Chapter 15: Chapter 15

After getting inside Ash's car, , "When did you return?" I said as I entered the car.

"Aren't you going to invite him over first?"

"Are you certain about it? Aren't you mad with him?"

"Why should I? I'm not like our father, Amelia. I don't argue with my neighbour about trivial matters. It appears like the rain will not cease either. Better call him inside."

I got out of the car and approached Andrew, saying, "Get in your car. We'll drop you off at your house"

"It's all right. I'll arrive as soon as the rain stops."

"Come with us, It doesn't appear to be slowing down."

While I was asking Andrew to get in the car, Ash contacted him, and Andrew eventually agreed to accompany us.

I sat beside Ash in the passenger seat while Andrew sat in the rear.

I questioned Ash while he was driving, "When did you come back from Alabama? You stated that it would take three days to match, right?"

"I thought so, but it was cancelled due to inclement weather and rescheduled for next month."

"Oh, okay. How did you discover I was here?"

"When I returned, I went straight home, but you weren't there. I went to your college because I assumed you were still there, but everyone had already departed, so I drove slowly and checked over the streets for you."

"What a wonderful brother I have."

"What about the contest? What happened?"

"I came in second place. As a reward, they presented me with a medal and a certificate. Wait."

When I opened my bag, I noticed that half of it was wet with water. My certificate was also soaked in water. I took out the medal and handed it to him, saying, "Here."

"What about the certificate?" he inquired, looking at the medal.

"It had just been bathed. It will take some time to dry up."

"Did you take any pictures?" Ash laughed.

"Wait a minute. Aw! My phone is also turned off. What a day."

He handed me the wire and stated, "Here. Put it into charge."

"It's all right. I'll charge my phone once we get home."

"Okay."

Andrew to Ash, "Why are you keeping quiet? Don't be afraid of me since I'm not like my father."

I tapped Ash on the shoulder and said, "Why are you talking like that? He's not afraid. He's just being... awkward because this is his first time with us."

"Is that it?"

"Yes," Andrew answered with a nod.

"Thank you for teaching my younger sister. She would not have won this competition if it hadn't been for you."

"You know?" When my brother mentioned it, Andrew asked him while I was stunned.

"Dude, I'm her brother." And kept driving his car.

"You knew since when?" I inquired.

"Perhaps when he first jumped into your window."

"Argh! You knew it all along, but you still teased me, didn't you?"

"That is the role of the brother, sister." And then he laughed.

I looked at Andrew and remarked, "He's a little insane. Don't mind him." This made Andrew smile a little.

When we arrived at our streets, Ash pulled over in front of Andrew's house, and Andrew got out, thanked us for the ride, and raced into his house because it didn't stop raining yet.

I smacked him on the head and inquired, "Did you truly know it the whole time? Why hadn't you said it earlier?"

"I enjoyed teasing you." And then he laughed.

"Congratulations, sister," Ash murmured as he drove the car within the gate and parked it.

"Ash, stop saying that. It's strange."

"I am very proud of you, Amelia."

"I believe you should pause right now. You're making me vomit."

I jumped out of the car and dashed into the house, my bag slung over my head.

When I walked into the home, mom was drying my hair with a towel and dad was handing me hot water.

"Aachoo!" I sneezed as I sipped the hot water.

Dad took my temperature by pressing his fingers against my forehead and kept a thermometer into my mouth.

Dad inquired, "How did the contest go?" while I was waiting for the thermometer's timer to go off.

"I came in second place, Dad."

"So, who won first place?"

"I believe she's a medical student."

"Do you recall your faculty? You came in second place for western music, but look at her, she came in first place for medicine. What caused this to happen?"

Ash, "What's the harm in coming in second, Dad?"

"Because first place is for winners, and I want my daughter to win. I don't want her to end up like you."

"This is the first time she has done something on her own, and you are chastising her for the position she has obtained. Allow her to savour the moment for a bit. Don't spoil it with your advice."

"Come with me," Ash replied, taking my hand in his. And escorted me upstairs.

"I assume it's been a long day for you, so go to sleep for now," he remarked when we got upstairs.

"He wasn't as happy as I expected."

