Anyone got a book trailer for this story? Please let me know so that I could dedicate a chapter to you. Thanks a lot! <3

Chapter 22 – Unexpectedly

** COURTNEY's POV **

"I only want your attention, Courtney." He voiced out steadily as he finished with a smile.

He literally caught me off guard and he took my breath away. I could feel my jaw dropped on the floor and my heart just exploded.

What the hell was that all about Chad Treyson! You're obviously messing with my mind, my heart, and my emotions!

Oh karma. You are such a bitch!

I have to collect myself. I have to piece myself together. Focus Courtney. Don't let yourself loose your composure over a silly well-constructed sentence.

I gathered all my strength to face him and appear intimidating. "Oh really?" I asked with raised brow.

And of course he had another thing in mind. "Yeah. Why? Are you jealous?" He asked, this time he's smirking.

And that smirk ruined everything. All the strength I gathered a while ago sudden thrown out of the window. "Je-jealous? Me? Oh Chad, are you trying to make me laugh?" I bit out defensively. 

"I'm just teasing you, Collins. No need to be defensive." He said with a laugh. "Just keep in mind what I said. I only have my eyes on you." He finished with a smile.

Oh dear God! Please stop Chad from doing that! I'm losing my head here. He's freaking my heart out!

This isn't right. I have to save myself from this doom. He's playing you, Court. This is a game for Pete's sake! I reminded myself.

"Is Treyson flirting with me?" I asked with raised brow.

"Flirting? Of course not. I'm just saying the truth." He said in a casual tone.

What truth? What kind of truth was that? Does it mean that you want me? Or like me?

Or maybe he only has his eyes on you because of the deal. Seriously, honey, you're way thinking ahead of yourself.

Damn you!

"Good then!" I said with slight hint of irritation. "Just so you know, I don't like flirts, okay?" I clarified.

Chad smiled and gave me a salute. "Yes ma'am."

Damn it! I couldn't stop myself from thinking that he's cute.

Stop this madness, Court! You're losing your game!

"Oh by the way, since I already proved to you that I'm the type of person that complies on the deals... can I put my glasses on now?" He suddenly asked, which made me out of my musing.

But that's the problem. I didn't quite catch what he just said. "What deal?" I asked, feeling like a complete idiot.

"It's obvious, right? My mom likes you and I took off the glasses. So..."

"Your mom likes me?" I gushed and smiled like a Cheshire cat.

"For some unknown reason, yeah." He teased with a laugh. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face!

"Wow. I really like her too. She's a cool mom, Chad." I told him with honesty.

Gosh! Chad's mom likes me! Chad's mom likes me! Chad's mom likes me!

Oh dear. It's only Chad's mom. I wonder what would you look like if Chad likes you. Well I guess we'll have to wait for the next lifetime. When you're likeable in his eyes.

Way to ruin the happy mood here, evil me. Boo-hoo!

"I guess she is." He laughed. "So, I guess this deal is over? I can put my glasses on now, right?" He asked, feeling hopeful. And I nod my head in agreement.

Yeah Chad, put your glasses on so that this charming curse that you possess right now will go away.

Chad put his glasses on and surprisingly and unexpectedly my heart literally skipped a beat. Why? Why didn't the charm go away? Why he's still charming and attractive in my eyes? In fact, I found myself more drawn to him. What kind of curse is this!

"Much better." I muttered. Damn it slip of the tongue!

Can you shut your mouth out, Court? Seriously? What is wrong with you?

"You prefer me as the Chad Geek Treyson, huh." He jested.

Actually, Chad, it doesn't matter how you look, as long as you're Chad Treyson, Courtney is more than okay with that.

You there, creepy little minx in my head, shut up!

"I just don't want others roaming around you while the bet is still on, you know." I said, trying to sound to casual.

"And yet I'm having a deal with a committed girl." He humored.

My heart suddenly sank when he said those words. Although he said it as a joke, there's this guilt inside me saying that he's right. I didn't have the right to act possessive over him. I have a boyfriend.

I didn't let those thoughts affect me. I just laughed it out. Although deep down, I don't really feel like laughing at that truth.

"You know what, I've been thinking. Since we're not having progress in the first deal we made, and it seems downright impossible to achieve that, why not we make a more challenging one?" He suggested.

I wasn't sure why but there's something about what he said that made my heart clench in pain. What did he mean about not having any progress and downright impossible? Does that mean that he didn't develop anything at all? Even a little bit? After all my attempts? Nothing at all?

I told you to wait for another lifetime.

Not now, stupid. I'm not in the mood to fight with the truth now, okay?

"Okay? Let's see what you got." I told him with a smirk. Truth was, I was trying to mask the gloom that I was feeling with a fake arrogance.

"I've seen your dedication last Saturday, Courtney. The Annabel Lee and the glasses thing challenge. I have to say; you've done a very good job in impressing my mom and interpreting Poe's work. You're so determined when there's a price in the end. So, here's the thing. We'll continue tutoring and when you got an A or B in any subject, I'm going to do something for you. Well obviously except for exam papers. So, what do you say?"

At least tutoring is still there, meaning I still have the chance to spend more time with him.

"But the first deal is still on, right?" I couldn't help but ask.

Chad laughed at this. "Whatever you say. Sure."

