***Chapter FiFty-Three***
The next day we were in between classes once more. Dillon and I decided to go to the library to chill out before we finished the day. It was the perfect opportunity to fill her in on what happened with Keegan. I wanted to get her opinion on what I should do. She was always honest with me and knew exactly how to solve any problem. The only thing she couldn't provide for me was a reason why.
My mind couldn't come up with a reason why he would do something like that. It shocked me but shocked me even more that he wasn't responding to my texts. I've been trying to plan a day for us to meet up. We needed to talk about why he did what he did, but he's been avoiding me. It's like he knew he crossed the line and didn't want to deal with it. Typical guy behavior.
Dillon was just as shocked as me. "Keegan said that?" She questioned. "Well, I could've told you it's a lie. Julie would not have kept that a secret."
"Right!" I agreed. "She's always finding some way to rub their relationship in my face."
Dillon laughed. "Exactly. In any case, you need to get to the bottom of this."
I groaned. "I know, but he's ignoring me."
It would be a lot easier if he would respond to my messages. He was completely ignoring me without a care in the world. Though he could have cared, it's obvious he didn't want to deal with the drama. Drama that he inadvertently created.
As much as I didn't want him to ask me about Drew, it would've been better to go that route than to lie. He had me losing my mind at Drew and it wasn't even the truth. It left me in such a terrible place because I did like Keegan. Maybe not in the way that I should. After our big date, I thought we were finally getting to a place of understanding. Now this mishap set us back once more. Only this time he wouldn't talk to me. What kind of crap was that?
There wasn't much I could do about it now besides waiting for him to answer me. He could simply be busy. It wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility. He does work after all. Or he knows he messed up and is just doing everything he can to not deal with it. I'm leaning more toward him not wanting to deal with it.
On the bright side, Dre and Co finally showed up. It was nice getting to see everyone all together for a change. With school truly underway, it was hard meeting up like we used to but we still managed to do so. Julie also had the great idea to go out tomorrow night. Disregarding the fact that we had classes the next morning.
"Come on, it'll be fun plus a great way to get together before the Halloween party," she argues. "It's the middle of the session we're all going to be so busy."
She had a point there. "I guess so, but what are we even going to do?" I ask her.
Nobody seemed to have an answer. "If only we had a spot to do like a bonfire," Cameron spoke.
Julie's eyes lit up. "Cameron, you son of a bitch, that's a great idea!" She screeched.
Normally I'd refute the idea, but it would be nice to sit around a fire. The air was getting colder and it's nothing like a fire pit to warm you up. Knowing them, they'll probably bring drinks to come along as well. It would be nice to enjoy each other's company and talk to each other for once. All our time spent together, I don't think we took the time to get to know each other as a group. We could even discuss more about their newly formed band.
Drew finally speaks up, always having spots for us to go to. "There's this nice overpass where we could do this. If we're all down of course."
"Do you and Dre have spots for everything?" Dillon questioned, amused that they somehow have a solution to all our problems.
Dre laughed. "Sure do. We did a lot of exploring our first year here."
"Then it's settled! We'll meet around say 7:30 as the sun will be setting by then." Julie locked it in.
It did sound like it'll be fun and maybe even relaxing. Though we had to take two cars for travel this time around meaning my special privilege in Drew's car is no longer special. This time around I'd be riding with Dillon Dre because I don't think I can handle being in a car with both Drew and Juliana. That's something I did not want to deal with.
After talking for another hour or so, everyone dispersed before we had to be at our next set of classes. Before I left, I wanted to find one more book that I was recommended once again. Of course, without much delay, Drew showed up right behind me engulfing me in his arms. I smile to myself loving that he had me close to him. There wasn't any place I'd rather be than here.
Turning around, I smile softly. "Hi Drew," was all I said.
"Hi, my sweet girl. Looking for another book?" He pondered. I hated that pet name he gave me but it sounded cute coming from him.
