I was walking to the gym when I spotted Brandon leaning on a pole staring at something... or rather someone intently.

I walked towards him and followed his train of sight just to see he was staring at the cheerleading team. Specifically at Gail and Carol. Actually one of them, I just couldn't figure out who among the two he was staring at.

"So you like her huh."

I said hoping he'll tell me just who he's been staring at so fixedly.

"Who?"

"You know, one of the two."

I said staring back at them. They were being told something by Ashley. Probably some instructions considering they're all cheerleaders.

"You wish. I don't like girls whatsoever. You know one night stands work for me." He said looking back at me.

"Yeah right. That's why you're here staring so intensely at some random girl. Because you want some night stand with her, sounds logical enough."

"Don't get sarcastic with me Raymond."

He said with a small smile.

"Well, just tell me already. Carol or Gail?"

"You want to know that bad?" He asked and I nodded eagerly.

"Fine, I'll make you a deal."

I can't help but groan. "Seriously?"

"Yeah seriously."

"Fine, what do you want?"

"How about you start by telling me what exactly is going on with you and that Dylan guy." He said catching me off guard. I clearly didn't expect him to ask something that...personal.

"There's nothing going on between him and I." I said not meeting his eyes.

"I'm no fool Alice. You think I don't see the way he keeps cornering you as if he owns you? And it's not like I'll run to Austin blabbering to him whatever you tell me. He can go fuck himself."

He smirks at me and I chuckle at his last statement.

"Fine, I'll tell you."

He smiled while I got right into it. I told him from how he approached me at Jestanilao. I told him how Dylan took me out on dates and basically did everything he could to get me to fall for him. I spared him all the boring details of my supposed relationship with Dylan. I told Brandon that I ended up sleeping with Dylan. And before I knew it, I was done telling him the unfortunate events that happened after.

"Story of my life." I concluded beating myself up as to why I slept with him.

"You're not blaming yourself are you?"

He asks saying something for the very first time since I started narrating my story.

"Like there's anyone else to blame. If I'd known he wasn't serious about me then I wouldn't have to beat myself up with the fact that that asshole took my innocence."

"I'm sorry. What happened to you was unfortunate, but you don't have to beat yourself up for it. There's no way you would've known it was all a bet when he was anything but good to you."

He said reassuringly and I almost forgot I was talking to Brandon. He's the last person I'd expect to hear those words from but I guess life has a funny way of proving me wrong.

"I know. But you have no idea how much I hate that guy. You won't understand how my blood boils every time I see him. Even more so when he's near me. And if there's any other guy out there fooling a girl because of a bet, I hate him just as much."

I said with disgust. People like Dylan honestly don't deserve to feel loved or pampered for any reason. They just need to be loathed until they start to live in guilt for the rest of their lives.

I glanced at Brandon just to find him lost in his own thoughts. His face looked troubled and I wondered what it is I said that seemed to have troubled him so much.

"Brandon!" I called him snapping him out of whatever he was thinking about.

"Are you alright?"

I asked and he shook his head as if to rid himself of some bad thoughts.

"Ahhhmm, yeah. I'm alright. My word... this is bad." I heard him mutter.

"What's bad?"

"Nothing, just forget it." He replied hastily. Why is he acting so weird? I decide not to push it.

"So tell me, who's it? Gail or Mensia?"

He groans making me smile. "Why should I tell you again?"

"Because we made a deal dump ass."

"Well... it's Gail." He said finally.

It's too bad, we ain't in good terms, I could help the guy out since it's clear he doesn't have the guts to approach Gail. But since we don't talk anymore, he's on his own.

"She is beautiful. You could try your luck."

I said honestly. Gail truly is beautiful. But I'm not so sure she's ready to commit to anyone just yet. That must be fine since Brandon doesn't-

"I'm...I'm so sorry Alice." Brandon said interrupting my thoughts.

"For what?"

"I just hope you won't hate me that much when you find out."

After saying that, Brandon walked away without explaining what he was talking about. I mean, why exactly would Brandon Mendez apologise to me? What is it I'm yet to find out?

                                           °°°

"I'm going with you." Austin said as he approached my beautiful car and I.

"Say what now?"

"Just what you heard. I'm going with you." He said getting into the passenger seat. He slammed the door shut and I wondered why he was so pissed.

"What for?"

"Just get in and drive."

I sighed before getting in.

