Chapter 7, Hannah's pov

"Hannah Hopkins." Andrew says dramatically when I enter the basement of the main hall. "I challenge you to a sing off!"

I stare at him stupidly. "A sing off?" I repeat.

"What's the matter? Can't do it?" He smirks maliciously.

I scoff. "Bring it."

"Okay!" Shawn, Emma's brother I met earlier today, says. "Andrew, you will begin the singing with whatever song you want. Hannah, you can cut in at anytime also with any song you want. There is no specific category. The singing continues until one of you can't continue. Got it?" He finishes laying out the rules and passes us each a mike.

I nod at the same time as Andrew and run through a few quick vocal exercises. Then Andrew starts singing.

"Baby I'm preying on you tonight
Hunt you down eat you alive
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals

Maybe you think that you can hide
I can smell your scent for miles
Just like animals
Animals
Like animals-mals."

I glare at him. Of course he would sing something degrading. Well two can play at this game. I bust in with my own song.

"I'm not spending anytime Wasting tonight on you
I know, I've heard it all
So, don't you try to change your mind
I won't be changing too

You can't believe, still can't believe it
You left in piece, left me in pieces
Too hard to breathe, I'm on my knees
Right now,-ow

I so sick of that same old love, that sh*t, it tears me up
I'm so sick of that same old love, my body's had enough
Oh, that same old love."

By this point Andrews rolling his eyes. I'm about to continue the next line when he breaks in with his own song.

"So come on, let it go
Just let it be
Why don't you be you
And I'll be me?
Everything that's broke
Leave it to the breeze
Why don't you be you
And I'll be me?
And I'll be me

Trying to fit your hand inside of mine
When we know it just don't belong
There's no force on earth could make it right, no."

I nod in appreciation. That was pretty good. I crack my knuckles and jump in again. This is actually starting to get fun.

"Crashing, hit a wall
Right now I need a miracle
Hurry up now, I need a miracle
Stranded, reaching out
I call your name but you're not around
I say your name but you're not around

I need ya, I need ya, I need ya right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
I think I'm losing my mind now
It's in my head, darling, I hope
That you'll be here, when I need you the most
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
D-don't let me down

Don't let me down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down, don't let me down, down, down."

I expect Andrew to cut in with something by this point but he doesn't so I continue with the next verse of the song.

"Running out of time
I really thought you were on my side
But now there's nobody by my side

I need ya, I need ya, I need ya right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
I think I'm losing my mind now
It's in my head, darling, I hope
That you'll be here, when I need you the most
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
D-don't let me down

Don't let me down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me down, down, down
Don't let me, don't let me down, down, down

Ooh, I think I'm losing my mind now, yeah
Ooh, I think I'm losing my mind now, yeah

I need ya, I need ya, I need ya right now
Yeah, I need you right now
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down
I think I'm losing my mind now
It's in my head, darling, I hope
That you'll be here, when I need you the most
So don't let me, don't let me, don't let me down."

I stop singing and take a deep breath. Everyone around me, including Andrew, are staring at me in shock.

Shawn takes the mic out of Andrews hand and clears his throat. "I think it's safe to say the winner is Hannah Hopkins!"

Everyone erupts into cheers and I grin broadly. I blow kisses to the crowd and say thank you over and over again.

"Hey, great job." Andrew says. "You really are a talented singer."

My smile widens even more. "Thank you!"

He shakes his head and walks away mumbling something along the lines of: "I can't believe someone actually beat me."

I smirk. I love dethroning people. It gives me such a rush of excitement.

Ella, Emma, and Amy rush over to me and engulf me in a hug. All three of them begin talking excitedly.

"I can't believe you won!!" Ella squeals in my ear.

I laugh gleefully. "I know! It's awesome!"

"No ones beat him before!" Emma says, looking at me in awe.

"He's good." I acknowledge.

"How are you going to celebrate?" Amy asks excitedly.

"Tonight? By going back to bed." I laugh.

The four of us sneak back to the dorms and crawl in bed. Despite our tiredness, we end up talking till nearly four in the morning. We finally decide to go to sleep so that we can get up for classes in the morning.

                         •••

"Oh my gosh." I hear a girl say. "That's the girl who beat Andrew at his own game."

"Seriously?" Her friends eyes widen. "She's my hero." She sighs dreamily.

I giggle giddily. I still can't believe I won last night. Everyone's been talking about it. Even the seniors have congratulated me! The most popular girls at school, a group of seniors, invited me to sit with them at breakfast, a freshman boy offered to carry my books, people have gone out of the way to hold the door for me, and all because I beat some cocky, jerk at a game he invented!

I walk into my first class proudly. Amy's already in here flirting and talking to her boyfriend, Ken. When he sees me he glares at me. I smirk at him. Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have found one of Andrews fans.

There has been a few students, especially girls, who seem to hate me for dethroning their king. Of course, I don't give a rip about it. Andrew Roth and all his little fan girls can jump off a cliff for all I care. That is, as long as they have a parachute. I may despise them but I don't want them to die!

I shake my head to rid it of all my internal thoughts and drop my self in mister Andrews desk that he so expressly claimed yesterday. Maybe this will teach him not to sneak into my room in the middle of the night. Just thinking about how little sleep I got last night makes me yawn. I hope I can make it through my classes today.

I'm flipping through my notes from the day before when Andrew enters the classroom. I know as soon as he does because all talk ceases. I glance up at him casually and see his nostrils flaring with barely restrained anger. His fist are clenched at his aides and his chiseled jaw is locked.

"Good morning, Andrew." I greet politely. I can hardly contain the smirk fighting to make its way to my lips.

Andrew takes a deep breath and sighs in exasperation. "Are you deaf or stupid?" He asks. "Because I'm pretty sure that I made it clear yesterday that that is my desk and you are not to sit in it." He says walking towards me threateningly.

"Yes, indeed you did." I say calmly. "But I thought the desk would make a nice addition to my collection."

Andrew stares at me in bewilderment. "What on earth are you talking about? What collection?"

"Oh you know." I say casually. "My collection of things I've taken from the great Andrew Roth. So far I have your desk, title, and pride." I smirk.

He growls, yes growls at me. He looks like he's about to lunge when suddenly his eyes gain a devious glint.

"Shall we discuss the real issue here?" He says calmly.

I look at him quizzically. What on earth is he talking about?

"Last night I did a little research. What I found was shocking!" He says dramatically. "Did you know that your parents had you out of wedlock?" The class gasps.

I freeze. How did he know that? I mean, my parents told me what happened. My mom came down for Toby and Eliana Roth's wedding and met my dad at a restaurant. They became friends and later started dating. Which is when mom found out she was pregnant with me. Of course, my parents did get married after that but it's still kind of embarrassing for the whole class to know.

"Oh so it is true." Andrew smirks. "What's the matter? Mommy never told you? Too bad she can't do it now."

Tears sting my eyes. How dare he go there. I stand up slowly, just like I did yesterday.

"You are evil." I say trembling with anger. "My mother was an amazing person. Way better than you'll ever be. And at least she was happy. What about you Andrew? Are you happy? You ruin people's lives!" I yell. "There's a reason that everyone likes me better than you! It's because I don't go around shoving the fact that someone's mother, who they loved dearly, is dead!" My lower lip wobbles. "Take your stupid desk." I whisper grabbing my thinks and rushing out of the room.

The teacher, who was entering when I rushed out, hollers for me to come back. But I don't. I run right through the hall and down the stairs and only stop when I run into a body.