Despite the grand and sight that came into his view, he remained unfazed as the butler that was guiding him came to a stop right outside of the house.
"You won't be going in but rather to the back of the tennis court. Make sure not to cause a scene." His voice cold and indifferent. Andrew made his way, treating him like air as he made his way to the back.
Given that he already knew what was inside, there was no reason to go in himself. The distance to the back took some time as the house was huge to get around. It didn't take him long before he arrived at the back.
The scene of two tennis courts came into his view and familiar figures he had seen at campus. Not that he actually cared about them but he knew who they were. Friends of Hectors but he didn't view them that way.
"Oh, hi Andrew. You made it. I hope that Gerald didn't give you a hard time to get in. He can be a little troublesome to new people who aren't associated with my parents." Hector's voice echoed to which multiple eyes landed on him before reverting back to their initial activities.
Hector was locked in a tight match with a lady Andrew hadn't seen before but he already knew who she was. The element of curiosity was something he had lost. As for the other court, it was also in use with two other students from his campus.
He took a seat on an adjacent seat nearby and brought out his phone to pass time. "You're still falling for the same tricks again, Hector?" A ridiculing expression came from his opponent.
"You're one of the best tennis players in the state. How am I suppose to compete with you?" Hector voiced his disgruntled thoughts. "Same goes for your other friends. I didn't know that you're this terrible at making friends."
Hector's face was tired of the mockery. "Okay, Charlotte. You think that you're so great, how about facing Andrew and I at the same time?" Charlotte, a twenty six year old prodigy when it came to the sport.
She had her face plastered on all kinds of magazine for her profound and skilled plays making her one of the states best which was further coupled with her dazzling looks.
Her brunette hair complimented her amber eyes perfectly which shone with a fiery spirit that could not be quenched easily till she saw victory. Hector on the other hand had an irritated look. His brown hazelnut hair ruffled from his movement as his blue eyes locked onto Charlotte.
"Hey, Andrew. Want to help me curb my sister's ego." Andrew who was deeply engrossed in his phone put it down as he made his way to the court. Dressed in a light jersey, he was well prepared for this.
As his eyes landed on Charlotte, his interest grew faintly before disappearing on his bland and flat expression. "Okay, so here's what we'll do. I'll shoot-" Andrew raised his hand as if in denial.
"I'll handle it myself." Both Hector and Charlotte found his statement amusing. "You don't know the first thing about tennis given how out of touch you are with sports back at school. I'll lead you."
"No, let him." Charlotte advised as she was ready to wipe the eagerness that Andrew harboured in his mind. Giving a defeated sigh, he made his leave off the court and watched from the sides and the match between the two started.
Given that she was serving, she didn't bother going easy on him as she spiked it hard however he didn't bother saving it and watched it go out of the court. "Fifteen points to Charlotte." The one watching the match mused to which Hector gave a devastated sigh.
"Maybe try to hit the ball rather than watching it pass you!" Hector raged as he saw Andrew's performance. "It won't be that easy to win against my sister!" He further added as desperation came over him.
Andrew gripped the ball before letting it go and serving it to which she was able to counter. However this time, he was able to match her pace and catching her off guard, he was able to score a point.
"It would seem that you're not that bad. But let the actual game begin." A dangerous smirk played on her lips as she served the ball once more however he was able to read it rather easily.
'He's definitely a fast learner.' She gave credit as she raised her game. "Andrew secures another score." Such a comment ran through her ears once more. They had been going it at five minutes and she failed to see any flaws with his performance.
'He doesn't seem to be playing the same way a noob would. He's definitely skilled at this.' Hector was actually surprised with how Andrew was able to turn the tables as for the next few minutes, he was able to win against Charlotte.
"And with that, Andrew has been able to secure the victory." Charlotte couldn't believe what she heard as she eagerly requested for rematch. The results came up the same way as the last, with her losing without scoring a single point while Andrew had a flawless finish.