"Fine. It's a deal. Oh Treyson. I'll do anything to get that A or B. So be ready for that something, okay?" I faked a wide grin.

"Sure." He beamed. "So it's settled then?" He asked, and I just nod in response. "Okay, I have to... go." He looked at his watch and said the last word in a rush.

"Wha-, where are you going?"

"I still have errand boy duties to do." He said with yet another smile. The smile that could make anyone's heart melts. Darn it! "Bye Courtney." He waved his hand and he started to walk away.

I waved my hand in a slow manner as I look at his retreating figure.

Chad, honestly speaking some part of me wanted to win that first bet. I wanted you to like me, you know? But you're Chad Treyson. You're different from everyone. You're extraordinary. You're not after the looks. You don't like too much attention from the others. You're smart, a complete gentleman and polite.

You're the type who wouldn't fall for a mean girl. You're the type who wouldn't fall for a brat. You're the type who wouldn't fall for someone who already has a boyfriend.

And the sad truth is, you're Chad Treyson and you wouldn't fall for a Courtney Collins.

* * * * *

I was staring at my canopied bed for I don't know how long. I was busy contemplating of what happened at the backyard with Chad.

It kind of sad to think that after all this time, I didn't make any progress at all. Should I stop this? Some part of me says yes, and most part of it was stuck.

I was trapped.

I was stuck in the idea of spending some time with Chad and somehow it's kind of enough.

So what now? Is this what I think it is?

No!

This is unacceptable. I'm not the type of girl who will cheat on her boyfriend. That's the golden rule. But if I continue to do this, I'm afraid I might end up doing that... cheating.

I should really... I have to... I need to stop this before it gets worse.

Oh Chad. What have you done to me? I'd never been so unsure of myself. I'd never been this confuse. I was always so sure of everything. I used to have things going on my way.

But since the day you came into my life, you turned it upside down. You made me feel the things that I never felt before. You're always challenging me. You're always making me think first before I act. You're making me doubt my decisions.

I'm starting to think that you're not healthy in my life. And I have to remove you to be the me again. The old me who doesn't care about anything.

I was pulled out from my train of thoughts the moment I heard someone knocking on my door. I lazily opened it and John greeted me, saying that I have a visitor.

I went down and what I saw really made my heart jump out of my chest.

Oh no. Why now?

I wasn't sure how I could handle this especially in the state of my dilemma.

"Hi babe." He immediately enveloped me in a hug.

And of course I hugged him back. "Hey." I said, trying to hide the shock in my voice.

He pulled back and he frowned. "What's wrong?" Worry was obvious on his tone.

There were million of words that's been swarming in my head. But I couldn't find the right words to answer his question. "Oh nothing. I'm just surprised that you're here." I answered casually.

"I'm your boyfriend. Should I tell you that I'd come over? I never do that before, right?" His frown just got deeper.

Yes, Courtney. Troy is your boyfriend, right? Why are you even surprise?

"I'm sorry. It's just that, there are a lot of things going on. I'm failing my subjects and I might not graduate so I'm kind of studying and—" I was enumerating my problems but then Troy interrupted me.

"Don't worry. I'm here. I'm going to save you from the boredom okay?" He said and then he started kissing my forehead and then my cheeks.

For some unknown reason, I pulled myself away from him.

"What's wrong, Court? You're acting strange." Troy said with a worried look.

"I'm fine. Maybe it's because of stress." I told him in full honesty.

Yes, I am in a lot of stress right now. Please cooperate, Troy. Please don't make me regret my decision of choosing you.

He walked closer to me. "I missed you so much, babe." He whispered to my ears.  He pulled back and looked at me straight in the eyes.

Please look into my eyes and see that I'm tired and I need to rest. Please be the understanding boyfriend today. I need that. I need you to see right through me. I need to hear that.

"What's wrong? Don't you miss me?" He asked worriedly.

That was the only time that I realized that I didn't answer him back. What's wrong with me? Why suddenly those words were alien to me? Usually when he said those words, I always give him a response.

"Of course I missed you. It's just that I'm tired and like I told you, the stress from school and—"

My speech cut short when I felt Troy's lips to mine. His eyes were closed and mine were widened with shock.

Okay this is weird. It felt completely wrong. Why wasn't I reacting to his kiss? Why wasn't I kissing him back? Where's the spark? Where's the will? What the hell is happening!

Kiss him back! He's your boyfriend, damn it!

I tried to answer his kiss but like what I said, it didn't feel right. He tugged me closer and he hugged me. I tried to close my eyes but to my utter surprise, the image of Chad's face revealed to me. Chad was frowning, and my heart was constricting in pain. It felt like I was cheating on him!

So with that I immediately let go of Troy. I pulled myself away from him. I could see the confusion on his face. He was giving me a puzzled look. And I was too.

What is happening? What is wrong with me? Why am I acting so strange?

And as if my sanity left me, the next thing that I did was completely unexpected and not really in accordance to my plan.

"Troy. I think... I think we need to break up."

— END OF CHAPTER 22 —

Thanks for reading. <3

Twitter: @notarandomgirl

For anything related to this story, please follow these accounts on twitter: @shortytaleswp, @TeamSILWAG, @queenbcourtney, @ChadTreyson

And ofcourse my FB fanpage: notjustarandomgirl

Thank you very much to my diligent admins. I love you all! <3