Chapter 4

• I peeked into my room at the door, with Andria behind me; I do it just to make sure the room can be occupied by humans like her. I'm shocked to see it spotless. Everything was arranged in its place. I pushed the door wider and ushered her in. She looks around my room, impressed. I wanted to go check the wardrobe just to see if my clothes are all clean, but I played it cool.
• Andrianna grinned at me, breathing in deeply."Your mom is an Angel. Who would have thought this room could look this good" she flopped onto the bed, making a blanket angel.
• "I did all this!" I lied through my teeth. The look she gave me was all too knowing. "Alright. Alright. I'll try to be cleaner so stop fussing already" I flopped to the floor dramatically. I was so exhausted.
• "There's a new bet on campus. Guess the amount" she told, sitting up, her eyes afire. "
• I curled in on myself. "Do I have to... I'm not a gambler" I whined, before uncurling to look around for my snack bag. Is this how it feels to be hungry for three hours. I regretted not taking Andria's offer to buy me food. Oh, why do you always have to make yourself suffer?.
• "Well, it's fifty thousand dollars".
• I choked on my spit as I tried to swallow. A fit of cough followed it up until my eyes are dripping.
• Andria does not do anything. That was how you got when you had maids attending to your every need. She just looked on apprehensively as she willed me to calm down with her eyes. It does not work, in case you were wondering.
• I finally calmed down enough to gasp out "shut the front door! On what? If Jenny would make an A grade in maths and not an F".
• Andria rolled her eyes "not even close. It's on the new guy that just came to the college this morning. The girl who's able to get him as a boyfriend gets all that money. Isn't that great?"
• I'm pretty sure I had an idea who the guy was. The Greek God whose car was parked at Andria's spot. It was an expensive-looking Ferrari. I already washed my hands off that case. I shrugged.
• "Whatever. You know I don't care about those things anyway".
• Andria Snickered "of course you don't. You can't compete because you're broke, and stand no chance of winning".
• Was that toxic? A big fat yes. Was I angry at her toxic ass? A little bit. Not everyone loved to be reminded of how broke and ugly they were. I wasn't ugly.
• Mind you I could get that guy if I wanted to at a snap of my finger. I just choose not to gamble on a person like he's an object
• "That's not true" I got out, standing up, and glared down at her. She doesn't look repentant at all.
• I was very much aware of how many guys I'd approached in high school, and how I was rejected each time, but that never stopped me from confessing if I found someone else who caught my fancy but It was different with this new guy. I shouldn't even try because I know I don't stand a chance. Andria didn't have to rub it in my face tho.
• "If you can get him as you say, then I dare you to join in on that bet.. "
• "What?" I spluttered, staring at her like a fish out of the water. Why was she pushing this? Was she in on the bet? She loved to win anything we both competed in.
• "I dare you to join in on the bet." She repeated with an evil smirk. "What? You know you can't win right. You're all talk, and no action" she mocked, twirling her diamond ring.
• Was this how she wanted to play this? Fine. I'll take the stupid bet then. How hard will it be to make a guy fall for me? A playboy at that.
• "Fine then. I'll join the stupid bet. Fifty thousand dollars is no joke anyway. Just think of what I could do with such an amount once I win. God knows I need that money."
• Andria scoffed. I turned to face her, hands on my waist. "Now what?"
• She gave me an obvious look. "It's because you're being hilarious. Zach wouldn't even notice you" she said giving me a once-over. So pretty boy's name is Zach. I still couldn't figure out why Andria was being so toxic.
• "Watch me then Andria. Zach will be mine. That money will also be mine. I'll draw up the perfect plan" I stated, taking out my marker board. Yeah, I kept one just in case I felt the urge to solve a murder case or something... Sue me.
• Andrianna shook her head, watching me warily as I wrote down ideas for getting the hot new guy_aka Zachy Zach.
• I finished up, placing it on my desk with a flourish. Andria's eyes moved reluctantly from her phone to the board. She raised an eyebrow as she read through the plan before snorting.
• "That's the plan?"
• "Yes, this is the plan. I'll explain to you since I think you're a little slow today" I said, making sure she knows I'm being mean on purpose. She pursed her lips.
• "Step 1" I shout making her jump. I laughed before I continue, ignoring the nasty glare she shot me. "show up in places he'll be. Do you know why? So that I'll be the only face he remembers... It has to be unique circumstances too, cause it would be a waste of my time if thousands of other girls are doing the same thing".
• "That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. You might have not noticed because you have this weird high self-esteem, but your face is not striking".
• I swear to God, I'll hit her across the face one of these days if she kept throwing her snarky comments like freebies.
• I took a deep breath, making pleading hands in front of me.
• "It's going to work. You just have to trust me. Step 2: Ignore him when he finally notices me. Don't get charmed by his look... Treat him like he's just an average guy that you wouldn't date even if he wooed you".
• Andrianna stared at me like I was out of my mind, before getting off the bed.
• "That is such an awful plan, Vega." She poked through my stuff until she found my snack bag. She pulled out my pack of Cheetos.
• The nerves of hers.
• "Step 3, find ways to argue with him. Guys always love a good fight, then the final step, go for the bullseye and confess your feelings. How do you like it? " I asked enthusiastically.
• She gave me a hopeless look. "Give it up Vega. I'm not even competing because Arielle is prettier than me, and she has her sight on him. Zach also happens to be the son of Antonio. The rich tycoon, Antonio Sergio Dante, so you and him, you're not in the same class at all. "
• I gasped, covering my mouth in shock, eyes widening.
• "No way. The almighty Dante. I didn't know he had a son".
• "He just got back from his vacation to Vegas. That's the news. But we all know what went down was something different. He's here to complete his studies. He does modeling on the side because he's ridiculously good-looking... You follow" she asked, trying to drive her point across. It still doesn't explain her nastiness towards me but I'll wave it away since she won't be competing.
• "Well I'm not going to back out from a dare, my dear friend. I'll win that money, after that, I dump his ass and if Arielle still wants him, then she can have him". Arianna burst out laughing, almost choking on the Cheetos.
• "You're just so hilarious, you know that right. You couldn't even get one boyfriend in high school, and you're talking about dumping Zach Dante. You're going crazy."
• I heaved myself towards the bed, curling into myself. Andrianna didn't need to be mean. She had Ray, even if I knew they were both drifting apart. She doesn't even talk about him anymore.
• "Do you think I can win?" I asked in a quiet voice, seeking assurance. I should have known better than to ask her.
• "It's a Capital No".
• I don't even know why I bother at this point.