Chapter 15
Natalie's POV
“You know Darren?!” someone asked the second I left the place. I flinched at first, but when I realized who it was, frowned.
“Jeez Xander... You scared me!” I muttered.
“Sorry...” He apologized. “But seriously though, you know Darren??”
“Of course I do. He came to Middesville one time during the summer holidays... He was the cousin of Drake, the basketball captain...” Xander raised his brows.
“Don't worry, you can't understand that... It's none of your business.” I said. But he kept on staring at me, making me uncomfortable.
“Hey! Stop looking at me like that! You're not the only boys I know!”
“I know, I know... It's just weird....”
“What's weird? That I know Darren and his Playboy ways? Why don't you ask him about his stay in Middesville, I'm pretty sure he never told you, did he?”
“No, he never did....” He trailed off, frowning.
“Why would he? That he got mobbed by girls, or that I put a snake in his boxers, and he almost had a heart attack...” I stopped when Xander began laughing. I have to admit, it was pretty funny as well.
“Darren hates snakes, “he said between gulps.
“Yeah... And I'm going to do the same to you if you don't get your act together.”
Xander sobered up. “What? I didn't do anything wrong!”
“Really? Well, you are if you don't stop being a jerk... I don't like that.”
“Okay... I'll try.”
“Don't try, do... I'm leaving now, I have to head to class.” I said, smiling a little. He nodded, and I left.
Humming as I made my way to the class, I smiled to myself. Maybe my stay in this school won't be as bad as I thought.
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Mira's POV
I can't believe it. In a million years, I still won't be able to believe it. I, Mira Song, standing before almighty Darren Kentucky. I had always admired him from far away before he left Ambrose high school. But as usual, boys like him don't pay attention to girls like us. Yeah, I have a crush on him and am not denying it.
“What's your name? Natalie called you Mira, but it could be your nickname....”
“That's actually my name... Mira Song.” I said quietly, almost in a whisper.
“Hmm, pretty name... You're new here, right?”
“Uh... No. I've been around.” I said.
“Why the hell haven't I seen you before?” He said, running his hands through his hair. Damn! He's handsome!
“Maybe because I like to stay in the background?”
“Yeah... maybe that's true,” he trailed off. We both looked at each and when our gazes met, I glanced away, laughing nervously. Gosh! This is crazy.
He looked like he wanted to say more but we got rudely interrupted when the trio showed up... And when I mean rudely, Celine came up to him and kissed him on the cheeks.
“Darren!! It's so great to see you again! We missed you!” She spoke a little too loud and pulled him to a bone-crushing hug, startling Darren.
“H... Hi... Celine.. didn't think you'll miss me,” he said slowly.
“Of course I do.. remember our memories?” She asked, grinning from ear to ear. Darren stiffened.
“Uh... I remember nothing. “He said blankly. Then turned to Tricia and Bella, who, by the way, were still suffering from the aftershocks of Natalie's threat.
“Hi...” He greeted, waving slowly. They smiled and nodded.
“I'll guess I'll go now. See you later...” I said and slowly moved away from their midst.
“Yeah.. you too.” He said, smiling. I turned away so he wouldn't see me blush and happily skipped to class where I met Natalie impatiently waiting for me... Gosh, did I spend so long with Darren? I quickly hurried over to my seat and bowed, out of my Korean instincts.
“I'm sorry... Didn't know I took so long. I just caught up with all of this.”
“I was waiting for you! Don't worry, it's okay... It seems everyone here is excited as well.” she said, a half-smile on her face.
“But seriously though, you know Darren?” I asked, surprised.
Natalie chuckled. “Yeah, I do. Came to my home town once. We are just friends... No strings attached.”
“Yes... Of course yes...” I said. Why would I even think that way?? I must be crazy.
“So what other things do you know about him?” I eagerly asked.
She was going to answer that, but then the teacher walked in, interrupting us. She motioned later, and I nodded, facing forward. But I have a feeling I'm not going to ask her later... You know, keep my secret safe.
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Celine's POV
I was partly disappointed when Darren said he remembered none of our memories, but as usual, I hid it under a beautiful smile. It's not like we were dating before he left, but then... Those stolen moments??
