Where I Belong

by Stella Andrew

  And so I once again find myself face to face with an annoyed Diana.

  “How dare you steal him from me? You are a bitch!” She yelled. Head’s turned.

  This girl. I don’t care if she wants to make a scene, but not today.

  “Diana. Please. Not now.” I say quietly.

  She doesn’t give a fuck to what I’m saying and continues screaming.

  “President Ethan is mine! Mine only. Just because you are pretty, smart, talented and an American, don’t think you can get all boys to chase you. First Shyne Fendis and now President Ethan. You are sick. Sick!”

  Whispers around me become louder. Some even gasped. There’s excitement.

  Why are these foolish humans getting excited over girls’ quarrel?

  Unless... The excitement is not directed to me.

  All eyes were behind me.

  I turn around and behind me standing with the pride they always had were the ex-Council members.

  Adrien.

  Clad in casual jeans and T-shirt with a jacket to complete the bad boy look, his face was clenched in anger. Adrien moved in front as he grabbed my arm and pulled me to his chest.

  All done effortlessly like I weighed nothing.

  His glare burned holes into Diana. She felt afraid as she staggered back.

  “She’s mine.” Was all he said.

  He didn’t have to say anything more. The girl shut up.

  “Let’s go Mia.” He said pulling me along with him. He circled his arm around my waist as we walked away.

  I stopped for a moment and he stared at me.

  I turned around and find Diana still looking at us, along with the rest of the students and guests in the hallway.

  “He is the only one for me. Adrien is my boyfriend. No one else.”

  Adrien squeezed my waist, with a gentle smile adorning his sharp features.

  Diana blushed embarrassed.

  And we turned away from her and walked down the hallway with heads popping out the classrooms to gawk at Adrien and his friends.

  CHAPTER THIRTY- FIVE

  “What are you three doing here?” I ask at the three pairs of eyes watching me.

  I was beyond happy seeing Adrien. He must have known it since he gives me a warm smile.

  “Well don’t ask us. A certain someone was so gloomy and had droopy eyes, we couldn’t bear it anymore. So here we are.” Evan said with a chuckle. Adrien gives him a light punch for ratting him out.

  “I’m sorry about that Esmee.” I apologize to Esmee who kept smiling at me even though I ruined it for her today.

  “Oh no, Amelia. I don’t mind at all honey. There are three years more to go at college. I can always have another art exhibition to go to. But I don’t want your last high school activity to be unhappy for you.”

  This girl is so sweet, I’d beat Evan to a pulp if he ever hurts her.

  “But... What made you come? I thought you were so excited?” I directed the question to Adrien.

  He scratched the back of his head shyly.

  “Well, it’s always me who runs off cause something comes up. But today when messaging you, you kind of seemed off. I don’t know Mia. I had this bad feeling in my gut. So... Well here we are.”

  If Evan and Esmee weren’t here I’d surely kiss this adorable human being who happens to be my adorable boyfriend.

  I take Adrien’s hand in mine and he gives it a gentle squeeze. I’m so thankful for him coming for me.

  I don’t even want to be in school. I just want to be with Adrien.

  “Are you for real?” He asked his eyes wide.

  “What?”

  “You always mind talk don’t you Amelia Brooke,” Evan said with a grin.

  Shit. Did I tell that out loud?

  “You really don’t mind just being with me?” Adrien asked.

  I give him a shy nod.

  Great. I’m like some kid in middle school. I think even they wouldn’t be as embarrassed as I am.

  “They are so cute,” Esmee whispered to Evan but we hear it as well.

  “Shut up Esmee,” Adrien shouts but his face is as red as mine and so Esmee just laughs softly.

  “So how about we head over to my college then?” Adrien asked out of the blue.

  “What?”

  “You said you didn’t want to be here. By the way, I don’t think you even need to do patrolling. Nothing is going to happen. And even if something happens let Cam handle it. He’s doing nothing but seated in his big room eating chocolates.” Adrien remarked dryly thinking of his immature uncle.

