^^West High

"You need to apply the quadratic formula here."

"But I can do it this way, too. It's easier."

"You can, but the formula is the requirement of the questions." I pointed out. "You will only get the marks if you do it according to the requirements."

"Geez, I loathe maths." Louis groaned. "You can do it in an easier method too, but no go for the hard one." He grumbled, and I chuckled.

It was Saturday, and we were sitting in the private room of West Hills Hospital. On the last Saturday of every month, Louis had his chemotherapy. In the past months, he did it alone because his siblings were busy with their schedules and his parents would always burst out crying when they see him in this condition.

I'm sure the Clichés would have come to these and helped him spend his time, but Louis is still not ready to tell anyone about this sickness, not even Chloe.

I knew if Chloe was aware of this, she would have never let Louis go through this alone. As her best friend, I went with Louis to give him some company and also assist him to study for his maths exam.

So here I was, sitting on the comfy white couch of the room while Louis was on the hospital bed. The room contained a few pieces of furniture, like a bed, TV, couches, a few simple paintings, and flowers decorated in vases on the side table, and their fresh scent filled the room. The sunlight from the window brightened the room, and specks of dust floated around in the rays.

This wasn't my first time at a hospital. My mom is a nurse, so I'm used to it, but I never visited a private room. The room was silent and we could hear no voice from outside, only the machine's continuous beeping tone.

My heart ached to see all the wires attached to Louis, but I kept my expressions restful because I was here to support him, not make him feel pity.

"Can we take a break?" Louis said, closing his books. "I'm having a headache."

Every fifteen minutes Louis would take a break because of his headaches, and I understood him.

"Sure." I smiled, closing my books.

"I have a love-hate relationship with March." Louis sighed. "Hate because we have exams and love because we get spring breaks after this. And this will be our last spring break." He said, then glanced at me. "I mean, you still have one more since you're a junior."

"What did you do last year?" I questioned, sitting on the couch with crossed legs.

"All of us went to the Forbes beach house in the spring break. There is also a theme park there: we went to the carnivals, and concerts, play games there and spent the entire week at the beach." His lips curled into a smile at the memory. "Here, I'll show you the pictures we took."

I got up from my seat and stood next to him. Louis picked up his phone and showed me the pictures. One of them was the group picture I saw in Andrew's and Tiana's room.

"We all have this picture in our rooms. Before this, we went to Disney land and took a picture there too and then replace it with this new one." He let out a deep sigh. "We were supposed to go to the beach house this year again but... No one is even properly talking to each other."

I observed Louis's sad face and felt bad for what happened with the Clichés. This is going to be their last spring break, and they were not even on talking terms.

"I'm sure everything will be fine." I patted his shoulder.

"I wish." He switched his phone off and put it aside. The atmosphere suddenly became gloomy, and I thought of changing the subject.

"How was your date with Chloe last night?"

"It was amazing." Louis beamed, and I sighed in relief, taking my seat on the couch again. "We went to theaters and watched 'Beautiful Creatures'. The movie was so touching that we both started crying." He said and I couldn't control my laugh. "What?" He pouted. "The ending was emotional."

"If you say so." I giggled, and he huffed. "What did you guys do after that?"

"We went for dinner, then I walked Chloe home. I wanted to spend more time with her but because of my condition I get tired easily and feel sleepy all the time." He mumbled, and I nodded.

"You'll get better."

"I hope so." He sighed. "Can I tell you something?"

"Sure."

"Promise me you won't think of me as a pervert." He said with a serious face and I blinked my eyes.

"I won't," I promised.

"I wanted to kiss Chloe last night so badly." He blurted and his pale face turned red.

"Then why didn't you?!" I shrieked.

"Because... You know... I..." He trailed off.

"Oh, come on Louis-"

"I don't know! I wanted to! She looked so beautiful in her pink dress and I couldn't believe myself how am I lucky to be with such a gorgeous, wonderful, talented girl!" He ranted and I watched him surprised by all his confessions. "When I'm with her, I forget about everything else and I feel alive. Sometimes I think I'm dreaming and I'm afraid that one day when I wake up, this all will be over."

