Chapter Fifteen

 “Lucas Smith, I’m going to kill you!” I screeched as I hugged my coat tighter around my body.

“Sorry,” Lucas muttered sheepishly as he once again searched his bag and pockets for his car keys.

I’m regretting my decision to ever catch a ride with Lucas. The idiot lost his car keys, and it’s freezing outside in the parking lot. A lot of students already left except for a few who were doing their clubs.

I called a meeting for the winter formal and Lucas, waited for me. I thought it was a sweet gesture up until he told me that he “kind of” lost his keys.

“I’m so sorry, Celeste,” he apologized with all sincerity making my anger fade.

Lucas had some good intentions, he was just naturally an idiot.

“It’s alright,” I tried to smile but nope, I just can’t. I hate our situation right now.

“Blake has football training so maybe we can catch a ride with him,” he suggested and I nodded.

“I’ll be inside; just text me or something if Blake arrives,” I told him before turning on my heel, and marching back into the warmth of the school heater provides.

I was still shivering, and if I didn’t think it could get any worse, I let out a loud, embarrassing sneeze.

“Bless you,” A voice chuckled.

I looked up to see it was Drew who was walking up to me with an amused expression on his face.

“Thanks,” I sniffled, “Why are you still here?”

He didn’t answer but instead he handed me a tissue which he somewhat pulled into thin air. It took some time for my brain to process, but I concluded that he didn’t want to go home. It was just like when we got locked in, he didn’t want to go see the house that placed his father in jail.

It pained me that he didn’t even feel at-home in his own house. I placed a smile on my face, and grabbed the tissue he held up to me.

“I want to visit Ariel,” I told him which caught him off guard.

“Why?” he inquired, and I only shrugged in response. Truth to be told, I just wanted to assure that he got home safely.

Being outside while in this freezing temperature isn’t exactly healthy. I was already starting to catch a cold myself.

“Come on,” I said to him, taking his hand and pulling him outside. I felt him stiffen in my hold before he finally relaxed and welcomed the feeling of my hand. Just holding his hand made me feel warm in the midst of the cold winter snow.

I spotted his bike and tugged him to its direction. Hesitantly, I let go of his hand so that he could get on.

“Let me guess, you didn’t bring your car again,” he chuckled as he strapped his helmet on my head. His fingers brushed against my skin making it tingle.

“Yup,” I grinned, before climbing onto his bike – with his help, of course.

“This time,” he started out, revving his bike, “Make sure I can breathe in your hold.”

When we started moving, all confidence left my body and was replaced with fright. Ignoring what he said, I wrapped my arms around his waist and held onto him with all my might.

“Relax,” he choked out, before turning to me when we stopped at a red light, “I won’t let you fall.”

With those words, my body instantly relaxed. The fear went out my system as I leaned into him, absorbing the warmth he gave off.

We started moving again, and this time, I wasn’t gripping onto him like a mad man.

The bike came into a stop in front of the familiar house. The both of us got off, and Drew secured it while I took off his helmet.

When we came inside, we were quickly greeted by Savannah who came to hug Drew’s legs.

“Drew!” she squealed when her big brother scooped her up in his arms; I smiled fondly at the two siblings.

“Son, are you home?” Ariel asked as she emerged from the kitchen, “Oh Celeste, I didn’t know you were visiting.”

“Me too,” Drew mumbled but I only rolled my eyes at him.

“What can I say, I miss your cookies,” I shrugged and she let out a laugh.

“Well I have a batch baking in the oven right now, why don’t you help me clean up the kitchen?” she asked and I nodded.

“Drew, could you take out the trash?” Ariel asked and without much of a response, Drew went to do his chore.

“I’m so glad you and Drew are friends again,” she beamed as we entered the kitchen.

“He told you about our fight?”

“Heavens no,” she denied, shaking her head, “I just assumed. He has been zombie for the past week and he’d throw a fit whenever I mentioned your name.”

Weird as it may, I was actually glad Drew was upset about our fight. It meant that he actually cared for me.

I proceeded to wash the dishes as Ariel took out the cookies from the oven and allowed them to cool.

“Thank you, Celeste,” she suddenly said, making me snap my head to her direction.

“For what?”

“Befriending Drew. I know he isn’t exactly the easiest person to get along with,” she smiled fondly.

"That goes for the two of us,” I giggled to lighten up the mood. She nodded and transferred the cookies to a plate as I finished washing the last utensil.

“His birthday is coming up,” Ariel reminded which made me perk up.

“When?” I asked, curiosity practically coming out of my pores.

“December 24,” she laughed, “I think it’s quite a funny date.”

