He loves me, he loves me not

Chapter 1

I can't help but roll my eyes.

This is the third girl to come up to Andy. She's giggled, ran her hand up and down his arm, ruffled his hair. It makes me uncomfortable with how hard she's flirting with him. But then again, if he was mine I'd be doing the same. I can't blame her for wanting him, Andy is the one boy in the school that isn't an ass.

He hasn't gotten any girl pregnant, dated someone on a dare, bullied anyone. He has a heart, which is something the other boys at Maconfield lack. And in Macon County men with hearts don't come often. You're more likely to land a drug addict or an alcoholic. And you're lucky if he pays child support.

The girl bends over and kisses Andy's cheek. Andy's eyes widen and his mouth goes into the shape of an O. I bite down on my lip to keep myself from giggling. She turns her back to us and saunters off towards her friends, who are all grinning. Andy turns around and watches her leave the cafeteria before he wipes his cheek with a napkin.

" That wasn't funny," he says as he tries to wipe the lipstick off the side of his face.

" It was more than funny. It was hilarious. Do you want me to call her back so she can give you another one?" I question.

Andrew glares at me, obviously not amused by my joke. He rolls up the lipstick stained napkin into a ball and throws it at me.

" You think it's so funny now. Just wait until someone you don't want to kiss you, kisses you." Andy says.

" No one's going to kiss me," I mumble under my breath. I quickly occupy myself with my book.

" ' No one's going to kiss me?' Did I just hear you say that?" Andy remarks. He's leaning across the table, hands outstretched before me.

" Jude, look at me," he takes one of my hands in his and tilts my chin upwards so I'm looking into his blue eyes.

" Jude, listen to me. Someone might not want to kiss you now, but that doesn't mean someone won't want to kiss you. Hell, I bet there's someone, wanting to kiss you in this cafeteria. I'd kiss you, if it wouldn't make our friendship weird." He lets go of my hand and removes his other hand from under my chin.

Andy slides back into his chair. I'm left sitting staring at him in shock. Andrew said he'd kiss me if it wouldn't make things weird. I can't help but lower my head in an attempt to hide my smile. I'm glad he can't hear how fast my heart is beating inside if my chest. If only he knew that kissing me wouldn't make things weird. But I'm not about to tell Andrew that. Maybe later on I will.

" The cafe's getting too crowded. Wanna go to your locker?" I ask him. He scans the room, turns back to me and nods. Andrew gets up and grabs my book the same time as I do. I wrap my fingers around the book but Andrew gently pulls my hand off.

" I'll take it for you," he says with a smile.

I smile in return and clear off our garbage from the table. We head toward the exit doors, weaving our way through grade nines who don't know how to sit. Andrew jogs ahead a few paces to hold the door open for me. I smile and quicken my pace so he doesn't have to hold the door open long.

" You don't always have to hold the door open for me you know," I say as I make a grab for my book.

" I know but it's the nice thing to do." Andrew replies. He switches the book over to his left side and grabs a hold of my hand. I look down in confusion at our intertwined fingers. I look up at Andy to see what his reaction is. He look at me and grins and gives my hand a squeeze.

We turn down the labyrinth of halls until we reach Andy's locker. He sits down in front of it and pats the ground beside him. I put my bag I front of me and sit down beside Andrew.

Andrew rests his head in my shoulder, " Are we still going bowling tomorrow?"

" Of course we are," I respond. I rest my own head on top of Andrews. I can't help but smile and bask in the little moment that I'm sharing with him. But the moment is ruined all too soon with the presence of Duncan Branser.

Duncan Branser was the kind of guy that you brought home to your parents to piss them off. He failed at least three classes each year, partied hard every weekend, and near constantly was breaking hearts. It was even rumoured that he'd gotten a few girls pregnant. But Duncan still managed to date a few girls each year.

Duncan walks down the hall towards us. Andrew immediately removes his head off my shoulder and sits up. Duncan reaches us and stops. He glares down at me, completely ignoring Andy. Duncan stares down at me and licks his lips, which makes me uncomfortable.

" Hey Jude, you seeing anyone?" Duncan questions. I'm taken back by his question. We've never spoken before except on the few times he's asked to borrow a pencil.

" Um no. I'm not seeing anyone. But I don't want to go out with you either. Not that you're not a... Nice guy." I fumble around with my words and try to soften the blow of my rejection, even though it was a weak one.

Duncan nods his head slowly.

" Alright, but if you change your mind my offer's still on the table." Duncan turns on his heel and goes into his afternoon class.

" I'm glad he's gone," Andy says heaving a sigh of relief. He picks up my bag and hands it to me. I smile in return and hand Andrew his own bag. He holds out his hand and I gladly take hold of it. We head the same way Duncan stormed off, unfortunately we all have class together.

Andrew hold the door open for me, again. I walk into the class and head for our usual seats in the back. I look down at the ground as I pass Duncan, who's busy flirting with Camden Quincy. Andrew comes and joins me in the back, but not before he shoots a look of disgust at Duncan.

" I'm glad you didn't say yes to going out with him." Andrew tells me.

And I silently agree.