***Chapter Forty-Eight***
"Annabelle, you didn't tell me your sister was coming or you had one!" Juliana yelled at me as we put on our shirts.
She was so dramatic sometimes it killed me. However, I didn't tell her Tara would be here because I didn't know that myself. It was the very last minute at a very horrible breakfast. Juliana was only freaking out over the shirt situation, which didn't matter. Tara was only here to see the campus and enjoy the show. She didn't need one but left it to Juliana to have a backup plan. Everything had to be perfect for her.
Rolling my eyes, I put my shirt on not seeing the problem. "Relax, Julie. She doesn't need one." I warn her.
"Nonsense, I already made an extra one anyway." She tosses it to her. It didn't have a name on the back, but it was good enough.
Tara looked at all our shirts beaming. "Who's Keegan?" She asked out loud.
Dillon smirked before answering her. "Anna's boy toy," she cooed.
Keegan was not my boy toy. I happen to like him very much. We talked nearly every day since our date even without seeing each other. Our connection was otherworldly, but unfortunately for Keegan, Drew had a tight grip on my heart. I didn't want to hurt anybody, especially not Keegan. I couldn't control my emotions though. Luckily, he hasn't been able to tell that I feel anything toward Drew. He thinks he's just my very annoying friend. Which that is true.
Rolling my eyes, I look to Tara to explain the truth. "He's not my boy toy. He's someone I'm talking to genuinely." I argue. More to myself than to them.
Tara raised a brow but didn't delve too deep. "You all have names on your back," she noticed. "I'm assuming each one is your boyfriend's?"
"That would be correct." Dillon crossed her arms. "Her right there, that's Drew's girlfriend."
It clicked for Tara once she saw his name on her back. "And he's only the greatest boyfriend ever!" Julie gushed.
That couldn't be argued with by me. Drew did seem like he would make a great boyfriend. The number of things he's taken me to do were so romantic. Not only was it romantic but Drew is a naturally sweet guy. You wouldn't expect that judging from his outside appearance. He looked mean and like he didn't want to be around anybody. However, that was further from the truth. Though, if Julie knew what he'd been up to in her absence, her tune would change. Drastically.
Tara said nothing else before giving me the eye. I ignored it because I told her we couldn't talk about anything to do with Drew in front of Julie. Instead, we focused on getting ready for the show so we would make it there on time. The front row called our names as we made it there before most of the school showed up. It gave us a great view of the stage and I was excited to see everyone who signed up.
As soon as the auditorium was mostly full, the talent commenced. Performance after performance was pretty good. There was dancing, singing, comedy, you name it! It's the most interesting thing I've seen at this school all day. Tara looked to be having a good time too and that was what I wanted. After that horrible breakfast, we both needed something fun like this. It certainly helped form a bond between us.
After almost an hour, it was the boy's turn to go up on stage. I could hear the muffled chatters of everyone surprised to see them come out as a full group. Usually, it was one or two people up on stage together, but this time was different. It definitely got people talking and interested as they wore some form of black and yellow. They were taking this hive thing seriously. It worked in their favor though.
Almost everyone started taking out their phones to record as Dre counted them in. Once he did, it was like the whole room exploded. They sounded great together. The cohesiveness was stellar and they all had this wonderful stage presence about them. With Drew's voice and the backing vocals of everyone else, the whole school was nearly out of their seats. Despite being a love song, people still seemed to love it. Including us! It was great for being a talent show performance. I could only imagine what it would be like if they ever got the chance to perform elsewhere.
As the song ended, the crowd erupted into cheers and whistles. The loudest coming from us. The look on their faces told me how proud they were that they did this and although there was no prize involved, you can tell people loved them the most. It's hard to beat out a literal band if you could even call them that. I'm just glad they had fun.
Once it was over, we met up with them outside though it was hard to get to them. There were people lining up to take pictures of them or to say how awesome they were even though it was nothing. They weren't even famous but will definitely be popular in the school. Even Keegan and he didn't go here. It's safe to say that I'm going to benefit from being friends with these guys.
Finally getting a breakthrough, we each congratulated them as I hug Keegan for the first time all day.
"You were amazing out there," I compliment. "How do you make playing the guitar look so sexy?" I whisper.
He chuckled, leaving a soft kiss on my cheek. "Oh, stop it you." I can see him blush. "It was a good time though. With more practice, I'll be a pro."
I laugh before turning to my sister. "Keegan, this is my stepsister, Tara." I introduce him.
He looked surprised but smiled. "Hey, I'm Keegan if you couldn't tell."
Tara's eyes widen. "Damn, he's hot." She whistles.
Keegan laughed as I rolled my eyes at her silliness. Keegan was very gorgeous. It's definitely hard not to look at him and swoon. Especially with his body being built the way it is. Your eyes are immediately drawn to him in whatever he wears. The way his shirts hug his torso it's hard to miss his bugling arms and gigantic pecs. Keegan was just so damn good looking and yet, I still couldn't get over Drew.
"So are we going out to dinner or what? I'm starving." Dre asked.
"I can't, I have to be at work now," Keegan declined. "But let me know if we're doing this seriously I'm totally still down." Everyone said goodbye to him as he left me with a tight squeeze before running to his car.
