointing her finger at me. "I'm done with whatever game you're playing, so stop stalking me and leave me alone!"

"I'm not stalking you!" I shrieked. "I am just making sure that you don't hurt my-"

"Best friend?" She completed and shook her head in amusement. There was nothing to be amused about the situation. "I suggest you should think over it if you truly are even friends." I frowned.

What does that even mean?

I watched in confusion, and before I could think of something, Nate came into the room.

"We are wrapping for the day." He said, eyeing the chandelier. "What are you doing?"

"I was trying to fix it but it didn't work." Lillian sighed and walked towards the chandelier.

"Whatever you are doing will not work." I tried to stop her. "You don't have to do it-" I shut my mouth when she shot me a look.

She's pissed.

"No one is asking you. Why don't you leave me alone and play with your phone!"

She thought I was playing?

I was getting ideas and ordering things for the new chandelier because this is impossible to fix.

"Why don't you relax for today? We still have a day." Nate suggested.

"No..." She shook her head. "They are right. I won't be able to do it in a day."

"You're not alone, Lilly." Nate stepped forward and put his hand on her shoulder. "We'll think of something together."

I pressed my lips as I watched Nate trying to comfort her. "Whatever," I scoffed and walked out of the room, not in the mood to watch them flirt.

I was walking down the hall when saw David getting out of the ballroom leisurely like he wasn't part of whatever happened. I sneaked behind him and when we walked around the corner; I patted his shoulder.

"Huh?" He turned around and his eyes grew big when he saw me with a smile plastered on my face. "Andrew-"

I punched his face, cutting him off. He tried to stop me, but I was ready to get my anger out on him. I clenched his collar and shoved him to the wall.

"What the f**k David?!" I shouted and gave him another punch in his jaw. "You f**king lier!"

"I can explain!" He screamed, covering his face. I stopped and gripped his collar.

"Then explain," I growled.

"Alright... You know no one likes Lillian and well... Everyone likes me-"

"Get to the point!" I barked.

"Ok! I lied!"

"No shit, Sherlock!" I jabbed him and let go of his collar. "I want to know why?!"

"Because I didn't want to lose the bet!" He said sliding down the wall and sat on the floor.

"What?" My face scrunched in confusion.

"Ben and Lillian are getting close and there's a chance that I'll lose the bet... You know how much I hate losing... I lied to you so that you scare her away from Ben."

I ran fingers through my hair. "The f**k David! You know how much trouble we got into because of your f**king bet!" I said, kicking him.

"Ouch!" He winced. "How was I supposed to know all of that would happen?! I was just trying to win the-"

"Bet!" I snapped then exhaled a deep breath, trying to calm myself. "Get up."

"What-"

"Get up!" He scurried and stood on his feet. "This is what going to happen next..." I stepped closer face to face with him and looked dead in his eyes. "You are going to pay for whatever your f***king bet has cost us."

"Dude..." He frowned. "Why me-"

"It all happened cause of you. If you wouldn't have lied to me, nothing like this would have happened."

"But... That's a lot of money where am I going to get it?" He frowned and a light chuckle escaped my lips.

"You're not that naïve, my dear friend. You'll get the money from your father's account." I plastered a smile on my face and put my hand on his shoulder.

"This wouldn't be hard since you have done this before and I'm sure your dear Mayor daddy wouldn't even notice this tiny winy quantity among his big digits." He opened his mouth, but I cut him off by tightening my grip. "Just do as I say David or I will restructure your face and don't forget about Ben... when he'll find out that whatever happened to Lillian was because of you..." I trailed off and patted his shoulder. "I'm sure you already know what he'll do to you."

His expression turned horrified, and he gulped, looking around to see if anyone heard us. "Fine." He sighed. "I'll get you the money but... You are going to save me from Ben. The fundraiser is on Sunday. I don't want my handsome face to get ruined!"

I rolled my eyes and backed away. "I'll let you know whatever the expense will be, you just get me the money."

He nodded and I walked away from him towards the school gate. I glanced outside through the windows and saw heavy rain pouring outside. When I reached the school gate, I saw Lillian wearing her raincoat.

