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Chapter Twenty Five

At lunch, we explained our plan to Brit, Brian and Lily. They were skeptical, but they understood. Thankfully, Squeaks wasn't there so I didn't have to worry about his big mouth.

"I think it's evil." Brit smirked, "What do you plan to accomplish with this?"

"I just want him to hurt." I shrugged.

"Oh, he's hurting. He hasn't taken his eyes off of you this whole time." Brit laughed and pointed behind me.

"Good." I smiled without looking back and scooted closer to Andy. He put his arm around me.

"Is this really necessary?" Brian asked.

"Is anything really necessary?" Andrew answered.

"Fine." Brian rolled his eyes.

"You've never had your heart broken." Lily piped up, "You wouldn't understand."

Brian nodded and Brit took over the conversation.

"So, let's talk prom."

"Shit, I almost forgot about prom. Andy, what are we gonna do?" I asked him.

"Go, of course, and have the time of our lives." he smiled in a way that almost made me swoon, but I quickly pushed that thought away.

"Okay, so we're going-"

"Not me." Acey and Michael said together, interrupting Brit.

"Okay, so all the couples are going." Brit brushed them off, "Now we just have to get clothes."

"I call green." I said quickly.

"I want blue." Lily mumbled.

"Good, 'cause I want pink." Brit smiled, "We'll go dress shopping on Saturday, provided Lindsay keeps her ass in check."

"I promise." I held up my hand to swear it before I turned to Andy, "Do you want to come? Do you need a suit?"

"I got my dad's suit, and I got a meet on Saturday. Sorry." he mumbled.

"It's alright." I brushed my hand down his cheek gently. He blushed.

"Alright, so big Bri, Lily, Matt, you and I will go shopping." Brit nodded.

"Tell them, Brian." Lily nudged him.

"I don't want to sound weird." Brian mumbled.

"Tell us what?" I asked.

"Well, my mom said I could have some friends stay over on Saturday since we're graduating. So I was thinking of inviting everyone from detention. You too Brit, if you want." he explained.

"Sorry, Matt and I have plans for that night." Brit said.

"Everyone from detention?" Andy asked.

"So John and Claire too..." I groaned.

"Yeah, well I mean, I still get along with John, so. I'm sorry, I just wanna be like, fair." Brian explained nervously.

"It's okay, don't worry about it. We'll be there." Andy smiled, but I was dreading it.

The bell signaling the end of lunch rang and we all stood up and separated.

"Ready for our date later?" Andy asked me.

"I though you just made that up?" I looked to him, puzzled.

"Nah, it's phase two. I'll meet you at your locker after school." he leaned down and gently kissed my cheek.

"Okay, bye..." I almost whispered as I watched him walk away. John pushed me to the side with his shoulder as he left and I groaned. What a fucking asshole.

Our surprise date turned out to be the local pizza parlor. Andy ordered us a pepperoni pizza, some bread sticks and two sodas. We sat in a corner booth by the window. It was pretty empty and I was confused as to why we were here. Not that I minded the free food, I just hoped Andy wasn't taking this relationship the wrong way. Andrew noticed the look on my face.

"It's Wednesday. Every Wednesday Claire comes here with her friends so Bender will be coming too. If they didn't believe we were dating before they will now." Andy said and started to eat his pizza.

"Great." I mumbled and began to munch on a bread stick.

"Any minute now, get ready to turn on the theatrics." He wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

On cue, Claire entered the parlor with John, her friends and a few jocks I've seen around before. John looked at Andy and then to me. For a moment he looked sad, but it quickly turned into frustration. He turned away from us and ordered food with the group. When they got their food they all sat at a big group of tables not too far from us. Claire scowled at me and Andrew put his hand on mine.

"Don't play into it. We need to look like we're having a good time."

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"I don't know. Smile, laugh, something." he shrugged.

"I can't just laugh on cue." I said.

"Okay, I'll tell you a joke then. Uh..." he took a moment to think, "Oh! I got one! Who was the roundest knight at the round table?"

"Who?"

"Circumference." he smiled.

"Oh, Andy, that's terrible!" I slapped his arm but laughed regardless.

"It worked though!" he started to laugh too.

"Fair enough." I giggled and took a sip of my soda before I grimaced,"Ew, is this diet?"

"Yeah, I thought all girls liked diet?" he rose his eyebrow.

"Nooo." I shook my head, "I'll be right back."

I went to the counter to get a regular soda. John approached me as I waited. I wouldn't face him so he grabbed my shoulder and spun me around.

"What are you doing here?" he growled.

"Spending some time with my boyfriend. What do you care?" I spat.

"He's not your boyfriend. This is a joke!" he scowled.

"What's a joke is that you still think I give a single fuck about what you think." I snapped and grabbed my new soda, "Get over yourself, Bender. I already did."

He pounded his fist on the counter as I sat back down by Andy. He put his arm around me and I instinctively went to kiss him. His face turned beet red and he turned so that I ended up kissing his cheek instead. I pulled away quickly.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to." I began to blush as well.

"It's all good." he mumbled, embarrassed.

When we finished eating Andrew walked me home. It was a relatively quiet walk and the more we tried to make small talk the more awkward it got. We couldn't get to my house fast enough. When we finally got on my front porch I turned to him.

"You know, Andy, if you don't wanna do this you don't have to."

"I do, just... I wasn't ready for that kiss is all..." he mumbled and looked at his feet, "I didn't want to mess it up in front of them."

"Do you want to...practice?" I asked. He looked up at me in shock.

"I...guess?" he laughed nervously.

We moved a little closer and slowly we brought our lips together. It was short and sweet, but it was nice. When we pulled apart both of our cheeks were bright red.

"T-there, I think we got it down." he stuttered.

"Yeah." I nodded awkwardly.

"So, goodnight!" he did a little wave and jogged down the stairs.

"Night!" I waved weakly and retreated into my house.

I closed the door and leaned up against it to take a deep breath. I thought because it was Andy that this would be no big deal, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe I could just be with him and stop worrying about John. He was kind and goal oriented and- no, that was ridiculous. We were too different, and I could never love someone more that I had loved John.

Could I?