BANE OF HIS EXISTENCE

Chapter 27: YOU LOVE GETTING UNDER MY SKIN, DON'T YOU?

MAYA.

"Your coffee is here," I said with a sly, knowing smirk, gesturing to the steaming cup the waiter had just placed in front of him. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted up, and Andrew's eyes locked onto the cup, his face a picture of reluctance. "Take a sip," I muttered, my voice low and teasing, my eyes glinting with amusement as I dared him to follow through on his claim.

Andrew's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in determination, as he lifted the cup. But as the pungent aroma hit his nostrils, his face contorted in distaste, his eyes watering slightly. I smirked, enjoying his discomfort, as he faked an enthusiastic smile, his lips curling up in a stiff, unnatural grin.

"Oh...this looks just yummy," he exclaimed, his voice dripping with insincerity, the words sounding forced and unconvincing. But before he could take a sip, he dropped the cup, his eyes flashing with relief, as the waiter's timely arrival with a plate of food saved him from further humiliation.

I shook my head, my smirk still firmly in place, my eyes sparkling with amusement. "Wimp!" I muttered under my breath, the word barely audible, but Andrew must have heard me because he shot me a glare, his eyes flashing with annoyance.

Andrew took a bite, and his eyes closed in rapture, his expression transformed, his face a picture of bliss. "It's just a burger, mate!" Min chimed in, voicing what everyone was thinking, his tone laced with amusement.

"So? I haven't had one of these in, like, forever. You know, with the Coach breathing down our necks about staying fit?" He countered, his voice filled with conviction, and his friends nodded in agreement, sympathetic to his plight, their faces mirroring his enthusiasm.

I gazed at Andrew, my eyes narrowing as I asked, "You just love getting under my skin, don't you?"

My words spilled out, laced with frustration and a hint of vulnerability. Andrew's mocking expression faltered, and for a fleeting moment, his face contorted into an odd, unreadable expression. It was as if he'd been caught off guard, and I was left wondering what had triggered that enigmatic look.

The air was filled with the sound of sizzling food and muted chatter, but my attention was diverted by Hossein's gentle tap on my shoulder, like a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves. Hossein opened the page of the book he was holding, revealing a scribbled message that made my heart skip a beat. The words, etched on the page in hasty handwriting, were like a warm hug on a cold day.

"Drew told me what happened with your dad yesterday. Are you okay?" I read the words by heart, his brow furrowed with concern, his eyes filled with empathy.

For someone who cherished his books like an extension of his own body, I knew it had taken a lot of courage for him to deface his precious book in such a way. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I finished reading the words, feeling a lump form in my throat. I smiled, a shaky, emotional smile, as I looked up at Hossein.

"I'm okay now," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart overflowing with gratitude. Hossein nodded, relief washing over his face, and a warm, gentle smile spreading across his lips.

Min's whining complaint caught my attention, and I turned to him, confusion etched on my face. "Come on, mate! Why do you love raining on my parade?" he lamented, his voice dripping with exaggerated despair.

Andrew's deadpan response only added to Min's dramatics. "As your captain, Coach will have my ass if you show up for practice with a hangover tomorrow, so absolutely not!" Min let out a louder groan, his face contorting in a comical mixture of disappointment and pleading.

He turned to Hossein, his eyes wide with hope, and made whiny, puppy-like sounds.

"Hossein!!!..."

Hossein rolled his eyes good-natured, his expression a perfect blend of amusement and exasperation. "Not gonna happen, I've got swimming practice tomorrow," he said firmly, leaving Min looking dejected.

Andrew chuckled, clearly entertained by the exchange, and Min stuck out his tongue in a childish gesture of defiance. I watched the exchange, still unsure what was happening.

"What's going on?" I asked, seeking clarification.

"Min wants to attend a party at the Hood."

Andrew filled me in, his tone matter-of-fact. I winced inwardly, understanding the reason for Andrew's objections. The parties held in Hood had a notorious reputation, and I could see why Andrew, as team captain, would be hesitant to let Min attend.

Sasha's eyes sparkled with excitement as she asked, "There's a party tonight?" Min's face lit up, and he nodded eagerly, his smile stretching from ear to ear. But before he could get too carried away, Eric and I chimed in, our voices firm and synchronized: "Don't even think about it!" Our outburst drew the attention of the other café patrons, who turned to stare at our little group.

Min's face fell, and he whined, "Why!!!..." in a dramatic, exaggerated tone. I shot him a stern look, my expression unyielding. "You know why, and the answer is still no!" Sasha rolled her eyes, her expression playful but exasperated.

"You're no fun!" she teased, before going back to sipping her smoothie. I watched her, a mix of fondness and concern swirling in my chest.

The Hood was notorious, a secluded spot in the city run by a group of wealthy, entitled kids who thought they could replicate the gritty, edgy vibe of the inner city without actually venturing into it. It was cliché and more than a little ridiculous.

But what really mattered was that the Hood was a place where inhibitions were shed and good judgment went out the window. No one left the Hood sober, and I should know – I'd been there more times than I cared to admit. It was a wild, reckless scene, and one that I avoided like the plague during school sessions. Holidays were a different story but on a regular school night? No way.

As the afternoon wore on, our group lounged around, exchanging playful banter and laughter. I was surprised to find myself actually having fun in Andrew's presence. Thankfully, he was on his best behavior, and our gathering felt more like a relaxed social affair than a battleground.

Before long, we said our goodbyes as Andrew departed with his friends, and Eric excused himself, claiming he needed a nap. Sasha then dragged me to the mall, insisting that she needed new clothes for school the next day. I reluctantly agreed, knowing that resisting would be futile.

As we entered the mall, Sasha turned to me with a sassy grin. "You know we would leave here faster if you assist me, right?" She planted her hands on her hips, her eyes sparkling with amusement. I rolled my eyes playfully, settling into a comfortable chair as Sasha continued browsing through the clothes brought to her by the store attendant.

I knew I wouldn't be much help to Sasha anyway. Our fashion tastes were worlds apart, making it impossible for me to choose clothes that she'd like. I was happy to simply provide moral support, or at the very least, a willing ear to listen to her excited chatter about the latest fashion trends.

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Author's Note.

Hey guys 👋

Two chapters in one day, am I amazing or what?

Enjoy reading and don't forget to vote and comment ❤️