Chapter 17: The Disciplinary Hearing

I just slept, not wanting to think more.

The next day I got ready and went to college. Lucas was not there; I directly went to my class.

"What have you decided?" Noah asked suddenly as I entered the class.

"Hm?" I couldn't understand so quickly. "Oh that.. Well..."

"Answer me!" he said.

"Well.. I can't blame him you know.." I said.

He didn't say anything and went out of the class. I went to my seat and sat down.

Noah's POV:

I was angry. Angry on her stupidity. I then went to look for Lucas. He was with his friend.

"Hey Bro" He said with a smirk again.

"Why did you blame her for your shit?" I asked.

"Well I didn't, she took the blame deliberately" he said.

"Lucas. Step back before this matter goes worse" I warned him.

"Oh really, Noah?" Liam said.

Liam. His best friend. As shitty as Lucas.

"Take the blame back" I said.

"And what if we don't?" Lucas asked.

"If you don't, then see this" I called Charlotte.

To be honest, it was a fake number. I just saved it with Charlotte's name.

"Hey! Cut the call" Lucas yelled. I cut it immediately.

"What happened??" I asked.

"Don't call her... I'm telling you... If you hurt her feelings.. Then you'll regret it" he said.

"Then don't hurt Astrid!" I shouted.

"But She has to take this blame. Although, I can say that I made her angry and thus we can share the punishment"

"Whatever... Don't let her parents be called" I said and left.

The day ended, and we didn't talk at all. With we, I was talking about Astrid and me.

Astrid's POV:

I went home, did my assignments and my daily chores, and went to sleep. The next day is going to be miserable.

The next day, I woke up early than usual. I think I'm too worried. I can't sleep properly. I went to school. The hearing started. Suddenly, Lucas entered the office.

"Sir, this all happened because I made her angry" he said.

I was shocked. How can he take the blame? What if he gets punished?

The 'sir' started shouting on him too. At the end, we both were punished. Luckily, my parents were not called.

"Thank you Lue" I said.

"Welcome Ari" He said and came close. My breath stopped as he came closer. He kissed a little on my cheek which made me have goosebumps.

"Lue.." I said. Actually, he knows I don't want him to be so near to me. And today.. He kissed me. It doesn't matter that it was on cheeks, but still.

"Well you can beat me, but I can't control me" he said.

I laughed on that.

Noah's POV:

I have to make sure he doesn't do that again. I can't see her being punished with no fault.

I called Lucas.

"Oh Wow. You dialed the wrong number" Lucas said.

"I didn't. I want to talk to you, scoundrel"

"Oh really, then speak!" he said.

"Don't do that to Astrid" I said.

"Hm well she loves me. You can't stop her" he said.

"That's the point. She loves you. Don't play with her feelings"

"Oh god. Don't go too deep. If I don't do that, how will I get to do whatever I like and get someone to take my blames?"

"So.. You just want someone to take your blames?"

"Yeah"

"Okay fine. I promise.. I'll take blames for whatever you do, but on one condition"

"What?"

"You'll make sure she doesn't get into any trouble"

"Huh? You're asking your enemy to take care of his enemy?"

"Please"

"Fine Helpless Noah" he laughed off.

I cut my phone in anger. No, I've never been this embarrassed or this helpless. But this time.. There's someone I can't risk.

I laid down on my bed. My phone started ringing.

'Xander' the name read.

"Hey Xan" I said.

"What did you say to Lucas?"

"Why?"

"He told me that you.. You stopped fighting and that you agreed to take his blames.." he said.

"Xan.. Actually.."

"Is it true?"

"Yes"

"I never expected that Noah"

"Xan.. Actually.."

"Do you like her?" he asked out of the blue.

"What?"

"I asked do you like her?"

"Why?"

"Because you're risking your self-respect and that's not what you do"

"But" I said "Noah. How can you just surrender?"

"But"

"You're letting him win!"

"But"

"Noah!! Wake up. You have to punish him. Punish him for disrespecting all those girls. For... Astrid"

"Okay Xan. I got it."

"But what now?" Xan asked.

"Now.. I have to take the blames"

"What if your parents come to know about it? Do you know what will happen?"