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

back of where the class was sitting. Sarah on the other hand took a seat next to Andy.

Gavin and I sat beside each other silently, as we watched the other group make their way on stage. They were performing a hip hop routine to the music of Monster by Eminem featuring Rhianna. “I am sorry for dropping you,” I turned my head to see Gavin staring at me intently, “You put your trust in me and I let you down, I let you down just like I let everyone.”

I shook my head, “You didn’t let me down. Yeah, you might have dropped me, but I know you didn’t mean it. So don’t be so hard on yourself. I think we were doing pretty well up until, the accident. But, believe it or not you were fun to work with.”

He nodded his head at me turning his head back towards the stage, not before giving me a small and genuine smile. I stared at his face-call me creepy but I noticed a scar on his neck, it was just like the bruise I saw on his neck when we were at the park.

Soon enough I found myself leaning over and touching the scar on his neck, Gavin’s head snapped towards me as his eyes wandered to where I was touching. “I trust you Gavin,” I told him softly. “B-but why do you have such a hard time trusting me?” I asked, stuttering slightly.

“Who said I don’t trust you?”

“No one told me, it is the way you act towards me and everyone else. You have a hard time trusting people and I think I have a clue to why.”

“And what clue is that, nerd?” He asked, his face coming closer towards mine.

“Call me crazy, but I think you are getting abused. Not by a brother, because from what I know the only brother you have is thirteen years younger than you. But, I think you are getting abused from an older person, perhaps a father, uncle, or even grandparent. Now I might not know all the details, but I don’t think you do anything to stop it, judging by the scars and bruises I could see, the abuse is a constant thing.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Gavin asked, bitterly.

“Because, I trust you. I want you to be able to do the same.” He just stared at me, a blank look on his face. “Now, please just trust me and answer this question honestly. Are you getting abused?”

Gavin looked down at his lap not answering my question, when he didn’t respond. We both knew the answer to my question and I kept quiet placing my hand on top of Gavin and giving him a small smile. I knew I had to do something about this but I had no idea what.

“What were you thinking about?”

I shook my head, “Nothing.”

Thomas just stared at me, a knowing look on his face. “You were thinking about that Gavin boy weren’t you?”

“No, I wasn’t, now drop it and stop being nosey.” I said, grabbing his arm and pulling him towards the door.

“So, you were thinking of Ben?” Thomas, inquired.

“No!” I snapped.

Thomas’ eyes widened, “I am sorry.” I whispered. “Just please drop it, okay?” He nodded his head slowly in response. I don’t know what had come over me, but I guess being caught between two guys is hard and it really begins to take a toll on you.

I pulled open the door to find Holly standing behind it, “Holly?” I asked my eyes widening, “How much did you hear?”

She shook her head, her eyes darting to the ceiling. “I didn’t hear anything, I just came.”

I looked at her-skeptical. I prayed that she didn’t hear Thomas’ and I’s conversation. “O-okay… So what are you doing here?”

“Your mom told me you are in here. I came to look for you because if we don’t leave now, we will be late for school.” She turned around walking away.

I turned to Thomas, ruffling his hair and bidding him a goodbye. I ran to catch up with Holly as she turned the corner, “Hey Holls!” I yelled stopping her, “You sure you didn’t hear anything?”

She nodded her head, “Why? Is there something you want to tell me?”

I shook my head quickly, “N-no it’s nothing.”

She shook her head, as she quickly began walking away. I stared at her, as she walked away. She didn’t ask me about my trip or how Ben was doing. As I watched her exit the house, I realized that I think she heard more of Thomas and I’s conversation then what she was letting on.

*

“Excited?” Gavin asked, jumping up and down on your spot.

“I am over the moon,” I muttered, continuing my stretches. “I still don’t understand why you volunteered us to go first.” I muttered.

“Because, once you go first. You get the nerves out, and you can sit and relax for the rest of the performance.” He explained.

“Well you might want to go explain that to Sarah, over there.” I said pointing my thumb towards a hyperventilating Sarah. “Because she is beginning to turn white.”

“Don’t worry Andy’s got her.”

I turned around and saw Andy who was trying to calm Sarah down, by telling her to breathe in and out. “Does Andy like her or something?”

“Yeah I am pretty sure, why?” He asked ruffling his brown hair making it look even messier than before.

“Because, I think Sarah likes him back.”

“Please don’t tell me you want to set them up,” Gavin asked, groaning.

“Well I wasn’t.” I replied, as Gavin let out a sigh of relief. “But, I am going to now.” I said, smirking.

“Didn’t anyone tell you not to get meddle in other people’s relationships?”

