Rivals

Hold Up. Falling for Him?

*Artemis's POV*

Gosh. I hate Andrew. He seems so sweet but then at the same exact time he is a fucking asshole. It's so weird how I think that he isn't so bad but then I think again and I can't figure out how I feel. Like all the time when I think about him my feelings go crazy and I can't think straight. Let's not even talk about how I feel when I am around him. To make it worse, I can't control it. When I chat with him all I can do is stutter. Then He would smirk at me and laugh. It drives me insane. I can't stand not having the upper hand against him. I feel weak like I lost who I really am. Could this be what I think it is? Love? Nah. I could never love him. He is such an idiotic dirty minded, annoying cocky jerk. I can't. If I did I would break my boyfriend's heart. But then I don't want him anymore. He isn't for me. I don't know. I should dump him and maybe Andrew would be the perfect reason why to do it.

I opened up my Facebook and checked to see if Sand was awake. He is. He is online after all. I texted him "Good morning. I have bad news to tell you."

Within a short instant he responds, "Good morning. What is it?"

"We have to break up."

"What?! Why?"

"I just can't anymore. I'm tired of lying to you. I don't love you. I actually found someone who I actually love. I'm so sorry."

"......... It's ok. I'm not hurt. I'm alright."

"I'm sorry it had to be this way. Good bye."

"Good bye."

Our conversation ended simply like that and I didn't look back.

Back at School Later that Morning:

I sat at my desk sulking after what I had done. My friends walked past me asking what happened and I said one thing. One sentence. "Sand and I broke up."

They had no reaction but, "I knew that would happen. He wasn't the right one for you."

Andrew walked in and saw me sitting with my head in my palms. I wasn't quite crying but I was on the verge of doing it. He sat next to me and hugged me for support. All of a sudden this wave of something I can't explain swept over me. I think it was like safety or of that sort. AGH!!!! Get that idea out of my head. NO!!! I can't be thinking this. Not about Andrew. No. No. NO! AH!!!! I shoved him away and sat there with my heart beating out of my chest. 

"Are you okay Artemis?" He asks me with pure sincerity in his beautiful voice. Shit! What am I saying. I meant strained voice. 

"Andrew, do I look ok? No. Well here's what happened. I dumped my boyfriend because. Because. Ugh. I can't say it." I can't really tell Andrew since the reason why I dumped my boyfriend was because I think I am falling for him. 

"I'm so sorry. It's alright. You don't have to say anything. You can just cry into me. I won't care."

"Thank you. I'm glad I have someone who cares about me." I smiled. 

"Aw. Don't fret it. I'm always here for you. Thats what friends do right?"

"Not mine." My voice turned cold and bitter with my anger toward Cara and Nagisa. "My friends say me and they acted as though they don't care."

"Well then they aren't your friends. A real friend would care." He paused. "Just like me." He smirked and I laughed at the thought and idea that he truly cares about me. The notion was odd to me. I have no idea why but it was and is. His words made me feel just a tad bit better but more than that it made me fall even more in love with him. His voice was comforting and something I never heard before. My whole life I have been around the girls and well somethings they feel fake. His words hit me so hard, I began to cry right in his shoulder. My tears bleed through his white shirt. Our teacher walked in and saw what had happened and excused us two to go to the restroom and wash up. 

On our way there, I thanked him and cried a bit more since i had never felt someone genuinely be by my side despite what happened. His face appeared grateful that he was able to help me. 

I walked to the ladies restroom across the hall from the men's and washed my hands of all the tear. I pulled out a paper towel from the dispenser next to me and poured water onto then then wiped away the tears off my face. I threw the towel away and stood up and told myself the most proud lie ever, "I'm okay. I am fine. Andrew will be by my side." I am never truly okay. I have hidden all my pain behind a fake smile, behind fake friends, behind closed doors. I walk out looking confident only to view Andrew standing right in front of the door waiting for me. I feel like he heard what I said. I hope not. His shirt was still a little wet from my tears. He grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. I felt comforted. The feeling was completely new. He pushed me away then grabbed my wrist and started to drag me back to class. 

The rest of the day I couldn't think straight. His hug clenched onto my mind so much that every time I saw him, I blushed since all I could think about was how caring he was. 

By the end of the day I was so ready to go home. I kinda felt like not seeing him at all. Oh great. there he is. He walked up to me and asked, "You ok? You have like been avoiding me all day."

"Oh ya I'm fine."

"No you aren't."

"Yes I am!" I raised my voice this time. I can't tell him how I'm feeling. If I told him, I can't imagine how awkward it would be between us two. 

"Oh i got to go. See you Art!" He winked. AHHH. Shit. I'm melting inside. Not a bad kind but like romanticly melting. 

"Ok then. Bye Andrew!" I smiled happily since he totally just like flirted with me. Ahhh!!! I can't help it. I am so internally screaming. 

I went back home and flopped onto my bed unable to comprehend what had happened today. Stephan walked into my room trying to ask for math homework help. He looked at my face glistening with happiness then walk out of my room to go do his homework alone. I guess he doesn't like a happy Artemis. Haha. Sucks for him because right now my head is in the clouds. 

Then my phone rings right after. I reach for my phone and check the caller ID. It's Andrew. I  pick up.