***Chapter Forty-Nine***
The following day, I found myself tossing about as I began to wake up. Though as I turned around my eyes opened in shock. I'm unsure what I was thinking but Drew was right next to me as I rolled into him. He didn't seem to care as his arm snuggled me tightly. My cheeks couldn't help but flush realizing where I had fallen asleep. Given the circumstances, I'm surprised he didn't think to move me over to Dre's bed. He must have had a lot of faith in Juliana not showing up.
Casually, Drew looked down at me with his tired eyes forming a smile. They looked even more gorgeous after just waking up. The feeling of seeing him like this made me swoon even harder than I was before. Who knew you could look so beautiful just waking up? I'm sure I looked a hot mess compared to him.
A yawn escapes his lips as he snuggles me even closer to his chest. "Morning sleepy head," he said before looking down again.
I smile lifting my head to meet his gaze. "Good morning," I say. "You could have woke me up to get in Dre's bed you know?"
His laugh sounded even better in the morning. "Then who would I have to cuddle me at night?" He questioned.
That made me stiffen up. The thought of cuddling all night with Drew made me queasy in every good way. It's bad enough that we slept in the same bed together, but cuddling was different. It's not every day that you get to cuddle someone like Drew but somehow I had the pleasure. Any girl would kill to be in my position right now and all I could think about is Juliana walking in on us. The fear of her catching me even remotely close to Drew sends me into a frenzy. He's been being very careless lately, but maybe it's just in my imagination.
Ignoring that comment, I get myself up out of his bed on this gloomy Sunday morning. My stomach was growling from how hungry I was. Drew decided that we should go get some breakfast in the dining hall together. Normally, I wouldn't bat an eye about it, but I've been on my p's and q's after Drew's sudden change in behavior. He's been in a happier mood for sure. However, his display of affection is getting quite risky.
Either way, he threw a shirt on as we walked out of his dorm to the dining room. I looked up at him as soon as we sat down and he winked at me. Those little gestures always got me riled up on the inside. He needed to remember we were out in the open and not alone. One wrong move and Juliana would kill us both.
Settling in our seats, I cleared my throat to speak to him. "Drew," I look up. "What's with you lately?" I ask him.
He shrugs. "What are you talking about? I'm just chilling." He plays coy.
I roll my eyes playfully. "You know what I'm talking about," my foot kicks him lightly. "You've been flirting more openly."
His smile grows a little wider as his gaze falls. "I'm not sure what you want me to say," he sounds confused, but then blows me away with his confession. "I guess I just really like you." He smiles at me.
My cheeks instantly flushed hearing him say that. It was the first time he'd ever said it so candidly without beating around the bush. Obviously, there was something brewing between us but I never thought he would say it out loud like that. It got my heart racing as I've waited so long. My dreams were becoming a reality the more we spent time with one another. Is he falling for me the same way I've been smitten with him? It sure did seem like it.
Before I could get the words out, a few girls came over to us screaming their asses off. People have been recognizing them since their performance, which was only yesterday. The girls that came up to us simply wanted his autograph and a picture with him. It was funny to see because they were nowhere near famous, but to be expected. That wasn't the shocking part though. Their questions are what stunned us both.
"You were so great up there," one girl commented. "Thank you for the picture."
Drew smiled with a slight chuckle. "Thank you, thank you. I truly appreciate it." He thanked them as well.
That's when the next girl looked at me. "Is this your girlfriend?" She asked with excitement.
My eyes widened as I didn't know how to answer that. I was definitely not his girlfriend, but he treated me like one. I couldn't possibly say that though. If I did that would cause even more commotion. They were obviously building up a fanbase. Saying anything drama-related would get the whole school talking. Juliana would for sure figure out our secret at that point. It wouldn't look good for either one of us.
Not knowing how to answer, Drew looked at me confused himself. His mouth started to open before he was cut off.
"No, I am!" Juliana yelled with a frown on her face.
