Aching Heart

Chapter Six

The sound of Damon’s phone ringing, woke him up. He groaned loudly. Who was calling him this early? 

Without looking at the caller ID, he answered.

“Who is this?”

“What do you mean, who is this? It’s me!” He groaned inwardly, if he had known it was Kirsten he would not have answered the phone. “What do you want, Kirsten?” Damon asked impatiently. He was not a morning person.

“Damon, did you just wake up? No wonder you are not at school yet. First period already started, if you get up now you will make it in time for second period.”

“I’m not coming to school, Kirsten. I am going to hang up now, I want to sleep further.”

“Wait, Damon. I have not seen you for like a month, and you are not even coming to school? I’ll come to your house then, I can bunk school.” Damon sighed, impatiently. “Kirsten there is no need. I am still tired, I got home like two days ago. I just wanted to rest for a few days before going back to school. Enjoy school though.”

“You said for a few days? So when are you coming back to school?”

“Look, I don’t know. I am going to go sleep further now.”

“Fine.” He knew Kirsten was mad now. She ended the phone call abruptly and Damon sighed. He had no romantic feelings for Kirsten and he did not know what he was going to do. How could he marry her, one day? How could he spend the rest of his life with someone he did not love? They shared like a few kisses but there were never any romance involved. Damon sighed again as he looked at the time on his phone. It was half past eight and he did not feel tired anymore. Damon ran his finger through his hair. He did not feel like ever returning to the school and the fact that his mother was the principal made things worse.

His mind suddenly trailed to the black haired beauty who he ironically named Vanilla. It has not been the first time his mind just trailed to her. Ever since meeting her, she had been on his mind constantly. It was weird and unusual because he literally never met a girl that he thought about for more than 12 hours but he could not get her innocent big eyes and beautiful smile out of his head. Damon shook his head to get rid of the thoughts. He was literally like a sixteen year old girl who just experienced her very first crush.

Damon, feeling hungry got up from his bed and decided to go downstairs to the kitchen. He found their chef, Ruben cooking some breakfast.

“Good morning Mister Da-”

“Ruben, what did I say about calling me mister, please don’t” Ruben laughed. He was a middle aged man and was honestly the best chef. Damon had not taste anything that topped his food.

“Okay, Damon but in front of your mother I am definitely calling you that.” Damon nodded, he knew his mother would get a fit, even his father. They had this annoying need to point out the distinction between them and their workers and it really irritated Damon.

“Breakfast is almost ready. Just wait a few more minutes.”

“All good. Do you know if Preston’s awake?” Damon frowned, he did not see Preston since his return from Europe. “I did not see him Mi-uh…Damon.” Damon laughed and leaned against the counter. While the bacon was in the pan Ruben decided to grab the empty egg shells. There was a lot since Damon and Preston had quite a big appetite and he no doubt cooked for their mother and father this morning as well.

“Let me throw that away, Ruben. I wouldn’t want you to burn the bacon now.”

“You really should not.” Ruben protest. “No, I insist.” Damon did not wait to grab the empty egg shells and throw them in the trash can. Suddenly something caught his attention. It was picture laying between the wall and the trash can. Since there was a space just big enough for the trash can to fit in between the wall and the counter, no one would notice it. It is clear that someone was in hurry to throw the picture away and missed it. He bent down to pick it up and when his eyes landed on the picture he gasped loudly.

Ruben’s head snapped towards him. “Everything okay?”

“Y-yes…no everything’s good. Continue. I’ll be back now.” Damon almost ran to his room. When he was in the safety of his room he looked at the picture again to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him. He had to make sure it was not a figment of his imagination. What if he started seeing her just because she was on his mind too much?

After blinking several times, he finally believed it was really a picture of her, in his house. He could not believe he was looking at that same smile that he had seen Sunday and could not get out of his mind. Her big round eyes were smiling as well. Damon tried fighting the smile from taking over his face but he could not stop it. He was not one who believed in fate, but he was pretty sure this was fate. He turned the picture around and saw her name written there. Finally.

“Andrea Quinn.” The name rolled smoothly off his tongue. Why would her picture be in their house? He wonder to himself and then it hit him. The only reason there would even be a picture of someone who was not one of the King family members, would be because they would either work under his father or attend at their school. His mother, being the principal, obviously had pictures of all the students attending the school. Damon was sure that she was not going to work under his father because the top part of her school shirt could be seen on the picture. He was so excited that he completely forgot where he actually found the picture.

Damon could not believe he was actually carrying in his hand, the picture of the girl who he thought he would never see. He did not care that he was now acting like a 16 year old teenager who found out her crush liked her back. He was just glad he was going to see her again. He liked her energy. She was someone you just want to be around, and not even romantically. Damon gave the picture a last look before placing it in his drawer.

