The rest of the day at school was a big mess. Girls pulled up all sorts of tricks & plans to gain my attention and get me to ask them out for the Ball Dance. I was at the receiving end of many gifts, cards and some weird stuff as well. In short, it was one of those worst days of my life.

I was in the Computer lab with Mark. The professor had given the class to do a practical. I was typing the code for the same when I realized Mark wasn't really paying attention.

"Gabrielle & I would be going to the Ball Dance as a couple. I will officially ask her at breaktime." he whispered with a grin to my questioning look.

"That's good news man!"

"Yep. And who are you going to take along to the Dance?"

"Uh..Actually, I won't be coming for this year's Ball." I told him truthfully.

Its better I stay away from the Ball rather than being broken apart seeing Andrea with some other guy.

"What are you saying???" Mark asked in a shocking tone but then lowered his voice quickly so that the teacher doesn't notice him.

"Why aren't you coming??" he asked, still shocked.

"Well...ah! I don't have a partner." I shrugged.

Mark gave me 'are-you-kidding-me' look, "Dude, that's the whitest lie ever! 99% of the girls in school are dying to be your partner & you say you don't have one!"

I chuckled.

"Its just that I am not interested in the Ball anymore." I said.

"Say that to the Principal. The Ball Dance is compulsory for all the football players."

Oh Crap!!

***

After the period got over, Mark asked me to accompany him to the Drama class cause Gabrielle would be there. I just stood at a distance while he spoke to her. Within no time, it was quite clear Mark had successfully asked her for the Ball.

I happened to see Laura who was looking across at Mark & Gabrielle from a distance. The shadows of pain & sadness that were reflecting on Laura's face told me what exactly was going on within her. And when Mark took Gabrielle's hand & kissed it, Laura rushed out of there with a pale face & watery eyes...

I walked out of the there as well, attempting to search her. It wasn't a difficult task. I found her sitting at the bottom of an unused staircase in that part of the school where hardly anyone comes. Her back was facing me.

"Hey." I called out, getting down the fleet of stairs from above. I could make out she was rubbing her eyes dry & wearing her spectacles back.

"Mind if I sit here?" I asked as I reached down to where she was seated.

"Yeah. Don't have to ask me." she responded, keeping a normal voice.

"Well, I suppose this is the second time we're interacting?" I asked lightly.

"Yeah. We interacted while you were fixing Andy's ruined project." She gave a small smile.

"That was one hell of a job." I shuddered.

"So...why are you here?" she asked curiously.

"To see if you're okay or not cause I kind of empathize with you." I replied.

"W-What do you know?" she was unnerved.

"You've feelings for Mark. You're pained to see him with some other girl. Am I right?"

The shock on her face dissolved in her silence.

"I'm right then." I said at not getting an answer from her.

"Are you a mind reader or something?" she chuckled sadly.

"No. I told you. We're sailing on the same boat." I replied.

"I can't believe you on this." She said in an astonished tone, " I can't believe that you didn't get the girl you wanted. I mean that'd be a joke considering your popularity with the female clan."

"Sometimes you can have everything under the sun but not the one that you really desire. I'm a living example of that." I snickered at myself.

"Are you going to the Ball?" I asked her.

"No. That's obvious, isn't it?"

"Well, I've plan there. Why don't you come with me to the Ball?" I shrugged casually, "You're sensible unlike those girls who run after me."

She grew wide-eyed, "Are you serious? You're like the most good looking human in this school & I'm the most pathetic looking & worst dressed girl in the whole Universe." she said, touching her fat black spectacles.

I was dismayed by that, "You can't—-"

"Yeah, I know I know. I shouldn't have said that." Laura interrupted, amending herself, "Andy made me understand the importance of having a healthy self-image. Guess I need to work harder on it."

"Good."

"But to tell you frankly, you're like a brotherly figure to me." She said.

"What? Really?" I was surprised to me roots. Never thought a girl would say that to me.

"Yep." She laughed seeing my puzzled expressions, "Gotta go now, bye!"

And that was that.

***

I was on my way to the library when I came face to face with Andrea. She was as much startled as I was to come across her. It was clear we wanted to avoid running into each other like this.

"Uh...Hi." I said.

"Hi." she responded.

Then there was nothing to say. Silence presided over.

"Uh..So all set for the Ball?" I asked her generally.

"Actually I am not much into dancing & stuff, so thought won't go. But Daniel was insistent, so I am going."

"I see.."

"And what about you?"

"Don't have a partner yet." I shrugged, "Am thinking of joining the caterers."

"Strange that. I thought you're into that brunette who was with you at the after party." she said.

"That was just a passing affair which lasted only for few hours, nothing serious."

Andrea spoke at once, "Then you should get yourself another such girl for the Ball cause you are only capable of flings, not committed relationships."

I didn't in the least expect those words from her.

"What are you..." I left my question half way seeing that she didn't want to say what she just said.

"I think you really don't seem to have any control over what you say these days." I said quietly.

She looked disturbed when she spoke, "Look, Drake, I think I should stop talking to you. That way, it'd be good for you as well as for me."

Andrea walked off past me. Her words did hurt me and I had to live with it.

