"Thanks for coming." Andy said to me at the airport, kissing me behind the car so no one would notice us. People still did, as we heard chatters of his name and people's cameras being clicked on and loading ready to take of him.
"It's no problem." I said, hugging him tightly, and letting go after I heard them moving toward us.
He frowned. "I'm sorry." He muttered, looking over at the people waiting at the doors for him, some walking around to find a good spot to snap pictures of me and him.
"Don't be." I said with a small chuckle, making him kiss my temple. I wanted to escape back inside his car so no one would catch either of us, since they could also get pretty aggressive. "Have a safe flight." I said, straightening out his fancy suit jacket.
He grinned beautifully at me. "I love you."
Even after all I've done to him.
"I love you." I said back, walking into the passengers side of the car before anyone got their pictures. I was successful, but hated the feeling of not being able to say a longer goodbye. My mind began to wonder what would happen to him if something malfunctioned with the plane, what if someone was in the plane and wanted to hurt him. A demon? Then I shook my head at myself. There was no way, I had been watching too much Supernatural.
"Ready, ma'am?" His driver, Jim, asked me politely.
I nodded as he started the car and I watched as Andy walked in, photographers flashing their cameras and some one them snapping pictures of the car I was in. My heart zoomed quickly.
"Don't worry, dear, the windows are tinted specifically for flash photography." Jim said, soothing my thoughts. I closed my eyes in relief and thanked him. "Where should I drop you off?" He asked.
"My house is fine."
I still wasn't exactly able to get used to Andy having a driver. He was so nice to me, and when Andy asked him to take us places I didn't exactly feel comfortable with the both of us sitting in the back. Andy said it was fine, but I still liked to sit next to him when he was taking me home and it was just him and I.
Still, after Jim took me home, I felt lonely. My best friend was angry with me, and my boyfriend was out of town for an entire week. And I'll be sleeping alone while Mr. Grant was probably with his beautiful golden-haired girlfriend. I had to stop my self torture. Sure, I definitely deserved it, but Andy was with me and I knew I had to appreciate that and be happy because he still loved me. I love him so much.
I sat down and did the first thing I usually did when I had trouble sleeping, and grabbed a pen and paper to write to my dad. I told him I was waiting, and promised that I had someone to introduce him to, and I was hoping he'd help me look for college. The guys were doing well and we were getting along fine. It was the typical, there's not much going on, but I love and miss you. I told myself I'd stop by the post office soon and send it in for stamps.
I had some trouble sleeping that night, and wanted to be with Andy since I had become so used to... well so used to not sleeping alone. Honestly, I had a small fear that he'd find time to himself to think about how I was a stupid whore who used him for his money and decided to end things. Oh god if that was true... Part of it wasn't, I knew that. I didn't use him for his fame or money, but I asked myself if that's what he thought. Maybe he'd come back to tell me he wanted someone else. A woman who'd love him like he deserved. That was what he should have, not some stupid teenage girl who toyed with his feelings.
The next morning it was hard to get up for school, since it was hard to go to sleep. It was difficult to pay attention, but I did it somewhat.
When I got home, my brothers were there from work. Like the usual. They began to get busier as Spring came along, and now showed up one by one. "You're here." Chris said in surprise.
I nodded. "Andy is on a business trip."
"We saw him on tv." Bailey said, heading straight to the pantry. He then mumbled, "You seriously need to get some groceries."
"Yeah, I saw him, too." I said, laying back on the armrest against the couch in a strange position.
Austin soon came in through the front door on the phone. "Come over to my sister's house."
I don't know how I knew, but he was talking to Charlie- Mr. Grant.
"... Why not? .... Well why aren't we ever allowed over at your place?"
"He talked about you." Chris said, leaning over the couch and looking at me.
I rolled my eyes. "No he didn't, the lady did."
"The lady." He repeated with a laugh. "Diana, you sound like such a kid sometimes."
"Yeah, how is you've got some hot-shot famous boyfriend?" Bailey asked, somehow finding a popsicle in the freezer.
"Where did you get that?" I asked him.
"I asked the question, first." Bailey shot back.
"Why didn't he talk about you?"Â Chris asked.