"You don't have to worry about that," I assured him. "Chloe is a type of girl who will stick with you forever. Even if you try to push her away, she won't leave you."

"I know... And that's what scares me more." He said, creasing the drip attached to his hand.

"Don't think about it, Louis. Just spend the time with her and make it worth remembering."

"You know..." He glanced up and watched me with his brown eyes. "I never got to thank you."

"For what?" I frowned.

"For your lecture that day at my house." He chuckled. "That kind of made me think about all this."

"I'm glad I could be of some help." I gave him a toothy grin.

"And now it's my turn to help you." He smirked. "Andrew is not a bad guy."

My eyes grew enormous at the mention of his name. I remembered how stupid I was yesterday to blurt out about my dream in front of him.

Maybe I was thinking too much of that dream.

"I know." I cleared my throat, sitting straight when I realized Louis was watching me.

"Then what's the problem?" He tilted his head. "Don't you find him attractive? Even I think he's hot and I'm not gay."

"I find his American boyish look attractive." Andrew's face flickered in my head. "The way his deep blue eyes watch me... And whenever he gives me his charming smile, my heart skips a beat and-" I paused, realizing I was babbling about him.

I glanced at Louis and saw him giving me a smug smile. "You like him."

"I..." I trailed off and adjusted my glasses. "He's..."

"OMG!" He burst out laughing, reminding me of Chloe. "You have feelings for him and you don't even realize that!"

"I don't have-" Louis cut me off as he continued laughing. "Stop it, Louis, please. You are making me embarrassed." I ducked my head in shame.

"Just say it out loud once, Lilly. It'll make you feel better." He snickered.

Do I like him?

I mean, I think he's handsome and nice and honest, but are these the factors that make you like someone?

I remembered the dream I had of him and how bad I felt when I saw him disappointed.

If I don't have feelings for him, then why was I feeling that bad?

"I like him," I said out loud and Louis paused, laughing.

"What did you say?"

"I... I like... Andrew." Heat crawled up my neck and I buried my face in my palms. My heart drummed in my chest at the thought of him.

I like Andrew!

"Finally!" Louis cheered, and I sunk into the couch. "When are you planning to tell him?"

"Never." I shuddered at the idea of saying it in front of Andrew.

I'll die out of embarrassment.

"But why?" Louis shrieked.

"First, I've already said no to him, and second..." I trailed off when I couldn't think of anything.

"Do you trust him? I won't blame you if you don't. I mean, he was a high-class player."

"It's not about trust, it's..." I exhaled and sat on my seat properly. "We both are from separate worlds and have distinct personalities. It won't work."

"Are you a fortune-teller?" He asked, and I shook my head. "Then how can you say it won't work?" I opened my mouth, but Louis proceeded. "You won't know it until you try. Take a chance in your life because if you think this way, then there will be no guy for you to be with."

"I don't want my heartbroken," I whispered.

"That's a risk and you should take it. I did." He smiled. "I'm happy. Though it still scares me but the pros got more weight."

"I just... Don't know."

"At this rate, you'll only be thinking of the what-ifs. Instead of that, give it a shot."

"What if it won't work?"

"And what of it works?" He argued back, and it got me thinking.

What if...

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

In the following week, West High went crazy. The student body was busy preparing for the exams. Chloe, Toby, Louis, and I did group study and helped each other where ever we got stuck. My mind kept going toward Andrew and it was getting hard to concentrate on the books.

The second week of March was tough for everyone since it was exam week. I didn't know if the exams were harder or if I didn't study enough, but this was the first time I found my exams difficult to do.

I also got distracted during my exams when Miss Grace entered my class to invigilate the examinations.

I used to admire Miss Grace, the way she carried herself, and the confidence she had. She is the youngest teacher at West High and she handled her students very well.

That's what I thought before. Since the fundraiser, I could never look at her like I used to.

Somehow I gave all my papers. I wasn't satisfied with my performance but with the all things and secrets going around in my head and all the distractions in front of me.

