7 Chapter 7

Andren would love to help his father out, usually. In any way at all, he was energetic whenever his father asked him to do something.

Today, though, it was an outrageous request.

"Why me, dad? You could ask someone else to do it!" Andren was shocked. Wow, did he really just say that? Andren was not a bad person. As much of a dumbass he is, he appreciated most of his friends.

His father seemed calm and unfazed by how Andren's reacting. It was as if Andren didn't know who this person was.

"You would not want me to lose a business partner, do you not?"

Andren knew that his father could easily pull his strings. Actually, he's the expert at it and at first, the blonde didn't mind at all. In fact, he found it nice that he's got a very understanding father.

"I don't, father, but why out of all others, you asked me to do it? I can't possibly bully a girl that nearly has nothing to do with me just for the sake of her dropping out and leaving Theo alone!"

Complaining, his dad's words had struck a spot in his chest somehow. He was scared, all so clueless about the reason behind this, yet he was 'forced' to accept this quest. What if because of him resisting, his father lost a business partner and went bankrupt?

Now, Andren didn't know what to do. He wanted to help, but at the same time he felt like he would rather die than start betraying his own best friend, or perhaps his sworn brother. He was extremely conflicted.

"What do you say, son?" the sickening calm tone of his father called out.

Trembling, Andren made a decision. He nodded. It made him nauseous how easily he agreed to it. How could he just succumb to it all when he knew Theo wouldn't do such a thing if offered?

That was Theo. Not Andren, but Theo. Unlike Theo who got recognition from his parents, Andren didn't. All that he ever wanted was his father to finally let him know that he was worthy to be the next heir to the company.

Oh, man. Andren had bitten off more than he could chew. Boy, would he regret this.

"Good. Now off to your teenage fantasies." or whatever you want to do." the older man shooed him away.

Doing what he was told, all that Andren could do is just walk back to his room, silently cursing his own very life. He was also a teen, a school kid. What could he even do? Pull the girl's ponytail? It was impossible for him to try to do anything bad to her, let alone try to get her to quit school.

'Tiara Williams. Ain't that like the girl Theo got paired up with?' He thought as his mind jumbled up a bunch of different scenarios, arriving to an assumption that there was a chance of Theo being acquainted with her before.

It showed when Theo looked satisfied. Andren knew him so much that it became so easy to read the boy and knowing him, if he was asked to work with someone he's unfamiliar or uncomfortable with, he'd be frowny.

Oh crap. No no no, this might hurt Theo too? What if he at least cared about Tia's existence, or even someone important in Theo's life?

Analyzing the series of events, it was likely. Their parents were nothing but business partners and acquaintances.

Having his father try and get her out of Theo's life meant that she "posed a threat" to his company and himself.

She was probably no ordinary school girl, she had something to do with Theo's past, a person that needed to be eliminated for things to go well for the business partnership.

This could be the sole reason why he was transferred to this darn school. The blonde haired boy's anger piled up, and he thought maybe it was a good idea to barge into his best friend's room, not knowing the other was sleeping.

Walking there barely took him 5 minutes.

Wham! The door swung open, startling the black haired friend.

"What the absolute fuck are you on?" Theo half shouted with an obviously angry tone when he saw who the culprit that slammed the door was.

"Wakey-wakey. No sleeping when I'm here because I said so."

Well, guess that's the end of the relaxing afternoon Theo was supposed to enjoy sleeping his worries and problems away. The annoyance ceased a few moments after though, since being with a best friend could be enjoyable.

If they at least had basic human decency to ask first before rummaging through the room's cupboards for snacks, that is.

Frustrated, Theo's hand automatically threw a pillow at Andren.

"Ask first, mannerless blonde." He complained.

After the two settled on a pack of chips they would like to share, a conversation started between the two of them.

"Have you contacted your project partner for a meeting so you both can work on it somehow? Other than school hours, I mean." Theo's question earned a nod.

"Quite, what about you?" The question was thrown back.

"We did talk about meeting after school on Friday, right after exchanging contacts with each other. So at least we'd have something planned out."

Boy was Theo ready.

The guilt in Andren's heart stayed after hearing that. Clearly he was not suited for doing things like these, moreover, someone who was acquainted and possibly plays an important role in his best friend's life.

"Where to?" Keeping up his usual cheery face despite all the negative feelings inside, Andren asked again.

It earned a shrug from the other.

"We haven't really decided on a meeting spot, but I think we'll discuss it soon. Kind of hoping she'll agree to Aunt Marie's cafe, honestly."

Aunt Marie is the sister of Theo's mother. Kind, gentle, and caring. The only other person that he cherished more than anything, besides Andren.

Andren clicked his tongue, knowing how much Theo loved her (and her sweets).

"I hope so too, buddy." He nodded, muttering softly yet just enough for his friend to properly hear it. The tone hinted at a little bit of melancholiness, it was Andren's desperate attempt in denying everything his father told him earlier, but alas, it was impossible. He knew that he was asked to do something he would never be able to accomplish.

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