"You think I want people coming to my door to take pictures of me for no reason?"
"That's true, they've got paparazzi following Andy Carl everywhere all the time." Austin said, "It's a surprise Diana is still fame-free."
I chuckled uncomfortably, seeing Austin interrupted his conversation with Mr. Grant to talk to my brothers. Austin spoke back into his phone and then frowned after, looking at the screen. "Chance just hung up on me while I was talking." He grumbled, throwing his phone back in the counter.
I flushed, luckily having no one notice.
"What's up with him? He's been more angry than usual lately." Bailey said in concern, sitting at the bar.
"I don't know, but you'd think he'd be happier since he's with Claire now." Austin replied. "It's just like someone flicked a switch and he went from unusually happy to unusually angry."
I didn't mean to.
I didn't want to hear anymore of their conversation and stood up to go to my room for homework. Then I checked my calculus grade.
"Why isn't he failing me?" I groaned to myself miserably.
Of course I didn't want to fail, but I knew for a fact I should've been. It wasn't the same grade as before, it was lower. A 70 now, and I was borderline failing. Only, it was a C.
I shouldn't be passing.
But I knew. I'd soon have to go back to Mr. Joseph for tutoring whether I wanted to or not. Tutoring... My first kiss with Mr. Grant. The first time he flirted with me, and the first time he looked at me with those eyes.
I finished up my homework and sent an email to Mr. Joseph, asking about tutoring and that same night he replied, saying he'd love to.
I was ready for bed, lying in bed, feeling empty. It was too big for me to be alone. I remembered falling asleep with my calculus teacher in it, and I remembered doing the same with Andy. I remembered it seeming so strangely usual to be waking up beside the beautiful business man.
I was wide awake while it was midnight, and I got an international call, feeling extremely happy and relieved because I knew it was him. "Hey," I answered with a breath.
"Hey, what time is it there?" He asked.
"Uh- Like twelve."
"In the morning?"
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize. It's two in the afternoon over here and I just got off helping out some people. Why aren't you asleep?"
I curled up, suddenly feeling sleepy with him there to talk to me, and it was like the loneliness was almost cured. I just needed him next to me. "I couldn't."
"I know." He sighed, seeming to understand. "It's hard to sleep alone now." He said with a soft chuckle.
"It is." I quietly agreed.
"How was your day?" He asked gently, and I felt like he knew he was making me feel better, he knew he was helping me fall back to sleep.
"It was good." I sighed out, feeling suddenly warm and almost content with his voice. "I miss you."
"I miss you, too." He immediately said back. "I'll be back by Saturday. I love you-"
"Don't hang up." I said.
"I won't." He promised. "Just close your eyes, I'll tell you about my day."
As he began, I felt myself drifting off into a nice sleep, and he spoke sweetly to me, telling me random things that I didn't really pay attention to. As I was almost asleep he told me to have a good night and I hummed back. He waited until I was completely asleep to hang up.
...
"Andy!" I squealed, not caring how stupidly in love I sounded when I threw my arms around his neck and jumped onto him.
He laughed and held me tightly. "You smell good." He said into my hair.
I closed my eyes to take in his own scent and suddenly felt so good to have him back. It had only been a week without him, too.
I pulled away from his neck and kissed him greedily, not caring that I was around random people in the airport, or that there were possible photographers around us somewhere. I loved kissing him.
When we pulled back, he set me down on my feet and Jim came out to help him with his bags. I sat in the back with Andy while he drove us back to his apartment where we did nothing but relax, for him to sleep off his jet lag.
When the week started up it seemed crazy busy, and on Wednesday our day would be rearranged, first and last periods would be with the career people, and then we'd have a gathering for all the students in the auditorium, where they'd introduce the successful and rich people. Claire was successful.
I cursed at myself for remembering her. They weren't important to me anymore, and I felt as that went on, Mr. Grant was less...- I felt he was getting over me quickly. He seemed to be newly willing to lower my grade to what it should be. He didn't even seem to notice me anymore. And it wasn't in a bad way. He didn't flinch when I walked into the room anymore, and I know I should be thankful he's growing to like Claire, because it's what's best for him. And he'd grow happy with her as well.