  I give a blank expression because I sure as hell know that’s exactly what Uncle Cam must be doing.

  “But is it alright for me to be there?” I ask.

  All three of them nod so excitedly.

  “Of course Amelia. You are more than welcome. We can make it to the games that’s about to take place. How about it?” Esmee asked excitedly.

  I have always wanted to check out Adrien’s college. It’s one of the best in Lyon.

  Why lose this golden opportunity?

  So I ask them to give me a few minutes to run to find my friends. I didn’t want to get caught meeting the annoying Diana once more, so I stop to call my friends instead. I quickly call Ninnon, Pierre and Ethan and relate to them on what was going on.

  All three of them pleaded to come as well.

  And so leaving behind a desperate uncle Cam who wasn’t sure what to do, the seven of us left school premises and headed to the nearby bus stop to get to Adrien’s College.

  Pierre was so excited we had to keep him glued to the seat. He wouldn’t sit still for even a second.

  After what seemed like hours, we finally reached.

  It wasn’t like schools. The ground area was so massive and vast. Greenery all around. Huge buildings erected for every section. As the four of us gawked at the scenery before, Adrien and duo gleamed at our amazement.

  “Wow.” The four of us say in unison.

  “Okay. Enough. You guys are dropping saliva all over.”

  I hit Adrien’s arm hard for teasing us.

  Some college kids looked our way. Some waved at Adrien and his friends.

  Don’t tell me they are popular here too?

  As we were beckoned to follow them, we follow like kids on a school trip. Even the cool-headed Ethan looked around amazed.

  “Where is the exhibition taking place?” I ask.

  “In the main hall of the Art Building,” Esmee said to me.

  And where the hell is that building?

  No matter how long we kept walking, it was like we never got anywhere close to any building.

  A group of girls, all wearing clothes of the latest trend walked up to where we were and started talking to Adrien and Evan.

  They looked like seniors but still looked embarrassed being in the same space as the two guys.

  This is the kind of effect these two had where ever the went.

  Esmee doesn’t really look jealous. She smiled and stepped back, joining me.

  “Are you wondering why I’m allowing this?” She asked me.

  Before I could reply, Pierre jumps in.

  “Yes! Why are you not jealous?” He asked like some girl.

  Esmee giggled at his childishness.

  “Well, there’s nothing to be jealous. Evan is friendly to everyone. But I am special to him. I would never react in a bad way just because girls flock over him.” She said calmly.

  Just how much self-control does she have?

  She’s amazing.

  “Adrien on the hand is desperately trying not to snap at the girls. Look.” She said while smiling as she secretly points at Adrien.

  Truth be told, he really did look like he was about to blow up.

  This made me laugh. All eyes turned to me.

  “Are these students of the prestigious Harriet High?” One of the girls asked.

  “Yes. They are our friends.” Evan said smiling.

  We smile at the girls. S
ome smile back while some just roll their eyes as if we were bugs.

  “This is my girlfriend.” Adrien pulled me to him as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and said this proudly to the girls. Just him doing such a small act made me feel so happy.

  The girls stared dumbfounded. They turn their gazes to me, looking me up from top to toe.

  “Um... Hi there. I’m Amelia.” I didn’t know what else to say.

  “You are a foreigner?” One asked in awe. I give a vague nod.

  “American,” I state.

  “Pfft... Americans.” One said rudely.

  Excuse me? What’s with the effing attitude?

  “We have things to do ladies. So see you another time.” Evan said and leads the way.

  “Those girls are rude! What’s with her attitude? Urgh! I hate her.” I grumble. Ninnon noded strongly.

  Adrien on the other hand laughed.

  “What’s funny? She insulted me!”

  Okay so technically she didn’t. But I take pride in being an American.

  “I’m laughing because it’s been ages since I’ve seen you snapping at girls.”

  I stare at the crazy dude before me.

  Is he for real?

  “Hey... Something fun is going on over there. Let’s go.”

