In Love With The Enemy

Chapter 17: What Is He Thinking?

"She wasn't exactly sure when it happened. Or even when it started. All she knew for sure was that right here and now, she was falling hard, and she could only pray that he was feeling the same way." ~Nicholas Sparks

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A few months have passed since we started rehearsing for the play. It's quite hard balancing everything at once. After practice, Lianna still tutors me, and believe it or not, I'm actually learning a lot from her.

Today is Monday and we have practice for the play later. When I got to school, I walked over to my locker and picked some books up for my classes. While doing that, I was looking around and finding Lianna just so I could annoy her and ruin her day, but she is nowhere to be found.

"Who are you looking for?" someone asked from behind, making me jump a bit. I turned around and saw none other than my cousin Bianca.

I hesitated at first but still asked. "Where's Lianna?"

She furrowed her eyebrows. "You're looking for Lianna? Why?"

I shook my head. "Nothing. Just curious since she's not around."

"She sent a message in our group chat. She won't be going to school because she has a fever," she informed.

"Why? What happened?"

She smirked. "So, you care now?"

I raised both of my eyebrows. "What the hell do you mean?"

"The old Gabriel wouldn't give a f*ck even if Lianna was in the hospital or buried six feet under. What changed?" 

My eyes widened. "You think I'm concerned? No way!"

"Then what other reason could you possibly have for asking about her?" She raised her right eyebrow.

"She's tutoring me and we're the lead in the play," I answered.

She chuckled. "Okay, okay. Let's just say I believe you," she said before walking away.

"But that's really the reason!" I yelled.

"Mmhmm... Keep telling yourself that!" she yelled back.

I just shook my head before closing my locker and walking over to my first class.

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"You know practice is over there, right?" Bianca said when she saw me getting inside my car after school.

"I'm not going," I answered and inserted my key inside the ignition.

"You can't miss one practice. You're the lead," she said, stating the obvious.

I sighed. "But I have to go somewhere important."

"More important than the school play?" She scoffed.

"Yes. Just please tell Ms. Carter that I'm not feeling well," I said before sitting in the driver's seat.

"You're gonna get in trouble."

I shrugged. "I don't give a f*ck," I said before closing my door and driving off, leaving Bianca standing there.

It didn't take long until I arrived at Lianna's house. I just parked my car in front of their lawn before I walked over to their front porch and rang the doorbell.

I can feel my hands sweating while waiting for someone to answer the door. I wanted to back away and leave while it's still early because I don't know why the f*ck I came here.