CHAPTER 5

**VERONICA**

"It's not like this is the first time a player has asked me out," I said to Sam. 

"Oh, I know, but this player we're talking about is none other than Hunter Bush," he replied. 

"I get what you mean, but why do you feel sorry for me?" I asked. 

"I feel sorry for you because, you know, nobody says no to those guys and goes scot-free," he replied with a sigh. 

"It's not like they're in the mafia or something. I already told him no, and I don't plan on changing my answer. There's nothing he can do about it but back off," I replied, rolling my eyes. 

"Veronica, this is Hunter Bush we're talking about." 

"So?" I asked, rolling my eyes again. I was getting tired of it, but I couldn't help it. 

"Well, you, of all people, should know he won't back off easily," he stated the obvious. 

"Yeah, but he'll be forced to." 

"By whom?" he asked, holding back his laughter. 

"By me," I replied, and he began laughing and clapping at the same time. 

"I'm so proud of you," he said mockingly. 

"Stop it," I said, realizing how funny my statement was. I tried to suppress my own laughter, but he wouldn't stop until my phone began ringing. 

We both looked at the caller ID—it was Hunter. 

"Don't answer it," he said. 

"Why shouldn't I?" I asked him. 

"He'll think you've been waiting for his call." 

"Oh, that's just ridiculous," I replied as I picked up my phone. 

"So, when am I allowed to answer?" I asked, glancing at the screen. 

"When he calls for the third or fourth time," he replied. 

Seriously? What do we do to avoid looking desperate? SMH. 

"Okay," I said, just as the phone rang again. 

"I guess this is the third time," I said before answering the call. 

"Hey," he greeted. 

"Hi," I replied. 

"Is everything alright over there?" he asked. 

"Yeah, why do you ask?" 

"It's just that I called you twice before you picked up. I hope I'm not disturbing you," he said. I looked at Sam as if silently blaming him for the delay, and he shrugged in response. 

"No, you're not. I just wasn't near my phone." 

"So, why did you call?" I asked him. 

"Can you please send me your address? I'd like to come over," he requested. 

I looked at Sam, who could hear Hunter through the speaker, and he mouthed, "DON'T GIVE IT TO HIM"

"Hello, are you still there?" Hunter asked me. 

"Yeah, I'm still here," I replied. 

"So, can you give me your address now?" he asked. 

"Why do you want to come over?" I questioned. 

"I just want to hang out, and please don't say no." 

"Okay, end the call so I can send you the address," I said. He hung up, and I quickly turned my phone off. 

"What should I do?" I asked Sam, panicking. 

"I don't know, but don't switch your phone on for now," he replied, and I followed his advice. 

As we continued our conversation, Sam began telling me about the girl he had a crush on. 

"So, you still have a crush on Stephanie, huh?" I asked, smiling. 

Stephanie is a brunette whom Sam has been into for about a year now. I don't understand why he's scared to ask her out. She's in the same grade as us, which I think would make it easier. 

To me, there's nothing special about Stephanie. She's just a petite brunette with thin pink lips and a button nose. I only noticed her because of her hair—it's long, rich, and healthy, which I've always loved. But other than that, her beauty seems average to me, so I don't get why he's so nervous to ask her out. 

We later watched a movie together, and after chatting for a while, he left. 

About two minutes later, Liam came home with a smile on his face. 

"What's up, bro? You look really happy today. Where are you coming from?" I asked curiously. 

"I just came from my friend's house," he said before heading up to his room. 

After a while, he came downstairs while talking on the phone. When he sat down, I asked him why he was so happy, but he opened his phone and logged into Facebook without answering. 

He can be really annoying and irritating sometimes—actually, most of the time. 

"Seriously, Liam, I just asked you a question, and you didn't even acknowledge that a human being is speaking right here," I said, frustrated. 

This was one of those moments I felt like smacking his head. Just then, the doorbell rang, and Liam went to answer it. A girl came inside—none other than Stephanie Noah. 

"You have got to be kidding me," I muttered to myself. 