When I forced myself back out of those painful reminders, I got out of my car and walked in as the bell rang. I had no idea who was around me while I was in my car, staring into oblivion while making myself feel like crap. Inside I was able to skip my locker and head straight to class, where we talked about career paths for certain things. We did that in every class. In art, we talked about advertisement design, possibly fashion, other things like that.
In calculus I wanted to laugh. So many people always wondered what the use of it was and they never realized the hardcore smart-people jobs require the high ranked calc. The other students were talking about how calculus was incredibly pointless.
When I walked in, I jumped into their conversation immediately, writing in my agenda casually as if I didn't care about what they were talking about. I really didn't.
"Accountant, architect, design engineer, all engineers for that matter, and computer programmer. There's a lot of use for calculus. Astronomy, too." They quieted down and looked at me in shock.
"I thought you hated calc." Ryan said.
I smirked. "Of course I do, and I'm sure the subject feels the same towards me." I muttered towards the end to myself, drawing boredly with my eraser on the table.
A minute later the bell rang and Mr. Grant stood up to talk about career paths. I watched him as he spoke some of the same jobs I said, and missed being able to shamelessly gawk at him. Instead I had to watch him write, I watched his mean and cold eyes stare at his words while he rubbed the stubble along his jaw. While he subconsciously rolled up his sleeves and spoke like he was really into what he talked about. And I saw that.
I asked myself why he chose to be a teacher when he could be a professor. He was also incredibly smart, so he could be in engineering for godsake.
He finished just before the bell rang and I went into Mr. Joseph's room for tutoring. He greeted me kindly and we got to it. He never asked why, he never brought anything else up and instead stayed right track of our work.
I left to go back to Andy's.
When Wednesday came, I almost didn't see it coming. We all met in the auditorium after first period.
My first class was okay, not too exciting with a chef. Of course I'd love to be able to cook, but that takes certain skill. I envy people who are able to follow recipes simply or try out random things that come to mind and not screw up. And we got food.
In the auditorium, it was filled. All teachers sat at the very front, a few standing off to the side- Mr. Grant for example stood near the podium where there were many speakers. People from popular radio stations, famous lawyers, famous judges, and then... Business men. After all the special guests spoke, there was one left- the most important.
My heart pounded and crowds of people turned to look at me. I just stared up at Andy who smoothly walked behind the podium and looked around the crowd. For some reason I felt the need to sink the slightest into my seat and try to avoid his beautiful eyes. It didn't work and I saw his rare I'm only in my twenties and I'm in love smile, and I felt even more embarrassed at being the cause.
He was so handsome, I wondered how someone could be so important and special. He spoke to the crowd, catching everyone's attention.
Andy looked around and talked into the microphone that stood, attached to the stand and he talked like he was born to be important. It made me realize how famous he was, just that aura he had when he was in business mode. I didn't pay attention to what he was saying and instead watched his lips move and his shirt wrinkle as he leaned forward a little. "... Thank you." He ended his speech and stepped away, suddenly earning a booming amount of applause and flashes illuminated his face all over as people took their pictures. They adored him.
"He's so hot." Someone beside me groaned and looked at me, eyes widening in fear and I only laughed.
"He's alright." I joked, seeing her lighten up and look to her friends to ask them if they saw what just happened.
I watched Andy walk out the auditorium with someone I remembered being his P.A.. We were in there for a couple more hours and soon some were able to go to lunch. I had B lunch, so I had to wait in the auditorium along with some others. Connor and Cole found me and sat next to me. "Erin won't come over here." One of them said, and I couldn't tell which one because I was too busy watching my handsome teacher glare at the students around him. Mr. Joseph stepped forward and I saw a respectful man appear inside of him. But he was still irritated by others. Mr. Joseph seemed to speak to him about work, and grasped Mr. Grant's attention.
I looked back at my friends who sat next to me and spoke of something I wasn't aware of. "Your man looked very... Professional up there." Cole said with a raised eyebrow.
I blushed. "I had no idea he'd be here." I said in honesty, annoyed at how he didn't tell me that same morning. And how stupid I was for not using my common sense.
Andy came back in and stood in poise beside the line of people who already spoke, almost right beside Mr. Grant.