So Drew was born on Christmas Eve meaning it was a week away. Great, now I have to think of a perfect gift for him.

Drew came into the kitchen, carrying a very jumpy Savannah in his arms.

“Cookies!” she squealed as she spotted the chocolate chip delight. She started fussing in Drew’s arms, making him put her down on the floor where she rushed to her mother who was already waiting for the little girl.

“Have you done whatever you came here for?” Drew asked as he took a cookie from the plate on the kitchen island. I nodded before grabbing my own.

 “Yup,” I smiled, popping the 'p'.

He opened his mouth to say something but he was cut off when my phone started blasting in my pocket. I held up a finger before fishing my pocket for the device.

“Hello?” I asked once I brought my phone to my ear.

“Where are you?” Lucas’ voice asked with nothing but pure concern.

Oh Lucas… I forgot about him. Oops.

“I caught a ride with…” I paused for a moment, contemplating whether or not should I tell him that it was actually Drew. Knowing Lucas, he would be furious, and will beat the living daylight out of Drew.

“With?” Lucas urged from the other line.

“Umm…” I trailed off, “Just a friend.”

“You’re the worst liar ever,” he deadpanned.

“Look,” I sighed, “Just go home, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Before he can utter a response, I hung up on him before turning to Drew, plastering a smile on my face.

“Smith troubling you?” he asked as he chewed loudly on his cookie.

I nodded before looking at the clock on the wall, “I should probably go now.”

“I’ll drive you,” he suddenly offered, standing up from his seat next to his sister.

I looked at the family of three before shaking my head, “I’ll just grab a taxi or something.”

“But–”

“No,” I insisted. There was no way I was pulling him away from precious family time, “I’ll be fine.”

“At least let me escort you to the door,” he said.

So together we walked to the front door, and he held it open for me.

"I’ll see you tomorrow; stay out of trouble,” I grinned before stepping back out into the cold winter air.

I could feel his eyes staring at me as I walked out of his fence. I kept walking straight, hoping that he’d take his eyes off me. Fact, when Drew Everett is looking at me, I make nothing but a complete fool out of myself.

As I walked down the sidewalk, I kept on shivering thanks to the below zero temperature. My hands were jagged into my coat pockets and every time I let out a breath, I could see the frost in the air.

Okay, maybe I should have taken Drew’s offer to drive me to my apartment.

“Celeste,” Somebody called out before a car stopped right in front of me.

The tinted window rolled down to reveal the Smith brothers who was both grinning like they found the Holy Grail.

I was not in the mood for their antics right now but if they were going to give me a ride home, then I’ll endure them as much as I can.

Lucas got out from the passenger’s seat, and opened the back door for me, “Get in,” he gestured and I gratefully did so.

I’m praising the person who installed heaters into cars. Lucas got in after me and closed the door. I was still shivering but he draped a blanket over me and pulled me next to him.

As much as I hate to admit it, he was actually glowing with warmth that I couldn’t help but get closer to him. He wrapped an arm around me, and rested my head on his shoulder.

“You’re burning, Celeste,” he said as he felt my forehead, “You have a fever.”

Not good.

One thing about me is I never miss a day of school. Ever. The last time I did was back in the sixth grade, and that’s just because I got hospitalized thanks to a broken leg that the Smith brothers gave me. Well, not counting the time Ariel went all panic mode on me because she found that I was a Graham.

If Jazzy ever finds out that I have a fever, she’ll make me stay home with no exceptions.

*

*

*

“You’re not going to school!” Jazzy told me with finality in her tone.

I told you so.

She held up the thermometer to see my temperature, and she wasn’t happy when I told her that I wanted to go to school.

“But…” I tried to convince her but she cut me off.

“You stay and rest or else you won’t be well enough to go the winter formal,” she explained. “And I know how important that dance is for you.”

She has a point, there’s a possibility that I could be sick on Friday if I don’t get better. Jazzy knew everything about my parents’ story, and she was rooting that Drew and I get together at that dance.

I don’t even like Drew that way… I think.

“Now you lie down and I’ll make you some chicken soup,” she said before trotting out.

The only thing that I’m praying for is that I’ll be better when Friday comes.

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I'm not happy with this chapter but this is kind of a filler for the next one that I'll upload. Next chapter is when we finally hold the Winter Formal! Thank you for all who suggested actors to play my main guys on this story but I'm still undecided.

Regarding my first question on the last chapter, a lot chose B, some chose A but I love those people who chose C lol

Question: What's the perfect song for Drew and Celeste as a couple or Lucas and Celeste as a couple?

Don't forget to comment, vote and follow!