The President's Daughter by David Dower (if you liked this book txt) 📕

asked, a little shocked that I could remember the cutest four year old, I have ever laid eyes on.

I nodded my head. “I just met him yesterday and I don’t think I have short term memory loss, so of course I remember him! He’s adorable, so how can I not?”

“He’s doing well. Believe it or not he really likes you, which is shocking because he doesn’t adjust well to new people.”

I nodded., "l I like him too.”

Gavin simply just nodded as he stared down at his old beat up trainers. A comfortable silence fell upon us, while he stared at his shoes like it was the most fascinating thing in the world.

I stared at his face, feeling something at the bottom of my gut as I stared at him. His left eye now had a black eye which seemed to be throbbing, his lips was busted open and he had a deep scar at the top of his right eyebrow. The rest of his face was mainly scratches that would go away in time.

Gavin looked up from his shoes his brown eyes looking back at mines. A sigh escaped his lips. “I bet you want to know, why I am all bruised and battered.” I opened up my mouth to protest but we both knew it was true. So I simply just nodded. “I got into a fight- with my father.”

My jaw dropped as Gavin’s eyes filled with hatred. How could someone do this to him? “I am sorry. It wasn’t my business.” I said, quickly feeling regret as I saw as he looked uncomfortably at me.

He simply nodded. “It’s okay, but for the record if you tell anyone I will simply deny it nerd.” He said, giving me his signature smirk.

I rolled my eyes. It now looked like the old Gavin was back. “Whatever.”

He laughed as the bell rang signaling the end of lunch. “Well I got to get going nerd, see you around.” He turned around and walking the other way as the hallways started to pile with students heading to there third period class.

“Gavin?” I called out to him.

He turned around a questionable look on his face. “Yeah?”

“I am sorry and not for your face, for that day in the parking lot.” I said, staring into his eyes hoping that he would forgive me.

“It’s fine.” He said, “I am sorry too.”

I gave him a small smile. After what he seemed to be going through at the moment I felt that I needed to apologize and not out of pity but from the bottom of my gut. I looked at him one last time as he pulled his hood back up and disappeared into the crowd of people.

I sighed as I looked at my uneaten tuna fish sandwich in my hand. I was never a big fan of tuna, so I was thankful that something came up or I would have no choice but to eat it.

I kept walking down the hall heading to my locker and then to Algebra when I saw a familiar red head walking down the hall. I automatically knew it was Sarah due to her being the only one in the school with bright red dyed hair.

I ran up to catch up with her as she turned around the corner. I wanted to make things up with my friends just like I did with Gavin even though technically he isn’t really my friend. “Sarah!” I called as I saw her stop. I quickly jogged over to her as she looked at me with an annoyed look.

“Yes?” She asked, impatiently. “Could you please make this quick I have to get to music.”

“Listen, Sarah.” I said, ignoring the tone she used with me a few seconds ago. “I am sorry, that I lied and wasn’t honest with you and if you forgive me I can promise that I will be honest.”

A smile broke out on her face. “I was going to forgive you sooner or later. But I am glad I picked sooner and if it is any consolation I am really sorry too I was acting like a real bitch.”

I let out a chuckle. “Its fine, I would react the same way. Well I kind of am with the whole Ben and Holly thing.”

“What happened between you guys anyways?” Sarah questioned, I was quiet for a few moments; Sarah must’ve noticed that I didn’t want to talk about it. “I am sorry, I am prying. It’s none of my business.”

I only nodded having nothing really to say. “But, if you do have any questions feel free to ask me. Alright?”

“Okay, I have one.” She spoke.

I knitted my eyebrows in confusion. “Already?”

She nodded. “Why does Ben always follow you around and drive you around everywhere? Is he like your bodyguard or something?”

My eyes widened. For a short little girl she really did pay attention to her surroundings. I gulped, not knowing how I would answer her question- honestly. Chapter Fourteen: Bonds & Apologies

I looked at Sarah who was staring at me with wide eyes.

Should I tell her?

A part of me said yes, because Sarah would eventually find out my secet and she would be mad that I kept a big thing from here. But on the other hand, there wasn't really a big chance that she would find out.

“Ben’s parents are close friends with mine. I don’t know how to drive so he takes me places.” I lied, straight between my teeth.

Sarah nodded her head. “Oh, that explains it! But, I still don’t get why he is so overprotective of you.”