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**MEANWHILE, AT BRYAN'S HOUSE** 

"What's wrong?" Bryan asked Hunter. 

"I don't know. I think the phone signal is bad because her phone isn't connecting, and it says it's switched off. But it's weird because I just finished speaking to her," Hunter replied. 

"Maybe she switched it off or her battery is drained," Bryan suggested as he sat down on the couch. 

"Why would she switch it off? I was talking to her, and then her phone suddenly went off..."

"What were you talking about?" Bryan asked.

"I asked her to send me her address because I wanted to go over to her house."

"Well, maybe she doesn't want to give you her address," Bryan said with a shrug as if he were completely sure.

"Which girl wouldn't want to give me her address? It's just a common address; there's no big deal there," Hunter replied.

"I don't have an answer to that, but you should know that all girls are not the same," Bryan said as he sat down on the medium-sized couch.

"Great, now Bryan has become a motivational speaker. I'll just try her on the phone later," Hunter said, placing his phone on the centre table in front of them.

"Did you tell her about the party?" Bryan asked.

"Yeah, I did, and she said yes, but it took a lot of convincing before she agreed to come," Hunter replied.

"Cool, but don't do anything stupid," Bryan warned.

"How did you know I was planning on spiking her drink and taking her home with me?" Hunter said with a smile.

"Why would you want to do that?" Bryan asked.

"I really don't think it's a good idea. That's not right because she didn't consent to it," Bryan said, shocked by his cousin's plan.

"I'm really sure she wants it; she's just playing hard to get. As far as I know, she doesn't have a boyfriend. I did my research, and don't worry, I'll make sure she's into it before I do anything," Hunter said.

"Don't do it, bro," Bryan warned, concerned that Hunter's plan wasn't right at all.

"Why shouldn't I? Besides, that's all I want from her, and that's why I spoke to her in the first place," Hunter replied, unwilling to back down.

"I don't know, but I just feel it's not right. Forget about my feelings; everyone knows it's not right," Bryan said.

"Fine, I'll think about it. I don't even know why you're bothered; what's your deal?" Hunter asked Bryan.

"Why do you have to think about it?" Bryan replied, ignoring Hunter's question.

"You seem so interested in this girl; I hope there's nothing I need to know," Hunter said, suddenly serious.

"Well, do whatever you want," Bryan said, leaving the living room in anger.

Hunter dialled Veronica's number again, and she picked up.

"Hello," Veronica said.

"Hello, did something go wrong? I tried your phone, but it wasn't going through," Hunter said.

"Oh, sorry. Maybe the signal was bad," she replied.

"Okay, so what about the address?" he asked.

"I'll give it to you tomorrow when I get to school," she said, hoping he would forget about it.

"Why can't you give it to me now?" he pressed.

"Obsessed much?" she thought.

"Besides, I want to be the one to pick you up from your house for the party on Friday if you haven't forgotten about it," he added.

"Hunter, I'm kind of busy right now. Maybe we can talk later," she said before ending the call.

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VERONICA.

At school the next day, I tried to avoid Hunter as much as I could, but that didn't stop him. He even stood beside my locker so he would see me when I came to collect my books. I didn't find it funny at all until he offered to help me clean my locker.

Yes, it was hilarious, but who was I to say no? I allowed him to help, and I noticed the stares I received from the few people who were early to school that day.

On another note, yesterday my brother introduced Stephanie to me as his girlfriend, and that didn't make me happy at all. It hurt to see Sam's crush being taken away.

Sam is like a brother to me, and don't get me wrong, I also care for Liam, even though he can be an annoying piece of work. Still, I just want Sam to be happy, and I know he won't be if he finds out about this.

And Liam can always find another girl, so why Stephanie, of all people? He's probably dating her for fun, as the girls he brings around never last in a relationship. Anyway, he'll get over it. I just feel kind of guilty because it's my brother she's dating.

I guess I need to look for the perfect opportunity to break the news to Sam. I wouldn't want to act like I didn't know and betray him for a second time. Besides, Liam has already done enough damage.