Chapter 42: The Bet *Misguided Actions

Thank you for telling me the reason why you read TB and how you found Wattpad :) I think it’s my turn then, eh? I found Wattpad last 2009. I was a member of Twilight Saga discussion group in Friendster and people there were talking about free online reading site. The first story I read was, "A HOT GUY SAVED MY LIFE AND NOW I HAVE TO MARRY HIM?!" *That was the time when arrange marriage stories were popular*. Unfortunately, the writer deleted her story and left Wattpad. I decided to join when one of the stories I was reading required a number of votes before uploading the next chapter. So, that’s it :)

katrocks247 made a trailer for The Bet. It was amazing ♥ Watch the video on the side =)

The song for the chapter is Half Of My Heart by John Mayer ft. Taylor Swift. Banner by LittleMissIronic :)

Thank you! ♥

Happy Reading! (:

Chapter 37 *Misguided Actions*

~Drake

“Why didn’t you come to the party last night?” Jake demands as soon as I sit at our usual table in the cafeteria.

“We waited for you,” Dwayne chimes in.

“I didn’t say I’ll go, did I?” I say, taking a bite of my pizza.

“Cassidy was fuming with rage,” Brian says, fighting off a smile.

“Cassidy?”  I repeat incredulously. “Why?”

My friends look at me like I said something stupid.

“Come on, you know she’s interested,” Troy says, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Is she?” I ask.

Cassidy’s always getting my attention any chance she gets. However, I’m busy thinking of plans to make Pie fall in love with me to notice her.

“What did you do?” Brian asks.

“Stuff,” I say evasively.

As soon as I went home last night, I organized all the things needed for Pie’s surprise birthday party tomorrow.  I bought all the necessary materials and the only thing I need to do after school is to design the place and put some decorations. I already ordered my gift for her. I really think it fits her perfectly. Just thinking about her wearing it puts a smile on my face.

I do these things because I want to, not because I have to. I want her birthday to be memorable for her. I want her to remember it for the rest of her life. To put it simply, I want her to be happy.

I did everything; the planning, and the buying, all by myself. I’m not in the mood to ask Andre’s help because I’m quite angry at him for keeping a secret to me. Besides, I haven’t seen him yet. He’s probably busy with school work and college applications. I haven’t sent any college application yet. There’s still time for that.

Anyway, the other reason is that when Pie asks about her surprise birthday party, I can tell her honestly and confidently that I did everything on my own. With no one’s help. I’m glad Parker told me everything I have to know.

Just thinking about the ideas in my head makes me excited to start with the preparation. I’m even tempted to skip school so that I can be sure that I’m going to finish everything before tomorrow. But I remember that I have to catch up with my studies because I’m trailing behind.

Like usual.

At least I’m trying! And thank heavens Pie tutored me last night. It was for Calculus. I have a difficult time with numbers and it’s the hardest subject for me. I’m glad Pie is patient, she taught me basic things about the subject and how I can make it easy for me.

“Since you hang out with her. . .”

“What?” I ask, snapping out of my reverie.

“Since you hang out with that Sophia,” Brian finishes.

“What about her? I ask irritably. I don’t like the tone Brian used when he said Sophia’s name.

“You always hang out with her.” Dwayne mutters.

“Are you two dating?” Jake asks curiously.

“We’re not,” I say dryly.

“Why are you always with her then?”

Rolling my eyes, I decide not to answer their questions because as long as I answer them, they’ll just ask again and again until they know everything about me. About us. And I might slip and tell them about the bet.

“You seldom talk to us,” Troy says disapprovingly.

“I’m talking to you now,” I say.

“You know what Troy meant,” Dwayne says. “First you quit basketball without telling us the reason why, and now you’re not hanging with us anymore.”

“We’re still your friends,” Jake says.

“And we,” Dwayne pauses, not finishing his sentence.

“What?” I ask.

He frowns and says, “We miss hanging out with you and Dre.”

I feel guilty for ignoring my friends. Not that I ignore them, but my time with them become limited because I spend most of my time with Pie.

It’s just my life is kind of roller coaster right now. It’s the first time I feel things I haven’t felt before. It’s so weird because I’m learning new things about myself and it’s good to leave your comfort zone every now and then.

“I’m quite busy,” I explain.

“Busy with her?” Jake asks.

“Just leave it, okay?”

Dwayne punches my arm lightly. “We know there’s something going on with you two. We’re not blind.”

“And I think even if we are— I mean, blind,” Brian says, “we can still feel that you like her.”

It’s hard to swallow the lump in my throat. I want to deny what they’re saying but I can’t speak.

“I wonder what Cassidy will do when she finds out,” Jake says amusedly.

“We’re not together,” I say.

“But you know what Cassidy is like,” Dwayne says.