After Natalie's bitchy friend left our midst, I turned to Darren and wrapped my hands around his waist.
“Why don't I show you around?” I offered sweetly. “A lot of things have changed since you left.”
“Huh, no thanks. I can manage on my own. Gotta go now. See you later.”
And with that, he unwrapped my hands from his waist and left, leaving me hanging. I dropped my sweet smile to reveal a scowl. Tricia and Bella walked up to me.
“Is it just me or does Darren seem different?”. Bella asked. I glanced at her, frowning.
“Of course not! He's still the ladies' man, remember? He can never change... A leopard can't hide its spots, remember?”
“I don't know... For him to know Natalie without anyone telling him anything could happen. Besides, we haven't seen him for the last two years now, he could have....you know.”
There's no way Darren must have changed. Perhaps he was just pretending since it was his first day here. After Xander and Xavier, he's next on the Playboy's list. Whatever happens though, I plan to make him mine this time around... And am not sharing him with anyone else...
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(Lunch: cafeteria)
Natalie's POV
For some reason best known to Darren, he decided to have lunch with us at our table. I didn't protest, however; it was a good thing having someone who knew you for you to talk to.
“How's the rest of the basketball team?” Darren asked me. I took a gulp from the bottled water I was drinking.
“They're good... Spoke to them yesterday, they all seemed pretty fine.”
“No one going to cause them any more trouble now that you are no longer there.” He said, smirking.
I scoffed. “I don't think so. They still got Ariana,” I answered. He widened his eyes and slowly nodded.
“Who's Ariana?” Mira asked. It was the first time she had spoken ever since Darren had sat down with us. I glanced at her.
“She's my best friend. You'll meet her one day,” I said.
“Ah...” she trailed off.
“Don't fuss, you're my best friend in the making” I said, pulling her cheeks to which she chuckled.
“She's hot though,” Darren said under his breath. I heard it and frowned, pressing my lips together.
“One more nasty word about Ari and this bottle will be stuck in your face,” I said, picking it up. He raised his hands in surrender.
“I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I meant she's an appeal to the eyes.”
“Much better.” I dropped the bottle and continued eating. We all were quiet for a while until Darren spoke up.
“Hey, Natty... I heard about the bet. Are you really serious about it? “he said, a voice low. I stopped eating and glanced at him. His worried face intensified.
“Look, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it... I'll just keep my mouth shut....”
"Isn't it the most stupid thing you ever heard?” I asked, cutting him off.
“What?” Darren asked, confused.
“The bet I made. Isn't it stupid?” He rubbed the back of his head, unsure if he should speak or not.
“I don't know... Maybe?”
“Maybe it is. Anyway, I'm serious about it.”
“Okay.”
“Good...” I said and continued eating.
“Huh... I have to go now. I'll see you guys later?”
“Maybe?”
Darren grinned and stood up. “Bye girls.” He said with a wink.
“Get the hell out of here!” I yelled back at him. I heard him chuckle. Mira didn't say anything, so I turned to her. And there she was... All starry-eyed while staring at Darren's retreating figure. I don't think she noticed I was beside her. I had to tap the table before she snapped out of her reverie, and when she did, it was to blush and bend her head slowly. Okay..... What is up with Mira?
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Mira's POV
I bent my head slowly when I realized that Natalie had caught me staring at Darren. The truth is I had been focusing on him ever since he had sat down at our table, but I didn't know Natalie would find out so quickly.
When I looked up, Natalie was still peering at me with one of those questioning gazes. I tried not to blush, continuing with my food.
“So you're not going to explain what happened here?” She asked while I pretended to be focused on my food.
“What happened here? Nothing happened here.” I said, wanting to get off the topic before I embarrassed myself further. Natalie gasped and made to say something but stopped herself, then looked at me again.
“Look, I know am not the perfect girl when it comes to love or romance or even boys but I'm not stupid and I know what those types of glances and 'stares' mean.” She said.
“No Natty, it's not what you think...” I made to say, but she stopped me.
“Who's asking about what I think?” She asked and lowered herself to me, covering the space between us with curiosity and a bit of mischief in her eyes.
Please don't say it, please don't say it... I chanted in my mind, but she said it, anyway.
“Do you have a crush on Darren?”