I did it pretty well.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

I blew a breath in relief when I stepped out of the examination hall.

"FREEDOM!" Everyone screamed and cheered around the hallways, and my lips turned into a smile.

It's spring break.

"Andrew!" I turned my head towards the voice and saw Ben running towards me with a huge grin on his face. "It's spring break!" He screamed and pulled me into a hug.

I laughed as we both bounced. "Finally!"

"Everyone outside!" someone shouted and the whole student body began running towards the school gate.

Ben and I glanced at each other, and without saying a word, we rushed outside with the others. Everyone looked like we were getting out of jail. The whole student body was excited about the breaks.

When we stepped outside, we saw the Clichés except for Ben and me standing in the middle of the ground with everyone gathered around them.

It's time to execute the plan.

"Exams are finally over!" Nate announced, and the audience roared in enthusiasm. "As the student body president, I'd like to say a few words... This is the last year for my fellow seniors. Four years of our lives just flew like-" he flicked his fingers, "-that and here we all are standing only one semester away from our graduation..."

Nate continued to give his speech, and I looked around, observing everyone as they attentively listened to their president. My eyes caught Lillian as she stood with Chloe and Toby among the sea of students. I watched as she smiled and nodded her head with everyone at Nate's speech and I went still.

Wait a second...

I darted my eyes at Nate and then back at Lillian, and my eyes widened.

The f**k he's going to impress my girl!

Taking a deep breath, I stepped down the stairs.

"What are you doing?" Ben asked, following me.

"No way in hell am I going to let that geek get all the attention," I muttered and marched towards the circle.

This was my plan, but I didn't think this through.

I pushed past everyone on my way and entered the circle. Nate paused in whatever he was saying and everyone darted their eyes at me. Brittany raised her brows while the others looked at me in confusion. I blinked my eyes as everyone watched me.

Alright, I got all the attention now but...

What am I supposed to say?

"Andrew, you are humiliating me," Ben mumbled from behind. "Say something."

"Umm..." I gulped and glanced around. My eyes landed on Lillian, who was also watching me in confusion.

This is your chance, Andrew.

I am Drew the Daring.

"As I was saying..." Nate tried to continue, but I cut him off.

"Yes, Nate, as you were saying." I faced the crowd and babbled whatever came to my tiny brain. "My dear West High... It's spring break!" I shouted and was glad when everyone shouted with me and applauded. "And you know what it means for the seniors? Why it's so important for us?"

I asked and everyone glanced at each other while some shrugged.

"Because we don't have to study!" someone shouted.

"We don't have to wake up early for school!"

"We don't get to see our snake class fellows!"

"Nor your bit*h ex!"

Ok... Wow.

Everyone began throwing their assumptions and feelings, and I was impressed by the answers.

"What are you doing?" Nate stepped toward me. "You were the one who wanted this and now you're ruining it."

"Shut it geek I got it under control." I rolled my eyes at him and tried to calm the commotion. "Alright, somewhat you guys are... right." I shrugged. "But that's not the real reason."

"The reason is that this summer we are all going to college. All of us will be busy with packing our baggage, moving from one city to another and some may go to different countries. So this spring break is the only time which you can get to spend with your family..." I glanced at Lillian. "And loved ones."

"So enjoy it while it lasts, everyone!" Nate finished the speech. "The last party before the spring break at my house tonight and everyone's invited!" Everyone roared and hooted for the Clichés.

"Thank you... thank you..." I chuckled and bowed. My eyes went to Lillian again, and I saw her shaking her head at me with a smile.

"See you at the party!" Chloe screamed.

"Alright!" Louis yelled back and waved at her as she strolled with Lillian and Toby.

"I have to say." Ben chuckled, patting my shoulder. "That was impressive. When did you write all this?"

"I just ranted whatever came to my mouth," I said and Ben blankly stared at me for a second, then we both burst out laughing.

"Well... Well... Well." We turned at the sound of slow claps and saw Brittany coming towards us with the others. "That was a wonderful speech you gave Mr. Pierce."

