"I'm good with it. Infact, I'm really happy for Soph." Laura said with an amused smile.

Soph & I were staring at her blankly for a good five seconds. Let me tell you what I was expecting—a big cat fight with Laura accusing Soph for stealing her crush. And in the end of it, ordering me to choose one between them to remain friends with.

But turns out I won't be put into that uncomfortable situation.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yeah, absolutely! I don't know what's there to be so astonished about." Laura responded.

"Mark's your crush and he is dating Soph. And you are okay with it. Doesn't this sound weird to you?" I prodded.

Laura laughed, "Andy, I've moved on! Mark never had feelings for me. I'd be a fool waiting for something that's never gonna happen. I'm genuinely happy for Soph!"

Soph hugged Laura, "Thanks a lot, Laura! I was so scared, how would you react. I can't tell you how relieved I'm now."

***

"So, how did it go?" Drake asked as I got in the car.

"It went all well. There weren't any heart breaks, accusing, hair pulling or punching or anything." I muttered, putting on the seat belt.

"Really?" he was startled, "That's, well, strange if you ask me. Laura was very much into your brother."

"I know right. But she said she moved on."

"I really hope that's the case." Drake said, as he started to drive the car out of the school's parking lot.

"If its not, then Laura's a really good actor." I said, "But I think Laura is over Mark. She's become a really strong girl than what she was when I first saw her."

There was a bit of a pause after that.

"By the way, I still can't believe you agreed to watch this romantic film with me." I remarked.

Yeah, Drake and I are going for a movie date. Hehehe.

"Yep, I will have a sound sleep in the theatre while you watch that crappy film. You see, I've to study Economics in the night today." he said in a serious tone.

I frowned really hard on that.

"You know what, I really thought you would at least try and be sweet and cute like the One Direction guys. But let me inform you that you're are way at the bottom of the ladder."

"One Direction who?"

"That's it Drake Spencer! You crossed the line. I'm blocking you on Twitter and Instagram now." I snapped.

"I'm not on Twitter or Instagram." he pointed out.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes.

Then he burst out laughing. Damn he looks so gorgeous when he laugh!!! Aww, My poor heart skipped almost a hundred beats for sure.

Oh, wait a sec! Drake was laughing at me!! This is not done!!! I will show him!!

 "Yeah, I know you have a pair of 32 white teeth, so you can stop showing off." I shot back.

His laughing got reduced to chuckles.

"Seriously, Don't you think you ought to learn how to be a bit romantic cause you miserably fail in that category." I remarked.

"Fine, I will bring the stars down for you, my sweetheart, provided you arrange the spacecraft for me." he said with a lopsided smile.

"And that's how you just ruin a romantic line." I mumbled, "Since we will be completing one month of being together next week,  how are you planning to surprise me?"

"How about a haunted house since you like ghosts?" he winked mischievously.

"I'm so hating you right now." I said with a frown.

"That reminds me, Mark said you had trouble sleeping at nights for a week after watching Annabelle. "

"Wow! I guess guys are much better than girls when it come to gossip?" I said sassily.

"Andrea, lets watch a horror film together. You will have a better reason to stay awake at night cause I will be there on the bed with you." he said sensually.

Um, okay....that gave me feels.

"Gee, that's Gross." I remarked.

"No. That's romantic. Very Romantic." he said with a husky smile.

"No. That's Gross."

"No. That's romantic. You don't know romance."

"Yeah, I know there are things  that go beyond the kiss."

"Good. Saves me the explanation." he said, smirking.

Well, I don't want to admit it but my imagination was starting to run wild.

And I have to stop my stupid brain to stop thinking about that stuff  before I say or do something utterly idiotic.

Right then, Drake stopped the car near the pavement.

"Wh-What happened? " I asked at once.

Um, was he planning to, uh, make out right now, in the car????????

I'm...I'm not prepared for it.  And......and what about condom?

"Gee, look at the way your cheeks and nose have turned tomato red."

I heard Drake remark, pulling me out of the flurry of thoughts in my head.

I gaped at his smirking face with eyes wide open.

"I know what you're thinking." he said huskily, "But we aren't getting there. Not now. I just have some batteries to buy."

