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

said, softly. As his thumb stroked away my tears.

“So your mother is really dead?” I asked, softly. I didn’t want him snapping at me once more.

He nodded his head sadly, as his eyes looked away from mines. I wiped all my tears away that were flowing down my cheeks as I grabbed the bottom of Gavin’s chin, making him look directly at me.

We stared at each other for a while before Gavin spoke, “Why didn’t you say I am sorry for your loss?”

“Because I’ve read enough cheesy romance books to know that you will reply back with it’s not your fault.”

A small chuckle escaped Gavin’s lips. “You are really something, Ali.”

I smiled, Gavin still had his arms wrapped around my waist but I made no movement to remove it. “D-do you want to talk about it?” I asked, hesitantly.

He shook his head, “No. It’s too long of a story.”

“I’ve got time.”

Gavin rolled his eyes, “I don’t. I have to pick up Garrett from school, it’s a fifteen minute walk. I would have gotten there sooner if that bastard Ben didn’t slash my tires.” Chapter Thirty-Nine: Together & Forever

It has been three weeks since I last spoke to Gavin.

Three freaking weeks, at first I am pretty sure he thought I was just keeping my distance. You know after our whole argument, but by the second week he started to get suspicious. Whenever he tried to talk to me, I would be like Lightening McQueen and bolt the other way.

He was attached to the hip with Ashley, and wherever he went so did she. Yes, I know that I could do whatever the heck I want and not let Ashley torment me like this, but I don’t want to run to my dad when things get tough. Plus, if he ever found out that someone knows my secret, pray for me because I am pretty sure I would be on the next plane out to Honolulu.

I turned the corner to head to Chemistry class. I would have been there sooner, but Mrs. Moore wanted to talk to me about the whole catastrophe that was our dance. I didn’t understand why she wanted to talk to me alone, not Gavin and Sarah but I didn’t question it.

“I d-don’t know why she’s acting weird…” I heard, a familiar voice say.

I peeked my head from behind the locker, I was hiding behind to see Sarah at her locker, but what shocked me was who was standing next to her.

“That is why, I need you to find out for me.” Gavin explained.

“Why can’t you just ask her yourself?” Sarah asked, slamming the locker door shut.

“Have you not been listening? The girl avoids me!” Gavin exclaimed, exasperated.

“Why do you even care?” Sarah asked, softly. “Do you like her?” She asked, raising her eyebrows.

Gavin looked at her, appalled. “Me? L-like Ali?” He let out a snort, “There is no way in hell I would ever like that nerd.”

I felt my heart drop, he didn’t like me. I breathed in deeply, ignoring my heart shattering to millions of pieces. Turning around I accidentally hit one of the lockers, behind me. “Did you hear that?” I heard Gavin ask Sarah.

“Shit,” I muttered, trying to stay frozen hopefully they wouldn’t hear anything.

“Yeah, it came from behind the lockers.”

I rolled my eyes, holding my breath. “Way to state the obvious, Sherlock.” I muttered, under my breath.

I heard the sounds of their feet hitting the floor as they walked closer towards the lockers I was hiding behind. I closed my eyes tightly, praying that they wouldn’t see me.

“Ali?” I heard Sarah, in a shocked tone.

“H-hey guys,” I muttered, opening my eyes and giving them a wave.

“Were you eavesdropping?” She asked, incredulously.

I shook my head, “O-of course no, I was admiring the lockers.” I blurted out, but Gavin just looked at me a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. “Yup, admiring these rusty grey lockers. I was thinking of painting my room the same color.” I blabbered.

“Really?” Sarah asked, her eyebrows raised.

I nodded my head, “Yup. Now if you would excuse me, we both are late to chemistry.” I said, grabbing the Sarah’s sleeve and pulling her with me.

“Ali?” Sarah called out, stopping me from moving. I looked at her curious to why she stopped. “Gavin is in that class too.”

My eyes widened, “Oh.” I muttered, not realizing my blonde moment or what Thomas liked to call ‘Alice moments.’

Sarah shook her head, “Look. You two have a lot of issues, we all know that.” She said, getting straight to the point. “But, anyone could realize you two like each other and are supposed to be together.”

“I don’t like Gavin,” I denied. “That is preposterous.”

“Yeah! And didn’t you hear me earlier? I don’t like Ali, I don’t do nerds.” Gavin said, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Oh shut it, both of you. If you didn’t like Ali then you wouldn’t care if she is mad at you,” Sarah explained to Gavin. “And if you didn’t like Gavin then you would be dating Ben because we all know he has a thing for you.” She said, to me. “Now, I am going to chemistry class and you two will stay here and work out the kinks to this thing you have with each other.”

