Now that Drew and I are official, it was time for the world to know. Well, we had to start of somewhere and that place was my parents.

I stood in front of my parents with my hands twisting behind my back as I tried to wrack my brain for something intelligible.

Nope, nothing.

“Celeste, we don’t have all day,” my father impatiently said, taking a sip of his coffee, “And you’ll be late for school.”

“Drew and I are going out,” I suddenly blurted out.

They didn’t seem phase by this and they only looked at me, “And?”

“That’s it?” mom asked with a perfectly raised eyebrow.

Huh?

“Go to school, Celeste, you’ll be late,” my father shooed.

“Wait, no violent reaction?” I asked.

“I thought we already had talk,” dad pointed out, “And we still want to have dinner with the boy.”

I clamped my mouth shut and my parents dismissed me. Well, two people down, now it’s time for the whole school to know.

“By the way, my sister’s coming to visit,” Jazzy informed when I passed her.

I almost forgot that Jazzy had a sister. She used to talk endless stories about her and back then, I was so anxious to meet her. Well, that was before I found out she was Drew’s ex. Right now, I have mixed emotions with my maid’s news.

 “Great,” I didn’t show any emotion in my voice. I wasn’t bouncing with joy but I wasn’t also mad. I’m not one of those people who would judge so quickly based on the story I hear.

“Goodbye, Celeste.”

“Bye,” I waved, jiggling my car keys in my hand as I made my way to the elevator.

Turned out that I didn’t need my keys. Drew was waiting for me by the couches at the lobby. I spotted him near the unlit fireplace, tapping lazily on his phone.

“Hey,” I greeted, slowly walking up to him.

He lifted his gaze from his phone, “Finally,” he said, tucking the device in his pocket before standing up, “I’ve been waiting for fifteen minutes already.”

“You could have at least informed me that you were here,” I sassed, “Why are you here anyway?”

“Doing my first boyfriend duty,” he joked, “Now come on.”

He said the word boyfriend. I still had to get used to fact that we were already dating. We have labels, we’re finally official.

“By the way, you’re having dinner with my parents,” I informed him, getting on his bike with his assistance, “I hope nothing will happen this time.”

He nodded and handed me his helmet, “I knew this was coming.”

I shrugged and response and wrapped my arms around his waist as he started driving to the street. I completely got rid of my phobia of his motorcycle. I now sat comfortably behind him while I trusted the boy in front of me with my life.

People at school already gotten used to the fact that we were friends but I have no idea how they will react when they find out that we’re dating. When Drew took a turn to the school, my anxiousness grew.

“You know,” he started, killing of the ignition, “How about you stop thinking what other people think?”

“Easy for you to say,” I mumbled, taking off his helmet and shook my hair up a little, “I have a reputation to protect.”

He offered his arm and he helped me get off of his bike. I returned to him his helmet and he locked it to the vehicle.

“Is there something that’s troubling you?” he asked, taking my hand. I shook my head stiffly, my attention focusing to our linked hands.

Breathe Celeste, he’s already your boyfriend.

Drew sensed my uneasiness and an arrogant smirk crept up to his face. Oh boy, not good.

He leaned down and quickly pecked my lips, leaving me wide eyed wanting nothing more for that kiss to last.

“Come on,” he urged, tugging me with him to the school doors.

The look the people had when they saw us was something else. A few had their mouths wide open, some were looking at us with awe. One thing that really stuck out of the crowd was Jessica’s proud grin as she marched her way to us.

“I knew it!” she squealed, tugging me into a hug, making me release Drew’s hand, “I can’t believe it. Now we only need Annabelle to stop being so stubborn.”

“Jessica…” I trailed off. One thing about my best friend is that once she starts talking, there’s no stopping her.

“I’m so proud of you, finally getting a boyfriend,” she cooed, ruffling my hair, “We can go to all sorts of double dates now!”

“Jessica, please calm down.”

“Tell me all about what happened,” she demanded, “Wait, are you no longer a virgin now?”

“Jessica!” I yelled.

“Oh right, sorry, that was supposed to be a secret.”

“I already knew the day we met,” Drew cut in for a little bit.

“Oh so no need in hiding it,” Jessica giggled before her face turning serious, “Be gentle with Celeste alright, she may look tough but she’s actually really sensitive. Don’t go to hard or too fast.”

Drew’s ears started to go red and my whole face started to blush. I clamped a hand over Jessica’s hand to prevent any further damage to my self-esteem, “Stop talking.”

“What are you two girls up to?” Blake asked as he and his twin brother weaved themselves across the hallway.

“Oh babe,” Jessica grinned after she pried my hand away, “Dreleste is finally happening.”

“What?!” Lucas yelled.

Here we go again.

I gave Lucas a look and he quickly tried to compose himself. He cleared his throat and offered a hand to Drew, “I mean, congrats.”

Is this a freaking competition?

Drew and I’s relationship was the talk of the whole school all day. Drew’s popularity sky-rocketed and you won’t be able to go three steps without hearing his name.

“Isn’t that Drew Everett?”

“Yeah, he’s dating Celeste Graham.”

“No way?”

