Drew

I threw my suit coat on my bed, loosening my tie that strained my neck. Undoing the first few buttons of my black dress shirt so I could actually breathe.

I went into my matchbox sized bathroom connected to my room and sat on the white tiled, grimy floor. My back against the wall with my forearms propped on my risen knees.

I did not expect it to come out that way. I pictured it to be more. . . . romantic I guess? Wait. No. No. That word makes me cringe.
I know, I was a jerk and shouldn't have been so hard on her.

I guess I just wanted her to see that I've changed. But if I'm being honest with myself, I never changed. The bad boy was never really me. The whole bad boy facade only derived from Mom and Lise's death to cover my hurt. I didn't like the feeling of vulnerability. But over time, it just bled into my personality.

When I first came to Arlington High, Will was the one who befriended me. Showed me the ropes. Introduced me to the right people.

My popularity didn't skyrocket until my sophomore year though. Will is also the only one entrusted with my secret. He knew this whole time. He advised that if I went through with Lea's little plan, she wouldn't suspect anything. No body would for that matter.

Blair. Blair was the only way to make it up to her. To help her sister get through the hardship.

Blair was in the middle of a downward spiral and I wanted to be there for her. In hopes that two broken spirits could mend each other.

Maybe I did have feelings for her at one point. But my feelings toward Blake never faded and were too strong for us to be anything. Flirting is my second nature, and I didn't mean to lead her on.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, buzzing me out of my thoughts. Will's name appeared on the dimmed screen.

"Yeah," I answered exasperatedly.

"Where you at man?"

"Home," I said emotionlessly.

"Oh. Am I. . . interrupting something?" I knew exactly what he was implying.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "No, William."

"That's weird. I thought Blake would be with you."

I laughed dryly. "No."

"Because Blake is gone man."

I took my back off the wall. "The hell you talkin' about?"

"I think she left."

I quickly got up from the floor and yanked the door open.

There she was.

Sitting with poise on my bed looking more beautiful than ever. Her hair was no longer pinned up, instead her soft loose waves that I always wanted to run my fingers through, framed her face perfectly as it fell to her shoulders.

"I gotta go," I said, keeping my eyes on her.

I hung up and let my phone fall back into my pocket. Blake got up from her spot, twiddling with her fingers nervously.

I leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom, one leg swung over the other with a solemn look. Hands stuffed in my pockets.

"Well. Let's here it," I mumbled.

"Drew I'm really sorry. I-" She cut herself off, flicking her eyes up to the ceiling as if the right words would appear there. "I let the past cloud the present and I guess I used that to be rude with you. I guess I just wanted a little revenge?"

"I don't know. And seeing you with Blair kinda topped it all off. But," She pressed her lips into a thin line, trying to push her words out. "But if you want to be with her, I'm ok with that. I want her to be happy and she seems happy with you. I know you said you wouldn't chase after me and I get that. I do. And. . ."

She rambled on and on. After a while it became amusing to just watch her little pink tinted lips move a mile a minute.

Blake

"I feel really bad how I treated you and I should've been the bigger person and not have argued with you," As I spoke, Drew's face no longer held his hardening look. He was fighting a smirk. He walked toward me and with every step he took . . .

"And . . . . And. . . . I . . ." I spoke in sentence fragments.

Drew slid his hand to the back of my neck tangling his fingers through my hair as he did so. He closed the space between us when he gently pushed his lips against mine. I fluttered my eyes closed and our lips moved in rhythm. Butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach.

I snaked my arms around his neck, feeling his soft hair invade the space between my fingers. Deepening the kiss.

Both Drew's hands then gradually traveled up the little curves I have and burned touches into my bare back as they roamed.

I pulled away breathless, leaning my forehead against his. Both our eyes remaining closed. His hands stayed wrapped around my waist and mine now clutched either sides of his arms.

Even though the kiss was over, my heart raced and more butterflies fluttered in my stomach.

I took my forehead off of his, looking him in the eyes. "I'm sorry."

Drew's thumb caressed my cheek. "I'm the one that should be sorry."