"What's wrong sister? Never experienced losing this hard before?" Hector taunted his sister as he revelled in her state."It's nothing short of beginners luck." Four more matches and the result was clear who the winner was.
"Hah!" She seemed out of breathe while Andrew simply glanced at her sorry state, aloof and calm as he handed the tennis racket back to Hector.
"Wait! How are you so good at this?!" Charlotte asked in between her pants. "I watch a lot of videos on this sport." And with that, he went back to his seat however Charlotte's demeanor was completely thrown off track.
"Bullshit! Tell me how were you able to get this good?!" Andrew glanced at the lady who was drenched in sweat while he remained perfectly unbothered. "If I told you, I doubt that you'd believe it. You see, I'm simply that good at what I do."
Before Charlotte could continue with her interrogations, the other three friends that were invited over took their leave. "Where are you going? It's not even past two." Hector asked. "We have something else to do but if you need us, make sure to call us again."
Andrew delved back into his phone before the scene was once again interrupted by another individual. "Dad." The two siblings spoke in unison however their father had his sights elsewhere.
"Hello darlings. Who is this?" His tone was warm and patient as he glanced at Andrew. "Oh, this is a friend of mine from school, Andrew." Andrew rose to his feet as he exchanged a handshake with the man in front of him.
"Andrew, huh. My name is Sullivan but these two call me Sully. I do have to say your form was well... perfect with how you spared with Charlotte." Andrew didn't have that much to say.
"Thank you, Sullivan." He mused as he glanced at the man in front of him. Rich dark brown hair which was coupled with his dark blue eyes. Dressed in casual clothing and a calm air around him.
"Do you perchance partake in tennis in school?" He asked as he knew that such a performance took time and skill to hone. "Sadly no I don't. There's nothing interesting about any of them so I quit but I'm good at them."
"Which one exactly?" Sullivan pushed. "All of them." A smile formed on his face as he heard this. A person good at all sports isn't that far fetched but what he didn't buy was how young he was. He seemed to be about Hector's age and he was twenty one years old.
"How old are you?" Sully asked making sure to clarify something. "Can the both of you get off his back. He's my guest for crying out loud." Hector interjected. "I'm twenty years old." 'He's younger than Hector? Well that's certainly interesting.'
"I apologize for the questions to lay on you but your performance was too superb to ignore." Charlotte felt a tinge of annoyance with how her dad was ranting about him and not her. "Okay, since you're so perfect at everything, is there anything you can't do?"
Out of irritation, she voiced it out. "Yeah, feel." The air fell silent as he said this. "Yeah, he has some disease that makes him unable to feel anything which stretches to his emotions." Hector clarified further.
'So that explains his cold demeanor but couldn't he have gone in a more subtle way about it?' Sullivan mused as he tried to change the subject. "How about lunch?" A simple nod from Andrew was all the confirmation he needed.
...
A scrumptious meal for the other three was bland as it got for Andrew as he finished it. 'Forgettable and immemorable.' His conclusion for the meal. It wasn't out of spite or hatred but rather indifference to conclude this.
"So how did the two of you meet?" Sullivan asked out of the blue which acted as a cue for Charlotte to take her leave. "When you're in the same room, you tend to interact with your roommate in one way or the other."
Hector mused in between his munches. "He's been extremely helpful with my assignments, acting as a reminder about things that I would normally forget and a great advisor." Sullivan grew all the more interested in Andrew.
"Well that is certainly fascinating but I do have to ask, Andrew. What do you think of Hector?" Andrew wasn't planning on sugar coating it. "A joke with a heart. Sure he may make mistakes but that is what makes him amusing to be around. Has great self control but that depends whether his head is clear. He's a great friend overall."
"Thank you..?" Hector was torn whether to be greatful or contemptuous of Andrew's comment. "I'm sure the two of you are great pals. You're amusing no doubt. How good are your skills when it comes to the musical sector?"
"Pretty average if not slightly above it." Hector was skeptical of his comment as he realized something during his summation of him but he tailed along as they made their way towards the interior of the mansion.