***

After the last class that day, I was studying in the library for about an hour. So when I got to the Locker room, it was naturally empty. I walked up to my locker & pulled it open. I was putting my book inside when suddenly someone hugged me from behind and kissed my neck. From the strong perfume, I knew very well who it was.

"Susan! Just leave!!" I jerked her away when she tried to get her hands into my shirt."

"Aww! Its so unfair how you treat me baby! And worst, you haven't even asked me to the Ball yet." she said in a seductive voice.

"Do yourself a favor. Get the hell out of here," I glared at her.

"Oh C'mon! You seriously can't be mad at me yet for ruining Andrea's project. Its been more than a month since that thing." she rolled her eyes, "The bitch deserved it anyway."

I clenched my fists in anger.

"I still don't understand why you are reacting like this?" she was amused, "I thought we both hated her to the T. You should've been very happy that I destroyed her project."

"I swear Susan, if you try to harm Andrea in any manner, I will turn your life into a nightmare." I said darkly.

"Omg, such possessiveness for Andrea!" she mocked, "Wait a minute, let me guess! She led you on & is now into Daniel's pants! She is such a whore!"

"Only a slut like you can have such slutty thoughts." I said coldly, "Get your shitty ass on someone else for the Ball."

With that, I prepared to depart. I feel so disgusted whenever she is around.

"You're mine Drake Spencer, just know that!"

I heard Susan's words from behind. I just walked out of there. Didn't even bother to react, the infuriated that I was.

***

The Ball night it was. I was without a partner but was allowed inside the Ball Room anyway. Nonetheless, I preferred to hover outside. Seated at a bench, I saw couples walking hand in hand inside the Ball Room. I planned to be in there for a while & then go home. Next, I saw Andrea alight from a car & walking towards the entrance....

I didn't even realize when I stood to my feet & was gaping at her...She saw me. Our eyes met. I was thankful that she didn't look away. I wouldn't have been able to bear that. Her angelic beauty mesmerized me making my heart gallop in the rib cage. She had worn a white lace gown, silver long earrings dangled from her ears that were partly visible through the veil of her curly hair.  Her gorgeous hazel eyes were outlined with mascara & her alluring lips had the lightest shade of pink gloss..

My hands itched to whisk her away. That moment I just knew I was the unluckiest soul who could not have her...

Andrea lowered her gaze but I just couldn't stop staring at her.

"You look...nice." I said in a subtle manner.

She looked at me again.

"Thanks, you too.." she glanced sideways.

Right then Daniel came there dressed in a black suit like me.  He greeted me cheerfully & I too greeted him back with a broad smile, hiding every gloomy feeling that was in me. 

He stretched out his hand for Andrea. She looked at him with a soft smile & gave her hand in his. They were looking at each other. My heart sank further... They walked inside hand in hand.

****

The music was soft & romantic. Couples were slow dancing to the tune.  And I was sitting on the chairs by myself having nothing to do but watch everyone dance with their partners. Mark seemed to be having a gala time out there.

I wouldn't deny that I was sulking inwardly seeing Andrea in Daniel's arms with his hand on her waist. I was breaking every passing moment. Just then Mark came & sat next to me.

"Man! This is the best Ball ever!" he exclaimed.

How contradictory to what I was feeling about the Ball!

"I can't believe it Drake that you turned down every girl who asked you for a dance!" he said.

I just shrugged.

"I'm glad that Daniel's not my best friend, else I would have to search for another best friend." Mark said looking over at his sister and Daniel.

"Why do you say so?" I asked in surprise.

"Dude, don't you know the Universal Rule? Never Date Your Best Friend's Sister." Mark pronounced, "So I would have really hated if you dated my sister. I would feel backstabbed. But thankfully both of you despise each other so there's no chance to you two dating. In short, I've nothing to worry about! Hey! I must have said that a lot of times before also, right?"

"Um, yeah..." I nodded slowly.

Mark rose to his feet & went back to his dance partner.

I slumped some more into the chair. I remember the very first time when Mark made it absolutely clear that he never wanted Andrea & me to date ever. Back then, I hated Andrea more than anyone. That was so because on her very first day at school, she dared to back answer me and Nobody back answers Drake Spencer. Due to that fiasco, I had to serve my very first detention with her. That hurt my pride. That hurt my ego cause I had never ever got detentions before. But all of this is past now... Its still unbelievable how drastically things have changed & how I've hopelessly fallen for her....

And now, hearing those words from Mark again makes me feel awful. Damn! How worse can things get after all this?

That self-question got immediately answered when I saw Andrea & Daniel kissing.... a slaughtering pain ran down my spine seeing his lips on hers.... I was torn apart completely...I had reached the lowest point of despair.

I stood up, my feet feeling heavy. I turned away, walked out of the Ball Room, reached my car, got into it & drove away with a broken heart...

It wouldn't be wrong to say that I would be the happiest human on this Galaxy if Andrea breaks up with Daniel but doesn't look like it would happen.....

~*~*~~*~

So here is the next part of Drake's POV. Hope you've liked it! Do let me know what you think :D

The story would resume Andy's POV. Lots of humor n romance coming up. So stick around ;)

Thank you so much to all those who are reading, voting, commenting. It means so much that you guys are so supportive! <3