“He’s kind of hot now that you think of it.”

Doing my best to ignore what people are saying, I just smiled politely when the braver people stepped forward to ask questions. Heck, even the head of the school newspaper approached me.

When I plopped down on my usual table with my lunch tray, only the girls were there. They were all grinning at me from ear to ear; I’m just going to wait for the blow.

“Since the boys aren’t here yet…” Lillian trailed, not even trying to hide her excitement.

“Give us the details,” Annabelle demanded, “How he asked you, what you were wearing, was it romantic?”

I couldn’t help but giggle at their giddy faces. I had their undivided attention and I’m pretty sure the surrounding tables were trying to not-so-secretly eavesdrop on our conversation.

I leaned closer and gestured for my friends to do the same.

“He actually asked me twice,” I said, “It’s because I rejected him the first time.”

“Why?!” Lillian screeched, I gave a her a dry and Jessica lightly slapped her arm, shushing her.

“It’s complicated and it doesn’t really matter,” I excused. I don’t think Drew would appreciate that I told these three girls that his mother got into a car accident.

“But anyways, he came to my house and we watched a movie together.”

“Sounds romantic,” Jessica commented, “Was it formal, casual or what?”

“I was in my pajamas and we had Chinese takeaway,” I informed them bluntly.

They paused for a moment and gave each other weird looks. I smiled at them sheepishly and laughed at their reactions.

“You said that something complicated happened, what made you change your mind?” Annabelle inquired, “Knowing you, you’re much harder to crack than just a movie and Chinese takaway.”

“The kiss,” I mumbled without thinking.

“He kissed you,” they all squealed in unison.

Even if we were talking in low voices, the combined powers of their voices were enough for the nearby students to hear.

“Aww,” they cooed.

I slapped my forehead, should have known this would happen.

“Hey girls,” Blake greeted, sitting next to his girlfriend, “What are you talking about?”

“Celeste’s talking about how Drew asked her out,” Jessica told him.

“You’re gossiping about us already?” Drew suddenly popped out, claiming the chair next to mine.

“My best friends are curious,” I shrugged, taking a sip of water, “Can I visit Ariel with you later?”

“You can go ahead and visit her, I still have work after school.”

I pouted and he chuckled at this, ruffling my hair.

“You two are the cutest,” Annabelle cooed.

Shushing her with my hand, I pointed at the couple that was approaching us. Lucas had his arm around Rebecca while she talked animatedly. The thing was, Lucas seemed nothing near interested to whatever his girlfriend was saying. His eyes were mainly focused on me. What made my mood switch was the girl next to Rebecca – Claire Roberts.

“Hi guys,” Rebecca chirped, setting her tray down, “This is my best friend, Claire. Would you mind letting her join us for lunch?”

My mind wanted to yell no but I kept my mouth shut and focused my attention to my sandwich. I would love to rip her hair extensions out with my bare hands.

Now that Drew and I are together, I scooted closer to him and I gave Claire a hard look.

“Congratulations by the way Celeste and Drew,” Rebecca sweetly smiled. I’ve learned that Rebecca was actually pretty nice, unlike her nasty best friend. I’m actually praying that Lucas will fall for her, I felt bad for her.

“Thank you,” I said politely.

*

*

*

“Ariel,” I drawled out, entering her hospital room with a bouquet of lillies in my hand.

Ariel’s green eyes moved from the opened television to the doorway where I was standing.

I heard from
Drew that she woke up last night. She was still a little woozy but he reassured me that she was ready for visitors.

“Come in, Celeste,” she gestured for me to approach her bed. I shut the door behind me and I placed the flowers on the table near her bed.

“How are you?” I asked, concern leaking in my voice.

“Just fine, dear,” she smiled, “Where’s Drew.”

“Work,” I replied, sitting on the bed next to her lying form.

“And Savannah?”

“She’s still staying at my house,” I reassured her, “Don’t worry about anything except on getting well.”

“I can’t,” she sighed, “I still have my children to worry about and also, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to pay the hospital bill.”

I gave her a sympathetic look as I was on a loss for words. Even if she was laying on a hospital bed where she was meant to be resting, her mind was still running with problems.

A nurse knocked at the door and told us that she was checking how Ariel was doing. While she was checking her vitals, I excused myself out.

When I reached the lobby, I approached the desk and smiled at the nurse, “Hi, can I make the payments here?”

I was going to do anything in my power to make things right.

*

*

*

“I’m home,” I announced, stepping at the foyer. When Jazzy didn’t greet me, I grew a little curious.

I settled my things on the coffee table in the living room before venturing my way to the dining room. I lifted my brow at the scene in front of me.

Drew Everett was chatting with my parents.

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Hey guys, I seriously have nothing to put in my author's note because I really want to rant but that would take up too much time. I'm going back to school tomorrow (uggh) so let's how this plays out.

Question: Know any good editors? My editor is so busy with college and I don't want to be any added stress to her. We're on chapter thrity-one and the last chapter that was edited was chapter eighteen so we clearly have a problem here.

Anyways, don't forget to vote, comment and follow. Buh-bye, love you guys! Mwah!