My Bad Boy’s Ego — Chapter 35

Days after finding out about the debt, I've been avoiding almost everyone from school and keeping my head low in the art room. I brought my own food during lunch, so it was almost never necessary for me to leave this art room unless I had a class to attend to. Even though I was lonely, keeping a low profile kept a lot of drama outside of the circle and I had time to relax to myself.

I brought the sandwich towards me lips as I took a bite of the dry bread with peanut butter and jelly. I couldn't help but make a face at the disgusting lunch, before bringing my other hand up to paint on the canvas. I didn't know what I was painting, perhaps a sky?

The door opened quietly, and I didn't bother to look. A few people have bothered to come in and out of the art room, joining me for a small paint bonding moment, but no one I personally knew has came in here and checked up on me.

I spoke too soon.

"Aubrey," I heard Bella's voice from behind me.

Without a second thought, I turned towards Bella as I flashed her a small smile. However, I was quick to regret that action when I found out that Colton was right by her side.

As expected.

Turning my attention back towards the painted canvas, I pretended that I was paying a lot more attention towards my work. But ironically, I wasn't. My attention was leaned behind me, feeling Colton and Bella's eyes staring at the back of my head. I squeezed the paint brush in one of my hand as I painted.

"Aubrey," I heard Bella speak up again. Bella slid next to me and pulled the stood up towards me. She sits next to me, rubbing my shoulders with both of her palm before relaxing her chin on her arm.

"Why have you been avoiding us?" she asked me innocently. By now, I thought she would've already figured out about Colton and his little schemes; but she sounded as oblivious as ever. I shook my head in response.

"I haven't," I lied.

Bella released a scoff as she shakes her head at me, "Yes, you have! You don't think we'll notice?"

I tilted my head backwards as I mumbled underneath my breath in defeat, "Okay, I have been. But everything's fine, I promise."

I could feel Bella frowning next to me as we both forgot about Colton's attendance behind us.

"Bella, can I have a talk with Aubrey really quick?" he finally spoke up.

I shot Bella the eye and tried to shake my head as still as possible. However, she didn't get the message and stood up from the stool, respectively nodding back at him.

"I'll meet you in Elder's classroom," she concluded at Colton, smiling at both of us before exiting the classroom.

Great.

Colton slid back on the stool Bella was previously sitting on, his whole body facing towards me. His legs were spread with my stool between his grip. I looked at Austin and finally set my sandwich and the paintbrush before finally giving him an ear.

"What, Colton?" I asked bluntly, looking at him. I couldn't see him as the same person anymore, I see him more as a threat to my happiness.

"I'm sorry," he started out, looking at me with sorrowful eyes. I avoided his eye contact, scared of losing my pride in his eyes.

"It's fine," I mumbled in response, staring ahead of me.

"No, seriously," Colton whispers, slipping his hand under my chin as he pulls my face towards him, "I didn't mean to just ditch out on you like that," he chuckles in defeat.

My heart felt like it stopped beating the moment he touches me, but I couldn't find the courage to push him away.

"She came back randomly," he attempted to explain, "I was lost in my childish thoughts. I was in love with her and I thought she came back for me."

"Okay," I responded, listening to his explanation with half a heart.

Colton started stumbling on his words from my cold response, "I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. At that time, I was just caught up and," he stopped talking. We both knew that he was in the wrong, but his excuses couldn't make up for what he's done.

"Colton, it's okay," I sighed from his effort. It was clear that Colton never had the intentions to hurt me, and it was also clear that he was trying his hardest to make it up to me.

Finally, I concluded on what sounded like the best option for both of us, "We're still best friends," I started, "Nothing less, nothing more."

A small smile crept upon Colton's lips as his eyes differ. I could tell from his light blue eyes that he still felt guilt, and sadness; but continuing our relationship as best friends seems like the right thing to do at this moment. I'm too wrapped up in this hay, I can't handle turning my back against my own best friend because of something so childish.

Colton held his arm out as I leaned my body towards his. He wrapped both of his arms around my shoulders as I sat there and slightly enjoyed him embrace.

"I brought you lunch too," Colton says as he lets me go, making a face at my sandwich that was resting on a piece of napkin.

He pulled off his backpack and reached inside, pulling out a Lunchables pack from his backpack. I was caught by surprised. A grown teenager with a Lunchables. I couldn't help but laugh at him as his face turns red from the sudden embarrassment.

"What?" he questions, releasing a small laugh along with mine, "At least I got you food."

I grinned happily and took the Lunchables from his hands, nodding at him, "Yes, Colton. At least you did." I leaned towards him and scrunched my nose before opening the pack. He smiles, bringing his hand up to my cheeks before pinching them softly.

- - -

After lunch, I worked up the guts to attend math class. Even though Landon helped me piece out the details of our family's debt, seeing him would just remind me of how much his family impacts mine.

Sure, Isaiah convinced me enough to believe that Landon wasn't capable of his family's doings, but just the fact that he's own up to his apology only for his family to put mine into so much trouble. I sighed, clutching the strap of my bag on the shoulder as I head towards the classroom. I opened the door and entered without trying to hesitate. However, I stopped after I closed the door, staring at a pair of eyes that had been laying on the door as his he was waiting for something.

I swallowed nervously, heading towards the original seat. Landon smiles at me as I slightly returned the smile respectfully.

I toss my notebook on my desk and sat down, setting down my bag afterwards.

"So," Landon whispers, leaning my way as he taps my cheek bringing my attention to him. Everyone else was well aware of his actions and suddenly started whispering to each other. I was too overwhelmed to even bother to pay attention to the gossips around us.

Looking up at Landon with wide eyes, I was waiting for his response.

"I found another way I'm able to help," Landon begins.

I attempted to interrupt his offer before he holds a finger directly in front of my face. I couldn't help but flinch at the sudden action, clutching the chair and the table with each hand.

An amused laugh escaped his lips as he set his hand back down, "Sorry."

"Isaiah's family is throwing a party," he trails off.

I squinted my eyes, "What does that have to do with anything?"

"My family is going too. Including my uncle, Charles," Landon explains, "I was thinking if Isaiah brings you as his date, we can somehow threaten Charles to confess and take back the debt."

The more Landon tries to explain himself, the more confused I was getting.

"How does me being Isaiah's date do anything? I don't get it."

"Isaiah's family and mine are like best friends. Our companies are the biggest allies and we need each other in order to grow more profit. Long story short, athletes needs hospitals, hospitals needs patients, and boom money for the both of us."

"That doesn't make sense," I shook my head, as we both leaned towards each other trying our best to keep the conversation as quiet as possible.

"Business never makes sense," he sighs, "Anyways, if you go as Isaiah's date it's almost automatically that my family needs to get on your good side. If Charles figures out the relation between you and your father – which he most likely will, he has no other choice but to drop the debt in order to keep the alliance of the companies going."

Even after the long explanation, I decided to just go with my trust towards Landon and agree to whatever his scheme was.

"Okay," I mumbled, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to try."