Andrea’s POV (Resumed)

I took the deepest breath that I had ever taken in my life, not that taking deep breaths would solve the mess I am in anyway. Let me clearly outline to you the list of problems I’m in.

Its been one week since I’m dating, or trying to date Daniel. I had been so sure that I would be successful in chucking Drake’s thoughts off my mind but that just didn’t happen. I don’t understand why. I mean...Daniel is such a gentle & sweet guy, does nice things for me, cares about me and everything else that a good boyfriend does but I haven’t yet been able to develop those sort of special feelings for him even though I tried hard. My mind yet constantly drifts off to Drake who is least concerned about me....

It was the first time Daniel and I kissed at the Ball Dance night. But I didn’t feel anything spectacular about it. I can’t help but recollect how Drake had made me feel with his kiss....so intense...so passionate...it sent waves of thrill & fiery shivers down my spine....

I felt a mass of guilt accumulate at the pit of my stomach. I honestly can’t be thinking of Drake over Daniel on the sole basis of a freaking kiss!!!

Something’s definitely wrong with me. And its high time I find out what.  I knew exactly where I’m supposed to go for that.

Right then my phone rang. When I saw the name that was flashing on the screen, it was like God had answered to me. It was Sophia calling.

***

“Mark,” I called out as I walked into his room, “Drop me to---”

My words as well as my legs came to an abrupt halt when my eyes met with that of Drake’s in my brother’s room. Damn the Video Game Festival!!!

I realized, like always, I wasn’t able to take my eyes off him. And my heart mercilessly throbbed behind my chest....Oh Crap!

Don’t stare at HIM.

Don’t STARE at him.

DON’T stare at him.

DON’T STARE AT HIM.

“Mark, please drop me to Sophia’s place. She called me for a sleepover tonight.” I spoke fast as I finally averted my gaze off Drake & turned to me brother,

“If you think carefully, you will realize I am not your driver.” Mark pointed out.

“I know you aren’t but you’ve got to do the job.” I said in a matter-of-fact manner.

“I won’t. We’re busy with the last bits of the game.” Mark refused.

I was about to speak but Drake spoke first,

“Uh...I can drop you.”

“No! Never!” I denied strongly at once, “You will add to my problems!!”

“Excuse me? I don’t remember creating problems for you.” he retorted.

“You didn’t create problems for me , you are the problem itself!” I blurted out.

“I don’t recollect pushing you down the hill or something.” Drake muttered.

I was about to speak, but Mark spoke first,

“Okay guys! Peace! Andy, I will drop you. Happy? Its better than playing a referee to both of your bickering.”

Mark rose from his seat.

“I don’t know why she doesn’t learn driving.”

I heard my brother mutter as we walked out of the room.

Twenty minutes later I was in Soph’s house, her room to be exact. Laura was there too.

“So what do you wanna talk about?” my friends narrowed their eyes on me.

 “Yeah, looking at your face, I think I need to brace up for something very emotional.” Soph commented.

“I hope you would finally tell us why you seem so stressed out at times since past days.” Laura told me.

I let out a huge sigh in response, “Okay, so here it goes....”

And I began listing out to them every detail of my teen life crisis. My teen life which was picture perfect until two boys crashed into it. One was a friend and the other was the enemy....Then one became my boyfriend and the other became my...I don’t know what. I’m in a relationship with one but I’m constantly thinking about the other. I told them about such inner conflicts that I have been dealing with. I was ranting, ranting and ranting to them. After blabbering continuously for about 20 minutes, my friends uttered only one statement...only ONE FREAKING STATEMENT.

“Andrea Wilson, you are in Love. With Drake Spencer.”

They said that at the same time.

“I’m in WHAT and with WHOM???” I squeaked out in horror at once, looking at them as though they revealed to me that I look exactly like Lord Voldemort.

“Look, I know its hard for you to digest this but you’re in love with Drake.” Soph bobbed her head.

“Are you fucking kidding me??? Drake & I can’t even talk nicely for five fucking seconds without insulting each other & you say I’m fucking in love with him??” I fired.

Wait a minute...Did I just swear thrice by any chance? Oh Never Mind!

Laura snickered, “I remember a line from one of Ed Sheeren songs which goes like ‘people fall in love in mysterious ways’. Guess that holds true for you. He made his way into your heart & you didn’t even know it.”

There was pin drop silence for a few minutes after that. I slumped deeper into the chair, hoping the ground would just suck me inside it in some miraculous way. I held my forehead, looking down at the floor. I knew that my friends were staring at me, probably anticipating my next move. It seemed after ages when Soph finally spoke,

“What will you do now?” she asked as though I had just witnessed a cold blooded murder taking place.