  Before we could even make out what this fun was, we were dragged to a place with a ton of kids gathered.

  There was a stage and on it, a couple of kids were talking about a contest. I couldn’t hear well since there was so much of cheering going on.

  “What’s going on?” I had to yell over the voices.

  It was like I was at a daytime concert.

  “It’s a game. A contest for couples.” Evan shouted back.

  Oh.

  Oh!

  I turned to look at Adrien only to find him staring at me.

  “Don’t even think about it. We are not doing something so stupid.” He said. Since he’s very close I heard him clearly.

  “Do I look like I want to do this game? No way!” I say back. He chuckled and ruffled my hair. And then he hugged me closer to him.

  “Okay so listen up people. I’m about to read the names of the couple’s performing in this round. Es-tu prêt?” The announcer, a geeky guy with thick rim glasses shouted into the microphone he was holding. The kids all yell, yes and so he read out the names.

  There was a Juliet and Nathan.

  Eric and Rita.

  Loren and Emanuel.

  Aerielle and Raymond.

  Evan and Esmee.

  Amelia and Adrien.

  Wait...

  Why does it sound so familiar?

  And why was Adrien trying to kill Pierre?

  “What have you done you, stupid birdbrain!?” Ninnon sighed slapping her face.

  “Amelia and Adrien?” I kept repeating.

  What the fuck!

  “Why am I entered? I thought you said no Adrien.” I yell at my boyfriend.

  “It wasn’t me but your idiotic friend.”

  I glare at a whinny Pierre.

  “I thought you guys were going to enter and helped out by fighting my way to the front.”

  He looked so upset we don’t even have the heart to yell at him.

  Excluding Adrien who was choking the guy.

  “Can Amelia, Adrien, Evan and Esmee come up?” The announcing guy’s voice was heard.

  Looking up I find the other couples already up there, ready for action.

  “Well, what’s to lose? Let’s try.” Esmee said and so Evan followed her to stage.

  “No fucking way in hell am I doing something so embarrassing,” I said. Adrien stood his ground as well.

  “Amelia and Adrien?”

  No response.

  “Amelia and Adrien. Please come up. We have to start.”

  Oh just start then!

  “Mia. Let’s get this over with.” And without my permission, going against human rights, he dragged me to the front and up the stage.

  Gasps go out from behind me.

  Looking back I find it was for me. Or to be more precise, for Adrien who had his hand on mine.

  “Well well well. What do we have here? The infamous Adrien Valentin, the new kid and popular freshman who’s the eye candy of all girls is up here with us today with A GIRL! And not just any girl, someone from the prestigious Harriet High. Are you two high school sweethearts?” He asked teasingly.

  “Can we get this started with?” Adrien said with a sigh.

  The geek guy doesn’t seem offended. He just laughed and brushed it off.

  “Seems like our bad boy is feeling embarrassed. Alright then. Let’s begins. I’ll explain the game.” The glasses boy said. “First off is a question quest. A question will be called out and both parties of a couple must answer correctly. There are papers given. Each one have your stand. A plank will be in between, so no peeping. Now then, let’s begin.”

  Adrien and I were given a tall table. There were papers and a pen on it. A girl came over and dropped a board in between.

  I 1ilti Adrien grumbling and a chuckle escaped from both me and the girl. She winked at me and whispered “good luck”.

  She seemed sweet.

  “Now then, the first question for the couples.” The guy paused. Evan and Esmee were in a stand next to us. I couldn’t see Evan because there was a board covering him up, but Esmee was beside me. She gave me a confident smile.

  “The question is ‘What is my boyfriend’s favorite meal’”.

  Is that even a question? Which girlfriend wouldn’t be able to know this?

  I quickly write down the answer.

  The time limit was 2 minutes. When the time was up, they asked us to stop.

  “On the count of three, say your answers. One, two, three!”

  Evan and Esmee shout out fried Chicken at once. Evan looked embarrassed but laughed it off. The next couple answered correctly as well when they shout out some French dish.

