Chapter Twenty Six: Seeking Revenge

“Um...can I take the cold drinks and snacks to Mark’s room?” I asked Mum, walking into the kitchen.

I expected her to raise her brows which she obviously did.

“The last time I checked, you are nowhere close to Mark’s room whenever Drake’s here cause you hate his presence in the house. Then what happened today?”

“Uh...I thought, you know, that I should help you out cause you might have other work which is important.” I replied.

“I don’t have any other work right now. You can go up to your room, I will take these to the boys.” she said, holding the tray of beverages & cookies.

“No Mom wait!” I exclaimed in an alarming tone, coming on her way, “Actually I’ve....I‘ve learnt that you need to be polite to your guests even if you hate them from the bottom of your heart...so just thought of putting this learning into practice.”

“Okay, here you go then.” she handed me the tray but not without casting a suspicious glance at me.

I turned to walk out of the kitchen when her words made my feet stop.

“Andy, you’ve been behaving quite weird these last couple of days. You’re absent-minded, lost into something most of the times. My best guess would be that this all is connected to Drake.”

My eyes turned wide open but I neither turned around to face her nor did I respond back to her in any way. I walked out briskly.

I don’t want to admit but she is right. And I don’t know as to why I’m constantly thinking about Drake. His thoughts make me feel restless & happy at the same time. Its all messed up like crazy. Drake had come over to work on the video game with my brother. And now I did have a valid excuse to go to Mark’s room cause I feel like being around the blonde haired guy. Its like....oh forget it! I better not explain! It would sound so stupid!

I knocked on the door, then walked inside. Shit! I wasn’t able to even look at Drake but knowing that he was looking at me made my heart beats rise.

“Um, I brought snacks & coke.” I said.

“Yeah, that can be clearly seen. But didn’t expect you out of all people to bring it when Drake’s here.” Mark commented.

“Why? I’m not Statue of Liberty that I will stand at one place for the rest of my life. I can move around in any part of the world.” I blurted out.

And damn! I was feeling so stupid when I realized what I just said. I smacked my head mentally. The boys were looking at me, amused.

“Okay, whatever!” my brother said, leaving it to that.

I placed the tray on the desk. But just as I was removing my hands, Drake’s hand unintentionally brushed mine as he picked up a glass from the tray. That slight touch of his made my heart skip a massive beat.

Man! This is so weird.

I pulled my hand back. He wasn’t even aware of what he did to me as he was completely focused on the laptop screen. I stepped aside. Mark & Drake were completely engrossed in making the game, discussing technical things which were like Greek to me.

I was glued to the spot where I stood as I just couldn’t take off my eyes from Drake. Whenever he smiled or whenever he laughed or whenever his face was screwed in concentration, I just stood there kinda mesmerized by him while he wasn’t even aware that I was still in the room.

I bet I had that silly dreamy smile while gaping at him. And then, Drake looked sideways & saw me.

Shit! Shit! Shit! He saw me standing like a statue & gawking at him!!

 “Mark, I think something’s wrong with your sister’s head. She’s smiling for no reason.” Drake remarked.

“Mark, tell your friend that he is in urgent need of a psychiatrist.” I retorted.

“Mark, tell your sister that she needs mental therapy on the first place.”

“Mark, tell your friend that---”

“Enough you guys !!” my brother interrupted me in irritation, “I honestly am not interested in playing scapegoat in your stupid bickering.”

Then Mark turned at me with a surprised look, “And what are you doing standing here?”

“Um...Actually the fan in my room is not working so thought of sitting here.” I put out a lame excuse & plopped onto the couch.

“If you haven’t noticed yet, its cold nowadays so we aren’t using fans in this room anyway.” Drake pointed out.

“Uh....um,” I stuttered, finding some other words to put forth.

Think Andy Think! Else they won’t let you stay here which means you can’t be around Drake & you obviously don’t want that, do you?

“Um...yeah so, as you said, cold has set in. My room is very cold since its located on the top floor. And I’m feeling cold which I don’t want to feel. This room is downstairs, so its not that cold here. So I’m not feeling cold here.” I blabbered in one breath.

