Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Ringggg

That was the final bell. I rubbed my wrist and sighed gratefully – partially grateful actually. To say today was the worst day of my life is an understatement of the century. Every teacher who came into the class for the next subjects took one look at the cuffs and thought the same thing.

Kinky. Or weird.

Even though they didn’t out rightly ask for the story behind the cuff, which I must confess I found curious, they all had that crazy, small smile on their faces. I wanted to die. It was bad enough to be tied up with Andre and be reminded time and again about his body pressed against mine when he pushed me up against his door and kissed me but it’s even worst when my teachers have to assume the worst about it.

What’s more, everyone kept making silly jokes about it. They thought it was cool and were talking about experimenting with it when Andre and I are done with our punishment so I’m guessing they plan to become assholes in Mr. Holden’s class tomorrow or next. Even Aaron was in on the plan. I get that he wants to be tied to me but I couldn’t help but be annoyed at him and everyone else for thinking it was fun.

And then there was Shewa giving me “the looks”. She was smiling like an idiot and I can only guess what ideas she has in her head.

“Do you want to go straight to the hostel or do you have Head Girl stuff you need to do?” Andre asked out of the blue as I struggled to load my books into my bag with one hand. His voice was bland.

We had eventually arranged our chairs and desks together since there was no other way around that. Neither of us could have sat at opposite ends of the classroom while our hands were locked in the same cuffs.

“What Head girl stuff?” I blurted out. I didn’t mean to sound stiff and miffed but I was angry and rude was the only way I could sound especially given the position I found myself in.

He held his free hand up. “Look, I don’t like this any more than you do. I would rather be tied up with anyone else than you too because I can’t deal with your acidity anymore. I only asked a harmless question.”

I felt a twinge of guilt and remorse but I didn’t show it. He doesn’t deserve it especially since he made me cry in the lab and the idiot hadn't even noticed it. Good that he didn’t notice it, I wouldn’t have wanted him to anyway.

“Whatever,” I replied. “I will be going to the hostel but only after I eat lunch.

He nodded. We packed out stuff and joined everyone to go out of the class. Students poured out of classes and in groups made their way to the dining room where the cooks were bringing out the dishes to select from.

As soon as Andre and I walked in, bound by the cuffs, all eyes fell on us. I wanted to dig the ground and bury myself 6 feet under. God, how did I ever let things get this far?

Yes, students of Edwin and Co. this is your Head girl cuffed with the new hot boy Andre Rios, look on my dear fellas.

There were snickers and giggles but no one said anything. They probably thought we were messing around or something. I bet Andre is enjoying this though. He didn’t say anything even when people were positively staring but I can swear I can just hear the thoughts in his head.

I snatched a tray and walked to the line to get my food. Then I turned a curious gaze at Andre when he didn’t do the same.

“You are not eating?” I asked.

For the first time, he looked down and the anger in his eyes dispersed, there was an almost teasing light in his eyes. “You care? I didn’t know you did.”

I rolled my eyes and wished I could just pinch myself for walking right into that one. “I don’t. But I will not have you die while you are cuffed to me.”

He was silent for a long. I was way too conscious of his gaze. “I am a big boy, Bianca,” he said. The feeling of pleasure spreading through my body at the sound of my name on his lips could not be helped. I stifled it. “I can’t die from skipping one meal.”

“Good to know,” I replied. I got my lunch, today's special, ravioli beef sauce. I snagged a bottle of juice and a bottle of water. Since I was holding the tray with both my cuffed and free hand it was inevitable that his hand should bump into the tray. He held the tray and when I tried to jerk it away he held on tighter.

"It's either helping you or decapitating my hand if you keep bumping into it."

I snorted. But since he wouldn't let go I gave up that struggle.

For the first time, he sat at the same table as me and Siobhan. Siobhan didn’t give us a second glance, she was too invested in whatever story Aaron was telling. She was leaning closer to him laughing and hanging on to his words. He looked almost flattered. Siobhan is a beautiful, lovely, sexy girl, it’s hard not to be flustered by her attention.

But their closeness and easy comfort around each other brought something to mind. Andre had mentioned the other day that he and Siobhan kissed their exes goodbye when they officially started dating. Literally.

Siobhan and Aaron had a fling once. Does that mean…? It doesn't take long for old sparks to fly again.

But did they?

Oh, fuck! They kissed then!

My hand tightened on my fork. Worst of all the things happening was that Andre must have noticed the direction of my thoughts. I don’t know how I know but I know that he knows what I’m thinking. He didn’t say anything but it was all there in his body language. I forced myself to calm down.

There’s no use getting worked up over anything. I don’t even know for a fact that Aaron and Siobhan kissed, I’m just assuming the worst. I should probably talk to him…later when I’m not tied up with Andre. And it probably was just a harmless kiss anyway.

I took the last bite of my dinner and swallowed only to choke on ravioli when I noticed Carla Rios giving me the death glare. I started to cough heavily and tried to reach for my juice only to nudge it and the whole spilled out.

“What’s happening to her?”

I held my throat to stall the next wave of cough but it couldn’t be helped before I knew it my eyes were watering and the tears blurred my vision. Next thing I knew someone was patting my back. I felt Andre move so fast beside me that he violently jerked the cuff, and pain shot through my wrist. The only reason I wasn’t berating him for that was because my throat was still clogged.

My head was suddenly jerked back and cool tangy liquid slid down my throat to clear my pathway. I opened my eyes and saw a blurry vision of Andre leaning against me, his brows knit together in a tight frown.

“Are you alright?” someone asked.

I swallowed the juice greedily and nodded, blinking my eyes rapidly to clear the tears.

“Eat carefully next time for fuck’s sake Bianca!” There was a slight tremor in Andre’s voice. He was breathing heavily. I tried to speak but all I could do was nod since my throat was too achy to speak.

Siobhan and Aaron were beside me before I knew what was happening patting my back and shoulder.

“What came over you, rushing your food like that?” Siobhan scolded. “Don’t scare me like that again you hear me?”

I nodded and tried to smile at her.

She kissed my cheek and rested her head on my shoulder. Aaron patted my back. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I guess," I croaked. I searched for Carla, she was eating her meal like nothing happened.

Frowning, I turned to Andre but he looked away, his face betraying nothing. But I know I did not imagine it. He was worried about me just this once.