  The third couple failed. The girl said turkey while the boy said chocolate brownie cake. They quarrel for a minute and then walked down the stage by themselves.

  Oops. Someone is going to have a rough time.

  When it was our turn I don’t really shout. I mean why do we have to yell?

  And so I calmly say “Spicy rolled omelet”.

  Adrien goes “Spicy Omelet.” At the same time and so we passed.

  I guess Adrien had given a smile when I said that cause the announcer started teasing. Only to be scolded by Adrien.

  Poor kid.

  “The next question is ‘What is my boyfriend’s least favorite meal’.”

  I laugh and at the same time, I hear Adrien’s chuckle as well. The crowd must be wondering what’s wrong with these two. Only we will know it of course. And so I write down my answer with a wide grin.

  Time is up and everyone shouts out their answer.

  The first couple doesn’t get it right and so they were asked to leave. Evan and Esmee gets it. Seems like Evan hates Broccoli..

  And when it’s finally our turn, I say “when I add sugar in his omelet.” And at the same time, Adrien says, “When Mia purposely adds sugar into my omelet.”

  The announcer chuckles and so does everyone else on stage.

  “And she says I bully her.” Adrien must have wanted to say it to himself but somehow we all heard it and well, everyone ended up laughing.

  Damn. I wish I could see his face right now! Stupid plank.

  “Looks like our college bad boy doesn’t like his food sweet. Something we all got to keep in mind ladies.” He said and winked at the crowd and the girls give a cheer.

  What the hell?

  Let me out of here. He deserves a good spanking!

  “Don’t even think about going over and hitting him Mia,” Adrien whispered from the other side.

  Urgh! Stupid glasses boy.

  He noticed me fuming and his eyes gleam.

  “Well, well. We certainly have a jealous girlfriend here.”


  Dude. Fuck off!

  “Okay okay. Let’s keep going. Let’s move on to the girlfriends now. The question is ‘what is my girlfriend’s favorite food’.”

  It’s not really that hard. I’ve tons. I enjoy all types of food. Trying out new kinds is a thing I like doing.

  But if it’s favorite. Yep. It’s got to be that.

  But what would Adrien write? Does he even know that I like it? I haven’t really said so.

  The time was up and the only couples remaining were asked for the answer.

  The four other couples before us gets the answer right.

  When geek boy turned to my stand, I quickly say “Adrien’s Panko and Parmesan-crusted cod fillets.”

  Only I didn’t expect Adrien to say the same thing.

  I quickly lean in front and stared at him in surprise.

  “What? You thought I never noticed how you enjoyed the dish every time I made it for you?” Adrien asked with an adorable grin.

  “Would you look at that ladies and gentlemen! Adrien Valentin cooks!”

  Geek guy just had to ruin the moment. I glared at him and he stops talking.

  Yeah. That’s right. Keep quiet.

  I get back from leaning, feeling all mushy inside that Adrien had known my favorite dish. I could really do a happy dance right now.

  “Now then... The final question.”

  We all stare at the guy waiting for it.

  “‘our favorite spot’.”

  Oh...

  Somehow I don’t exactly know why but my mind travelled back in time to when Adrien had confessed to me. When we shared our first proper kiss. Then to the times, we had eaten together.

  Everything had happened at the same spot.

  Before I realized, I’d already written down my answer.

  When we are asked to give our answers, Evan and Esmee messed up. To Evan, it was the council room while for Esmee it had been some I.

  Therefore the two them were asked to leave. They didn’t really mind. Saying it had been a good game, they walked down the stage.

  Just as the geek boy turned to Adrien and me for our answer, the plank is lifted.

  Adrien held it in his hand as we both say “Our hideout.” In unison.

  Adrien looked over at me with a smile and I sure as hell return the smile with my own grin. The crowd cheered and even the announcer applauded for god know what reasons.

  “Looks like no girl will be able to snatch the spot in Adrien Valentin’s heart. Just look at how he keeps gazing at his girlfriend.”