I rolled my eyes. "I thought you could hardly get past your strict Mom."
"Well, something happened last night."
I flinched. "Last night?"
He nodded, taking a bite of his food.
Just then Nanny emerged from the kitchen, carrying a plate and a glass and set it in front of me.
"W-what happened?"
"Secret." He winked. Why was he my best friend again?
I punched his arm. "Ow!"
I glared at him before turning to have my breakfast. Drew was silent, but he threw contented
smiles from time to time. No teasing from my uncle? It made me more anxious. What exactly
was my Mom planning?
Breakfast was done in no time. We found Mr. Champ wiping the windshield as we got outside. If
only this elderly man didn't have grandchildren to take care of, at least Nanny and I had a man
in the house every night. But we can't force him to. Jonathan entered the car first, followed by
me, and Drew.
I thought the ride was going to be silent all the way when suddenly Drew spoke up.
"Your Mom is nearly finished with her plan."
I was really finding it hard to be calm about this whole thing.
"Okay."
"She asked three people to look after you," he continued, oblivious to my unease.
I gave him a questioning look. I pointed out my hand, counting them. "One," I pointed to Drew.
"Two," I pointed to Jonathan who had earphones stuck on his ears. "Three?" I pointed uncertainly to Mr. Champ who was driving. If he had to go home everyday, he wouldn't be able
to look after me effectively. Geez. An eighteen year-old girl needs someone to look after her.
He flicked my forehead. "Almost but not quite."
I rubbed the spot, furrowing my eyebrows at him. "What do you mean?"
"You'll see." Just then we arrived at school, and Mr. Champ pulled up. Drew opened his side, and Jonathan did the same. I followed after Jonathan. Just then I realized that Drew was with
us. What if the students saw him with me? Would they grow suspicious? I gasped. What if a
teacher saw him?
Jonathan's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "You okay?"
I nodded absentmindedly. Just then Drew was beside me, nudging my rib gently. "Someone's
coming."
I almost froze. It wouldn't be a surprise if I suffered a heart attack one of these days. I sighed in relief when I saw Anthony approaching us. He had a bright smile on his face.
"Good morning, Anthony," Drew was the first to speak. He smiled politely and did the same to Jonathan.
"Guess I'll be taking you to the dance, after all."
It took a few seconds for me to understand what he just said. "Why?"
"He's number three," I heard Drew's voice say.
I turned to him with a confused look. Then it hit me. Still with that look, my thumb stuck out
absentmindedly and pointed to Drew in front of me, to Jonathan who was behind me, and
Anthony to my left.
Drew smiled happily and ruffled my hair. "Clever girl."
***
Chapter 21
“Stop it.”
“Why?”
“Just cut it out.”
“I’m supposed to do this.”
I turned and gave Jonathan a duh look. “Do you realize how many girls glared at me these past few days because you were peeping inside the girls’ room?”
He shrugged. “As I said, I’m supposed to do this.”
I almost gawked at him. This whole idea of having three people watch over me felt a little
draining. Drew and Jonathan were so paranoid; they wouldn’t let me leave their sight. Only
Anthony was doing it as discreet as possible. But he was still busy these past few days because
of the activities of the basketbal team, so I real y can’t say if he’s any good of a watcher than
the other two.
Shaking my head in dismissal, I let Jonathan stand by the door of the girl’s room. After a few
minutes, I emerged out of the room only to find that Jonathan was gone. I looked from left to
right, but still no sign of him. Just a few students chatting by the corridor.
Panic surged inside me. What if the person stalking me caught Jonathan? I shook the thought
away. I was getting paranoid like Drew and Jonathan. I scanned the floor I was in. Still, no sign
of him. I went back again to where I started, still with the same result.
I started toward the staircase. As I was about to take the second flight of stairs, someone caught
my arm.
“Why are you alone?”
“Kris! You scared me.” I breathed heavily, as if I was running for hours.
“Sorry. Where’s Jonathan?” he smiled sheepishly.
I cocked my head in thought. “Why?”
He checked his watch. “Oh. I have to go. See you around Drei!” With that he spun on his heel
and went down the stairs again.
I raised an eyebrow. Weird Kris.
Taking the rest of the second staircase to the second floor, I searched for Jonathan. Where did
the Korean boy go? I was still fighting off panic. It was impossible that he was in danger. I
winced at the thought. Calm yourself, Drei.
I was on the end of the corridor when my phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Drei! Where are you?”
“Jonathan! I’m the one who’s supposed to ask that!”
“Sorry, Kristine asked me to accompany her for a while and I forgot to tell you. I didn’t know she
was planning to leave the school and… I’m just sorry Drei.”
I sighed. I couldn’t blame him. “Okay. I’l call Anthony instead. Drew’s probably busy now. Call
you later.”
“Be careful.”
My eyes widened. This was Jonathan, not Carl. “Right. Bye.”
I retraced my steps and minutes later, I found myself wandering on the school grounds by
myself. I real y didn’t want to disturb Anthony now. School was over, and he was probably in the
gym. Besides, the basketball team was a bit busy lately since the dance was fast approaching.
Wait. The dance!
I sighed. How will I get ready for the dance tomorrow? Kristine helped me a lot during the party
of Anthony’s parents. And now I can’t have her over tomorrow. For security reasons. Again.
Finding an empty bench, I slumped onto it. Just then my arm was yanked by someone who
sped by. Reluctantly keeping up with the person’s pace, I tried my best not to
