Beauty and The Beast

Chapter 16

Bella Martins and Drew Parker seen holding hands in the hallway.

I closed the web page immediately I read those lines on the school blog.

It seems like Drew and I were the favourite things to discuss about in school and we aren't even a couple.

It's just so irritating. I used to love attention. I used to crave being in the spotlight but now I'm starting to see life in a different perspective. All those things don't really matter to me the way they used to.

''I don't get this'' Drew whined, banging his head on my dining table.

Oh yeah.

Drew and I skipped the rest of school to come to my house so we could study math. I really don't want any of my family members to meet Drew especially my mom because they'll ask questions which will make him uncomfortable plus he has a bad reputation in town.

''Calm down. It's not magic'' I tried to soothe him ''Here, have a glass of milk''

I slid a glass of milk over to him but he pushed it away, almost knocking the glass over.

I blinked my eyes in shock.

Well... Okay.

"I did it exactly how you told me to but I'm still getting the wrong answer'' he complained "Why am I dumb? Why can't I be smart like other kids?"

"You are smart, Drew"

"Then how come I don't get this?!"

''How do you know you didn't?"

''The answer at the back of my textbook doesn't match what I'm getting''

''Let me see''

I took his book and started solving till I realized something.

''Dude, your calculator is in the wrong mode"

"Oh"

I fixed his calculator and passed it back to him.

"Try again"

"Okay"

He solved the question again and this time, he got it correctly.

"See" I told him "You have to be very careful next time"

"Alright"

We continued working in silence. None of us said anything.

I could basically feel Drew's eyes on me the whole time.

''I'm sorry'' he said.

''About what?"

''Being a pain in the ass. You're the only one able to handle all my shit"

''That's what friends are for''

''I wouldn't know about that. Never had any. You're the only thing that keeps me going, Bella''

I blushed.

''Stop it''

''Seriously. You're the only one that ever bothers to know me. Everyone else thinks I'm a mental case. You're the only one who I feel won't judge me"

He put his hand on mine. I could feel the electricity pulsing through my veins.

My heart clenched at the sincerity of his words.

It made me feel bad that I got close to him because of a bet

Should I tell him?

We stared into each other's eyes. In the spur of the moment, he leaned in.. ... Until... The door banged.

I quickly fixed my position when Steve came in.

"Hey Steve'' I waved awkwardly.

''Hey kiddo" he replied "Is your mom home?"

''Nope"

His eyes landed on Drew.

I was avoiding this. Why did Steve have to come early today?

''Who's your friend?'' He queried, nudging his head towards Drew.

"Stand up" I whispered to Drew.

"Okay" he responded.

We both stood up and faced Steve

''Steve, this is my friend Drew'' I introduced.

''Good evening, sir'' Drew greeted.

''Evening kid''

They shook hands.

''Where's your brother?'' Steve asked me.

"He isn't in yet"

He nodded.

"You two have fun" he said "Not too much"

We chuckled.

"Yes sir"

He left and went upstairs.

I walked into the kitchen to get a glass of water while Drew followed behind me.

He leaned on the counter as he watched me.

''How come you call your dad by his name?'' He questioned.

''He's my step dad'' I replied.

''Oh. What happened to your real father?''

''He's dead.To me, at least"

"Complicated, yeah?"

"Yeah"

"I'm so sorry to hear that''

''It's fine''

"You know, we're alike in so many ways"

"Like?"

I moved closer to him. He moved backward as I came closer.

"We both have complicated families"

"Yes?"

I moved closer. He kept on moving. At this point, he would soon hit the wall.

"We both are hiding our true selves from society"

"Go on"

Closer.

I could hear the sound of his breathing increase. I could also hear my heart beat increase as well.

Am I making him nervous?

"Does my closeness bother you?" I whispered.

"Uh n-n-no" he stuttered "Why would you think that?"

"I can feel your heart beating fast"

"Uh I.... "

"Relax"

"I've got to go" he said, shaking his head "I'll see you tomorrow"

Before I could respond he had already left.