“Probably I will try to become the next President of US.” I snapped sarcastically.

“Well, under normal circumstances, people usually confess their feelings to the person with whom they are in love.” Soph shrugged.

“No ways!! I’m never gonna do that!” I refused at once, “He will get another reason to make a joke out of me.”

“Please Andy! Drake might have feelings for you as well.” Laura pointed out.

“Are you really saying that? He was the one who helped Daniel propose me at the party. Drake wouldn’t do that if he had anything for me.” I countered quietly.

“That’s so true! Damn! Guys are so complicated.” Soph said with an air of frustration.

“Leave that aside for now. First & foremost, we need to figure out how you will break up with Daniel.” Laura told me.

I nodded slowly. There was silence again. Things weren’t getting easier at all.

The next day we were on our way to school. Soph was driving the car. I looked outside the window, absent-mindedly watching the countryside pass by.

I love Drake.

It feels so weird confessing that to myself but it’s the truth. How did this happen? It seems such a ridiculous thing considering the fact that Drake & I are always ready to shoot each other off. Never thought in my craziest dreams that I would fall for him out of all guys. And now, I’d be a fool if I dream of a relationship with me cause he has nothing for me...

***

We were in the Locker Room taking out our books when my phone beeped. I bit my lips reading the message.

“Daniel has asked me to meet him in the canteen.” I told my friends.

Soph took a huge breath, “Good luck Andy, you’ve got to do it. Break up with him as nicely as possible.”

Laura nodded. I walked out of the Locker Room.

Ermm...How exactly do you feel before heading to break up with your boyfriend?

***

Three minutes later, I was sitting opposite Daniel at a canteen table. I felt so nervous & awkward. Come to think of it, he also seemed to be going through the same feelings at that time.

“Um...”

Yeah! It was I who began the “conversation”! Wish me all the world’s luck!

“Actually, I sort of wanted to talk to you about something....” I said.

“Well..ah! Even I wanted to talk to you regarding something.” de said.

He sounded pretty serious. Okay, didn’t see that one coming!

“So...who should speak first?” I asked, feeling stupid.

“Maybe you?” he said.

“Well, you go first. I don’t mind being second.” I said promptly.

“Uh...well...okay then..” Daniel fumbled, “One week of being in this relationship thing, I feel we were doing just good as friends. I have always liked you as a friend but misinterpreted it for something more which is absolutely foolish & immature of me...I know I’m sounding like a total jerk right now...I messed up everything between us.”

There was pin-drop four seconds of silence after that.  I was kinda making sure if my ears really hear what it just heard.

“So, um, in other words, um, are you breaking up with me?” I asked carefully.

“Y-Yeah...I’m really sorry Andy....”

“Ohh..” I muttered.

Can anyone please check my bag to see if I owned Aladdin’s Magic Lamp by any chance cause my wish just got fulfilled without me having to do anything!

“What did you want to say?” he asked.

“Well..ah! Actually we both are on the same page on this. I also wanted to say we were better off as friends.” I replied.

A big smile lighted up his face, “Really?? That’s amazing! I feel so relieved now! Can we go back to being friends like before?”

“Ofcourse.”

“Its sorted then!”

“No doubt on that!”

“Man! I was so freaked out how you would react,” said Daniel when we were heading for the Journo class, “Well, its not exactly my fault cause when you’ve got an attractive girl as your friend, you tend to misread your feelings for her.”

“Are you flirting with me by any chance?” I inquired teasingly.

“Nope. I’m blaming you for our “painful” break-up.” he laughed.

I chortled too.

Can I just say I’m the luckiest girl in the world to have such a great break up?! You want my luck? Meet me at Hogwarts then! Hehehe

 I told Laura & Soph about the whole thing & they were just so happy about it. Alls well that ends well.

****

I didn’t see Drake for the four days as he & my brother had gone to a neighboring town for the Video Game Festival. The entire school was pinning their hopes that they bring the trophy home. I was one of the firsts to play the game designed by them & boy! I must admit, they did an excellent job out of it! The game was smart, the graphics were terrific and the sounds were bang on!

They must win. They had done a credible job.

 On the fourth morning, I got a call from Mark who sounded very much ecstatic. Yup! They did win the competition after all! I could clearly imagine Mark jumping in excitement while giving me the good news. I couldn’t be happier than this. So many weeks of dedicated hard work & planning had paid off.

The Principal announced their victory to the entire school cause that win had made our school even more reputable. Mark & Drake received a grand welcome when they got back to school the next day. Before classes began for that day, all the students assembled in the school Hall where the Principal congratulated the two boys for their win. Everyone cheered & clapped out loud. Mark & Drake were then urged to move up the stage to say a few words.

