Chapter Four

"His Story" (Andi's POV)

"Hey. Thanks for listening." I said. "It sure feels better to have that out of the way."

I knew I was fighting a losing battle. A lone tear slid down my cheek, creating a track where the rest are sure to follow. I tried to wipe it away discreetly, to no avail. Jake reached in and gently wiped my tears away.

"It's perfectly fine to cry, you know." He said gently. "Let it all out." At his words all the tears that I've been suppressing for the past 6 months let loose with a vengeance. I felt him wrap his arm around my shoulder; I leant into his shoulder. He was right -- it felt good to cry. It felt even better when you have someone comforting you.

After a few minutes - it actually felt like an eternity - I lifted my head up from his shoulder. We stayed silent for a while, with Jake staring at the koi swimming in the pond aimlessly. I wondered why he said that he didn't have a good year last year. I mean, he was good looking, an athlete to boot - tall, tanned, and fit.

I decided to break the silence. "Enlighten me, Jake." He looked at me, puzzled. "How does a jock like you find a spot like this?" He chuckled.

"I was just walking around campus last year, preoccupied." He answered. "I just happened to stumble across the greenhouse. Checked the campus map the day after, and I've been coming here every time I'm free." Jake gazed upon the entirety of the garden. "It's not much, but it's kinda homey. Not to mention only a handful of students know about this place, you included."

"Reminds you of home, huh?"

"Yep." Jake answered. "You remember my mom, right? She absolutely adores flowers and anything green. When she's not tending to her patients, she's tending to her flowers. I grew up helping her in our gardens."

"Ah." I said. "That would explain a lot."

"That and it's a quiet place one can ignore all the people." Jake added softly. I decided to take a chance.

"Why'd you want to do that?" I asked quietly. He sighed deeply before answering me.

"Did you hear on the news about the scandal concerning a senator last year?" I pursed my lips sideways, thinking hard.

"Somewhat. Although I wasn't in the, well, mood, to keep tabs on current events, given the circumstances." I said sheepishly.

"Right." He continued. "Anyway, there's this sex scandal that made rounds on the internet the past year. Unfortunately, one of the people on the tape was my uncle, my dad's twin brother." I gasped in shock. "I know. That's exactly my reaction when I found out. Naturally, people would assume it was my dad on the tape, when our family knows otherwise."

"Wait a second." I said, backtracking a bit. "Your dad's Senator Roberto Sanchez?" I whistled as he nodded. "Wow. How come you're not, well, the famous son?"

"Mom was adamant on keeping his private life private. And Dad was on board with that." Jake shrugged. "My sister and I weren't allowed to come during the campaign period, or to any political event."

"Oh, I see." I motioned for him to continue.

"So anyway. There was this big investigation and blah blah blah, but media was in a frenzy." He ran a hand through his hair. "My friends know my dad, and they said they believed us, but you could see their doubts. My team mates would make excuses to exclude me from practices, and my other classmates would whisper and stare. It was so annoying to be in the spotlight for something you didn't do! I even got threats, but I didn't do anything but be his son!" He exclaimed.

"I feel you there." I replied, which earned a grin from him. Oh my. He has such cute dimples. Wait, what? I mentally slapped myself back to listen to what he was saying.

"Until the school year ended it was like that everyday. Thankfully the investigation showed that it was an edited film, made by someone with extensive knowledge on computer graphics and animation or something. But something like that scars you for some time, right?"

"Exactly my sentiments." I answered. "But I transferred schools, though. Why'd you stay? I mean, first reaction would be to transfer, right?"

"I told my mom that. But she said that if I do that it would seem like they won or that they're right. She wanted me to stay to prove them wrong. I quote, 'Why should you transfer schools? You have to hold your head high especially the investigation proved your father innocent.' I was like, yeah, sure. Like everything's going to be back to normal."

"You know you could start over." I suggested. "Sort of like a new beginning. Here." I extended my hand. "Hey there. I'm Andi Galang. I'm new here. I'd love to be your friend." I said, smiling. He caught on quickly and grasped my outstretched hand.

"Jake Mendoza." He grinned, exposing the killer dimples again. "Friends." He said, as he gave me a firm shake. "'Til the end?"