Is she seriously going to ride her bike in this rainfall?

"Where is Nate?" I asked, standing beside her.

"He's with Miss Grace." She answered without looking at me.

"Come on, I'll drive you."

"Like I'm going to sit with you." She scoffed.

"You can't go home on a cycle in this downpour, it's dangerous," I said, gesturing towards the rain.

"You want to know what's more dangerous than the weather." She finally glanced at me with a fake sweet smile on her face. "You."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't be stubborn and let me help you-"

"You have done enough for me today. I don't need your help anymore." She snapped.

This girl is a serious headache. No girl has ever denied sitting in the car with me.

"Girls die to sit in my car and here are you..." I scowled, giving her a once over.

"I'll rather die than sit in the car with you." She glared.

"Are you coming or not?" I asked again.

"I'm not coming with you." She firmly said and was about to walk but I grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

"Hard way it is."

"What are you-AAAAH!" she shrieked when I bent down and threw her over my shoulder. "What are you doing?!"

"Getting your stubborn a** to my car."

"Ouch!" She winced when I jumped from the stairs and ran to my car. "Put me down, Andrew!" She screamed and with all her power she kicked her legs and punched my back, which hurt like bit*h.

For a tiny girl like her, she sure got strength.

Ignoring her, I opened the passenger door and plopped her inside. "This is absurd!" She yelled and tried to get out but I put one hand on my car's door and the other on the seat head, blocking her way.

"Do not move!" I sternly said. "I will not let you cycle in this weather."

"Why do you care?!" she yelled making me pause.

That's a good question.

The chilly rain drenching me made me shiver, but I stood there trying to figure out the answer. She blinked her eyes at me, waiting for me.

"I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing this for Ben." I finally uttered after what felt like hours. She frowned, and I continued. "He's already going to be mad at me for what happened and I don't want him to kill me after knowing that I let you go on a cycle in this storm."

"He wouldn't even know-"

"Well, when you'll get sick and won't be able to go to the fundraiser with him... He'll find out." She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. "Good," I said and closed the door carefully.

I jogged to the driver's seat and quickly got inside. Turing the ignition on, I sighed when the seats got warm. I ran my fingers through my hair and dried them.

"Wait..." Lillian said, making me halt. "My bicycle-"

I groaned, cutting her off. "I'm sure no one is going to steal it you can get it tomorrow," I said and got out of the parking lot. "Where do you live?" She took her time thinking, then sighed and told me her address.

We quietly sat the whole way and heard only the patter of rain on the car roof. It wasn't awkward but kinda comfortable and different because whenever I went with any girl or Brittany, they would babble the whole way.

I side glanced at her and saw her looking out the window. I remembered her face earlier when she saw the chandelier broken. Her eyes were teary and I thought she would burst out crying but I was impressed when she composed herself.

My brows automatically furrowed when I turned on the street she told me. Every house looked identical, and I wondered how they were distinguished between them.

"That one." Lillian pointed at the house, and I stopped in front of it. It was a small two-story house and a compact car was parked in the driveway.

"Thank you for driving me." She said, making me glance at her. "Even though it wasn't necessary." She added.

"Whatever." I scoffed and watched her, grabbing her stuff. My gaze involuntarily went to her neck, and I saw a yellowish mark. "What is this..." I asked and extended my hand to have a look, but she jerked back and put her hand on her neck.

"Nothing!" she squealed and opened the door to run, but I yanked her back.

"That's not nothing," I said and pulled her closer. "Is that a bruise?"

"No... Yes... I mean..." She gulped. "I uh... I strangle myself with my muffler... accidentally."

My brows furrowed. "What-"

"I need to go now! Thank you again." She said and bolted out of my car.

I watched as she ran inside her house, and after a minute I drove out of the driveway. That mark didn't look like she got it from a muffler. My mom is in NGO and I've heard a lot of stories of kids getting harmed or mistreated by their parents. I glanced at her house through the rare view mirror.

Is she being abused or something...