“I know,” I mutter.

And that is a problem.

~Sophia

The rest of the day passed in a blur. I don’t remember listening to the discussion of our professors. I don’t even know how I came home after school. My mind is busy thinking of thoughts I can’t comprehend.

I’m always like this the day before my birthday, and I hate it.

Tomorrow—  I mean, a few hours from now, I’m going to be seventeen. Another year. Getting older by day.

And my parents are still missing in action. They probably forgot that they still have a child. When will they come back? I hope tomorrow. It will be the best present I’ll have.

I don’t think anyone remembers my birthday. I don’t even want to celebrate it. I just want to go home with my family.

I think no one feels lonely on his or her birthday except me. Ugh! I don’t want to pity myself. However, I can’t stop these horrible thoughts from coming in my head.

I’m about to bang my head on the wall of my room out of frustration when I see the pool in the corner of my eye.

The pool. Getting wet. Night Swimming. That’s a good idea.

I change into shorts and a tank top and then I grab a towel before heading downstairs.

The house is silent because Aunt V and Andre aren’t here yet. Fortunately I’m not scared of being alone.

It’s a little bit cold tonight but I still decide to continue my plan. I test the water; it’s warm and cold at the same time, and then I put my towel on the lounge chair.

I do backstroke, letting my mind think of nothing and concentrate on what I’m doing. Then I try freestyle. I’m not that good but it helps my body and my mind to relax. When I get tired, I do float. Then breastroke. Time is not existing for me. I’m in my own little world here in the water.

When I come up for air, I see a shadow at the edge of the pool. I’m so shocked, I gulp a few drops of water. I choke up for air and then someone grabs me and helps me sit on the lounge chair.

My lung is burning, my heart is drumming, and I try to let out the water I drunk. When my breathing returns to normal, I look up to see Draky with a concern expression on his face.

Draky!

“Wh— what are you doing here?” I gasp.

“You shouldn’t swim when you’re alone,” he says disapprovingly, scowling at me.

I realize that I’m wet and I’m wearing short shorts and he’s just a few inches away from me. I feel self-conscious; I want to hide my body in my towel. Fortunately, he grabs it from the place where I put it and then he hands it to me.

“Thanks,” I mutter, wrapping the towel around me. My teeth are chattering and I just feel that it’s really cold tonight.

“Why are you—“

“Sophia!”

Looking around, I spot Driana walking towards us.

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“Are you okay?” she asks worriedly, hurrying to my side.

“I’m fine,” I say.

“I’ve been calling you for a few times but you were not answering your phone so I decided to come here,” she says.

I glance at the twins in front of me. They have the same expression on their faces as they look at me. “My cell phone’s upstairs,” I murmur.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks. “You look pale.”

“What time did you start to swim?” Draky interjects.

“Six fifteen?” I say. “I’m not sure.”

“No wonder you’re pale,” he mutters.

“Why?” I ask. “What time is it?”

“Eight,” Driana says, shaking her head at me.

I’ve been swimming for almost two hours? I can’t believe it!

“Dinner’s ready!” Andre yells from the house.

Suddenly, I’m confused. What’s happening here?

“Good,” Driana says with a sigh, “I’m starving.”

“Me too,” I say. Swimming can make you hungry.

“But you have to change your clothes first,” Draky says, “you might get cold.”

- - - - -

“Let’s play spin the bottle,” Driana suggests.

“That’s a lame game,” Andre says dryly.

“No, it’s not,” Driana argues.

We’re in the game room and we just finished playing Scrabble; a game suggested by Andre. I won, followed by Andre, and then Driana. Last and the least is Draky.

“Are you afraid of spilling your secrets?” Draky asks wickedly.

“I don’t have a secret,” he snaps, glaring at the twins.

“I’ll go get the bottle then,” Driana says, standing up from her chair.

“I’ll help you,” Andre offers.

“No need,” Driana says, “I can do it by myself.

“Okay,” Andre says with a shrug. “What’s wrong with her?” he asks as soon as Driana gets out of the room.

“You know her,” Draky says, “she’s easily pissed off.”

“Yeah,” Andre mutters, staring at the door.

“Why are you quiet?” Draky asks me.

“Am I?”

“Yes you are," he says obviously. "You haven’t said anything since we started talking about the spin the bottle. Don’t you want to play?”

“I’m just thinking,” I say.

“About?” he asks curiously.

“Nothing in particular.”

Actually, I’m thinking of the questions I’ll ask him. I want to know every doubt I have. If ever he’ll choose dare, I also make a list of what I want him to do.

When Driana comes back, we arrange ourselves and sit on the floor.

“Rule number one,” she says, “it’s only truth or dare. Number two: No lying, and you can’t change dare if you don’t like the question someone asks. And if it’s a dare, you have to do it.”

