Chapter 173 Lilian Baker

Chapter 173 Lilian Baker
PE class had always been one of those periods I didn't have to think too much about.

You showed up, changed into the required clothes, listened to Andrew's instructions, did whatever exercise he gave us, complained about how tired we were, and waited for the bell.

Simple and predictable.

Usually, Andrew made me demonstrate exercises with another student whenever he needed to explain something.

It wasn't because I was particularly good at PE. I simply happened to be one of the students he used frequently.bBut that day, the moment I walked onto the gym, I already knew things were going to be different.

Andrew stood at the front with his whistle hanging around his neck and a clipboard in his hand.

He looked completely professional like nothing had happened. Like he hadn't confessed that he liked me and still rejected me. Like I hadn't told him I was going to pretend the entire conversation never happened.

I almost laughed at myself.

Because how did I keep ending up around him every time. Apparently, pretending was going to be harder than I thought.

"Everyone line up," he ordered calmly.

The class immediately began arranging themselves.

I stood beside Lewis, trying not to think about the fact that our hands had been linked on our way into this class.

Lewis leaned slightly toward me.

"Are you ready?"

"For what?"

"Whatever he has planned."

I looked at Andrew. "I doubt it's anything exciting."

Lewis smiled. "You underestimate him."

Andrew blew the whistle.

"Warm-up first."

Everyone started moving.

I focused on the exercises.

For the next few minutes, things were normal. At least, as normal as they could be.

Then Andrew stopped us.

"Okay."

Everyone gathered around.

"I need two people to demonstrate the next movement."

Somehow, I knew he wouldn't call me and he didn't.

"Lydia."

A girl near the front looked up.

"Come here."

She walked toward him.

The reaction from the class was immediate.

"Boooo!"

I covered my mouth to stop myself from laughing.

Someone shouted, "No!"

Another student yelled, "We want Lily!"

Then another voice joined. "Lily and Lewis!"

My eyes widened.

"What?"

Lewis started laughing beside me.

I looked at him. "This is your fault."

"My fault?"

He looked genuinely amused.

"How?"

"Because everyone thinks we're some perfect couple."

"They're not wrong."

I stared at him.

He laughed. "You know what I mean."

The class continued chanting.

"Lily and Lewis!"

"Lily and Lewis!"

I wanted the ground to swallow me.

Andrew stood completely still, his face was unreadable… too unreadable.

I kept my eyes on him. For a second, he met my gaze. And something flashed across his expression.

Annoyance?

I wasn't really sure.

"Enough," his voice wasn't loud, but the class quieted slightly.

One student wasn't giving up.

"Sir, we want Lily and Lewis!"

"Yeah!"

"They're dating!"

"Let them do it!"

Someone shouted from the back, "It'll be romantic!"

I wanted to disappear.

Andrew's jaw tightened.

He looked at the students, then at Lewis, then at me.

"First of all..." he paused. "This is a physical and health training class."

The laughter died down.

"It is not a couple photoshoot."

Then the class burst out laughing again. I couldn't even stop myself. I lowered my head, smiling.

Lewis leaned toward me and whispered, "He really hates us."

I whispered back, "Apparently."

Andrew continued.

"If you came here to watch people hold hands and pose for pictures, you are in the wrong class."

Someone shouted, "But they're cute!"

Andrew closed his eyes briefly.

I almost laughed again.

Then he pointed toward the student he'd initially selected.

"Lydia."

She immediately stepped forward.

"You're demonstrating with me."

The class groaned.

"Boooo!"

Andrew ignored them.

"Everyone else, pay attention."

He demonstrated the movement, Lydia followed but nobody was paying attention anymore. The class was more interested in the rejected couple demonstration.

I could feel eyes on me.

I glanced at Lewis, he was smiling.

"What?"

I whispered.

"Nothing."

"You look amused."

"I am."

"Why?"

"Because this is funny."

I shook my head. "It really isn't."

Andrew continued explaining the movement, but halfway through, I noticed he was looking in our direction.

Not directly at us, but just enough.

I looked away because he wasn't my problem. He had made his decision. He had told me he wouldn't complain anymore..He had told me to enjoy my fake relationship.

So I would.

Even if I knew exactly why he didn't want Lewis and me standing beside him.

That was his business, not mine.

When Lydia finished the demonstration, Andrew asked everyone to practice.

The class barely moved.

Instead, someone shouted, "Mr Walker?"

Andrew turned. "What?"

"Can Lily and Lewis show us?"

More laughter erupted.

Andrew sighed.

"No."

"Please!"

"No."

"Just once!"

"No."

I looked at Lewis. His eyebrows weren't raised as he whispered, "Should we?"

I hesitated.

"We probably shouldn't."

"Why?"

"Because he said no."

"Technically, he said he wouldn't call us."

"That's not the same thing."

He grinned.

"Come on."

Before I could answer, several students started chanting again.

"Lily and Lewis!"

"Lily and Lewis!"

I couldn't help laughing.

Andrew looked at us, his expression told me exactly what he thought.

Don't.

I almost listened, then I remembered his words from the night before.

Have fun with Lewis.

Fine, I would have fun.

I stepped forward.

"Okay."

The class cheered.

Lewis joined me.

Andrew stared at us for a long second.

Then he stepped aside.

"Fine."

His voice was flat.

"If you're going to do it, do it properly."

I nodded.

"Okay."

Lewis stood beside me.

We followed the movement Andrew had demonstrated.

It wasn't difficult.

We simply had to coordinate our movements and keep our balance.

The first attempt was slightly messy.

Everyone laughed.

"Again!"

Someone shouted.

We tried again.

This time, we got it.

Perfectly.

The class erupted.

"Yes!"

"Let's go!"

"Look at them!"

Lewis laughed. I couldn't stop smiling either.

For a moment, I forgot about Andrew. I forgot about the awkwardness. I forgot about everything.

We had actually done it and the reaction made me laugh even harder.

Lewis gave me a quick high-five and the class cheered again.

Then someone shouted, "Best couple!"

My smile faltered slightly.

I glanced toward Andrew.

He was standing with his arms folded.

His face was calm. He looked like someone trying very hard not to react.

I looked away.

It wasn't my business. So why did I feel like I had just done something wrong?

Andrew blew his whistle.

"Enough."

The class slowly quieted.

"We're done."

Everyone looked confused.

"But there's still time!"

"I know."

"Why are we stopping?"

"Because you've spent more time screaming than exercising."

Someone laughed.

Andrew pointed toward the building.

"Go change."

The class erupted into cheers.

We started heading back.

Lewis walked beside me. As we walked away, I glanced back.

Andrew was still standing there, he looked irritted… really irritated.

I remembered his promise. “I won't complain anymore.”

Apparently, not complaining didn't mean not being affected.

I smiled to myself.

Someone was angry and he was pretending not to be.

I turned around and continued walking with Lewis.

Whatever Andrew was feeling was his problem.

He had made that very clear and he had to stick to his script.