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"Andre's not answering his phone." Marie says, stepping back into the living room, eyes landing on me. Well, no shit.

She told me in a hurry on the way over, which already feels like twenty hours ago, that something happened to his dad and they left in an ambulance. He's at the hospital.

"No."

"Iliana." Marie tilts her head. "Please. He'll answer you."

My anger fused towards him was draining to the point where I had almost nothing left.

"How could you?"

"What do you want me to say, Iliana?!" Anything? Like maybe a fucking explanation of how he could do that to Luke, out of all people? Luke?!

"We need him." Marie voices, snapping me from my thoughts. But why must it always fall upon me? "And you're the only one who can get him."

"That's such an ugly ass statue."

"Yeah. That's my dad."

"Oh, shit."

"Nah, you're right."

"Okay, Magnet."

"Magnet?"

"Magnet." I smile.

His eyes light up."Magnet. I dig it. Guess I should call you something then, huh?"

"Goldie and Magnet. Partners in crime."

"What if I can't be what everyone wants me to be?" What if I'm not... straight? I want to say, but I can't seem to force the words beyond my throat, so they don't reach my tongue, or my lips.

"Then don't be. Who gives a fuck?"

A small smile makes it way onto my lips.

"I know what it's like to feel... that way."

"Like your heads gonna explode, and you feel like everyones eyes are constantly watching you? Analyzing your next move?"

"Yeah. But, my dad."

"Do you think Andre Anderson is gonna make it very far?" Brink asks.

"I do."

"Without that B-List father of his, that kid isn't making it far."

"Why? Cause he's different?"

I think that's why Jordan and Andre get along so well. They're both in the top ten, but never on top. They both feel pressure and are looked at differently in many ways, used as toys and prizes for the University. But when they're together, they never expect anything out of each other, and they can just be different.

"What if I'm different?" I ask Brink.

"You are, dear girl. You stand out from every other student, and Supe." His hand lands on my leg. "But you will stand out in a way others won't. You will shine like gold, Golden Girl." I hate that name. "But you will not be so different that you aren't desired. Do you understand?"

"What if I wanted to light this entire school up, and never look back?" I look at Andre, sighing as I lean my head against his arm.

"Than I'd say hell yeah, and be right there by your side." He says immediately, no hesitation.

He may not always see eye to eye with his dad, but he's gonna be there for him, because that's just who Andre is. Will he be by my side if I need to light up the entire campus, or The Woods... or Cate?

A week ago I would have said yes. But now?

I glance over at Jordan watching me intently, like I'm a damn about to break. They nod subtly. How can Jordan forgive me if I can't forgive Andre? How could Luke always seem for forgive everybody? How can I forgive myself? For everything I've done?

Forgiveness has to earned.

And Cate will never earn mine.

But Andre didn't kill Luke. He betrayed Luke. But then he lost him, too. And he has to live with that for the rest of his life... and so will I?

So why should I have to punish him for it?

The answer is I don't. But I have to look past it. I have to look past Jordan's hurt. And their words. Can I look past what Sam will do?

Something's you just can't forgive... is that how Jordan feels about me? Will it kill me to find out? Will it kill me to call Andre?

I decide to send a text, that way he has to read it when it pops up on his screen, whether he wants to or not.

goldie
andre, magnet... pls, pls read this

we need your help, we need you here.

"Done." I sigh, looking up at everybody staring at me. "I texted him."

"Thank you." Marie nods, sighing. "I know that wasn't easy."

What is? I lick my lips, hoping he sees it in time...

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"I'm missing a farm to table fuckfest at Ina and Jeffery's to be at this board meeting, but someone has to save this fucking place." Ashley snips. "All right, I don't know where the fuck Indira is, so let's just start this fucking meeting." She raises her brows, taking a seat. "Golden Boy is fertilizing the lawn. Golden Girl has lost her damn mind and is gonna need major pr." She refers to the viral kiss with Jordan. "Application rates are down. Neuman's town hall was a shit show." Ashley continues on, listing off all the fucking problems in the world that seemed completely meaningless to anyone literally anyone else right now. "We need a big fucking distraction. Let's send someone straight to The Seven to tag along with Golden Girl. "Let's just go in order and see who will pair up with her best." She picks up the first file, Andre's. "GPA: fucking terrible." She reads off, even though it was a 3.3. "IQ: surprisingly good. Additional skills: British accent?" She glances up at the rest of the team in annoyance. "All right, who is pushing for this kid? Anyone?"

"Focus tests show him in the lead with the 12 to 18 demo. They think he seems like, quote, 'a real one.'" One of the women speak up.

"His on-screen skin color tests read a bit dark." One of the men comments.

"Then we'll get Annie fucking Leibovitz to shoot him, you racist shit." Ashely snaps.

"Polarity bran is consistent, though." The same woman who spoke before adds. "And he's been seen in Golden Girl's circle." She points out.

"All right, we will come back to him. Who's next? And seriously, where the fuck is Indira?" Ashley questions once again.

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𝟶ʙᴜᴛᴛᴇʀʙɪsᴄᴜɪᴛ𝟽 sᴘᴇᴀᴋs!

Hello, hellooo!! And welcome backkk!! Sorry this past week was so crazy busy lol & I wanted to save this chapter specifically for a special reason....

Yesterday marked one year since Chance passed away </3 This is chapter is dedicated to him & Andre as Andre & Iliana's friendship is so special to me & one of my favs I've ever written. I rlly can't believe it's already been one year & I'm seriously gonna miss him in season 2, I was rlly looking forward to seeing where his story continues. But for now, rest in peace Chance & thank you for giving us Andre aka Magnet<3

With that being saidddd, I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter!! I know Andre's been with his dad so he hasn't been in the past couple chaps, but I rlly enjoyed getting to write Iliana's reflection, thoughts, & feelings about him & their friendship since everything that happened/was revealed.

Also got some Ilordan crumbs... which I live, breathe, & feed off atp lmao. Andddd... Ilordan kiss at the party mentionnnn!!! They all know she's too popular, too important, & too powerful not to send to The Sevennn, BC ILIANA JUST IS THAT GIRL, but I feel like Ashley would sooo say that part about needing pr lmaooo.

Anywaysss, until next timeee!! And happy one day early year & three months to Golden Facadeee!! I hope y'all are ready for the absolute madness I have planned for the rest of this episode... bc shit's about to hit the fcking fannnn (as if it hasn't already... that should tell y'all enough hehe) AND THANK Y'ALL SO SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE STILL AFTER ALL THIS TIME & THANK YOU FOR 30K READSSS!! MWAH!! <333