Chapter 8

“Everyone let’s welcome to our midst, Andre and Carla Rios.” A surprise wave went through the hall as every student’s eyes, including mine, swept across the hall to the door on the right wing which was thrown open to reveal the face I thought I was never going to see again. Handsome as ever, Andre Rios, tall and sexy in the Edwin and Co. uniform – it’s a crime to look that good in a uniform – walked through. Behind him was a lookalike who was slightly shorter. It was a girl with dark brows and dark hair identical to his. It was plain to see they were twins so there was no mistaking that they were the ones Mr. Jorge was talking about yet I wanted it to be some kind of mistake.

As they walked up the podium to join us a lone clap suddenly started. I looked up and saw a beaming Siobhan happily clapping, her eyes glued on Andre. Andre, who was smirking smugly. With each step he took I found myself wishing I was dreaming because only in a fairytale story would this be happening. Why is he here?! My heart raced hard in my chest.

Suddenly Siobhan wasn’t the only clapping. Almost everyone else was clapping and why wouldn’t they? Andre has that bad-boy hotness going for him. And that gait…he makes walking look so sexy. Even though his sister was strikingly beautiful he just knew how to draw attention to himself.

“I know it’s late in the final year to join but we are making an exception for the children of Ignacio Rios.”

Ignacio Rios? He must be quite popular if Mr. Edwin, the founder of our school and Mr. Jorge can overlook the rules for his children. And that begs the question, what is Andre doing here? He didn’t transfer all the way from Mainland to Hudson just for Siobhan, did he? Is this what Siobhan had been so excited about this morning?

Andre stopped beside me, a confident smile on his face. Standing so close beside him with his cologne permeating my perfect senses felt surreal because not only was I reminded again just how tall he is, but it also brought to mind our first encounter. On Aaron’s side his twin sister, Carla stood shyly with her hair falling over the right side of her face. She smiled shyly at me before bowing her head.

While Mr. Jorge rambled on about the rules of resumption, the regulations guiding students of Edwin and Co., and the activities available in school, I found myself staring at Andre’s designer shoes.

Unable to help myself anymore I cleared my throat and whispered fiercely, “What the heck are you doing here?”.

“You couldn’t help yourself, could you?” he asked after a moment’s silence, I heard the smile. He was looking straight ahead. From the corner of my eyes, I could see the strong outline of his jaw. “You are staring. Why do you always stare?” he spoke from the side of his mouth. “What, are you in love with me?”

I stifled the urge to kick him. “You wish I was! What are you doing here?! Why are you in Hudson? Aren’t you supposed to be a Mainlander?!”

“You are so eager to know me aren’t you?”

Okay, he has an ego problem and it’s bigger than his fucking head.

“That’s not the point! What the…?”

“Bianca Davis!”

I started suddenly realizing that Mr. Jorge had finished his announcements long ago and was waiting for me to take over. Shit, how many times has he called my name already?

My eyes darted to Andre who had a faint mocking smile on his face but he still wasn’t looking at me. Mr. Jorge stepped back and cast me a concerned glance, no doubt wondering what had gotten me so distracted. Even Aaron and Andre’s shy sister were watching me with concern. I hurriedly took the podium and stood in front of the microphone sure that my strong heartbeat could be heard through the speakers.

“Um…,” I cleared my throat, aware that all eyes were trained on me especially a certain pair of dark eyes drilling a hole into the back of my head. “Uh, students are advised to adhere strictly to all the stipulated rules and regulations. Any misbehavior will be strictly punished.” I dared to look up at the students of Edwin and Co. who were watching me with reverence. Suddenly I felt faint. How was Jessica Underwood able to handle the pressure of being Head girl? Along the walls, the other prefects stood guard to maintain order yet there was disorder in my own head. Just a few minutes ago I was sure everything was fine. Andre's being here changes everything.

Somewhere in the crowd, I spotted Siobhan and Shewa trying discreetly to get my attention. They both gave me huge thumbs-ups.

What would I do without them in my life?

Just then Siobhan shifted her gaze to Andre behind me and even though I couldn’t see him I could tell he probably smiled or winked at her because she blushed heavily. Shewa leaned closer to her and they both whispered about Andre, forgetting all about me. I cleared my throat and faced the crowd again.

“Shall we now rise for the national and school anthem?”

The crowd stood as one with their left hands on their chests. “We promise to be faithful to our badge. We promise to be responsible students, law-abiding citizens…” the anthem went on and when it was over the students filed out of the hall into their classrooms. I wanted to stay back to interrogate Andre further but Mr. Jorge was walking toward me. Before I knew it he called Andre to stop him from joining the other students. Mr. Jorge also called the Health prefect, Janet, and her assistant Gideon to the podium. The hall was empty in no time at all but outside I could see Siobhan and some of the other Class 3 seniors talking outside.

“Bianca and Aaron as Head boy and girl you both essentially lead the rest of the school and your duty is to assist when necessary. With that in mind Gideon and Janet you are responsible for taking care of Miss. Carla Rios until she’s comfortable here and Bianca and Aaron you’re both responsible for taking care of Andre. Their arrival was something of a surprise so you may have to share apartments until their rooms are cleaned and ready?”

“I have to share a room with him?!” I shrieked aghast, jabbing a finger in Andre’s direction.

Everyone except him gave me a concerned look. “Well,” Mr. Jorge said slowly while eyeing me with narrowed eyes. “Not exactly. You can lead him through his subjects and everything and he’ll share Aaron’s apartment.” He turned to Andre and Carla one after the other. “Aaron and Bianca are our star students so you’re in safe hands. That’s all, you can all go to class.”

My head was spinning. I wasn’t even done comprehending the fact that he is now a student of Edwin and Co. Do I still have to be his student guide? How much more of him can I handle?

Janet, Gideon and Aaron didn’t seem to notice my discomfort. In fact, Gideon looked way too excited to be Carla’s student guide and I can’t blame him, she was really pretty. Her black eyes, black hair, brows and long lashes held an alluring charm, coupled with that shy character and I can guarantee you she’s going to be voted cutest at the end of the school year.

Andre on the other hand was the exact opposite; arrogant, egotistic, and annoying. Why is he annoying again? Oh yeah, he talked about my boobs and called them tiny. And this is the guy I have to deal with for the rest of the school year.