"For the record, I'm not thinking what you think I'm thinking. How can you even think that I was thinking that? You aren't supposed to think that I think like that." I just blurted out, mortified.

Drake raised a brow, "Did you just talk sense or was it nonsense?"

"Why don't you fetch your car batteries instead?" I countered with a tight smile.

"Fine." he muttered, unfastening his seatbelt and getting out of the car.

I was feeling so embarrassed I can't tell you!

And can someone please guide me about what do I do to get rid of the butterflies doing salsa in my stomach?

I looked outside the window. The  roads had all kinds of vehicles plying to and fro. In the midst of all this, I saw Laura walking on the pavement from the opposite direction. She walked with slow steps. By the looks of it, I doubt she even knows that she was walking.....Her face was pale, devoid of any expressions. Her eyes were vacant and forlorn....It was like she wasn't even looking where she was walking and—-wait!!!

Oh shoot!!!

Laura was now walking straight towards the middle of the road!!!

She wasn't aware where she was heading. I felt a chill of the darkest fear run down my spine when I saw a speeding van approaching  Laura with a fatal pace......I instantly got out of the car and ran towards her cause I knew  it was too late for the driver to do anything since Laura had suddenly come on the way......

Laura needs to be saved before its too late

I  reached her right on time, grabbed her by her arm and pulled her behind, back on to the pavement. That brought her back to her senses, filling her with terror about what was to happen.  I had jerked her behind with such force that I lost my balance & fell terribly hard on the ground of the pavement.

Ow Ow Ow !!!!!!!!

"Andy, are you alright?"

I heard Laura ask in alarm as she bend down to help me. I felt a sharp slicing pain when I tried to move my right hand.

Fuck!!!

I should have paid attention in the Biology class to know the total number of bones in a hand cause I believe I might have some broken ones now.

****

"Ermm....hello?"

I mumbled meekly at the six pairs of eyes that were fixed on me. Damn that was so intimidating. Oh by the way, the six pairs of eyes belonged to Mom, Dad, Mark, Drake, Laura and Soph. And I was on a hospital bed with a fractured hand supported by a splint.

The atmosphere was a grave one, mounting with tension.

"The X-ray report says there's no surgery required. Andy's got bones made of steel." Mark said, trying to make the whole thing light.

"Hon, are you alright. We got really scared. Thanks Jesus there are no major complications. ? No, don't try to move. You will hurt yourself.  Is it paining too much, Sweety?" mom asked worriedly.

" Lets not talk about the pain." I shuddered, "But don't worry, mum. I am fine."

"You're my brave girl!" Dad said, "we will get rid of the injury real soon. But how did this happen?"

Through the corner of my eye, I saw Laura lowering her face out of guilt.

"I was playing football and fell down in a wrong way." I lied. And they brought it.

"You rest for a while. We will have a word with the doctor. Don't strain yourself." Mum kissed my forehead & rose to her feet.

"Yes, And we will take you home after that." Dad said, assuring.  They know how crappy and suffocated I feel at a hospital.

 My parents exited the room. I signaled to Soph with my eyes. She took the cue and took Mark outside with her.

"You guys talk, I'm waiting outside." Drake said, heading to the door as well.

Now there were only Laura and me. She couldn't look at me in the eye and looked down as she sat beside me.

"I'm really sorry Andrea.....Its because of me you are here..." her voice was heavy with remorse and guilt.

"What's up with you Laura?" I asked anxiously, "Did you lie when you said you were over Mark? Do you still have feelings for him? Don't tell you had suicide on your mind!!!"

"Noo!! Absolutely not. I wasn't thinking of ending my life." Laura paused for a while, "But on the other hand, there is nothing in my life worth living for. I'm a loser. "

"Laura, you're not supposed to say like that!" I said, distraught at her words.

"I am very much over Mark.  Its just that....." she was overwhelmed with sadness, "Its just that I feel I will be turned down by every guy. Also,  I don't know what to do with my life, My parents have always neglected and belittled me and inspite of working so hard, I still wasn't able to make it through to the Short Film Festival....."

She had just outlined all the pain and miseries of her life. I really felt shitty. I just can't see her like that. She doesn't deserve all this crap in her life.

