Chapter 18: It’s complicated

Third POV

"Hey Lara, I won't be able to sleep if I don't say this, but why did you have to invite Anthony earlier in front of Michelle when you're not going to invite her too? I mean, that was rude." Andy said as they walked to the parking lot. Their English class lasted the whole 1 hour and 20 minutes as the professor started giving them an introductory lecture.

"Huh? I think it's completely understandable though. I mean, she knows that we've been friends forever and to be invited in someone else's house, well, I think that should be reserved for very close friends." Lara replied.

"But you could have just texted or called Anthony after they left you know. I still think you were being bitchy. I guess maybe because she's prettier?" Andy teased.

"Excuse me? I don't think I heard you correctly."

"Pretending to be deaf now, are we? Let me repeat, I think you're jealous because Michelle is prettier than you."

Lara was appalled. Looking for someone to side with her she exclaimed, "Steven, you tell him!"

Steven stopped walking. He took a deep breath, while thinking, 'what's up with these two again. What were they talking about anyway?'

Lara pouted, "Steven, who do you think is prettier? Me or Michelle?"

Steven paused as he remembered how the girl, Michelle, smiled at him the first time they met. He could not understand why, but the image of her smiling got stuck in his head. 'Did she put some kind of witchcraft on me?' he wondered.

Anyhow, the answer should be obvious, despite not really knowing what the correct answer was. Like usual, he did not express his thoughts but let his actions speak for him. He grabbed Lara's hand and intertwined their fingers. Then, he continue walking.

Lara giggled as she turned to look back and stick her tongue at Andy. "See?"

Andy shook his head. "That ain't fair. Of course, Steven will pick you."

When they arrived in the parking lot, Steven went to ride his brand-new gray Lambhorgini Murcielago.

Andy whose car, a red Ferrari Maranello, was parked beside his also opened his door.

Lara opened the door of Steven's car riding shotgun.

"How about your car?" Steven asked.

Steven nodded his head.

--

Steven's house, rather, mansion, was about 30 minutes ride from the university. It was very grand, and just by the sheer size, one would think that they're entering a palace. It even has a helipad. Of course, that was not just for design, they do have a helicopter there too.

What seems to be a palace to others was just a normal day to day view to him and his group of friends. So, it did not inspire any feelings of awe. He stopped in front of their house's main entrance, and already, a personal valet was waiting. He went down the car while a servant opened the door for Lara. Then, he threw his car key to the valet who was alert and caught it immediately.

As he and Lara entered the mansion, the valet took over to drive the car to the parking area which houses over 50 different models of luxury and sports cars.

When Andy arrived, he handed his car key to the valet and went inside.

--

The table tennis class did not have any practical activity for the day as not everyone was dressed for it, nor did they have the equipment. Thus, their instructor just gave an introduction on how table tennis was played, and asked them that next Tuesday, they should be dressed appropriately and have a table tennis racket ready.

Considering that many of them have class before this PE subject, their instructor told them that instead of starting at 3:00pm, they can start at 3:10 to give them time to change their clothes. However, they will end the class at 4:30pm. The students were okay with it for all of them have this as their last class for TTH.

Anyway, when they were dismissed, Michelle exited quickly to see if she can take a chance at seeing Anthony playing basketball.

Much to her disappointment, the court was already empty. Perhaps, they have been dismissed earlier than they did.

Walking to the parking area, she was reminded of the invitation Andy handed her earlier. Curious, she took it out of her bag.

Reading it, the celebration will apparently be an overnight party held in a yacht. Well, that's new. Actually, not just new, but it was her first time to get invited for such an event. At least, one she wished to attend.

--

Andy eyed Lara who was sitting beside Steven. She was looking at him like she was ready to worship the grounds he walks on. Meanwhile, Steven was treating her like air again. Just letting her do whatever.

He never gets their relationship. Lara obviously loves Steven, while Steven was mostly hot and cold. One day he would be sweet, then the other, he would ignore her like she doesn't exist. He doesn't know what Steven really feels for her, but if one were to ask him, he would definitely agree with what Anthony said to Steven. That, he should let Lara go if he only felt obligated to love her.

Talking about Steven and Anthony, that was where their fight began. Anthony thought that Steven should treat Lara better. So, when Steven ignored him, he decided to talk to Lara and tell her that she deserves so much better.

It would have been alright if Steven did not know, but apparently, it was bad timing. Steven was listening just outside the corridor, and things, well, it escalated and went melodramatic.

Steven felt like Anthony was a backstabbing snake who talks badly of him behind his back. While Anthony felt like Steven was a jerk who was preying on Lara's innocence.

Long story short, although they later patched things up, things were never the same again.

Andy did not like picking sides, and he knew that both have their wrongs. Steven should indeed treat Lara better or maybe at least give her a definite answer, but then again, that's their relationship so he should not pry. Meanwhile, Anthony was also wrong. He should not have talked behind Steven's back, specially that he has some unrequited feelings for Lara.

Not that he was sure that Steven and Lara knew of Anthony's one-sided feelings, but well, wasn't it obvious? Anyhow, if they did, they did not bother.

After all his musings, Andy can only sigh. He wished that things could just go back to the way it was before last summer when all these complicated matters began.

--

TBC