I nod my head, already holding it in my hands. "Yep, and it's right here." I show him.
"You know something, you've heard me sing but I haven't got the chance to read anything you've written yet." He just had to remember that.
My fingers scratch the back of my neck. "Yeah...about that..." I trail off.
He shakes his head. "Oh no, you're not getting out of this Annabelle. You owe me."
We did agree that if he sang for me I'd show him some of my work as well. Only, I didn't expect him to be serious about it. What he did came from his heart and was real. My thing was made-up gibberish that I did just for fun. Maybe I could make a career out of it but it doesn't compare to any of the things Drew did. He was so creative. I was just...Annabelle.
In any case, he was right and I did owe him that at least. With everything going on, it slipped my mind that we even agreed to something like that. I'm not one to share rough drafts of my work with just anyone. I barely even showed Dillon not that she would be interested anyway. I guess I should feel grateful that he even wants to support me. As cheesy as it may be, he still wanted to read my craft.
I heaved a sigh as we walked down the aisle of bookcases. "I don't want to get out of it necessarily," I say.
He chuckled. "Ok, then what's the issue?" He asked me. "We had a deal."
My eyes roll. "I know that but my work isn't nearly as good as yours." I stop walking. "Plus, when's the last time you read a book?"
Now he rolls his eyes. "I don't have to *read books* to read something you wrote." He counters. "And last time I checked, it's not some sappy romance novel, so I'm more inclined to at least read a few pages."
As much as I didn't want to, he left me no choice. "Fine, I'll send it over." I caved. "Just mind the typos. It's still in the rough stages."
He smiled like he just won the best prize. It made me happy that he was excited to look at it. I never share my work with anyone besides my teacher. This'll be great to get some feedback from someone other than my professor. See if people like Drew would be interested to see a finished product. It'll help guide me on what steps I need to take next. Though, it could be discouraging if he doesn't like it. Did I just shoot myself in the foot?
We made it to the exit of the library before stopping once more. I'm sure he was concerned about the matter of Keegan just as much as I was. He did lie about something that could've ruined everything. Even after Drew apologized to him, Keegan still decided to lie. I'm not sure what we were supposed to do from here, but it sure would help if he responded to me.
"Anything from Keegan yet?" He asks me.
My head shakes. "Not a thing and I'm only left to wonder why." I take a deep breath. "He won't answer me and I don't know what to do. That was a big thing to lie about."
Drew scoffed. "You're telling me," he said before smirking deviously at me. "But if it's any consolation if I were to get married..." he trails off before using his fingers to lift my face to his.
I can feel myself gulp out of nervousness. Taking in Drew's scent and his devious grin left me paralyzed. Our lips were mere inches apart screaming for me to kiss him. I'm such a sucker and I don't even mind it. However, he was always being risky with this sort of thing. Julie could be anywhere and yet, he still couldn't keep his distance. At least while we're in public he should.
However, none of that matters as his next words stun me.
"You'd be the one I'd propose to." He whispers before leaving, a slow, gentle kiss on my lips. His other hand grasped at my waist to pull me closer.
My hands rest on his chest as I take in the moment and process his words. Why does he keep saying such things knowing he has a girlfriend? He and Julie have been together for so long. Why would he say he'd propose to me, the girl he had barely spoken to, instead of the girl he'd known forever? Does he feel some kind of way for me? Yes, that part I can't deny anymore. However, it doesn't change that we aren't dating. So why me?
He untangled us as I closed my eyes biting my lip to savor his taste. As my eyes open, I can see him walking as he always does when he leaves me flabbergasted. I hated when he got me worked up just to leave like he didn't say something outlandish.
I frown, yelling out to him. "You're just going to leave without addressing what you said?" It bugged me every time.
"I have business to attend to," he says before turning around. "And I'm pretty sure I addressed it by saying it out loud." He smirks, continuing to walk away from me.
Yep because that totally fixes everything. Andrew Tate, you are a menace.