I saw my brother mumbling something to Drake in the ears. Judging by Mark’s body language, I could make out he was hesitant to go on stage. My brother & his stage fear!

My guess proved right when Drake climbed up on stage with the trophy. Facing the students, he spoke on the mike,

“Mark is mortified to be here on stage so I am here to speak on behalf of both of us. This trophy truly belongs only to Mark. It was his vision, optimism and passion to create a video game that inspired me to work hard on it with him for I am a total amateur in Computers. We did have fights & arguments at times while working on the game but that doesn’t counts at all cause I got to learn a lot from him. Cheers buddy! This trophy is yours!” Drake said looking at my brother, “You’re the best friend I could ever have got!”

Everyone burst out in applause, appreciatively looking at Mark who was standing with a baffled look on his face hearing what Drake had just said. The blonde haired guy got down the stage & it seemed my brother was rebuking him for the speech but they did embrace after that!

The Hall was echoing with cheers yet. I was so touched by Drake’s words cause I knew he genuinely meant what he spoke. I always had this sad feeling that Mark’s hard work would go unnoticed but Drake did not let that happen. Its not easy to give the entire credit to your partner when you too have worked equally hard but Drake did just that & that too in front of the whole school!

I am now sure that I have fallen in love with the right person. That Drake whom I thought to be rude & arrogant is in actual very down-to-earth & a good person.

****

The bell for the last class of the day had already rung few minutes back. So there was no one in the Locker Room when I entered there to fetch a book that I had forgotten to carry for the Journo class.

I was taking the book out of my locker when Drake came in there. Our eyes met but the very next second, he was starting to head out.

“Hey Drake wait!” I called out, “Why are you walking out on seeing me?”

He stopped but looked at the blank wall instead of me as he spoke, “You had said that we shouldn’t talk and should avoid crossing each other’s path. Doing that.”

“Don’t give me that crap. You’ve never heeded whatever I say then why now?”

Drake didn’t respond, continued looking at the wall.

“Look, please don’t leave like that. It...it feels weird.”

He looked at me with a startled expression. I averted my gaze off him, pretending to deeply search my locker.

“Okay.”

I heard him mutter as he walked up to his locker & opened. Our lockers were in the same row. My heart thudded behind my chest as he was just four lockers away from me. I was sort of staring at him from the corner of my eye.

He didn’t speak. Neither did I. The silence was getting too awkward for me to handle. And my heart just wouldn’t stop banging my rib cage. Damn!

“I heard that you broke up with Daniel.” he said quietly.

“You heard that right. A lot happened when you were away from school. But it was a good breakup.” I replied, shrugging.

After a bit of a pause Drake spoke quietly, “Maybe both of you shouldn’t have broken up. You guys bond really well. And you look good with him.”

That felt like a dagger piercing my heart giving me the most excruciating pain ever. Didn’t it affect him in any way seeing Daniel & me together? Drake has no feelings for me?

“Well, I’m sorry that your efforts of making Daniel & me a lovey-dovey couple didn’t work out. Get it absolutely clear in your head that you don’t get to decide whom I date. Maybe I would look better with someone else than with him but its worthless talking to you about this cause you won’t understand a bit.” I snapped at him in frustration.

Did I over-react by any chance? Oh hell, as if I bother! He breaks my heart every time with his words & the worst part is, he isn’t even aware of that!!

Drake gaped at me in shock. It was obvious he hadn’t expected me to react like this. I banged my locker door shut & walked out of there.

I had walked only a few steps when I bet I heard a loud noise coming from the Locker Room. I walked back & saw an odd sight of Drake jumping on top of the long bench, beaming with happiness.

“What are you doing?” I asked curiously.

Drake was visibly baffled seeing me right at the door with a quizzical look on my face. He at once got down the bench.

“Uh..I’m....I’m celebrating our big win at the Video Game Fest. I don’t think you should have a problem with that.” he said hurriedly.

“Are you sure the win is the only reason behind your ecstasy?” I asked instinctively.

“Yes. What else should I be elated about?” he countered.

“Whatever!” I rolled my eyes in irritation & left from there.

I don’t know how can I be this foolish! I thought that he was happy because----oh forget it! Does it even matter now??

Screw my stupid Heart.

Screw Drake.

Screw the world!!

~*~*~*~

Here is the next part resuming Andy's POV. Hope you liked iit :D

What do you think of Daniel & Andy's break-up?

What do you think will happen next?

Also an important notice, the next update would be on 24th April (two weeks). I have my exams starting next week :/. Once I'm back there would be two updates per week :D