He took my hand and guided me to his bed in which we both sat on. A moment of silence went by. Seeming like the both of us were trying to figure out what to say next.

"You've like me since freshmen year?" My brows were knitted and my voice was fused with amazement. Wasn't looking too hot back then.

He cracked a grin, turning his head to me. "Yeah. Only Will knew. I wasn't proud of it though. Let's face it. You weren't exactly-"

"Popular. I know," I rolled my eyes reminiscing back to my freshman days.

He broke eye contact and looked straight ahead, leaning forward with both elbows rested on his knees. "That's why I hid it. I didn't want to like you," He looked down to his hands.

"I was embarrassed. By then I had earned a reputation. Which is why I had no problem having flings and dating alot of girls. Trying to get you out my head," He faced me with a smile. "But that didn't work."

I mirrored his contagious smile, blood coloring my cheeks a bright red.

"So you used them?"

Drew looked down and pursed his lips. "One of many things that I regret."

I nodded slowly and another period of silence loomed in the air.

"I'm willing to try," I said. Drew looked to me with confusion.

". . . For an us," I clarified. Drew laced my hand with his and let our linked hands rest on his lap.

"But. I barley know anything about you. I wanna know you. Really know you. I think we should be friends first and do this right."

He looked a little disappointed but lifted my hand and pressed his lips there them in a soft kiss. "Okay . . . friend."

I smiled and let my head rest on his shoulder, my hand still in his.

"Tell me about'er," Drew's voice was faint. He didn't even have to tell me who.

My heart sank and I lifted my head and drew in a breath, exhaling steadily. "She was strong willed. I mean I didn't really meet her. She found me and held me at gunpoint."

Drew's brows shot up and quickly furrowed. But he paid attention intently, hanging on to every word.

"She taught me how to aim and shoot a gun," As I spoke, I mentally checked out, rewinding back to my training sessions. "She taught me how to fight, defend myself. You wanna know how I've gotten tough?" I looked at him. "Your sister played a big part with that."

Drew pressed his lips into a thin line, nodded and turned his head away from me, submerging himself in his thoughts. Letting my words sink in. I laid my head back on his shoulder.

The ringtone of my phone broke the peaceful silence. I reluctantly let go of Drew's hand and retrieved my phone from my silver clutch. It was Blair.

Oh crap. I told her to cover for me and maybe Mom saw through her lie.

"Hello?"

"Get to the doctors office. Now," She commanded, her voice hinted with worry.

"What's wrong?" My heart began to pound.

"It's Mom. Just hurry up and get here," She hung up, leaving me in the dark.

I shot up from Drew's bed, putting my phone back into my clutch and digging for keys. "I have to go. It-it's my Mom."

"Let me drive you," He stood up, concerned.

I tossed him the keys. "Hurry up."

*

I took the longest strides that this constricting dress allowed me to go. "Hi. My Mom, Diana Taylor she's-"

"You're her daughter right?" The blonde seated at the front desk asked.

"Yes. Yes. I am," I nodded eagerly.

"She's in room B8 around back," The women instructed and I thanked her.

"I'll wait here," Drew said, taking a seat in one of the chairs nearby.

I nodded, pivoting on my heels, speed walking to Mom's room. When I enter, I see Mom seated on the dark blue leathered sick bed, and Dad and Blair in chairs beside it. Dad's knee bouncing up and down in anticipation.

"What's going on?" I asked, walking in further. Mom opened her mouth to speak but the doctor entered with a manila file filled to the brim with papers poking out.

"Hello family, you all look nice," He greeted and complimented us with warmth, setting his folder on the counter.

"So. Diana," He clucked his tongue. "Your tests that you took were accurate . . . . You're pregnant."

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A/N > look at me throwing in plot twists on the last chapter lol. I really hope I wrote that kissing scene well, it's my first time lol.

But guys oh my god WOTW is just about over 😭. The epilogue + an important authors note will be posted on Sunday . . .

I just wanna thank everyone for the tremendous support I've gotten for this book. Love all you to the moon and back 🤗.

Hope you enjoyed!

Votes/Comments, much appreciated.

-kya h. ∞