Chapter thirty-five

Ida's POV

It was lunch time and André sat beside me at the table Xoey and I would usually used to sit at.He always sat beside me and totally  forgot about the popular's table or with his team players.By now, everybody knew and a few people began to befriend me but they didn't sit with us at lunch,leaving André and I to get our  personal space.

"Ida" André pecked my cheeks and put his food on the table."I'm having a game at tomorrow,I forgot to tell you,would  you like to come"

"Yes.I'd certainly would love to come"

"Good.I'm driving us to the picnic after school.I've got the things you asked for" He gave me that heart-melting smile and winked at me.

I found myself blushing at his words.A strand of my hair fell on my face and André brushed it away.

We heard the clacking of heels on the floor and it drew everyone's attention.Everything froze and André and I looked at each other and turned our faces to look ahead of us.

I knew that someone.Hailey.Hailey Asgot.She flashed smiles at a group of guys sitting together at a table and they instantly  blushed at this.

Students began to whisper to themselves  and her facial expression changed to a frown and she approached our table.

I looked at her painted nails as she placed her hand on the table.

She took off her bag and put it on the table.She took a seat across us on the table.

"Hello friend.I mean Ida.Hello André.I've been waiting for you where have you been?" She asked sweetly.

"Ida let's go" André stood up and handed me his outstretched hand.

I took it willingly and he pulled me along with him.Somebody grabbed my other hand and a beautiful polished hand that could only belong to Hailey was holding my hand. André stopped in his tracks and I looked into her angry eyes  I tried to yank it away but I couldn't,her grip was too .I tried to continue my tracks but I couldn't, with André holding one hand and Hailey the other.

That was when André decided to jump into action and defend me.

"Hailey let go of her" He warned, his voice very cold and his face angry.

All the other students turned their attention to us.Seriously?! Did they have to be more than a gossip not to m I and their own business?

"André it's me.Hailey?" Hailey pointed out with a now sad face.

"Let of of her hand" He warned again.

I watched Hailey and as she slowly released a finger at a time, smiled and whispered; "You'll regret this.Mark my words" She smiled and looked at both of us and walked away.

"Are you okay? What did she say to you?" He asked with an apologetic look on his face.

"Nothing" I smiled."let's get going"

What Hailey told me made my bones shiver and got me thinking a lot.The rumors I had heard were enough to know she'd do anything to get what she wants.

"Ida.Are you okay? I've been trying to tell you but you were absent minded . We're here"

And he was right.We were here.I looked around and I found out that we surrounded by a field of flowers.Everywhere except the path the car on.

I got out quickly before André could open the door for me.I observed how the petals of the marigolds swayed in the cool breeze.Perfect place for the two of us.

I laid the sunflower printed cloth in the the flowers and André brought out the cakes, tea, fruits, ice cream, chocolate and puddings. After we had set it on the cloth, we began to dig in.

"How'd you find a place so a beautiful and peaceful"

He smiled and looked around before he answered.

"My mom discovered it" he gasped and continued."she discovered it when she little, as she told us.She used to come to picnics with is here"

I nodded and took a bite of Swiss roll.

"It's very beautiful" I said and held his hand.

He looked into my eyes and I was totally lost.

I drew my face closer to his.I looked at his lips.I drew my face closer but he put a finger in my lip to halt me.

I felt embarrassed. Again. Second attempt and I failed miserably.

I pulled away from him and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Do want to do something fun" He asked.

I nodded.

"Then take my hand"

André 's POV

Taking her hand in mine was like a pain in the heart.I didn't want to be with her. I just wanted the documents I needed. How long is it  going to take for her to trust me.

F**k.This is going to a long time but I still have to pretend to be her boyfriend.

"We're going for a run" I told her and let go of her hand.

"I don't get you" she asked, confused.

"I mean we'll hold our hands and run around until we're tired.You ready? "

She tugged the sleeve of her dress.

"I sure am"

We held each others hand.I counted.

"1.....2....3.... go!"

We both run around with our other hands in the air.We were screaming aaaahhh.

I had never done anything so humiliating as this.

We did this for almost ten minutes, as I verified from my phone when we settled down.

We were both panting but not sweaty since the breeze the cool.

"We have to go . I'll drop you at home" I said.

"Okay"

We packed the things back into my car boot and we began our way to her house.

"Do you know my house?" She asked, very surprised when I began to drive on the road that led to her house.

I laughed.

"I do know your house . I've been there with my dad before"

"To do..what exactly? "

"Exactly..well I probably just escorted my dad to meet your dad"

"To do ...?"

"Business stuff .That's all I know" I lied.I didn't want to give her too much information.She might figure my plans out.

"Well we're here I announced and stopped the car right outside the gates of their mansion.I quickly got out of the car to her side to open the door for her.She got out

I pecked her on the cheek.

"Bye" I said quickly to avoid her questions of hers.I got quickly into my car and drive away.

I entered my apartment and sat on couch.I closed my eyes and almost fell asleep when I heard Lil's voice.

"So you're now with that nerd huh?" She plopped next to me on the couch.

"Shut up and go to your room"

"Okay" she shrugged."but what's your deal with her anyway.But why her over Hailey and Bethany"

"Shut up"

"Okay.Im going to my room" She put emphasis on the word 'my room' and left.

I need to think about tomorrow. I should never lose 'cos André Jones never loses.

Xoey 's POV

When we got home,Aunt Carrie left to meet a business client.So Dianna, Bethany and I where the only ones left at home.It wasn't yet time for work, so I prepared my clothes for work and went to check on Dianna.

"Hey" I said bluntly.

"Hey"

"Can I sit by you?"

"Sure"

I took a seat next to her and put my hand on top of hers.

"Sis.I want to tell you something"

"Go ahead"

"Do we have a father?"

I swallowed hard.That was the same question I asked my mother but she always told me that she left him.

"Well we don't need a dad, do we?" I queried.

"Yes we do" Her voice laced with anger.She stood up sharply.

"Why.What is wrong with you ?"

"I'd tell you what it is . Today, I was at school and when the teacher asked each of us what our parents occupations where, I told her that I didn't have a dad"

"Well that's no big deal"

"Well it is . Haven't you ever wondered where our father is.Have you?"

I tapped my chin and played along.

" Well I have but-"

"Then why don't we ask mom?" She asked, her hopes rising a little by the look on her face.

"Well I have and-"

"What did she say?"she asked, cutting me off again.

"I'd tell you what she said if you stop cutting me off"

"Okay"

"We don't have a dad"

"What!!"she was shocked.

"Mom said she left him"

"So we don't have a dad?!!"

"Yep I said casually.

She paced about the room.

"I hate this life" she shouted, finally coming to a stop.

"Excuse me?" I didn't believe what I just heard. I stood up and stood in front of her.

"You heard me sis, I said I hate this life.This poor life.Where we had to starve for days.Where we can't enough of everything" She spat into my face.

First suicide, and now this.Dianna and I  hardly hardly get into argument.

Ever.

"What happened to you Dian?"

"Nothing happened to me.Sis"

"We at least have a life.We go to good schools.We no more starve nowadays. I have a job now.We have a place to sleep I tried to remind her of what we have.

"What about a big house a day cars.And lots and lots of clothes, shoes and food that we never have to lack any"

"We have clothes, and shoes and sufficient food"

"Yeah sure . I'm going out"

"No you aren't. You're staying here"

"Please sis, don't try to stop me.I'm a teen let me be"

"Dianna wait!"I shouted after her as she left the room.

But I remembered what she just told me.Maybe she needed time to think.

Maybe she needed time to be alone.

Maybe I had to let her be for once.

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Hope you liked this chapter.More to come.