R E J E C T S

CH.11: STAY WITH ME

'Guess it's true I'm not good at a one night stand...'

The same 'unknown' number texted me the next day.

"Luke, have you been texting me?!" I shouted.

It's obvious anyway...

"Guilty as charged. There's something you should know about my 'sleeping' habits." He stated.

"I already do. You sleep like a baby."

"No, I meant the rumors about me sleeping around with different girls... it ain't true." He sighed out loud.

"Oh really?" I asked skeptically.

"Yeah. I don't even know how that one started. I bet people just assumed that I do since I'm in a band. To be honest, you're the first girl that I ever slept with."

"What a revelation... wait, are you serious?" He nods.

What the hell? Then that means I took his V card away... oh God.

I could be charged as a cougar for this!

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating.

No wonder he's sticking around though... I'm his 'first'!

"Hey, are you in love with me?" I had to clarify.

"I don't know yet... which is why I thought of blackmailing you so that I could stay over and figure my feelings out for you." He explained.

"For starters, I think that everything you do is cute... even when you're mad." He grinned.

The boy's way too honest.

"Yeah, I'm not really into younger boys..."

"How do you know for sure? I think we have potential."

******

"Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday..." Liam tried to catch up to me while I was on my way to class.

"I'm over it. I know that you hate me anyway..." I stopped on my tracks.

"Hate is a very strong word but I don't hate you, really. I just sort of panicked because I didn't want the guys on the team to find out about the 'babysitting' thing. I'm sorry." He looked down.

"Word of advice, stop being such a wuss." I patted his shoulder before walking off.

But then I must've failed to notice the 'Caution: Wet floor' sign because I found myself 'free falling' the next thing I knew.

"Got you." I landed on Liam's arms instead.

And then Luke just so happens to be around to witness such a scene...

As well as Robbie. Such perfect timing, indeed.

"Why the hell are you into the arms of another man who's not your boyfriend?" Luke asked.

Rob just stared hard at us before he walks away rather dramatically.

"Your secret's safe with me so you can let go now." I whispered to Liam.

"Thanks. I owe you one. Later." He whispered back before walking off.

"And you just had to make things worse by stating the obvious..." I grabbed Luke to a corner.

"What do you want? I thought I told you not to talk to me in school." I placed my arms on my hips.

"Well, you wouldn't reply to my messages..." He pouted.

"You know, for once, I'd be happy if you actually paid attention in class so that you'd quit bothering me with your texting." I sighed.

"Fine, I'll stop bothering you and you're going to regret it. This is 'me' walking away from you..." He walked backwards.

As if I'd regret some peace and quiet.

It's like babysitting a kid without getting paid.

"Be home early tonight!" He hollered at me.

I officially do NOT know him.

******

"You know I had to do that, right? I had to walk away from the scene in order to portray a deeply hurt boyfriend who just saw his girl in the arms of another man." Rob explained as he was driving.

"Yeah, I kind of figured that on my own. I don't know about Liam though... he didn't seem to care that you just walked away. Must be too 'dramatic' for him to handle." I thought it was pretty funny.

"Forget about Liam. I was actually going for your boy toy. I wanted him to think how jealous I was so that he'd know that our relationship is as serious as it gets." He smiled.

"Oh yeah, about that... he sort of found out about us 'pretending'." I looked out of the window.

"WHAT?!" He immediately steps on the brakes.

"Turns out he was eavesdropping on us when we thought we were all alone in the locker room."

"And you're just telling me about this now because?"

"I didn't want you to worry about it? Look, I got it under control." I assured him.

"Does he know about my big secret?"

"I don't think so. As far as I know, he only knows the 'pretending' part." I thought deeply.

"What did I tell you about keeping secrets? We're a couple, remember? We should help each other out with our problems and possible threats. Oh, screw being a couple! I think of you as my best friend and so I'm going to let you in on a secret of mine..." He exhales loudly.

"I stopped going to the gym. There, I said it!" He confessed rather proudly.

"Okay..." Not sure where this is going but---

"Well, that secret was actually just a 'stalling' secret. The one I really wanted to tell you about is..." He inhales deeply this time.

"The reason why my mum is such a homophobe is because of my dad. He left her for another man..." He blurted out.

"Sorry to hear that but I get it now. You don't want to hurt your mum again, right?"

I got a nod out of him.

"It's okay. She won't find out about you." I tried to console him.

"Oh but she will. The truth always comes out anyway... now I'm starting to get all emotional."

"What for?"

"At least I know that I'm not alone in this because I have you. Keeping a secret can slowly kill a person deep inside you know."

"I won't let that happen." I touched his hand.

"Hey, won't you stay with me tonight? I'm feeling very lonely all of a sudden. We could do a marathon of 'America's Next Top Model' if you want..." He suggested.

"I'm pretty sure that's what you want but okay, I'll sleep over." I smiled and smiles back.

~MEANWHILE~

*LUKE'S POV*

"Yeah, I don't think she's coming home for tonight..." I said to myself.

The food that I made has gotten cold already... what a waste.

"And to think that I made an effort to cook dinner even though I don't really know how to cook." I decided to throw away what I especially prepared for her.

I even skipped the last period just so I could shop for the ingredients of a potpie.

I heard her mention it in her sleep the other night.

Whatever this 'emotion' I'm feeling right now... it sucks.

I should've never kissed her in the first place... now I can't stop thinking about her.

On second thought, I don't really regret kissing her. As a matter of fact, I liked it very much.

Her lips is all I could dream about... and her eyes, nose and every aspect of her being.

So this is what you call 'In Love' huh? Before I knew it, I fell for a girl who is way out of my league.