I watched someone next to Andy begin to make conversation and the man looked starstruck. Andy just stood there, speaking perfectly and looking so superior. He didn't even try. Superior pose, straight back but he looked so natural, hands behind his back, moving as he talked every once in a while.
"I see you staring at him." Connor teased and nudged me.
I looked back at my friends and ignored Connor's comment. "Did Erin say why?"
Cole let out a sigh. "No. She just said she doesn't want to. I think she went home."
I crossed my arms and legs. "Why didn't we go home?" I huffed out.
They rolled their eyes. "Okay, what's with you two?" Cole asked suddenly, and I felt worry pound my heart. That was similar to the question Erin asked, and the outcome of that was her being angry with me.
"What do you mean?"
"It might just be me, but it seems like both of you have been really... upset lately."
I gave him a casual smile and shook my head. "It's just you-"
"It's not just you-" Connor said in sync with me.
Then they both gave me a look that said, start talking. I just stared back, speechless. I was so sick of keeping thing from people, because in honesty it brings me nowhere but into the dirt. Luckily I was saved by the bell that indicated B lunch was starting.
I immediately stood up and weaved around people, getting to the doors which were beside Mr. Grant. My nerves jumbled ridiculously and to make matters worse, Andy called my name as soon as I made awkward and uncomfortable eye contact with my calc teacher, while Mr. Joseph spoke to him. It seemed he wasn't paying much attention, since his semi-calm expression changed to a death-eating glare, and I watched his jaw tense.
I froze as everyone rushed past me, me not knowing what to do.
It was honestly the most attention Mr. Grant had payed to me in weeks. I hated how my heart still beated quickly by looking at him, by being in his sight. I prayed he'd look away when Andy came to me, but he didn't. I saw it in his eyes, the self-loathsome man who was angry with me and himself for giving in. For hurting himself by watching.
I broke the three-second eye contact- though it felt like forever- I had with the teacher and met my man's eyes. "Why didn't you tell me?" I immediately asked and he grinned, looking very unbusiness-like. Unprofessional and instead young and free.
"I wanted to see your beautiful eyes glare at me in surprise." He said, taking my face in his hands shamelessly. He was completely careless to the others around us, careless that I was so much younger than him, that I was still in high school.
"You're stupid." I said with a blush, and he chuckled, taking my hand and exiting.
I felt the aura of intensity as he barely brushed by Mr. Grant who was still standing. Still staring and still glaring. I began to throb in pain at the sudden cluster of memories that hit me aggressively.
"Do you like him, Diana?"
The first time we both told each other our feelings. Only then, it was like a small crush. A fling then, and we should've just ended it then. Maybe it'd save us pain.
But it was too late for that, and I walked out of the building with Andy and breathed in the fresh air. It felt so good to be out of that tense room and next to Andy, who kissed me, knowing he could since we were out of sight.
I wound my fingers through his hair and pulled him closer to me. I ridded myself of my own self hatred at being such a heartless bitch. I made myself feel like I needed Andy to fix my problems, to forget Charlie. Charlie was gone- he was now back to Mr. Grant, and being reminded of that killed me.
We both had an hour of freedom, Andy and I, because C lunch was right after and it was pointless to go back inside the auditorium to walk around and talk to a bunch of strangers who bragged about their careers. We ate at his house and he drove us back. We walked in and it seemed empty, but because everyone was getting their directions in the auditorium.
Some of the teachers went into their rooms with the special guests, and Andy had to go back to his P.A. while I stopped by my English teacher's room.
"I almost forgot you needed help, right?" I said apologetically when I walked in, seeing her look up from her phone and smile in a friendly way.
"Yes! I only need you to make some copies for me." She said, handing me a stack of papers with the copy code on the top.
I went to the copy room and banged on the machine before, knowing it was easily jammed, and I didn't know how to work the new one that face the wall adjacent to the wall I faced. I was about ten minutes into copying when Andy suddenly walked in.
"What are you doing?" I asked, seeing him hold a small stack of papers, too.
"Making copies." He said, actually sounding a little excited.
"You don't need Mary to do that for you?" I joked, knowing his P.A. did practically everything for him.