"'Til the end." I chuckled. "See? You're my first friend here. Really hope that we're in the same classes, too. Or is that hopeful thinking?"

"Well having you in class with me will make it easier." Jake said. "I don't think they've forgotten the issue yet." I nodded thoughtfully.

"We just have to change their minds, then, now do we?" I said, cheekily smiling as we started our way back to the dorms, the sun setting on the horizon.

Chapter Three

"Her Story" (Jake's POV)

Holy -- I was seriously enjoying Andi's company. It's been what, half an hour? It seems like we've known each other for years! I was surprised with how much we have in common, it's kinda like a shame we didn't get to know each other sooner.

Well, not to mention that she is very, very attractive. Shoulder length hair that looks so soft, a slender physique, legs that go on and on -- geez. I'm sounding like a pervert.

"Jake?" Andi was looking at me, quite puzzled.

"I'm sorry -- what?" I blushed, having been caught in a daze.

"I was asking what sports do you play?" she repeated, smirking a bit.

"Oh. Basketball, of course." I replied, giving her an easy smile as I took a gulp of my iced tea shake. "And soccer. I do run once in a while, too."

"Are you with the varsity team?"

"I used to." I shifted my eyes downward. "But I'm not so sure now." Andi must have seen my expression; she didn't press the subject. "How about you? Play any sport?" I asked, shifting the attention back to her.

"Yep." she answered as she leaned back in her seat. "Swimming and track. Cheerleading, too, if you consider that a sport." Swimming and cheerleading? Images of her in skimpy little bikinis and sexy cheerleading outfits started to flood my head. Oh crap. Think of something else. Think of something else.

"Are you trying out for the squad?" I asked.

"Depends." she answered, finishing off her crepe dessert in one huge bite.

"On what?"

"How fast I can adjust." she turned to look at me. "Is the curriculum hard here? I mean, all my subjects were credited, so I won't repeat my first year again... is it easy enough to adjust to?"

"Well, do you expect Chemical Engineering to be easy, though?" I chuckled. "It is the hardest engineering course, right?"

"Touche." she said, still waiting for an answer. I sighed inwardly.

"If you got credited, I don't think it'll be hard for you. That may mean that your old school taught the same principles as ours." I gestured for our bill, reaching for my wallet. Andi noticed and mirrored me. "Hey, I got this one."

"No, no." Andi said, shaking her head. "I should pay for my share."

"I insist." I said. "Think of it as a thank you for inviting me to lunch and sparing me of my self-pity."

"Are you sure?" she asked, wary.

"Yep. 100% sure." I answered. "Hey, you could treat me next time." I suggested cheekily.

"I'll hold you to that!" She exclaimed, as we stood to go to campus.

* * * * * * * * * *

We strolled lazily around campus, me pointing and naming all the sites, her, listening closely. I decided to show her my favorite spot on campus: the greenhouse gardens.

"Wow." Andi breathed, quite speechless.

"I know, right?" I said, as I took a seat near the koi pond. "This is my favorite spot."

"You don't come across as a nature kind of guy." Andi commented, taking a seat next to me.

"Well, yeah." I shrugged. "I don't really hang out at the gym or basketball courts or football field unless there's practice. Whenever I have some free time, I usually come here to relax."

"It is very relaxing." Andi said, nodding in agreement. I decided to take a chance to ask her something that's been nagging me since we bumped into each other.

"Hey, I hope you don't mind me asking," I started. "Why'd you transfer to Danville University?" I felt her stiffen a bit, then relax.

"Well..." she sighed. "Something happened during freshman year that, well, wasn't pretty." I nodded for her to continue. "It was just after mid-terms. I was a varsity cheerleader and swimmer, and the coach for both sports was the same. Turns out he was a pervert, and he has been harassing some of the older students for a while now. I guess I was just unlucky that he decided to one up his disgusting hobby." I was staring at her in disbelief by now.

"Don't tell me --" She cut me off.