“Andrea Quinn. I will see you tomorrow.” He closed the drawer. There was no way he was going to stay at home, he needed to see if she was really going to attend their school. If she really is attending Kingston High, his last year of school might not be as boring.

**************

Andrea walked out of her class. It was the end of third period and it was lunch time now. Despite everything Jamie had told her, she did not feel as anxious as what she thought she would. So far her day had gone by pretty uneventful. Students just kept staring at her, no one said anything or approached her. She walked to her locker and found Jamie waiting for her there.

“You can come sit with me, at my table.” Jamie said when Andrea reached her locker. Andrea nodded her head and placed her books in her locker and allowed Jamie to pull her with her to the cafeteria.

“Let me tell you. The food at this school is the best and we do not need to pay for it at all.” Andrea laughed at how happy Jamie looked because of that.    

Jamie did not lie. The food were amazing. Andrea chose fries and two slices of pizza. Jamie and Andrea were seated at small table in the corner of the cafeteria. The students were all eating and talking but they constantly sent glances towards Andrea. Jamie was devouring a burger across from Jamie and Andrea chuckled again. She was so small and petite but the girl knew how to eat.

“Don’t take this the wrong way but don’t you have any other friends?” Jamie swallowed the food she had in her mouth and then answered: “Like I said the students attending this school are snobs. I am not a scholarship kid or anything but I am not exactly rich, my Dad actually works for one of The Elite’s family and makes just enough to pay for my school fees.” Andrea could not believe that this was this was how to social system worked at this school.

“So people are not friends with you just because of that?”

“I’d say so yes but also because I have never really clicked with a girl or someone here at the school, because everyone looked down on each other. It is how they grew up and were taught to be.” Andrea never appreciated her humble beginnings like she did today. She would rather be poor than be prejudiced.

Before Andrea could reply the entire cafeteria suddenly went completely silent. Andrea looked confusedly around. What was happening? She then noticed everyone was looking at the entrance. Five students had just entered. Jamie noticing her look spoke in a whispered voice: “That is th-”

“The Elites.” Jamie nodded. It still felt weird to Andrea to refer to students, that attending the same school as her, as elites, people who are considered socially superior to others. The five students looked like people who just came out of a magazine. The group consisted out of two girls and three boys. They walked, unfazed by the attention they were receiving. The two girls were absolutely gorgeous. The one had blonde hair and the other brown. Their heels clacking on the floor were heard throughout the cafeteria and they were leading the group towards the table at the center.

“The one with the beautiful blonde hair is Kirsten Montgomery. Her mother owns one of the biggest modelling company in the city.” Jamie whispered to Andrea. Andrea looked at Kirsten. She had long, straight blonde hair that reached her back. She looked like a model.

“She is really pretty.” Andrea whispered back. “I know, and believe me, she knows it too. That’s her bestie, Karla Jones.” Andrea turned her attention towards the brunette one. Her hair was hanging in waves down her back. Their appearances looked perfect and Andrea could not help but admire their beauty.

“The guy, walking behind Kirsten, his name is Caleb Hudson. Handsome, ain’t he?” Jamie said with a smile on her face as she continued to stare at Caleb. Andrea smiled back. “Someone’s got a little crush.” Jamie rolled her eyes and laughed. “I mean, who doesn’t, just look at him. Now my father works for his family.”

“I’m not gonna lie, he is handsome.” He had cute short curls and was nice and tall.

“Hands off girl.” Jamie said teasingly. “All yours babes. I am not even thinking of finding myself a guy at this school from everything I have heard.”

“Believe me. Caleb’s different. I had a few encounters with him.” Andrea turned her attention to the guy walking behind Caleb. “Who is he?”

“That’s Evan Jameson. He is the quiet one of the group. He only ever talks to his friends, no one else.” Evan was also a very handsome but he was a head shorter than Caleb. Andrea eyed him and could not help but get the feeling that she had seen him somewhere before.

“That last guy, you got to be wary of him.” Andrea turned her attention towards the last guy Jamie was referring to, he was also tall. They were now all making their way to their seat. Andrea could not see his features but she felt something familiar from him as well. The minute he took a seat at the table, Andrea could clearly make out his features and she almost fell from her chair.

“Between the guys, he is the worst.” Jamie continued, not noticing Andrea’s face. “He’s name is-”

“Austin Williams.” Andrea finished her sentence. As her back was facing their table, she had turned her head and was now looking directly at Austin. She could not believe her eyes. As if feeling her eyes on him, he looked up from what he was doing and turned towards her. The minute his eyes met hers, Andrea could see his expression change to one of surprise. So he remembered her. His surprised expression immediately changed and he sent her a smirk.

“Yes, that’s his name. His Dad owns a lot of clubs and restaurants. Wait…how do you know his name?” Jamie’s voice broke their eye contact and Andrea’s head turned around. She could still feel his stare. Andrea did notice how the students in the cafeteria were back to talking to one another.