"I can do things myself." he said back defensively, stepping closer, his chest brushing mine.
I laughed at him, knowing he had no idea what he was doing. "You don't know how to make copies." I guessed.
Andy gently shushed me and set the papers on the table next to the machine. I leaned back against the copier as he pressed forward, one hand at my waist and the other in my hair and he caught my lips, kissing me slowly. I felt his hand move from my hair and I wrapped my arms around his neck, fingers in his hair and it felt so romantic. I almost forgot we were in a copy room until the sound of the door handle clicking back pulled the two of us apart.
With Andy's arms still around my waist I turned to see Mr. Grant standing stock still, eyes burning into mine, it took a lot in me to suppress the feared shiver.
I saw the frustration in his eyes and it was obvious to me that I was the person he both least expected and didn't want to see.
He moved to the copy machine facing the other wall and Andy let go of me. I could've sworn the two men exchanged a casual nod before he moved.
I tried to suppress the shakiness in my hands as I continued with copies for Mrs. Joy. Andy just stood by me, watching me. The machine eventually stopped- like it always does- and I huffed, banging on it again. Andy snickered at me and I elbowed him. "At least I know how to make copies." I told him, heat surrounding me from the embarrassment I felt. I wasn't even sure why I was embarrassed, I just was.
"She doesn't do everything for me." He said, talking about his P.A..
I rolled my eyes. "Mmhm." I banged my fist once more against the copier.
"I mean it, I can do things myself." He defended with a small childish tone.
"Like make your own coffee?" I said, seeing him narrow playful eyes on me and he pressed his forehead to mine- having me secretly be thankful Mr. Grant's back was to us and he couldn't see.
"You know I'd change that for you." He said, talking about his life. "Everything, just say it and I'll do it."
I wished he'd stop talking, because I almost felt the other man's anger behind me. It made me realize I was in a small room with two of the men I loved. I was dying inside. "I know, Andy." I said back softly, wishing my voice didn't work.
After the moment of intimacy, I banged in the printer again and wanted nothing but to escape that room. "It won't work." I grumbled nervously, then grabbed everything I had. "I'll just do it later."
"I need mine finished in five," Andy said, and it was the most uncomfortable thing I had to witness, when Mr. Grant turned around to face Andy and I.
"I've got it." He said darkly, casually, and Andy handed him the papers.
"Thank you so much." Andy said back, business-mode turned on by habit.
Mr. Grant just gave him a small nod and turned to get back to his work. I just wanted to get out of there, so I quickly did, Andy behind he.
"I have to go back to Mary. She picked up things I have to sign." He told me.
I sighed. "You know, I find myself wishing you weren't so important to other people." I said with a sigh.
"Trust me, I wish that at times, too." He kissed me. "I'll see you in a little bit. I love you."
"I love you." I breathed out as he walked away. I felt alone again, and walked back to Mrs. Joy to tell her that the copies weren't working.
The day seemed to last longer, and when my last period came up, it seemed I had the worst luck of all. Andy. He was one of the guests in my eighth period and I wanted nothing but to scream out in frustration. Instead I kept calm and talked to Toby after he approached me.
"Do you know what's going on with Erin?" He randomly asked.
I raised an eyebrow. "No. Why?"
He shrugged and I suddenly got it. It was weird, too. Erin hated his guts, while he obviously had something for her. "Wait..." I said slowly and he shook his head.
"No, I know where you're going. Please don't."
I gasped quietly, staring at him in awe. "You've got a thing for Erin?" I saw him frown and turn away, embarrassment seeming to eat him up and I laughed, for the first time in a while not forcing it. It was actually adorable, watching Toby stand up in frustration. I grabbed his hand so he wouldn't leave, but I couldn't yet bring it in me to stop laughing. Finally when I did he didn't look at me. "Toby you idiot, why do you like to annoy her?"
The bell rung and Andy walked in with his business suit and expression. "We'll talk about this later." Toby grumbled, leaving to sit down in his seat.
It was so awkward. To me only, of course, but with Mr. Grant having to introduce Andy, it made me want to leave and never go back.
But to shorten things up, I was able to breathe when school was over.