Laura sat silently with her eyes downcast. I took a deep breath, "Look, Laura, you are very creative and talented and everytime I say it, I mean it.  Great things take time to come by. Everyone has their own struggles. You've got to be strong, stronger than you've ever been to knock down everything that weakens you."

"Yeah....I know. I have to keep going, keep working hard, no matter what. There's no other option to rely on." Laura smiled.

"I'm proud of you, you know that."

"And I'm really sorry you ended up with this fracture because of my stupidity."

"Its okay! The doctor said I will be alright in maximum two weeks. Had it been two decades, then I would have serious grudges against you." I laughed.

Ow. My arm hurts. Should stop laughing!

Laura departed. The next moment itself, Drake walked in through the door,

"Seriously, for how long was I gone that you got the time to fracture your hand!" he said, sitting himself down next to me.

"Bless the doctor who said there is nothing to worry about." he said with concern, taking my good hand into his and gently kissing my fingers. He looked nervous and distressed. Never saw him like that before

"Were you worried about me?" I asked lightly to make him feel at ease.

"What do you think?" he asked somberly.

"I think......" I paused.

My heart missed a beat when he took my hand and placed it on the left side of his chest, right over his heart. I could feel his restless heart thudding violently under my palm......Our eyes locked.....

"What do you think now?" his voice was heavy with emotions.

"You care about me. A lot."  I said what I saw in his deep blue eyes.

Drake intertwined his fingers with mine, "You're very precious to me Andrea.  Can't do without you."

"Feeling are mutual." I said softly.

Drake leaned towards me. His lips touched mine and we kissed. He was slow and gentle, his lips caressed mine ever so tenderly that a soft moan escaped my mouth....

****

To tell the truth, God acted smartly when he decided that human body should have two hands cause it becomes increasingly difficult when you have to go about your days , having the freedom of using only one hand to do everything that you do in your daily life. In schools I got stares from the people. Everybody had their own theories as to how I must have ended up with a fractured hand cause they felt my reason was too boring. As if I bothered what was said about me. But I definitely bothered when someone spread a shitty rumour that I had attempted suicide but failed and ended with fracture instead. 

Bet that someone was Susan!!! That bitch!!!

Anyways I did manage to go through a week with the injured hand. The doctor was happy that I was making a steady recovery and that I would be healed by the end of next week. Yay!

It was Saturday night. After having dinner downstairs, I walked into my room and settled on my bed to read a novel.  But maybe I wasn't destined to read it cause I had a visitor in my room.

"Hey!"

Drake jumped in through the open window.

"Um, not to be rude or anything, but Mum would be coming here any moment." I said, getting off the bed carefully so as to mot hurt my fractured hand and walking towards him.

"What?" he was baffled.

I giggled, "Just joking. Mum would probably be fussing over Mark around this time and then she will go to bed. No one will come here."

"I wasn't planning to leave anyway." he smirked.

We were just about to kiss when there was a stern knock on the door.

"Hon, let me in!"

We heard Mum's voice. Drake and I  were alarmed.

Uh-oh

"You said no one will come here!" Drake rebuked in a whisper.

"Sorry, I can't predict the future like everyone else!" I countered,

"Andy?"

"Yes, coming Mom!!"

"I will hide in your cupboard." Drake suggested.

"Are you sure cause there are all One Direction stuff inside it." I said.

"Then I better not." Drake shuddered.

"Andy, what are you doing?" Mum was impatient.

"Just a minute, mum!!"

I grabbed Drake by his hand, pushed him on the bed and covered him properly with the blanket. He was bewildered while I was doing all that. The blanket was heavy and fluffy so no one can guess if there is anyone lying under it on the bed. Ha!

Then I hurried to open the door to let my Mum in. I was subjected to her strict gaze.

"What have you been doing? Its obvious you weren't sleeping.  Are you even aware of the time?"

"Um, maybe." I answered. What's wrong with her?

"Mark told me you remain awake till late night. Do you know how harmful it is to not have proper hours of sleep? It will endanger your health and can make you look old well before age. Do you want to turn insomniac as a teenager?"