I shrugged in response to her question. She thought Ben was overprotective of me? “I don’t know it’s because we are close so you know the whole he’s like a big brother thing.”

“Oh, well that answers my questions. I got to get going I am late for music.” She said, turning towards the direction she was once headed in.

I nodded. “Yeah me too, I am late for Algebra.”

“See you later Ali!” Sarah said, as she proceeded to walk away. “I am sorry for doubting you!” She called out.

I let out a chuckle. ‘It’s fine.” I muttered, softly as I watched her turn the corner.

I sighed trudging my way to Algebra. “Bad boy, bad boy; what you gonna to do? What you gonna do when he comes for you?” I sang remembering the previous conversation with Gavin, when I ran into him down this very hall.

I was a few meters from the classroom door when I heard someone call my name, my real name. “Alice?” I heard, a soft voice say.

I dropped my hand from the door handle and turned around to come face to face with Holly. She was staring at me with red puffy eyes, she was wearing sweat pants and a worn out hoodie and her hair was put into a sloppy bun. She looked terrible considering Holly always puts thought into her outfit everyday.

“Yes?” I answered, impatiently, kind of the way Sarah talked to me a few minutes ago.

“Um, can we talk?” She questioned, fidgeting with her fingers refusing to look me in the eye. “It’s kind of important.”

I let out a sigh, nodding my head. “I’ll meet you in the parking lot after school. I need a ride home.”

Holly perked up after hearing that I’d agree to talk with her. Truth is I wanted to sort this whole thing out. “Great, I’ll see you there.” She said, giving me a small smile and turning around and walking away.

I shrugged as I watched Holly turn around and walk away. I then turned back around opening the door and heading into the classroom.

“Miss Clair, so nice of you to join us.” I heard, Mr. Jennings say sarcastically.

“Sorry, I am late. It won’t happen again.” I told him, truthfully.

I faced the class as I looked for an empty seat to sit in. The only available seat left was next to Ben.

“Miss Clair, can you please take a seat? You are already late, now you are just being disruptive.” Mr. Jennings said from behind me.

I nodded, my eyes scanned the class again, magically wishing that an empty seat would be thrown from the havens and I wouldn't have to sit beside Ben.

I would have to face him sooner or later, but I preferred to pick the latter option. I trudged towards my seat to Ben taking a seat and opening up my notebook.

“Alice. You are going to have to talk to me eventually.”

I rolled my eyes. “Please be quiet Ben. I am trying to focus.” I said, to him turning to face the front, as Mr. Jennings began to speak to the class about balancing equations.

“Listen Ali. I like you and you might not feel the same way about me, but you have to believe me.”

“Ben.” I hissed, “You made out with not only my best friend, but Holly is my cousin too. I am sorry but I don’t like you.” The kid was really starting to piss me off.

“James, Clair!” Mr. Jennings called out, snapping at us. “Stop talking and face the front.”

We both muttered a quick apology under our breath and faced the front. Luckily after that Ben stopped trying to talk to me as I tried to pay attention to what was left of this class.

*

I was standing outside the school doors five minutes after the bell rang waiting for Holly. We both had Gym last period but Holly told me to go wait outside, due to having to go pick up some assignment for English.

“Ready?” I heard as Holly came up beside me. I nodded as we both walked towards her car in silence.

Once we entered he car and I was seated with my seat belt was on, Holly turned to me as if asking me if I was ready to leave. I nodded my head and she put the car in drive and pulled out of the school parking lot.

We arrived at the gates of the Whitehouse, Holly parked the car. I made no move to get out, knowing that we had to sort out whatever was going on between us.

“My parents are getting a divorce.” She blurted out, looking at her hands that were placed in her lap.

“What?” I whispered.

“My parents are getting a divorce.” She repeated, slowly. “That’s why when you entered your room, you caught Ben and I making out.” She said, with a small smile on her face.

“Oh.” Was the only thing that seemed to be appropriate to say. Yes, my favorite aunt and uncle were getting a divorce, but I didn't really find that a logical excuse to go and make out with my bodyguard and friend, on my bed.

“I was crying, and Ben was the only one there to consult me and it just happened.”

I nodded my head slightly. I felt a guilt ash over me as I remembered what Ben had told me about him liking me. “Do you like him?”

She nodded her head, a small smile appeared on her face. “I do. I never stopped liking him, even when he did.” She spoke, softly a dazed looked appearing on her face.

I managed to give her a small smile. “I am happy for you.” I said, feeling even more guilty, that Ben is refusing