Chapter 97
“Huh?”
When Anthony’s face finally softened, Andrew scratched at his hair, looking sheepish. Was Anthony really not mad anymore just because he wasn’t dead last? Honestly, if it weren’t for Charlotte’s disastrous score, he’d be toast.
Andrew was just starting to relax when Anthony suddenly looked up. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp glare that made Andrew’s skin crawl.
“So, you’re trying to see who can fail harder, you or her?” Anthony tapped the screen with his long fingers. His voice was deep, and there was a chill in it that sent a shiver down Andrew’s spine.
“I’m not competing,” Andrew sputtered, completely lost. “It’s just, Charlotte really is last.”
Anthony stood up. His legs were so long and straight he looked like he could almost touch the ceiling, and as he stepped in front of Andrew, it felt like a mountain was about to fall on him.
Andrew sucked in a shaky breath, his knees knocking together.
“I’ll work harder next time, I swear,” he blurted out. “I promise I won’t be last in this month’s exams.” He hunched his shoulders, trying to look sincere and harmless. With Charlotte around, last place would definitely be hers.
Anthony gave him a cold, lazy look that somehow made him even more intimidating, like he didn’t even need to try to scare the life out of you.
“Is she behaving herself at school?”
Andrew blinked, totally thrown. “Uh… what?” Charlotte? Why was Anthony suddenly asking about her? Did he think Andrew had cheated and still couldn’t beat her?
Panic surged up, and Andrew scrambled to explain himself. “Nope, not at all! She zones out in class, picks fights after school. She even came dead last on the last test
Anthony’s brows pulled together. “Picks fights after school?”
“Yeah,” Andrew nodded, still not sure why Anthony cared so much. “Charlotte made this bet with one of the teachers. She said if she can’t get second place in the whole year, she’ll drop out.”
Anthony’s lips twitched, just barely. He knew Charlotte wasn’t the type to talk big for nothing. If she said she could get second, she probably meant it.
Something flickered in his eyes, dark and impossible to read.
Since Anthony didn’t seem angry anymore, Andrew pressed his lips together, then said, a little quieter, “Even though Charlotte’s grades are bad she’s actually a really decent person. It’d be a shame she got kicked out of Vanguard just because of her scores.”
Anthony’s cool gaze landed on him, eyes narrowing as if he was sizing Andrew up.
“So?”
Andrew looked down, voice barely above a whisper. “I was hoping… maybe you could help? Put in a word for her at school, don’t let them kick her dub With the way things were going, Bald Lee would definitely show her the door.
Anthony noticed the flush on Andrew’s cheeks, and his eyes instantly iced over. “You seem pretty worried about her,” he said, his voice low and rough.
“We’re friends now!” Andrew shot back, trying to sound brave. “Didn’t you always say friends should have each other’s backs?”
Anthony’s smile was slow and cold, his eyes glinting with something dangerous. “Maybe worry about yourself for once.”
“Anthony”
“You’ve got five extra math worksheets tonight. Don’t even think about sleeping until you finish them.”
“Anthony Andrew hurried after him, frowning in confusion. Wasn’t Anthony supposed to be less mad now that he’d moved up a spot? Why was he suddenly being so harsh?
Anthony stopped, turned, and fixed Andrew with a stare that was all shadows. “Do you like her?”
Andrew’s breath hitched. She was gorgeous and cool-how could he not feel something?
“Add five more worksheets.” Without
giving Andrew a chance to protest, Anthony’s voice dropped, each word icy and clear. “If you even think about dating, you better start worrying about your legs.