Survive

Chapter Eleven

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

August 13, 2022.

Madison Stone's Point Of View.

I take a sip of the drink I just picked up, while I look around in a failed attempt to find him.

"Looking for him?" Ashley says louder than usual, since the music is loud. "For someone who said you don't like him, you are demonstrating the opposite," she ironizs and I stare at her.

"It has only been six days since I met you and you are already the most ironic and debauched person I have ever met."

"You didn't answer my question."

"He is my friend, so I want to know where he is, just as I also want to know where David and Ryan are." She throws me a look of debauchery mixed with distrust. "Stop looking at me like that!"

"Um.. okay." I don't even need to say in what tone she said this, right?

"Drink your drink and leave me alone," I say and hold her hand which is holding her drink, forcefully putting it in her mouth, making her laugh.

"Okay stressy, let's go," and she starts walking, but stops and comes back when she realizes that I haven't moved a muscle to get out of the place I am.

"Where are we going?"

"We'll go look for the boys."

"Oh, okay." And we start walking towards the exit of the place where the party is taking place, because we already see that they are not here.

"I just really hope Ryan isn't with any girls."

"How long have you liked him?"

"It's only been a short time since I started getting interested in him. I think since the summer vacation."

"Did you ever kiss him?"

"Once during the vacations when he invited me to his house to teach me how to hit embassy."

"How long have you two known each other?"

"Since the sixth grade."

"Got it.'

"Did you date anyone in your old school?" Ashley asks as we turn down the hall and walk out to the outside of the school.

"Yes, I dated the captain of Justice's soccer team for almost five months," and when I say this she for some reason looks at me in surprise.

"So soccer players are your type? Because you dated one player and now you are liking another player."

"How many times am I going to have to tell you that I don't like Andrey?"

"And how many times will I have to ask you until you tell the truth? It may be that you don't like him very much, because it hasn't even been a week since you met. But that at least you are taking an interest in him, you can't deny it.. am I wrong?"

"No." I say clumsily, because she really spoke the truth.

I don't think I'm in love with him, but I am taking an interest in him. He is handsome and on top of that he treats me well. Nowadays it is hard to find boys with these two qualities.

"I knew it!" She speaks animatedly and I laugh without understanding why this animation of hers.

"What's all the excitement about? Do you happen to know something I don't?"

"Maybe... remember when I told you that surely Andrey thought you were beautiful?" And I nod as I finish my drink and throw my glass in one of the trash cans here. "So, I was right. He found you pretty and knowing my friend well and seeing how close you two are, I know he's taking an interest in you too." And a silly smile appears on my face.

Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

August 13, 2022.

Andrey Butler's Point Of View.

I look down at my black shoes tediously, while David and Ryan are talking about something that I don't know what it's about, because I can't pay attention as I'm thinking about the fact that the dance has been going on for a while and so far I haven't seen her.

"Right, Andrey?" Ryan asks and I look at him uncomprehendingly, which he realizes.

"Forget it Ryan, Andrey only has thoughts for Mad right now," David says playfully, making Ryan laughs and I just ignore them.

"You guys haven't seen her around?"

"Man, we've been together since we arrived. If we had seen her, you would have seen her too." And I agree with what David says.

"Dude, I know you thought she was pretty and you guys are pretty close, but like... are you really into her?" Ryan asks and David stares at me too, showing that he also wants to know the answer.

"Um... I like being around her."

"So you like her." David says as if this is obvious.

"Yeah.. I like her." And I admit it, because I know that they as my friends will try to help me.

"I'm going to get a drink. Do you want me to get it for you too?" Ryan asks and David says yes, but I deny it. "Then I'll get it. Don't go anywhere... and Andrey, if I find Mad, I'll tell her you're here."

"Thanks bro!" I thank Ryan and he leaves.

I think about calling her, but decide it's better not, because if she's already here, she probably won't even hear the cell phone calling.

"Look who's coming." David speaks and I look forward hoping that it is her, but I see that it is just Emily and Sarah approaching us."Emily will probably ask me to dance and you will be alone with Sarah. So if you're really into Mad, be careful."

"Oh no, David. Don't leave me here, please." He laughs and I look at him seriously. "I don't see it funny."

"For I see. I've never seen you afraid of women before." And he leaves going to meet Emily, the same one who waves to me with her hands and pulls him to go to the inner part of the school, causing Sarah to approach me.

"Wow, you look very handsome in that suit Andrey!" She says and I give a small smile as a form of thanks. I wanted to hear that, only from someone else. "You played really well yesterday," she moves closer and I back away a little, which I think she realizes.

"Thanks, but it wasn't enough for us to win."

"Relax, there will come other opportunities for you guys to finish them off." And I just agree with my head, not wanting to give her too much of an opening, because I know that if I do, she will cross the line.

I kissed Sarah only once, at the elementary school prom, and since then she has created an obsession with me and has never left me alone anymore. I never wanted to have anything with her and I always thought I made that clear, but I realize that I didn't when I am just polite to her and she thinks I am hitting on her.

"Did you know that I tried to be your cheerleader this year?"

"Yes."

"Yeah, but then Ashley had a hissy fit and Madison ended up taking my place."

"To tell you the truth the place was Alisson's." She looks at me angrily and I don't care, because I know she only left the school because of Sarah and her friends who excluded the girl after they found out she liked me.

"Yeah, but she's already left school, so let's forget about her," and she approaches me again, only this time not giving me a chance to leave.

She moves closer to hug me, but when I look behind Sarah, I see Madison coming toward us and looking at me, so I push Sarah a little and manage to pull away from her nervously, leaving Sarah not understanding anything until she sees that Madison was behind her.