The next person who had to leave was Tara because Cecilia was waiting right after the talent show was over. I didn't bother to say anything to Cecilia but told Tara she was welcome to come here whenever she wanted. She was truly my only concern and would be the only one I'd buy a gift for the holidays coming up. We had a good time together today and we have many more of those to come.
Now after we weeded out the weaklings, we headed to get some pizza because it was quick. We ate there too talking about the performance and if they wanted to try to make something out of this. I thought it would be a good idea given how well they sounded. They also just built up a fanbase at our school. They should use it to their advantage and put on more shows. At least on campus. With people recording, one of the videos had to fall into the right hands eventually. Anyone would be dumb to pass them up.
After our pizza dinner, Cameron and Kayla headed back to Cameron's dorm to do god knows what. Julie had to get some sleep before her dance practice tomorrow and didn't leave without planting a heavy kiss on Drew's lips. It only bothered me this time because when she was finished, she looked at me with a smile. I'm not sure what that was about, but my problem lies with Dillon.
"You can go sleep in Dre's bed, for tonight." She said. "It's only one night."
She wanted me to go sleep in Dre and Drew's dorm so Dre could sleep with her. Normally, I'd think nothing of it, but I would be in a room with Drew. What if Juliana decided to come in the middle of the night and see me there? She would lose her mind even though nothing would be happening. However, I'm not positive she wouldn't walk into something. Drew and I had a habit of doing the unexpected.
I pout, not liking this idea. "Please don't make me do this," I begged. "I'll face the wall."
"Fine, but I don't want to hear any complaining about the noises you may hear." She shrugged.
My face was mortified. "Eww, never mind just go. But you owe me."
She smiled before running to grab Dre. Then there was me and Drew left. Seeing as I had nowhere else to go, I had no choice but to walk to his dorm with him. I didn't even get a chance to grab a change of clothes before she decided on this. Thankfully, tomorrow was Sunday and I didn't need to be at class. However, it still bothered me that I now had to go sleep in the room with Drew. It's not like when he was sick. This time was different. He was completely healthy and I didn't know what to expect.
Getting to his room, I idly sit on Dre's bed not knowing what to do. Drew noticed this and opted to fix my awkwardness. I don't even know why I was acting this way. Normally, I'd be fine but I think everyone was starting to get to my head. As if Drew would ever leave Juliana for me. It's such an unrealistic dream that I wanted it to be true so badly. Sadly, that was never happening but it didn't stop Drew from being close to me.
Not bothering to change, he pulled out his laptop before searching for a movie. "Come on, get over here." He said making space on his bed for me.
I was hesitant, but eagerly climbed on the other side of his bed by the wall. "Do you always watch movies at night?" I asked him as he set his laptop up on his lap.
He nods, opening his bedside drawer. "Want a snack?" He asks another question chewing on some gummies.
Shaking my head, he settles himself turning off the light next to him. I try to get comfy too, but the thought of being so close to Drew drives me insane. We were in his room alone with no one to interrupt us. There were so many things we could be doing right now and instead, we were watching a movie. It killed me sometimes how innocent I was with opportunities like this at my feet. Would he even want to do something like that at a time like this? Knowing Drew he'd be ok with anything as long as I was comfortable.
Suddenly, Drew turns his head toward me with a soft smile. "You know, I'm starting to like Dre staying with Dillon." He says.
I chuckled. "Why's that?" I ask him curious to hear his answer.
"Because that means you get to come stay with me." He smiles brighter, the computer screen lighting up his eyes.
My cheeks blush, but I look away so he can't see. "You do realize what they're doing in there, right?" I just had to tease him.
His face drops. "Dude, come on that's my sister." He sounded grotesque just thinking about it.
I laugh with a slight shrug of my shoulders. "Sorry, I just thought I'd point that out."
He laughed with me before draping his arm around me. My body tensed up with him tugging me closer to his side. I kept my arms crossed so as to not let my hands roam against his torso. If I did that, I don't think I'll be able to control myself. Not when were isolated like this with no chance of anyone catching us. It was pretty late at night with everyone having plans of their own. This was the perfect opportunity for Drew and I to get more physical but we wouldn't. More like I wouldn't let us.
Pulling me as close as he could, Drew sighed quite loudly too. "Annabelle, relax don't be afraid." He tried calming me.
My lips pout with frustration. "But...but what if I can't control myself?" I avoid looking up at him.
"There's nothing for you to control," he chuckles. "Just rest on me."
I'm still apprehensive. "I'm not sure Drew," I say, the nerves coursing through me.
His other hand finds my face, making me look at him with those beautiful green orbs fixed on mine. "I promise it's ok." He reassured me. "I only bite if you tell me to, you know that."
He did have a point there. Drew only ever did things I allowed him to do. Whether it was a kiss or more. He wouldn't try to force me into anything. That was something I knew, but was still nervous. It's not often that we come to his room alone like this. I'm more so afraid of what I might start but can't finish adequately. Making things turn even more awkward rather quickly. As much as it would be nice to experience everything Drew has to offer, I still didn't feel like I was enough for him. Or even ready that matter.
Still, I took a deep breath before letting my hand rest on his immaculate chest. Soon, my head followed right after as I feel him snuggle me tighter. The small smile on my face never left though I barely remember anything as my eyes shut after a while.