I’m nervous and excited at the same time.

Driana spins the bottle and all of us wait until it stops and the cork points in front of Andre. I breathe a sigh of relief. I’m glad it’s not me.

“Truth or dare?” Driana asks.

“Truth,” Andre answers.

“Are you a virgin?” Driana asks curiously.

A complete, awkward and uncomfortable silence envelops us. It’s thick like a moss and eating us inside and out. We’re in complete silence. I don’t even know if they’re breathing because I feel like the breath suck out of me even though I’m not the one who’s going to answer.

It’s just the question is so embarassing and I don’t know what’s gotten at Driana to ask that question. We avoid eye contact because the question still hangs in the air.

Finally, Andre lets out a breath.

It must be a signal because all of us starts to breathe again.

“What kind of question is that?” Andre asks furiously.

“It’s a truth or dare and you chose truth so I can ask you anything I want,” Driana says, crossing her arms over her chest.

Andre is blushing like there’s no tomorrow.

A giggle escapes from my mouth and I bite my lip to stop them from coming.

Driana stares at Andre with a satisfied smile on her face. “We’re waiting,” she says.

Andre grumbles something under his breath and looks at Draky for help.

Draky looks like a ripe tomato and he’s controlling his self not to laugh.

“The time is passing by,” Driana says impatiently.

“Fine!” Andre says, taking a deep breath. “I’m still a virgin.”

Oh.

“Whoa,” Driana gushes.

Andre turns away from us so that we can’t see his facial expression.

“Why are you ashamed?” Driana asks.

“I’m not ashamed,” Andre mutters.

“You should be proud because not all high school graduates are virgin.”

“I knew it was not a good idea to play this game,” Andre says.

“Who would have thought,” Driana says, a smirk forming on her lips.

“Drake and I promised each other—“

“No telling!” Draky interjects.

“What is that?” I ask curiously.

“Don’t tell them,” he says, shaking his head.

Driana glares at her twin. “If he wants to tell us, let him.”

Draky scowls at no one in particular and turns his back to us.

“So?” Driana prompts Andre.

“Drake and I promised each other,” he repeats, “when we were in middle school, that we won’t sleep with a girl we don’t love.”

“Oh,” I murmur.

“That’s nice,” Driana says with a nod of her head.

Draky rolls his eyes. “A lame promise, huh?” he asks me.

“No,” I say. “I think that’s good, that you’re keeping your promise. Besides, why would you sleep with someone you don’t love, right?”

“Right,” Driana agrees, “because some people do it just for fun.”

And some people do it to express their selves. I know someone like that. She agreed to do it with her boy friend to make him believe that she’s a virgin. Stupid mistake. You don’t have to prove anyone anything if they really love you.

“If you love someone, you can wait,” Andre says thoughtfully.

“I agree,” Draky says.

Who would have thought? There’s more to Draky and Andre than meets the eye. And I’m just starting to know them now.

“I guess it’s my turn to spin the bottle,” Andre says smugly.

He takes it and the bottle spins slowly. It stops in front of Driana. Andre’s eyes glitter in delight.

“You can’t ask me because I asked you,” Driana protests.

Andre tilts his head. “You didn’t say it was a rule.”

Driana scowls at him and says, “Fine! Truth!”

“Blonde, dark, or brunette?”

“That’s it?” Driana asks incredulously.

“You want me to change it?” Andre asks.

“No,” Driana says quickly, “Blonde.”

Draky looks at the two of them with a confused expression on his face.

When Driana spins the bottle, it stops in front of Draky.

Phew! I’m glad it’s not stopping in front of me. Yet.

“Dare,” Draky says before Driana can ask him.

“Afraid?” Driana asks amusedly.

“No.”

“Sing for us,” she orders.

“Sing?!”

“Are you deaf?” Driana asks bemusedly.

Draky takes a deep breath and then starts to sing, “Baby baby blue eyes stay with me by my side, till the morning through the night. Oh baby, stand here holding my sides . . .”

He’s still singing but I stop listening to the words because I’m mesmerized with his voice. He has a great voice! He can sing, like, a professional singer.

Who would have thought Drake Swift could serenade someone with his voice?

He stops when he finishes the chorus and then he takes the bottle and spins it. I’m just starting to come back to my senses and hope that it will not point to me when it stops in front of Andre. Again.

Draky’s mouth tugs at the corner. He looks like he’s planning something. “Truth or dare?” he asks.

“Truth,” Andre answers.

“Who do you like?”

I have a feeling he’s saving this question for his best friend. Poor him, he doesn’t know who the girl is. Not that I know her. . .

Andre is silent for a moment, contemplating if he’ll tell us or not.

“Rememeber the rules,” Draky says impatiently, “no lying and no sec—.”

“I like you.”