Sarah began to walk away when Gavin spoke up. “What if we don’t work it out?”

Sarah whipped around, her red hair flying. “You better hope, Gavin that you do. Cause you honestly do not want to see the bad side of me.” She said, threating us.

My eyes widened, I never saw this side of Sarah and quite frankly I was becoming a tad scared. As I watched Sarah walk away I turned to Gavin, rocking on my heels.

“Well, it was nice conversing with you. See you around!” I said, waving and turning to walk away.

“W-what?” Gavin exclaimed, grabbing my hand and pulling me back. “Did you not hear the small red chick? We are going to fix whatever this is.” He said, hauling me as walked down the hall.

I yanked my hand out of Gavin’s grasp. He turned around to look at me, his eyes held confusion. “What is this?” I asked, “Is there something between us?” I asked.

Gavin shrugged, his shoulders. “I don’t know.” He said, causing me to let out a sigh. “But, I do know that I want something between us.” Gavin added softly, grabbing my hand and entwining it with his.

I looked at our entwined hands. “Really?”

“Really.” He repeated.

I squeezed Gavin’s hand as I smiled at him. I don’t know if Gavin liked me, but something told me he was beginning to warm up to me. I was kind of doubting that my heart could be broken. But, I was willing to take the chance with Gavin.

*

“Thomas!” I yelled, banging my fist on his door.

As soon as I got home from school I came straight up to Thomas’ room. I had to ask him something and being the little creepy hacker that he is, I knew he was the perfect person to come to.

A few seconds later the door swung open, Thomas was looking at me in annoyance. “Couldn’t you just knocked? There was really no need to bang your fist repeatedly on my door.” He muttered, turning around and walking back into his room.

“Actually, there is a reason.” I said, closing the door behind me. “I need another favor.” I explained.

Thomas gestured for me to take a seat, as he went behind his computer desk. “Sure, but this one is going to cost you.”

“How much?”

“I don’t want your money.”

“Then what do you want?” I questioned, warily.

“I want a favor.”

“A favor?” I repeated.

“Yes, a favor.”

I rolled my eyes, “What do you want?”

“I want to meet him?”

“Him? Whose him?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest and looking at my brother with my eyebrows raised.

“I want to meet Gavin.” He said, taking his eyes of his computer screen.

My brown eyes widened, “Why?”

“Because I want to meet my future brother in law.” Thomas explained.

I got up from my chair, “Your future what in law?” I asked, shocked.

“How many times will I have to repeat things to you? Because, frankly it is getting annoying.” My brother said, getting up from his chair and walking around his desk. “I want to meet Gavin, now you either take it or leave it.”

“I will leave it,” I said. “There is no way I am letting you anywhere near him?”

Thomas cocked his head to the side, studying me for a brief second. “Why?”

“Because, Gavin doesn’t know who I am. I am not taking any chances if he figures out who you are. Because, if you haven’t noticed you have quite a mouth.”

“If Gavin doesn’t recognize who you are. What makes you think he will realize who I am?”

“I don’t know, but I am not taking any chances.” I said, turning around and walking out of Thomas’ room.

“Well then,” he began. “Too bad… I could have really helped you in whatever pickle you’ve gotten yourself in.” Thomas said, sadly.

I stopped in my tracks. I honestly hated when he was right, I thought about all the good things that could come from this situation. When I realized there was a lot worse than there is good, I gave in to my brother’s proposal.

“Fine,” I said, sighing. “I will let you meet Gavin.”

Thomas’s face broke into a smile, “Great! Now, what do you want?”

I rolled my eyes, “I need you to gather all the information on this girl. Her name is Ashley Rome,” I explained as Thomas just looked at me in curiosity.

“Why do I have to do that?”

“Hey!” I said, pointing my finger at him. “You got what you wanted, now stop asking questions and work your magic.”

“Fine,” He said. “I will get all the information you want by tomorrow.”

I nodded my head, “Good. And tomorrow I will let you meet Gavin. It’s better to get it over with as soon as possible.”

Thomas just nodded his head in reply, his light eyes glued to his computer. When he didn’t respond, I took that as my cue to leave.

I shut his door softly behind me, as my thoughts started to wander about what lied ahead for me tomorrow. I also just fully come to realization, on how creepy my little brother is.

Chapter Forty: Gavin "The Idiot" Storm

“So I was thinking even though we didn’t have a proper family vacation, like we were supposed to during the Spring Break. I am thinking that we should have one, even