“Funny story actually. I have a part time job at one of his Dad’s club and we sort of had an encounter on Friday evening, and it was not a good one.” Now Andrea realized why Evan looked familiar as well. He was one of the friends that was with Austin at the club.

“Oh no. You do not want to be in his bad books, honestly. I have seen how he treated students and not just scholarship students, everyone.”

“Believe me, I won’t doubt that for a second. He is extremely rude.” Jamie opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again as her face paled. Andrea frowned.

“Uh-oh. Don’t panic Andrea but I think Kirsten and Karla are coming to our table.” Andrea turned around and indeed they were walking their way. She turned her attention to Jamie, feeling bad for Jamie’s panicked expression.

“Do you want to leave? I don’t want you to be in their bad books because you’re hanging with me. I’d understand if you want to leave.”

“What? No I can’t leave you here, Andrea. I don’t think they will do anything to me.”

“What if they do?” Jamie opened her mouth then closed it. “The…they won’t”

“Just go Jamie, please.” Andrea could hear the clacking sounds of the heels coming closer.

“Andrea, honestly I really ca-”

“Go Jamie, I beg you.” Jamie sighed and got up. “Fine but I’m only leaving because I have to go do something to help you.” Jamie almost ran away and just as she left, two shadows fell on her. They were standing on her left side. Andrea looked up and saw they had two bright smiles plastered on their faces. The cafeteria was completely silent with everyone looking their direction. They each had a slushie in their hands and took a sip from it.

“We have not been properly introduced. I am Kirsten and this,” Kirsten pointed her perferctly manicured thumb in the direction her friend stood, “is my friend Karla. What’s your name?” She asked in a sweet voice.

“Uh, I’m Andrea. Nice to meet you.” Andrea said, not sure what to say exactly.

 “You’re the first female scholarship student in two years.” Karla was the one to speak this time and she said it louder than what she needed to. Andrea knew why she did it, she obviously wanted everyone to know that she was here on scholarship.

“Uh oh okay.” Andrea muttered.

“We just felt it was our duty to welcome you, right Karla.” Kirsten said as she turned to look at Karla.

“Totally.” Karla replied back while looking at Kirsten, looking like they were communicating with their eyes. They both turned towards Andrea, gave her another sickly sweet smile and then in a swift motion, they both lifted up their slushies. Before Andrea could comprehend what was happening, they emptied both their slushies on her head, with the empty cups hitting her head and then the floor.

“Welcome to Kingston High.” They said in sync and walked away. Andrea was frozen for a few seconds, with the ice cold liquid dripping from her head down, into the collar of her school shirt and on her neck. Some were dripping on her newly bought school clothes. She wanted to cry. These school clothes were expensive. Andrea got out of her frozen state and wiped the liquid from her eyes that were now burning. Her pony tail was sticking to her neck. Andrea slowly stood up. The rest of the students were now all whispering.

Andrea held her head up high as she slowly got up from her seat and started walking through the students.

“I knew she was here on scholarship.”

“She totally walked to school this morning.”

“She does not belong here.”

“The red fluid actually suits her.” Andrea ignored the whispers while continuously trying to wipe her face. They fluid kept running down from her hair into her eyes. Andrea continued walking through the tables when someone suddenly stuck their foot in front of her. Because of the fluid constantly going into her eyes and her having to wipe her eyes all the time, she did not see it and she tripped over it and fell on the tiles of the cafeteria.

Andrea could feel the tears wanting to form in her eyes. Everyone was now laughing. Be strong, be strong. Just be strong.

She just needed to get to the bathroom then she’ll be fine. But what am I supposed to wear? I still have three periods left.

Andrea got up slowly, what she was going to wear did not matter now. She had to get away from here. Feeling someone’s eyes on her back she turned around and looked straight into the hard eyes of Austin. His face was blank but when he noticed her looking at him a smirk formed on his lips. Andrea turned her head away and started walking faster, until she was in the passage that lead to the cafeteria.

Someone grabbed her arm and she turned around. It was Jamie. Jamie looked like she was ready to cry. “My gosh, look at you. I should have been there.”

“No Jamie, it’s okay. What could you have done? I am okay, really.”

“Oh sweet Andrea, the minute I spoke to you, I knew I was going to love you. Come follow me. I had a feeling this is what they were going to do so I prepared some extra school clothes for you and you can go shower in the girls changing room.”

“Thank you. I almost hugged you. I was wondering what I was going to wear now.”

“This is nothing, I feel really bad that I left you there. I am really sorry, Andrea.”

“Jamie, stop feeling guilty. We already established that there was nothing you could have done.

“Fine. Come follow me, I’ll take you to the changing rooms. They have very nice showers there as well.”

“Thanks, Jamie.” Andrea followed after Jamie. She really don’t know how this year was going to turn out and she was not looking forward to it.