Yeah, mum was fussing over me as all.

And that's because of Mark!!! He will have it from me, I tell you!

"Now,  without another word, I want you to get on the bed and sleep right away." she said sternly. And I knew it wasn't the right time to argue with her.

How clueless she was that Drake was right there on my bed.!

I climbed onto the bed and put the blanket over me with brought a satisfactory smile to my Mum.

"Have a good night sleep, hon." she said sweetly.

Drake was lying right beside me and I sort of already started getting feels.

Shit!

After Mum left, closing the door behind her, Drake at once pulled off the blanket from over us and came on top of me but careful enough of my injured hand.

"Maybe I should thank your mum?" he said huskily.

I was dazed staring into his eyes that were laced with desires. His lips then passionately caressed mine making me moan in pleasure. His tongue probed inside my mouth, creating a sensual havoc inside me. He left my lips after a long time and placed wet kisses all over my face.  I felt my torso move up and down out of breathlessness as he kissed and nipped my neck. I gasped when he ran the tip of his moist hot tongue over my collarbone. I felt my nerves hardening in excitement as his lips traced the path down my heaving chest.....I wriggled under him in pleasure as he smooched & licked my cleavage...I could feel myself getting sinfully wet in arousal as his hand got inside my shirt to caress my breasts.....My head was clouded, my senses were long gone, I could only hear my thudding heart and the innumerable moans and gasps of sensual pleasure that were escaping my lips as his hands roamed my body.....I was panting in desire when I felt his hand on my hips as he dropped feathered kisses on my exposed midriff....Right then, I felt a sharp ache pierce my right shoulder.

I groaned in pain which alarmed Drake in a great way and he stopped right away and immediately got off me.

"Andrea! Are you alright?" he asked, panic evident in his voice.

I hadn't realized that I had tried to move my right arm in a way that wasn't possible with the fracture. Sigh!

"I'm good Drake, don't worry!" I assured him.

"I'm really sorry.....We shouldn't have done all that. Its not the right time now. I don't want to make your injury worse....." he said with guilt.

"Drake, I really am fine! Don't make yourself feel miserable!" I insisted, "Honestly, I'm happy we were doing that."

I kissed him lightly on his lips.

"I should leave now." he said, getting off the bed, "Its very late. You've got to rest and have a proper sleep. I'll see you tomorrow."

I nodded. His kissed my forehead affectionately and left my room through the window.

I was just heading to the washroom when I spotted Drake's car keys lying on the desk.

****

I had tip toed outside the house in order to hand over the car keys to Drake. He was leaning against his car and his back was facing me. He was speaking on the phone and I happened to hear bits of his conversation.....

"Yes Ma, there is no need to worry, I will be there with you soon, Yes, Yes, I know. I will take care of that. I'm really missing you a lot, Ma."

Drake ended the call. His hands then reached to his jeans pockets. He couldn't find his car keys. It was when he turned around, he saw me.

Drake seemed taken aback seeing me standing there. Bet I saw a strange fear that lasted for a fleeting second on his face.

"Your car keys. You had forgotten them in my room." I said, handing them over to him.

"Thanks." he was back to his poised self.

"Were you speaking to your mother? I mean.....I heard you addressing the person as 'Ma'." I said, quite shocked and confused myself.

"That was my Grandma. I was talking to her. She's gone to Boston for a few days." he responded calmly.

"A-Are you sure?" I asked abruptly, feeling something out of place.

"Ofcourse. Why wouldn't I be sure whom I am talking to?"

"Yeah, you're right.  You indeed must be speaking to your Grandma. How silly of me!" I said, waving my hand in dismissal

"Good Night, Andrea." He said before getting in his car, behind the wheel.

"Good Night."

I said & watched him zoom off.

I was so stupid to think that he was talking to his mother. How can that be possible? Drake himself said he had lost her in a plane crash, didn't he?

*****

So how was it? Its one of my favorite chapters lately. Hope you liked it!

And is the mystery coming up? :p

Do let me know what you think :D

 The above cute banner is made by @cherryblossoms66 Thank you so much dear <3

I've started a new book 'Million Dollar Fangirl'. Have updated the first chapter. Do check it out :)