He stroked my hair and murmured, "Don't be concerned about him. You should be pleased because you won the event in such a short amount of time. Nobody else would have gotten second place as you did. If you practise more, you will eventually win first place. Go to bed now."

When I tried to shut the door, he said, "Thank him for me again." And went to his room.

I entered my room and sat down on the bed. There was a knock. What is he doing knocking on the door?

When I opened the door, I noticed my mother standing in front of my room, holding a tray of soup and tablets.

Mom displayed the thermometer and stated, "It's 100 degrees. Babes, I believe you should take a day off from college."

"I'm fine, Mom... Achoo!... I'm totally fine."

"I don't believe you are. Take the tablets and rest for the time being. We'll see what happens in the morning."

I grabbed the tray and thanked her for bringing me the dinner. I shut my room after she left and began drinking the soup she brought me.

"Did you become ill?"

When I looked up, Andrew was standing in front of me. I nodded and kept sipping the soup. I sneezed even louder than usual when drinking it.

"Looks like you've got a terrible cold," he said.

"Didn't you get wet in the rain as well? Why didn't you catch a cold like I did?"

"Not only because of my outward look, but also because I am a very strong person on the inside."

"Show off!"

While I was drinking the soup, he laughed and sat next to me, looking at the tablets.

"Are you planning to take a leave tomorrow?"

"No!... Achooo!..."

"I believe you should pay attention to your mum. Your cold appears to be severe. Okay, go get some sleep." "Good night," he replied as he rose from his bed. And walked out the window.

The following day,

As soon as I woke up, I sniffed to see how my nose was doing. It was simple to breathe. I believe I got over my cold overnight. Yayyy! I got out of bed to take a shower.

"Where are you going?" Mom said when I came downstairs.

"To college," I said as I sat at the table.

Dad took my temperature and inquired, "The temperature has dropped, which is good. How's your cold coming along?"

"I'm fine, father."

I left my house and made my way to college.

At university,

"The celebrity has finally arrived!" Hannah exclaimed.

"What exactly is a celebrity?"

"You are. You'll find out when we go to class. Come along with me."

When we walked into our building, everyone stared at me. Why are people staring at me? Is it just my imagination? The looks become strong and threatening as we walk to class.

When someone suddenly approached me, I shielded them with my hands.

Hannah, "What are you up to?"

"H-He…"

"He is attempting to congratulate you."

"Huh?"

"I saw how you performed yesterday, it was incredibly fantastic!" said the person. And he brought me roses.

When I try to take it from him and say, "I'm sorry, I'm not used to being in this scenario. By the way, thank you for the flowers."

Senior Caleb accepted the flowers and told him, "The only one who is authorised to give her flowers is me." And placed his hand on my shoulder.

I sneezed loudly as I locked my gaze on senior Caleb.

Senior Caleb caressed my brow and inquired, "What's the source of your sneezing? Are you ill?"

"I got cold," I remarked, shaking my head.

"Isn't it because of the rain? I promised to drop you off at home but you didn't listen and fled from me. Now, You've caught a cold. When are you going to listen to me?"

Hannah, "Enough of this atmosphere. Come, you have to see the noticeboard."

Hannah took my hand in hers and forced me to stand in front of the noticeboard in our western music faculty.

When I looked into it, I found images of myself receiving the certificate and a medal, as well as of myself singing the song. Who took these photos? And when did they do it?

"My girlfriend looks nice in these images," senior Caleb stated as I was looking at the photos.

"Not a girlfriend but a friend."

"Whatever."

Hannah asked me to stand in front of the noticeboard while she photographed me. I sneezed in between photographs, which irritated her because I blurred many of them.

I walked to my class with Hannah after senior Caleb had departed.

Hannah was discussing the competition yesterday while I was browsing around. Even though I knew people were looking at me because I came in second place in the contest, it felt weird.

When we arrived at class, everyone applauded me and mentioned how well I performed on stage. They went back to their seats when the teacher arrived.

The teacher congratulated me, which embarrassed me in front of the class. I should be proud and delighted, but I am not because I did not win the contest as a result of my newfound fame. It's because of the rumours. I thanked him and took my seat.

During the interval,

Hannah approached me when she was discussing a party with her classmates. It's going to happen again.

