“I thought you would be thrilled,” I said raising a brow at her outburst.
“Yeah no, I’ll pass. She’s weird. Have you seen the way she looks at me?”
“She’s just shy. Besides she needs friends.”
She snorted. “Yeah right. She’ll have friends when she stops being a total freak!”
She turned away to stop some of the girls from attempting a flip. “That’s enough, we will let you know if you made the team.” She looked over her shoulder at me. “Look, Bianca, you can’t convince me to let that girl on the team.”
“Not even for Andre? He loves his sister and I think getting close to her will increase your chances with him. Unless of course, you want Eva or Rebecca to swoop in for the kill.”
I had her full attention then. She came closer to whisper after a pause. “Do you really think that will boost my chances with him?”
Jesus, I don’t even know who is worse between her and her dad. They see everything as a business opportunity. It doesn’t matter how much blood you have flowing through your veins, to them you’re either an asset or a liability. That thought brought me up short and I found myself wondering if she wanted to date Andre now because he was the hot stuff or if she liked him. It won’t be the first time she’s done that. We had an ambassador’s son in our class in Senior Class 1 and according to sources I will not be revealing, apparently, the boy was not just an Ambassador’s son but also the next in line to the monarch seat of the country. Siobhan had swooped in for the kill before anyone else and you can guess how popular that made her in and outside school especially since she got to attend business dinners with her dad while clutching her beau’s hand. Now, what does Ignacio Rios have that makes Siobhan want to have his son?
“Hey, Bianca? Are you listening?”
I suddenly realized she was talking to me. I snapped out of my thoughts chastising myself. Come on, I scolded myself, Siobhan met Andre before he came to Edwin and Co. and she was already smitten. I’m sure she likes him for himself, his hotness, and his body – why am I thinking about his body?
“Yes I’m listening and yes it will help your chances. Now can she try?”
Before she could answer a loud bass filled the air. We all turned simultaneously to the edge of the field where the school band was lined up out of nowhere with their instruments, smiles on their faces.
Okay if there is one rule I know, the band isn’t allowed to perform or practice on Sundays because they are rest days.
“Hey,” I called out, ready to perform my duties as second in command of the school. “Where is your band captain? Did you not know that the band isn’t allowed to practice on Sunday?”
They suddenly started a rendition of Taylor Swift’s Don’t Blame Me.
“What the heck is wrong with them? What are they doing?” Eva asked beside me. At this point, all the cheerleaders and the newcomers were watching in confusion as the band continued to play.
“Don’t blame me, love made me crazy…”
“You should go find out why they are breaking the rules.”
“I intend to,” I responded, already marching toward the edge of the field when I stopped dead in my tracks. From behind the band came Andre and all the Class 3 boys. Aaron was smiling like a fool so I dare say that whatever this is he gave his approval. Well, then what the heck is going on?!
“Siobhan Grace Hayes,” the Senior Class 3 shouted over the band. The hostel doors had open now pouring out students who were wondering what all the commotion was all about.
I looked back and saw Siobhan watching with a smile on her face though her brow was furrowed in confusion.
Andre stepped forward and held up one of his hands, the other hand a bouquet of flowers, the band stopped. Grinning he cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled, “Will you be my girlfriend, Siobhan Grace Hayes?!”
A stunned wave swept through the field with almost all of Edwin and Co’s students watching on. Suddenly a loud cheer went through the crowd and everyone was cheering and hailing and clapping.
“Oh my God!”
“That was so romantic!”
“Ugh, the heart!”
From behind me came Siobhan’s quick and excited cheer. “Oh my…yes! Yes, I’ll be your girlfriend!”
She ran across the field and jumped into Andre’s arms. He caught her easily amidst the cheering, the music that started playing again, and cries of excitement, kissing her squarely on the mouth, one hand grabbing her butt.
“Oh my God, Andre,” she cried. “This is so romantic! How did you plan this?”
“Can’t take all the credit. It was mostly Bianca’s idea, except for the part where I asked you to be mine,” he laughed.
Did he just...? To say that I was stunned is an understatement. Too stunned to say anything or move. How…?
I suddenly found myself being lifted off the ground in strong arms. I looked down in my dazed state to see Aaron smiling up at me.
“This is such an amazing plan!”
“It is?” I asked still trying to process what was happening. Okay, so Andre somehow got Aaron’s approval to get the band to play a romantic song so he could ask Siobhan out. I understand that part.
“You are such a smart girl, aren’t you?”
“I am?” I asked.
Aaron released me but still held me close. “Yes duh! Andre told me this was all your plan. How did you come up with this? Now I have to try even harder to make ours special.” He planted a kiss on my forehead then my cheek and a quick one on my mouth.
I glanced at Andre who was still laughing with Siobhan as she clutched his neck for more kisses, his eyes found mine and he stared with a warning look in his eyes for a second before he closed them, bending slightly to kiss Siobhan again.
It was a long time till they both pulled apart, gasping for air. The whole school was still cheering. Aaron still had his hand around my waist. Eva was still seething at losing Andre to Siobhan. And I was still confused. Why the hell did Andre lie?