Chapter 13

Tricia's POV

“Uh?” I feigned surprise, hoping it'll confuse him.

“I saw him leave the room just now. What did he ask you?” He repeated, scornfully.

“Huh... Nothing really. He just wanted to know if I was okay..... You know, after the scare from Natalie,” I said, laughing nervously. Xander didn't seem to believe me, but since he didn't have any evidence to back up my claim, let it go.

“Are you sure?”

“Definitely...” I muttered. It took a while, but he eventually left the room. I waited till the coast was clear before freaking out.

Argh!! Why is my life so cruddy?! I just hope nobody finds out.

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Xavier's POV

I went out of school to meet my long-lost friend, Darren, who for some reason, decided to visit. I've missed him a lot. There he was, looking as handsome as ever, though I still beat him in looks, grinning happily as he saw me. He looked happier now after he left Ambrose high. I wish I was that happy.

“Hey, man! It's so glad to see you again! Two years is no joke!” He exclaimed as we hugged. Pulling away, he cocked his head to the side.

“So how's the Playboy doin'?” He asked, grinning.

“Shut up, retired Playboy frowned slightly, but sincerely I was glad to see him.

“Just joking... No qualms.”

“It's nice to see you again,” I said.

“It's nice to be here... Huh... Where's Xander?” He asked, looking around.

“Xander? He's not here....” I said perfunctorily.

“Why? Didn't you tell him I came back?” He asked, peering at me.

“Didn't have the time...” I muttered, trailing off.

He looked like he wanted to say more but stopped himself. He is one of the few people... Maybe the only one that knew about the scandal between Xander and me.

“Let's get out of here...I know you want to discuss.” I said, waving that issue.

“I sure do....” He grinned. We left the bus station to a much more suitable place, away from all the stares we were getting...

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“So, how's life in Ambrose high?” Darren asked after we settled in a restaurant, discussing after the waiter had taken out our order.

“Okay... At least” I muttered.

“Still on the same issue with Xander?” He asked, raising his brows. I sighed.

“Yeah... Still thinks I intentionally ' betrayed' him and hates me for that.”

“I don't know man; it's been two years... There has got to be an explanation for all of this.” Darren mused, lost in thought.

“Let's forget about that... What are you up to?” I asked.

“Me? Well, I'm on transfer, which means as from tomorrow I'll be attending Ambrose high school. It might be for a month or the rest of high school, it depends on how fun it is.”

“That's cool. I'll finally have someone genuine to talk to.”

"What about you? What have you been up to?”

“Well.....” I began. “There's a new girl in school, a crazy one at that. She's been causing havoc ever since she stepped foot into Ambrose high.”

“That sounds interesting..”

“There's more. Xander and I made a bet with her.” I announced.

“Really? What's the bet all about?” He asked, drawing himself closer.

“It sounds completely insane but the first person to win her heart gets to sleep with her,” I said.

“What! That's crazy?! And you agreed?”

“I had no choice okay, whether I liked it or not, I'll be dragged into it. You know how Xander is.”

“What's her name?” Darren asked, sipping his apple juice.

“Her name's Natalie. Natalie Maddox.” Darren choked on his juice, his face reddening.

“Hey? Are you okay? “I asked, passing him a napkin. He cleaned the spilled juice and his face, then turned to look at me, shock on his face.

“What did you say her name is again?”

“Natalie Maddox...” I repeated. Darren shocked me next by bringing out his phone and showing me a picture. It was Natalie in it. How the hell did he get this?

“You mean THIS Natalie Maddox?!” He asked, pointing at the picture.

“Yeah, how did you get this?...” He cut me off.

“No time for that, please tell me you said no,” he begged. I was dumbstruck. Why is Darren reacting this way?

“I already told you I had no choice. I agreed to it... Why are you reacting this way?”

“Remember the time my parents were complaining I was way too wayward and to punish me, sent me to an unknown town to get my ass whipped in shape?” He asked, his gaze on me.

“Yes I do, and when you came back, you said we were all living backward and stopped attending Ambrose high... What has that got to do with this?”

“Well, Xavier, that's where I first hand, met Natalie who, if I can fairly remember, was insane, and did a good job of whipping my ass. And am serious, that girl was the captain of the basketball team when I arrived, and she was totally not regarded as a girl!”

Wait... WHAT!?

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Darren's POV

“You're joking, right?” Xavier repeated disbelief in his voice.

“I'll be dead if I was. Hearing her name still freaks me out!” I exclaimed.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Did she attend school with a snake coiled around her neck? Or a spider in her bag?”

“Of course not!!”

“Well, my dear Xavier, that was a pretending Natalie. It's obvious she wasn't trying to get expelled on her first day... Wait a minute, how did she get into the school in the first place?”

“How am I supposed to know that?”

“I don't even care about that. Just stop whatever you have with Natalie. Except a miracle happens, it will not end well... Believe me.”

“But I can't!”

“What do you mean, you can't? Just tell her you're backing down on the bet, it won't remove any hair on your head!”

“You don't get it, Darren, do you? Xander has lived for this moment. He sees it as a perfect way to get his revenge since the reason we are this way is because of a girl!”

Shit! Xavier is right, Xander won't back down... This is messed up.

“If you don't find a way to end this, she'll leave you in more mess than Lucy ever did,” I warned.

Xavier sat back in his chair, lost in thought. I waited painstakingly.

“I want to, I swear I want to, but I can't. It's just a matter of time till we graduate from high school and if this isn't fixed, Xander might hate me for the rest of his life, and I don't want that to happen.”

“But not with Natalie...” I begged.

“She's the only one who has physically and emotionally challenged us to do something this crazy... I can't lose on this one. At least Xander will get what he wants. His revenge.”

“You don't want to end this, do you?” I asked Xavier. He glanced at me and, after a while, nodded.

“Then get prepared, 'cause it won't be easy. It won't be easy at all"

“It's not like I have a choice anymore,” Xavier muttered.