"Can't I go over to my girlfriend's house? You come over to mine all the time." He said as I started the engine and drove out of the school.

"The thing is Austin, sometimes I forget we are supposed to be dating." I lied getting the reaction I wanted. I saw him glaring at me from the corner of my eye.

"Ouh really! Is that why you were flirting with Eric in class today? Because you forgot we're supposed to be dating?"

He lashed out catching me off guard. But I still couldn't help laughing at him.

"We weren't flirting." I said failing to hide my smile.

"Yes you were. You were pulling his cheeks, he even covered your mouth when you laughed. You were practically all over each other and if that isn't flirting then I don't know what it is."

He said making me grin even more.

"Dude you're jealous." I said amused.

Why the hell did this feel so good?

"You were flirting with him." He said ignoring me.

"You aren't even denying it." I said taking a glance at him. He just snorted and turned away to stare outside the window.

Maybe Austin really does care for me more than he'd like to let on. I decided to stop messing with him now.

"We're here." I said stopping the car in the hotel's parking lot.

"You're staying in a hotel?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah, I moved out Saturday."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because there's nothing you could've done." I said truthfully as I unlocked the door to my hotel room.

"I thought we were friends." He said jumping on the bed the moment we got inside.

"Right we're just friends." I said a little disappointed. Am I really stupid to want something more with him? I don't think we're just friends. So he shouldn't either.

"Don't tell me you want something more than friendship. If it's a fling you want, I can offer that. Friends with benefits maybe?"

He said moving to sit on the bed. What did he say? Friends with benefits?

"What do you take me for Austin? I thought we were past you acting like an asshole after we accomplish something. You said you cared about me."

I said getting pissed. Does he think I'm that cheap that I'd want to get involved sexually with someone and not be in a relationship with them?

"I care about you. It doesn't mean anything else. And I'm not acting like a jerk, I'm just saying the truth. I don't do relationships, you know that."

He said and I closed my eyes to take a deap breath.

"Why is that? You've never even dated, so how can say you don't do relationships when you've never even tried?"

I probed.

"Don't even go there Ali. I'm not interested in being committed to some dump boring girl when I can have whoever I want. Reason enough. Can we move on from this?"

He snapped. I don't even know how but his words got to me a whole lot more than I'd like. I feel like I'm the one being referred to as dump and boring.

"I always knew I was way out of your league. I don't even know how I let myself like a jerk ass like you."

I blurted out surprising myself more than I did him. Did I just say I like him? Alice you're so dump. So stupid. I didn't just admit to myself that I liked him, I told him right in his face. I quickly turned away not wanting to see his face.

"Did you just say you like me?"

He asked and from how close his voice sounded, he was standing right behind me.

"I'm talking to you Ali." He said turning me around so I face him.

"Yes I did. I like you okay? I don't know how it happened but I do. Go ahead reprimand me for being such a fool."

I said staring at him as he ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"Yes you are a fool. You were the one who labelled me as a man whore Ali. You were that one girl who threw my playboy character right in my face. And despite knowing I have nothing to offer other than sex, you end up liking me. Yes you are a fool!"

He said bringing me close to tears.

"Ouh really? I'm the fool? You are the one who drove me home the day of our detention. You're the one who told me I was the first girl you apologised to. You are the one who comforted me when l came to your house. You treated my damn wounds. You kissed me and told me you felt the attraction I did. You were basically nice to me and you tell me it's my fault I like you? If you hadn't asked me to fake date you for your mom than I wouldn't have started to like you.

"If you're known as such an asshole, why didn't you just act like one the whole damn time instead of acting as if you liked me too. For goodness sake you got in a fight for me. And a while ago you were busy acting like a typical jealous boyfriend in my car Austin. You're the only reason why I like you. So don't you dare tell me I'm the fool!"

I shouted at him with all the frustration I had in me. It's all his damn fault I'm going to have my heart broken. For a moment, his face looked pained and regretful before he cleared all emotions out of his face.

"It was all part of a bet." He said quietly. Too quietly I wouldn't have caught the words if I wasn't looking at him so carefully.

"What?"

I asked not getting what he meant.

"You liking me, we bet on it. If I got you to like me, Eric is supposed to give me cash and Brandon his motorbike."

He said looking anywhere but at me. My heart constricted in a way I didn't think it could after all I've gone through.

I felt my heart shattering into pieces as Austin's words registered painfully in my chest.

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