I'm happy she showed up to answer the question, but not thrilled that she overheard that. I didn't want her to get the wrong impression. Like I was trying to pose as Drew's girlfriend in her absence. That indeed was not what was happening. The question caught us both off guard but the girls got the memo after hearing Juliana. So much so, that they thanked Drew and ran off. Juliana stayed with a frown on her face, sitting next to Drew. She looked between us trying to find something to pick apart.
Her face was mean and she looked utterly pissed off. "Why didn't you answer them, Drew?" She questioned very angrily.
Drew frowned at her, unwilling to deal with her drama. "I literally was about to speak before you yelled at them."
"Well it wasn't quick enough," she snapped before looking at me. "What are you guys doing here alone anyway?"
We both shrugged. "Eating breakfast," I replied. "We happened to both come at the same time."
I tried to ease the tension I felt building up between us. My heart started pounding in my chest not knowing what Juliana was going to say. She didn't seem like she was going to buy what we were trying to sell. I wouldn't either with the way Drew has been acting. Now she caught us here alone with girls thinking that we were dating. That couldn't have been a good look for me, especially after her previous warning. I was doing everything in my power to avoid any confrontations with Juliana. There's no telling what she's capable of.
Her lips pursed before dropping it. "Well, I have to go. I'm coming to your room later." She says to Drew before engulfing his lips with hers.
My eyes avert at the sight. It made me feel quite queasy knowing that Drew locked lips with Juliana while also locking lips with me. We were literally sharing a guy without her knowing it. There was no way that any of this was ok. It felt disgusting even to realize that it was precisely what was happening. I was sharing someone's boyfriend without even batting an eye. I reminded myself so much of my father's actions. The apple clearly didn't fall far from the tree.
She broke their kiss before saying bye to me. Drew didn't know what to say other than clear his throat. He continued to eat as my mind kept racing about my realization. I didn't want to stop what we had going on, but it disgusted me. Like I was letting myself settle as the other woman when I had someone like Keegan. Someone who was ready to shower attention on me without having to sneak around and do so. *What was I doing?*
Without much notice, I abruptly leave the table to walk outside. Drew doesn't miss a beat catching up to me as quickly as possible. His hands tug at my arms as he turns me around to face him. He doesn't look too concerned until he sees my face. The worry settles in as he stares at me intently. His eyebrows furrow realizing something was wrong.
"Annabelle, what's going on?" He asked me still holding on to my arms.
I shake my head, completely stressed out. "This isn't going to keep working, Drew," I whine. "We can't keep this up. Today we got lucky but what about next time?" I question the panic rising in my voice.
Drew looked at me, almost panicking himself. "Annabelle, what...what are you trying to say?" He wondered.
My eyes roll out of frustration. "*This*, our relationship...it's not right," I argue. "Nothing good is going to come out of it."
I'm unsure if it was because I saw them kiss or that Drew was being more open about his feelings. It could have very well been Juliana almost losing her shit again like she did with the hat. It's obvious that whatever we had going on wouldn't keep working in the long run. How much longer could we control ourselves in front of everyone else? Dillon already noticed what was going on. I'm sure Dre knew as well. The only people who didn't were Keegan and Juliana. We couldn't possibly hide it from them forever.
Drew wasn't willing to stop though. For whatever reason, he didn't want to end what we had going on. Even with the possibility of Juliana finding out. He was adamant about us continuing on, but I didn't see it happening. We were walking a very fine line that would snap at any moment. Something told me we were going to be in for a rude awakening.
His hand grab mine, his eyes pleading with me. "We're fine Annabelle. It's my fault for not being more careful." He tried reasoning with me.
"It's not about being careful, Drew," I look up at him. "It's just...I don't want to get hurt."
"And you won't. I'll make sure of it." He tries his best to get me to change my mind.
Sighing, I let go of his hand contemplating hard on what to do. "But you can't promise me that." He couldn't.
His eyes dropped, but surprisingly he was understanding. At least, it seemed that way. "Ok, just think about it." His voice was low as he walked away.
"Drew, wait!" I called out to him, but he didn't listen.
It wasn't my intention to upset him. My main concern was not being the second option. The one who was chosen only because the other was finished with them. If that was going to be the case, then who was winning?
***
**Sorry for the late update. I was on vacation but back now! Thanks for the patience! **