Chapter 46: Chapter 46

“You guys.” I was standing in front of everyone in front of the Administrative building. Mr. Jorge was on the phone trying to get more security at school as soon as possible. “Let’s not panic, this will only be for one night. We can protect each other if we stay together so now let’s choose who we want to stay with. The boys can protect the girls no doubt about that but the girls can also do their bit. We are simply trying to work together to minimize the impact of tonight’s invasion.”

There was a small argument about who should go with who and Aaron had to step in to diffuse it.

“You guys this is not the time to argue.” Suddenly smirking he said, “Since we boys have been given the responsibility of protecting the girls it’s only fair that they get to choose which of us is most worthy to protect them.”

That was enough to lighten the lingering fear and tension. Everyone nodded their approval but before we could begin to choose I felt a tug on my arm and when I looked it was Siobhan.

“What’s up?” I asked.

“I need to talk to you,” she whispered and pulled me a few feet away from the others. I wasn’t too thrilled about leaving the group but since it was just like 3 or 5 feet away, I didn’t voice my objection. “Look,” she whispered. “I want you to choose Andre.”

“Siobhan, what the fuck? This is not a good time to play tricks. He’s your boyfriend, he should protect you.”

“Yes he should,” she rolled her eyes then gazed at me pleadingly. “But I did something…or more accurately he’s mad at me because of something silly I did. It’s not even a big deal so I don’t know why he’s pissed.”

I didn’t like the tone of her voice, when Siobhan uses that tone I know that something silly is actually a big deal.

“What did you do?”

She frowned and began to stutter. “I-I-I can’t tell you. Why do you want to know?”

“Hey stop being so defensive, you’re the one asking me to choose your boyfriend for the night so I deserve to know what you did to make him mad.”

“Ugh, Bianca can you just not do this? I am asking as a friend, a sister. I trust you that’s why I am asking you to do this. Who else is better than you? Eva? She’s probably using her grief as an excuse to get a hold of his dick. Adeline? She has had eyes for him for so long I am surprised she hasn’t stripped him naked already.” She held my hand tighter. “Point is, every other girl here might try to get my boyfriend but you, I can trust you to keep him away from those bitches. So help me.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. The more she spoke the more curious I got about this thing she did. Andre did not look mad but he wasn’t fawning over her like I expected him to, he wasn’t jumping at the chance to have her to himself. Instead, he looked preoccupied with his thoughts.

“Fine.” I finally agreed. “But who will you stay with then?”

“Bianca! Siobhan! We are about to choose!” Someone called out before she could say anything. She pulled me back to the group.

“Okay, now that we are all here, who are you going pick, Siobhan?”

She didn’t hesitate. “Aaron.”

I guess I wasn’t the only one shocked by her choice given how much of a public knowledge her relationship with Andre is. A few people exchanged glances with each other but no one said anything. Even Aaron was surprised but when he glanced at me there was a flash of guilt in his eyes.

“It’s fine,” I assured him, reaching a hand out to touch him. He looked like he was going to say something but he stopped himself and forced a smile. Siobhan happily skipped over to his side. “I choose Andre,” I said.

For the third time that night, everyone was surprised. surprised. Even Andre looked like his eyes were going to pop out. Once again everyone simply went with it, no questions asked.

Eva chose Gideon and every other person picked their partners until it was just Carla and Shewa remaining. By this time all the boys were partnered up.

“I would vote for being strong independent women who don’t need men to protect us, Carla,” Shewa laughed. “But I’m not gonna lie to you, I’m scared shitless that both of us will be powerless if someone comes and tried to abduct us both so I think I would do better partnering up with a guy.”

“But there are no more…”

“Actually, Shewa, you can stay with Andre and me tonight,” I cut in. “It’s just for a night or two, I’m sure we can manage with what we have.”

“Ugh you are such a lifesaver,” she sighed dramatically and hurriedly came to join us.

“I don’t mind a threesome too,” Gideon said. “Carla you can join Eva and me.”

For the first time in my life, I saw a good side of Eva Castello. She held out her hand to Carla who reluctantly took it.

“Good now that we all have partners let’s tell Mr. Jorge and see if we are free are go.”

I knocked on the door and Mr. Jorge opened the door armed with his briefcase.

“I just came off the phone with the security agency, a few more guards will be here to make sure you all are safe. I can’t rule out the possibility that someone might be after one of you for abduction. If you kids know any enemies your parents might have who would want to hurt them through you please do not hesitate to let me know, that will make our work easier.”

I cannot think of anyone that might consider Dad an enemy. Other persons here though are children of influential parents. Siobhan definitely has every reason to be afraid since her dad is running for Mayor this year and every other person here has one famous parent or the other.

“We will do that, sir.”

“Good. Have you decided on your sleeping arrangements?”

“Yes, we have.”

“Great, I will have two of the guards follow you to your hostel. Please, I know how you kids love to party, but this is not the night for such, go to bed and try to get some rest. I’ll see you all tomorrow morning.”

“Good night Mr. Jorge,” we said together.

Two security guards were waiting for us with batons and Tasers ready for use if anything suspicious jumps out of the dark at us. We walked quietly to the Seniors’ quarters. The school was eerily quiet. Gone were the noise of junior classes playing and the noise of the upper classes boasting about their holiday exploits. We got to the Seniors’ quarters and I noticed that both guards that followed us stood guard in front of the gates as soon as we all entered.

“I’m going to get my things,” Shewa said to me. “Please tell me Andre’s room is neat.”

“It’s not bad,” I replied.

She released a dramatic sigh of relief. “Good. One more thing, we can’t share his bed right? Wouldn’t it be better if I brought my mattress over to his room? We could set it up in his living room so we don’t have to inconvenience him or anything.”

Andre heard that and thought it was a good idea. He even agreed to help her bring her mattress over. Carla suggested the same thing to Gideon.

“Are you afraid you might not be able to keep your hands to yourself?” he winked teasingly.

Carla rolled her eyes. “You don’t give up do you?”

“Not when there’s a pretty girl at the end of the line.”

She rolled her eyes again. “I am a tosser, your bed is too small for you, Eva and me. If you will help me with my mattress I don’t mind.”

“Fine. At least I tried.”

Andre, Shewa and I stopped in front of Andre’s apartment. He brought out his keys. “Bianca, you should move a few things around in the living room so that we can have enough space for the mattress.”

“No problem.”

As soon as they left to get the mattress Aaron and Siobhan came up. Siobhan looked pleased. She took my hand and squeezed it.

“Thanks, Bibi.” Turning to Aaron she said, “Let me go get what I need, okay?”

He didn’t respond instead he leaned down and pulled me in for a hug. I didn’t notice Siobhan walking away all I knew was how tight Aaron’s arms were around me. He hugged me so tight like he was afraid I was going to slip from his hands.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He released me and kissed my hair. “Yeah, I guess. I’ll miss you.”

I smiled. “It’s just for a night.”

“I know,” he groaned. “I can’t help it okay? Good night.”

I hugged him again. “Good night, Aaron. See you tomorrow.”

“Aaron!” Siobhan called out.

He groaned. “I’m coming!” he kissed my hair again. “I gotta go.”