Chapter 20

"What?!"

"My help as how?" I asked Rich.

He was quiet, it was like he was confused and he was still debating on what to say.

What could he need my help for? How needful is my help to him that he came all the way from his house to this place. And why me?

"Will you help me?" He asked with a shaky voice.

It was obvious he didn't know how to ask whatever he wanted as his voice quavers.

"If I don't know what you want, how am I supposed to help you?" I was confused and worried.

He moved closer, holding my both hands with his.

"Go on, I'm listening," I usher him as I assure him he could tell me.

"My parents want to send me to a military school as a punishment for being caught taking drugs," he tells me.

Military school?!

"The fact is, the military school has strict discipline whereby almost everything done in a normal high school is restricted there."

"You are been taught as if you are going for a military training. Why should I be there? Instead of my parents to try and be more of a parent by staying more at home, they decided to send me off!" He spoke painted.

He needed attention but instead got separation.

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

"I need your help, and this could be the only way for them to change their mind into sending me to a military school." He tells me.

"And?"

"I want you to be my fake girlfriend!"

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

One week later

Arghhh!

Final day of school and my head hurts. Last night was crazy; I went to the cliff once more with Ricardo.

We came back past four in the morning, therefore I had less than a two hour sleep. I turn around on my bed while raking my hair with my hands.

"Get up, young woman!" My mother's voice booms as my door slam wide open.

She has been around since last week and has been trying to be all mother like all of a sudden. She tends to always use authority to speak and it's a must when she orders around.

I lazily get up from my bed, stretching my hands. "Good morning mother," I greet my mom as I kiss her on her cheek.

"Good morning, is this how you sleep while I wasn't around?" She asked, raising her brows.

If only she knew I needed more sleep she wouldn't have asked.

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

It was obvious I needed more sleep, I regret going along with Ricardo and thinking of Ricardo makes me remember last night.

The blue light glimmers as it reflects in the water. It was just us staring at each other. It started with us playing around and before I knew it we were staring at each other.

I hated that I loved the way my heart beats erratically when he is around and how nervous he makes me feel.

He removed a strand of hair from my face while I stood still feeling tingles as his fingers came in contact with my face.

For once, I could read him, there was something different about him that night and how he had acted towards me.

We were getting close and before I knew it Ricardo backed out, it was like he was preventing something.

One thing I know is, there is a slight chance that he feels the same way I feel.

I was walking towards my locker when I spotted Ricardo and Richard talking to Blondie and Barbie caked face.

There was this sort of annoyance I get whenever I see Ric with those girls, I just hated it because they get to touch him and he doesn't really mind.

Speaking of Richard, I remembered his request but have been avoiding him for a week now. I really want to help him but I just couldn't.

His parents would send him to a military boarding school and the only way they would change their mind according to him is; if they believe he has one serious thing going in his life.

And if I act as his girlfriend and we act so loving and caring towards each other, maybe that might change his parents mind.

But why me?!

I mean, he has Blondie and Barbie baked girls and they'd proudly do it for free but why me?

He said I was the only one looking too innocent for my age. Seriously?!

I hurried to my locker as soon as I saw blondie giving a light kiss to Ric. I felt a pinch in my heart and it was getting really annoying with his attitude towards me.

He makes my heart flutter and act like he doesn't know what he is doing.

I grabbed my book and hurried to my next class.

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

"Why have you been avoiding me?" A hoarse voice asked from behind.

"Me? Avoiding you," I laugh sarcastically.

It was obvious, I was indeed avoiding Rich because I didn't want to make me feel down, he sees me as his only hope and I'm turning him down.

"See, if you don't wanna do it, all you have to say is 'no', you are making me feel bad as it is already," he speak with a voice I'd call Pained voice

"Liliana, if you don't wanna do it, it's fine, just please don't avoid me," he speaks softly while coming nearer. He feels bad already. I'm a terrible person.

"We are good now, aren't we?" He grabs both of my hands in his. Looking directly to my eyes.

I nod my head and he turns to leave when I said the unthinkable. "I will be your pretend girlfriend Richard," I tell him, speaking fast as he stops on his pace.

He turns back and looks at me," I don't wanna force you, if you don't want to, it's fine." He assures me.

"You are not forcing me, if I am the only one to save you from going, I will." I tell him with a smile.

"Thank you so much Angel," now he is back to the nickname. "It means a lot," he hugs me.

"I'd forever be grateful," he kisses me on my cheek taking me off guard.

"Thanks so much Angel, you are really an Angel without wings!" He shouts as he walks away.

I hope I'm not making the wrong decision.

I just hope so.