Chapter 34 — Course mates
1119 Words
I groaned, rolling onto my back.
“Freaking Monday morning.” I murmured, standing up lazily.
I trudged into the bathroom, wasting no time taking my bath.
Once I was done, I settled on a pink flowy dress and cute slippers with flower designs on top.
Then I slung my bag over my shoulder, and walked out.
The house was unsurprisingly quiet.
The honking of a car had me rushing outside.
I pushed the door open, grinning as Lena waved from the backseat.
“Are you going to stand there grinning like a fool or hop in?” She groaned in annoyance.
I raced forward, jumping into the car.
“To school, Rufus,” she ordered.
“Yes, Miss.” Rufus said, pulling onto the road.
I sat quietly for a moment, not sure where to start.
“Ouch.” I whined, cradling my ear.
Lena glared at me playfully.
“I should be the one apologizing, Rosie.”
“And why do you think so?”
“I don't know… maybe because my Mum accused—”
“We have no business with whatever goes on with the adults, Lena.”
She pursed her lips, picking at the seams of her dress. “God, I feel so embarrassed.”
I laughed loudly, holding my stomach.
“About what?”
“How are we even still friends?” She asked, shaking her head.
“Because we understand each other, and I can't be mad at you or your mum… because I understand her hurt—and besides, I know Maggie would still love me, even though the case ended up being my mum sleeping with your dad.”
“Rosie—”
“They've always been like that, Lena. They fight and make up. I honestly was worried about how things are at your end.”
She sighed heavily. “Quiet… I guess.”
“Your mum?”
“She left.”
“How many times now?” I asked, chuckling softly.
Lena stayed quiet, eyes on her lap.
“She never took off her ring, Rosie. I don't think she's coming back this time.”
Although she tried to sound strong, I could hear the quiver in her voice.
Lena had more of a deep bond with her mum than her Dad.
Maggie was always around.
Always showing up.
And although we both knew her dad never deserved her mum… it still hurt to see them drift apart.
The car rolled to a stop.
“Miss, we are here,” Rufus said.
“Thanks Rufus.” We echoed in unison, stepping out of the car.
The door shut behind us, then the car drove away.
“Would you like me to go home with you after school?” I asked, as we headed to class.
“Nah… I'm good.”
“Are you sure? I really don't mind,” I pressed, glancing at her skeptically.
“It's not a death do us apart case, Rosie. I can literally go see my mum whenever I want.”
“I know, I'm just—”
“Rosie.”
A familiar voice screamed.
I squinted at the approaching figure as he jogged up to us.
I scowled.
“Andrew.”
He stopped just in front of us.
“Hey, Rosie.”
He glanced at Lena warily.
“Hi, Lena.”
Lena smiled, mumbling a quiet ‘hi’
“What are you doing here?” I asked, with a bit more edge to my tone than intended.
“Surprise… I transferred here.” Andrew said, smiling.
I blinked. “You what?”
“I transferred here, Rosie.”
“How? We're already in our third year. How were you allowed to enroll?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, scoffing lightly. “I'm Andrew Goldwells.”
Of course.
I crossed my arms over my chest, eyebrow raised in question.
“Why are you here, Andrew?”
He scratched his neck sheepishly.
“I wanted to be close to you, Rosie. It's been so long since we've seen each other.”
“Don't you think changing schools is a bit steep?”
“To be close to my childhood friend—and future dream girl, I don't think so.”
My scowl deepened.
Lena snickered softly beside me.
The bell rang signaling the start of the first class.
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, pulling away.
“I'll see you guys later.”
“Actually…” Andrew said, stopping me in my tracks.
I regarded him over my shoulder, eyes widening in shock.
“Tell me you didn't.”
He smiled forcefully.
“I guess we're course mates.”
Fucking bastard.
“I'll see you both after school…” Lena drawled, turning the opposite direction.
……..
My frown didn't ease as we got into class.
It also didn't ease as I took my seat.
In fact, it deepened as Andrew took a seat close to me.
“So you even went as far as using Daddy's connection to get a seat beside me.”
“Come on, Rosie.” Andrew whined.
I rolled my eyes, pulling out the books from my bag.
The classroom door opened and Henry walked in.
Almost immediately…
The loud chatters ceased, replaced by quiet murmurs.
My heart thudded in my chest as he strolled in, every step calm and composed.
Completely unaware of the havoc he caused inside of me.
He wore a skin-tight white T-shirt and baggy jeans. A pair of reading glasses rested on his nose.
His hair was slicked back neatly, and he carried a black briefcase, arms flexing as he walked forward.
Look at me.
I screamed in my mind.
But he didn't.
He stopped at the podium.
“Let's tone down the murmurs please,” Henry said, pulling out a book from his case.
“Good morning, class.”
“Good morning, Mr Gareth.” The class murmured in unison, followed by giggles.
Why the f**k wouldn't he look at me?
(Why the f**k would he look at you in the first place, Rosie.)
He flipped open his book.
“Today we'll start with physics, and we'll be discussing quantum mechanics.”
He paused, lips parting slightly.
“But before that, I think we have a new student...” he trailed, squinting at the name.
Andrew shifted beside me.
“Class, let's welcome…” he blinked, brows pinched softly.
“Andrew Goldwells?”
This time his gaze snapped up.
He didn't need to look elsewhere.
It was almost as though he knew without being told.
His eyes locked on mine, lingering for a moment.
Then they trailed to the figure beside me… slowly—
Settling on none other than…
Andrew.
- Writer