"Hey, are you available this weekend?"

"No, I'm too busy."

"Did you hear what I was saying to them?"

"No."

"Your expression indicates otherwise. You've gained popularity, now it's time to go to parties. So, join me at the celebration."

"It's a definite no. I did not win the competition for this."

"When are you going to stop being an introvert? You'd have beaten him up if I hadn't stopped you, right?"

"It's not my fault. He did, however, appear threatening."

She tapped me on the brow and said, "That is why I am inviting you to the party. If you make a lot of friends, you'll stop acting weird to others."

"I'm not strange, and I'm not going to that party either."

She returned to talk about it with her other friends.

In the music club,

Jacob, senior "Congratulations on your victory in the tournament."

"I'm not sure how many times I'll hear this."

"Where's your guitar?" he asked, smiling.

"I had it in the storage room the day before."

"Go grab it," he said, nodding.

When I went into the storage room to grab the instrument, I noticed Andrew inside.

"Did you come to collect your guitar?" he inquired.

"Yes."

He handed me my guitar and resumed his previous activities.

"By the way, what are you doing?"

"I'm cleaning out the storage room. Did you not have a cold? Leave the room, it will soon be dusty."

"Okay."

I couldn't stop smiling as I walked out of the storage room, knowing how much Andrew cares for me.

Lance, "Why is your face glowing so brightly? Is it because of what happened yesterday?"

I hurriedly nodded and sat next to him before the lesson began.

The entire music club congratulated me. They appeared to have forgotten about the gossip.

Jacob, senior "Should we begin the class now?"

Because the girls are noisy, I heard what they were talking about in the middle of class.

"Are you coming to the party?" a female inquired.

Another, "Obviously! How can I miss it now that I know Andrew is going..."

Where is Andrew going? Are they referring to the same party that Hannah invited me to?

"When was the party again?" I inquired of Hannah.

"Are you coming?"

"I considered what you said. It can't hurt to give it a shot, right?"

"That's fantastic! Gina's residence is open tomorrow night."

"Gina, who is she? And where is Gina's residence?"

She laughed and added, "Not to worry. I'll accompany you there. And because the theme is blue, please dress accordingly. Do you have anything in blue?"

I shook my head.

"I was aware of it. Okay, I've got one and will deliver it to you tomorrow."

I agreed by nodding.

"What party?" Lance inquires.

While I was looking at Andrew, who was organising stuff in the storage area, Hannah described everything to Lance. Why is he organising it by himself? Why isn't anyone assisting him? He seemed exhausted as well. I would have assisted him if no one was present.

"Are you going to the party?" I inquired of Lance.

"Yup! I'll just invite myself for free beers and food, buddy."

I smiled and returned my gaze to Andrew. I couldn't take my eyes off him while he was working hard at work. Someone should go and assist him but why is no one doing it?

Hannah, "What's the point of staring at him? Did you two get into another fight?"

Did she see me when I was staring at him?

"I was just curious what he was doing in the storage room," I explained.

Jacob, senior "He's putting the instruments together."

"Was I too loud that senior Jacob heard me?" I asked Hannah.

Hannah nodded and mocked me.

Jacob, senior "I begged him to fetch assistance, but he wasn't paying attention. Amelia, are you available now?"

"Yes, senior," I answered as I stood up.

"Could you help him organise those instruments?"

Was today my lucky day?

"Senior, yes."

"Hey, are you okay with this or are you doing it because a senior asked you to?" Hannah questioned, gripping my hands.

"It's all right."

I smiled as I approached Andrew.

"Hi!"

"Are you here to grab something?"

"I came to help you," I murmured, shaking my head.

He sighed and walked out of the storage room. Where is he leaving? Does he object to my assisting him?

Andrew told senior Jacob, "She has a cold. Why did you request that of her?"

Jacob, senior "I had no idea you had a cold. Why didn't you say anything when I asked you to assist him?"

"I…"

Andrew, "Senior, I'm almost done. I no longer require assistance from anyone. So please don't send anyone to assist me." And returned to the storage room.

"Get back to practise," senior Jacob said to me.

I nodded and returned to my seat with my buddies. I know Andrew cares about me, but why are you working so hard by yourself?