I shook my head, thinking of what he just said. “No.”

“Well I am telling you now, don’t meddle in other people’s relationships.”

“Why?”

“Because you can’t force love, you have to let it come to you.”

I looked at Thomas in shock, I felt tears prickling the corners of my eyes, “W-what do you mean?”

“I have to ask to spend time with you, but in reality you don’t want to spend time with me.” He said softly, turning around his back facing me as he stared at the wall behind him.

I bit my lip, I did not know what to say. I never meant for any of this to happen, if I knew kissing Ben would bring this much drama in my life, I realized that I made a big mistake. “I don’t know what to say, Thomas. But, I do know I am sorry.” I said walking towards him.

“I know,” He whispered, to me not turning around.

“If you want we could spend all day together?” I asked, trying to reason with him.

He shook his head, “No. You have that drama dance with that boy you like.”

“W-what boy?” I asked, stuttering slightly.

“Gavin, I know you like him.” Thomas said, turning around and facing me.

“How do you know about Gavin?” I asked, kind of afraid to know the answer.

“I know about a lot of things, I shouldn’t know.”

I rolled my eyes, “Yeah I’ve come to realize.” I said, shuddering, Thomas in return jabbed my side with his elbow. “So, are we good? I questioned, glaring at him.

He smirked, “We are good.”

I opened my arms, and Thomas wrapped his arms around me as I did the same. “Oh, and just for the record me dating Ben… I don’t think it will be a problem.”

“Why?” He questioned, pulling away from me.

“Let’s just say…” I began, trying to figure the right way to put this, “Ben and I won’t be dating for a while… or even ever.” I said grimacing as I thought back to our previous phone call.

“W-what?”

“You heard me Alice, it’s either Gavin or me. You choose.”

“You honestly can’t be making me choose.” I asked, in shock.

“I am and I will.” He said, angrily.

“Can we talk about this when I get home?”

“No. Why is it always your way? It’s my way now, so you tell me, now who do you pick.”

“Ben…” I whispered, as I noticed Gavin and Garrett both looking at me with curious eyes. “If you really ‘loved’ me you wouldn’t do this, not now.” I whispered, softly trying to make sure that the oldest Storm brother wouldn’t hear.

“I am doing this because I love you,” Ben said.

I shook my head, “I am not going to pick.”

“Well then I guess I am done, there’s no point waiting around anymore.”

“Okay,” I whispered.

“Okay,” He replied.

“Ben, one more thing.” I asked curiously, “Why now? Why do you want to know the answer to a question that I don’t even know myself?”

“Because, a little birdy finally opened up my eyes and made me realize that I deserved way better,” He answered, ending the call leaving me on dial tone.

“Alice?” Thomas called me, interrupting my thoughts.

“Yeah?” I asked, blinking a couple of times. Chapter Thirty-Five: Sleepovers

“Dad?” I asked, knocking the door to his oval office. When I didn’t hear him reply after a few moments I pushed the door open finding no reason to knock in the first place.

“I understand, but that isn’t going to solve the growing problem in Ukraine.” I stood patiently at the door waiting for him to finish with the phone call.

I haven’t really talked to my dad since the whole Ben getting shot thing. I also haven’t talked to Ben since the whole I don’t like you like that sort of way, thing. Normally, I wouldn’t really come to my dad’s office unless it was serious, just like last time when I wanted to ask him how you know when a guy likes you. But, Ricky and the other guy threw me out, before my dad could properly chase me out.

“Yes the United Nations is doing their very best, and I will come in contact with their President to see what we could do with the growing concern of the attacks from Russia.” My dad nodded his head, his eyes coming to contact with mine. “Thank you, and goodbye.” With that my dad hung up the phone, looking back at me. “What do you want Alice?”

I narrowed my eyes at my father as his eyes were focused on the papers in front of him. “Nice to see you too,” I huffed, silently. “The reason I am here is because I have a favor to ask you.”

“I am the President, I do not do favors,” My father, replied.

“But, you are however my father, and as a father you should do things for your only daughter.”

My dad let out a sigh, “What do you want, Alice?”

“Do you have access to see what demolition projects take place?”

My dad raised his eyebrows at me, “Companies are in charge of their demolitions. Not necessary the government unless it involves us of course. Like if they want to set up a new shop or something, and an old building is standing in the way of their plans they could buy the land and whatever happens to be on the land and have access to demolish it, but with the city’s consent of course.” He explained, “Why may you ask?”

“Well a friend of mine, use to dance at the building it’s called Linda’s dance Academy, and he-“

“It’s a boy?” My dad asked, looking up from his papers and at