"I was already giving a good one." Nate crossed his arms. "And you had to interfere."

"You were boring everyone, so I made it short and simple," I smirked and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"You are getting smarter day by day, Drew." Louis beamed. "I take you are in excellent influence."

"Are you trying to say what I think you are saying?" Maddie raised her brows at Louis.

"Yes, Maddie, you're thinking correct." Jordan patted her shoulder.

"The f**k!" She screamed and glared at Ben. "And you have nothing to say?"

"What? Me?" Ben pointed at himself. "I'm sorry, but I'm no public speaker."

"Arg! You're an idiot." She rolled her eyes. "Anyway... What are the plans for the break?" She asked and everyone looked between me and Brittany.

"Just a little while ago, a prudent man said to enjoy it with their family and loved ones," Brittany said, keeping her eyes on me. "And that's what we'll do."

"We will?" David asked, surprised.

"Yes. I'll go spend it with my dad." She gave us a sarcastic smile and spun to leave.

"B wait-"

"No." She cut me off and walked away.

"I'll go after-" Tiana said, but I stopped her.

"Let me." I strode after her. "And pack your bags, gang." I turned around to the group. "We are going to the beach house."

"Yes!" Everyone exclaimed. "Good luck Drew!"

"B... B... Brittany wait!" I ran after her to the parking lot.

"What?!" She stopped in front of her car.

"Listen to me for a second."

"Alright. Your second starts now." She looked at her watch and I opened my mouth. "And your second is over." She whirled and opened the door of her car and I grabbed her arm.

"Will you listen-"

"I don't want to." She tried to wiggle out of my grip, but I tightened my hold a little.

"How long are you planning to stay mad at me?"

"Forever." She gritted. "Now let me go!"

"I'm sorry," I said, and she halted. "I'm sorry that I hide it from you and didn't tell you about my feelings towards Lillian-"

"Feeling?" She scoffed. "You just want to sleep with her-"

"I don't." I cut her off.

"You don't?" She frowned and tilted her head.

"I mean... I do eventually-"

"F**k off Andrew." She rolled her eyes.

"That's not the point. The point is, I like her."

"Alright." She stopped fighting, and I let go of her arm. "Tell me exactly what you like about her?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"Everything." I shrugged.

"I want specific." She glared.

"Fine." I held my hands in surrender. "I like everything about her. She doesn't care about what others think of her. I like she cares about her family and friends more than herself. I like the way she rambles without noticing it, the way she looks with her curious green eyes and the way adjusts her glasses whenever she's nervous. I like the way she blushes whenever someone praises her. She's smart, beautiful, and whatnot." I finished.

Brittany watched me in shock as she process what I said. "I..." She gulped and stood straight.

"As I said. I like everything about her."

"Are you serious?" She asked, and I bobbed my head. "But she rejected you."

"Do I look like someone who will give up just by one rejection?" I smirked.

"You know this will not end well, Drew. Have you forgotten what happened the last time?" She asked, reminding me of my stupid past.

"We were kids back then-"

"And now you're a teen." She sighed. "Which means you are not thinking from your brain but from there." She pointed down.

"Lillian is different from her." I defended.

"Appearance-wise yes. You know nothing about her."

"I know enough."

"She'll break your heart Drew," Brittany said, looking straight into my eyes. "And this time it won't be nice."

"I'll take that chance." I smiled at her.

Brittany observed me for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. Do whatever you want to do. But don't expect me to heal your broken heart again."

"There won't be any need for that." I winked.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes and opened her car door. "I need to get ready for the party."

I nodded and step back. "See you at the party."

"Just be careful." She mumbled and sat in her car.

"I will," I said.

Before closing the door, she cast me a glance. "You are an a**hole."

"And you love me." I beamed.

"Unfortunately, yes." She rolled her eyes and closed the door. I watched with a grin on my face as she drove away.

Mission accomplished.

~•~ • ~•~ • ~•~

A/N

Happy Valentine's Day!

And here's a gift for you all 🥰

I know I celebrated Valentine's day in West Hills way before but here's a chapter full of confessions and love for you all.