"He raped me." She looked at me. "Well, he tried to. I managed to fight back so he wouldn't succeed, but the trauma was there. To be honest with you, I don't really know why I'm sharing this with you, considering that the normal reaction for stuff like that is to stay clear of guys in general." She fiddled with her thumbs. "I just feel like I can talk to you, you know?" I nodded, she continued. "Anyway, my dad was livid. He demanded that the school fire that coach. 'Why do you even have a male coach for an all female swim team and cheering squad?' Dad was threatening to bring the school to court or media or wherever. The school began an investigation, but no one really wanted to testify. The older students were bribed somehow and they didn't want to speak against that coach." She paused, fighting back the tears that were threatening to spill. "After the investigation hit a snag, he started to spread rumors that I was the one who seduced him and tricked him into having sex. He totally twisted everything, and students would talk and whisper and look at me like I was a whore. At first I didn't let it affect me, but when my so called friends turned their back on me, I was done. I went straight to my mom and dad, who helped me transfer to another school that was farther from my old school. I owe a lot to my dad, actually." She then looked at me. "And here I am."

"That's just so wrong on so many levels." I said, my brows furrowing in disgust. "The administration wasn't able to do anything?"

"Nothing." She said. "And I found out who my true friends were." I had a sudden urge to hug her, but decided against it. I was glad she wasn't pushing me away, but I didn't want to overstep my boundaries. She lightly punched my shoulder.

"Hey. Thanks for listening." Andi smiled. "It sure feels better to have that out of the way." I returned her smile gladly.

Chapter Two

Author's note: I realize that it's almost been a year since I last posted a chapter on this story, but I got busy with stuff that I hadn't realized that I haven't been updating! That, and the writing bug decided to bite someone else for a while. Anyway, on with the story! :)

* * * * * * * * * *

"Starting Over"

Andi wiped her hands on her shorts, slightly pleased with herself. She had managed to set up her entertainment system all on her own, and managed to even set up her internet/wi-fi connection earlier in the day. She checked the wall clock, and found that there was just enough time to clean up and grab a late lunch. She wanted to go inside campus before the day is over to familiarize herself with the school before classes start the following week. She jumped into the shower, humming quietly as she readied herself for her afternoon walk.

* * * * * * * * * *

Jake lay down his bed, his hands behind his head. His curtains were drawn shut, and all his lights were turned off. He was grateful that his mom had arranged for a single room instead of a shared one; he wasn't in the mood for company. Frowning at the grumbling of his stomach, he glanced at the clock on his nightstand. He sighed deeply, deciding that he could go for an afternoon bite, and grabbed his wallet and keys before strutting out of his room.

* * * * * * * * * *

Andi bumped into someone as she headed down to the elevators; it was Jake.

"Oh hey, Jake!" Andi greeted, smiling warmly. "This your floor, too, huh?" Jake grunted, shrugging his shoulders in reply. Andi looked at him dubiously. Either he's just anti-social or there's something bugging him. Jake frowned as his stomach grumbled, loudly this time. "Hey, I was just about to grab some late lunch... want to join me?" she asked lightly.

"Sure, why not?" Jake muttered, turning to look at Andi. He was stunned. He didn't pay attention before, but he now knows he should've. "Andi, right?"

"He speaks!" Andi remarked, jokingly. "Yep. Glad you remembered."

"Hey, sorry about earlier." Jake said, loosening up. "I... didn't have a very good year."

"Oh, you too, huh?" she replied, as the elevator doors opened. "Sooo... what are you taking up?"

"Chemical Engineering." Jake replied. "I'm a sophomore." Andi's eyes widened a bit.

"No way!" Andi exclaimed. "I'm taking up ChemEng too! And I'm a soph, too!" She tilted her head slightly. "What a coincidence!"

"Really?" Jake said, smiling slightly. They stopped at a cafe next to their dorm. "Sooooo." Jake gestured to the cafe. "Do you mind eating here?"

"Not at all." Andi replied. "I was actually planning to go around campus this afternoon."

"Why?"

"I just wanted to familiarize myself. Transferee, remember?" She smiled.

"You know," Jake started. "I could show you around." Andi's smile widened.

"You would? That's great! Thanks so much!" She said, as they placed their orders. Jake smiled back, thinking about how infectious Andi's bubbly personality and wondering why she said she had a bad year as well.