The boys were giving me you-have-completely-lost-it looks.

“Fine. Just sit here quietly, alright?” Drake said with a bit of frustration.

“I was standing quiet only, its you who got distracted from work because of my presence.” I blurted out without thinking.

Drake raised his brow, “I am not distracted by you. I--”

“Shut it people! Don’t start all over again.” Mark interrupted firmly.

My brother turned to me, “Andy, if you wanna remain here, then sit quietly. And Drake, we seriously have lots to do so not waste time on petty things.”

And then the boys again got back to working. And even I got back to doing what I was doing—staring at Drake.

I know I’m being completely stupid but its something which I can’t help. Sheesh!

After almost an hour, they were done for the day. Drake prepared to leave. Mark accompanied him out. In the meantime, I happened to notice Drake’s car keys on the desk which he had forgotten behind. I picked it up & was heading towards the door when Drake came in there, obviously to fetch his keys.

“Here it is.” I said, extending my hand to five him the keys.

But Drake held my hand instead. My heart thudded. A mysterious smiled playing on his lips as he looked at me in the eyes. He stepped closer to me till there wasn’t any gap between us. His warm breaths fanned my face, heating my veins....

“Are you yet feeling cold?” he whispered in his husky voice.

“I...I...I..” I stuttered, unable to form words due to his utter closeness.

Drake stepped back from me, taking the keys & letting go of my hand.

“By the way, does the heart of yours beat this loudly always or is it just for now?”

My eyes turned wide hearing him ask that.

Damn it!!! Even he can hear my thudding heart now!! So embarrassing!

Drake smirked watching me turn completely blank. He then walked back a couple of steps more, then turned his back at me & departed.

I have no clue what he’s thinking right now or whether he is thinking anything at all! Jeez!

***

“These wafers are so tasty & crunchy.” moaned Soph, “I feel like dying out of happiness. Our canteen is very innovative in its menu.”

So yes, we were in the school canteen during break time the next day. And as usual, the canteen people had experimented with the taste of wafers & they did succeed this time around as well.

“So what do you two think of the flavor?” Soph chirped.

“I think boys are always into football, video games and stuffs like that. So they never really fall in love for girls.” I said what was in my mind.

Laura raised her brow, “That’s obviously so not true! There are guys who love their girlfriends like crazy.”

“That’s only fodder for films.” I said, “It doesn’t happens in real life. Boys are always occupied by sports and gadgets.”

“I don’t agree.” Laura said, “I--”

“Hold on people.” Soph interrupted, “I asked you two about the flavor of the wafers, not the topic you are discussing right now.”

Soph then turned to me, “What happened Andy? Why are you suddenly having these theories in your mind? Are you seeing someone who is not giving you the attention you’re expecting out of him?”

“No! No! NO!” I denied, “I was....I was just saying that generally.”

Just then I saw Drake entering the canteen & I felt my heart missing a beat. Damn! This has become a routine now. To tell the truth, whenever I walk into the canteen these days, I look around to see if Drake is in there & if he isn’t there, my eyes tend to wander every now & then to the entrance waiting for his arrival.

Drake walked up to the ‘popular table’ where all his admirers & clones were already there. He didn’t even bother to glance around &, maybe, see me?

“Hey Andy, lets leave.”

I averted my gaze off Drake hearing Soph. She & Laura had risen to their feet, preparing to leave.

“Um...you guys carry on...I will join you soon....” I told them.

“Why?” they asked at the same time, looking at me suspiciously.

“Uh...I will have another burger...” I lied, “But you guys carry one...I know you have project submissions.”

“Okay. As you wish.” Laura shrugged. They both left.

I was sitting alone for sometime art the table hoping Drake would look once in my direction instead of the brunette who was almost on the verge of sitting on his lap. But he didn’t even bother to be aware that I was there....looking at him...

****

After school that day, Soph, Laura & me rushed to the mall. Courtesy—We got to know from Twitter that the mall is having special One Direction merchandise for sale. A major part of the money collected would go for charity. So its for a good cause & I absolutely love One Direction merchandise!

 On reaching the mall, we picked up whatever we wanted to have & were absolutely gleeful of the purchases we made.

On our way back home, we happened to pass by a shoe outlet & we saw what we never ever had expected to see. Susan was in some uniform helping people try out shoes!

Soph immediately applied brakes to the car.

“Unbelievable! How come a rich, arrogant brat like Susan working here?” Laura remarked.

“Oh I forgot to tell you two!” Soph smacked her head, “I got to know from one of my other cousins that Susan had been splurging so much lately that her dad said she won’t be getting money if she doesn’t work her for a week.”

“Its such a good news Soph. You just gave me a revenge idea.” I said.

“I like that evil smile on your face.” Soph smirked.

I whispered to them what I intended to do.

We walked into the store. Susan was visibly shocked to see us. Clearly, she never wanted us to see her in that state.

“I wanted to try out some footwear.” I said to the manager while casting a glance at Susan.

“Ofcourse Susan would help you!” the mangers said, delighted of having more customers.

“They can try out on their own. I’ve other things to do.” Susan said curtly.

“This is not the way how you behave with customers!!” the manager fired at her, “See to their requirement & assist them, else I’ll have to have a word with your dad.”

Susan glared at us but she agreed anyway. I smirked & so did my friends.

 The fun begins soon after. I pointed out to dozens of shoes on display & Susan not only had to rush back & forth everytime to fetch them but also had to kneel down before me & help me wear the shoe. Laura & Soph too pointed out shoes in various directions that got Susan to rush all over. I could see she was weary, tired, angered & frustrated but I didn’t stop. If people do wrong to me then even I can be a badass. Ultimately Laura seemed to have taken pity on Susan & told me that we should just buy something from here & leave.

“Alright, I would take that one.” I said pointing to a shoe that I had tried out earlier. I really like it.

“And I would have this one for me.” Soph chimed in, selecting footwear for herself.

The store manger was glad. We made the purchases & exited from there but not before giving a taunting look at Susan.

***

The next day at school, as expected, Susan confronted me in the washroom where we both were alone.

“You will pay for what you did yesterday, you bloody bitch!!” Susan swore.

“I don’t think so. I think you paid for what you did with me by ruining my project.” I said coldly, “Why the hell did you do that for?”

“Don’t pretend that you don’t know what you did!” she spoke aggressively, “I had warned you to stay away from Drake but you didn’t. He left my party to go to you. I saw both of you together at the club that night & then he slogs his ass off to recover your bloody project. Now he isn’t even looking at me. And that’s all because of you whore!!! Even now there is time, stay away from him else I will make your life hell!!!!”

“Oh really? If at all you try & mess with me, I can very well make your life worse than hell. And you should know that by now from what I did with you yesterday.” I retorted calmly.

Susan gave me an inferior look.

“You know what, even if you succeed in making Drake yours, he will eventually come back to me. Remember my words on that.” She said haughtily. She then turned her back & exited from there.

Sophia entered the washroom right after. Susan must have come face to face with her but walked off.

“Thinking why Susan is what she is?” Soph asked.

“Exactly. I don’t know what her freaking problem is. Did she have some trauma or something at a young age?” I asked.

“Not at all. She has always been this pampered spoilt brat who has a habit of receiving the best of everything.” Soph chuckled sadly, “In her eyes, or rather in almost every girls’ eyes, Drake is the best. Like I said before, Drake has never made the first move towards any girl except you which made Susan insecure. Drake is like a winning trophy to her which she, in no ways, would want to lose out to you. A girl like her can never have true feelings for anyone.”

I didn’t know what to say cause I was hearing something like that for the first time. I didn’t even know whether her insecurity, for whatever reason it may be, is justified or not cause I don’t see anything definite existing between Drake and me....

~*~*~*~

There goes the chapter! Hope you'll have liked it :D

A big Thank you to each of you who voted & commented on the previous chapter. Really makes my day <3