Azalea's POV,
The results of our exams will be distributed later when our adviser come inside our room. As for now we're just inside the classroom, talking about what happened last Monday.
"So you says Aizen was the one who defeated those thugs?" Maica asked, playing with her pen.
"Yes, I texted her last Monday night and she said she defeated those thugs already," I answered, crossing my arms, leaning my back against the backrest.
"Wow she's strong huh!" Maica exclaimed.
We both look at Krystal who kept tapping on her phone. She hasn't said any word since earlier.
"Hey why do you look so work up? Is something going on?" I asked, trying to peek on her phone but she immediately shove it into her pocket. Is she hiding something.
"It's about our family. My aunt finally found the person she's been looking for," she explained, shifting her blank gaze on me.
We talk about her family until our adviser came inside. She distributed all of our test papers while discussing our schedule next week.
"How's your score Aza?" Maica asked, eyes on her test papers.
Glancing at her, I answered her question, "Fine. I past all of them." I folded the test papers, shoving it inside my bag.
"Okay that's all, class dismiss!" our adviser announced, grabbing her bag, proceeding to the door.
Frantically, I hoisted my bag onto my shoulder. The three of us went to the parking lot, talking where we will eat since we're really tired.
"I'm sorry guys but I need to go home after school," Krystal apologize, opening her car door.
"Is it because of your aunt?" Maica asked, making Krystal to nod.
"Yes, I need to be there. So see you on Monday girls." She waved her hand, hopping inside her car.
"Bye!" I shouted.
"Take care!" Maica waves her hand.
We watched her drove off until she's completely gone from our sight. Wordlessly, we went to our car to go home.
"Let's just hangout next time," I told Maica, opening my car window.
"Yes, just text me." She smiled, revving up the engine.
Suddenly, my phone rings which made me grab it. Zack is calling me. I glanced first around to see if Maica is still here but unfortunately she's already gone.
Answering the phone, I lean my back against the backrest. I'll drive after this call. "Hello Zack."
"Hello my Señorita, it's been a week without seeing each other and I really miss you a lot," he stated in the other line, which made me chuckle.
"Same here, how are you?" I asked, flashing a smile. He never fails to make me smile as always.
"I'm exhausted, we already started training for the upcoming competition this October," he replied.
"Oh really? We'll start too next week," I muttered, fidgeting my fingers.
"You'll be tired too, so make sure to drink water constantly. Anyways, I call you since I want to meet you, is it alright?" he asked hopefully, making me smile.
"Of course it's fine. Where do you want to meet?" I questioned, revving up the engine.
"There's a buffet inside Greenland Village at Tanza Cavite, I'm sure you'll like it. Let's meet there, shall we?" he asked and I could hear the vehicle noise from the other line.
"Oh sure, I'll go there. See you."
"Yeah see you, let's play basketball too, I'll teach you. Oh wait are you wearing a skirt?" he asked worriedly.
"No, I'm not. Fortunately, I'm currently wearing our p.e uniform."
"That's good, then see you."
"See you."
"I love you," he whispered, ending the call.
Shocked, my mouth went agape. He said those words without letting me to reply?! Tch! Mechanically, I put my phone into my bag and started to drive off the school.
Upon getting in the maid road, the thoughts I've spent with Rico this passed few days pop up inside my mind. After he released from the hospital, he immediately thank me and asked me if I'm okay. Of course I told him that I'm fine. I asked him too what was the reaction of his parents but they didn't seem to care for him. I felt bad of course that's why I comfort him to lighten up his mood.
He kept sending me a love letter and gifts. I will look bad if I don't accept it, so I ended up accepting it all. I appreciate his efforts and how genuine he is for me. But my feelings for him is still the same. He's just a friend of mine.
Arriving at the Green Land village, I parked my car to the parking lot. Grabbing my phone, I went outside the car, texting Zack.
"I'm here!"
Excitedly, I look behind my back, seeing Zack. He's sitting on a motorcycle.
"When did you get here?" I asked, putting my phone inside my pocket.
"I just arrived. Let's go?" He offered his hand to me which I quickly accept.
"Let's go. And oh, why are you sitting on that motorcycle?" I asked as he jump off.
"This?" He laughed. "This is mine Aza. I bought it last Tuesday."
"Woah really? I'm so proud!" I exclaimed, touching the motor handle.
"Yes, I've save up my allowance and my salary to buy this one," he explained as we started to walk.
"Wow! How nice of you."
"Of course hahaha! I bought that so I can bring you to different place," he muttered, ruffling my hair.
Blushing, I shoved away his hand off me as I walked faster. "Let's go!" I huff.
"How cute." He laughed.
We went inside the buffet he said and ordered different foods. The place is really intriguing. It has a lot of design and quotes hanging up the wall.
"Let's take a picture first." I shoved Zack hand, aiming my phone to the food and took 2 shots.
"Done!" I exclaimed, taking my seat as I put back my phone into my pocket.
"Let's dig in." Zack grab the spoon and fork as we started to eat. "Azalea to be honest there's a thing I want to ask you by myself."
"What is it?" I asked, busy slicing the chicken.
"I just heard it accidentally from Aizen when she was talking with her friends when we were inside the cafeteria eating our lunch last Tuesday," he mumbled, pouring ice tea into his glass. "She said she save you and Rico from some thugs who has business with Leonel. I never ask you this in phone calls and text messages since I wanted to ask you personally. What happened in that day? Are you hurt?"
I got stuck for a moment, hearing those words from him. Honestly, I don't plan in telling him regarding that incident 'cause I don't want him to worry about me, but he'll be more worried if I don't answer him.
"A-about that, we had a lunch together on Monday with my friends. When we were in the parking lot and about to leave, some students approached us, looking for Leonel. However, Leonel already left us with Maica and Krystal that time, and they're asking us forcefully to answer where did Leonel went. We don't trust them so we didn't answer them and Rico ended up fighting them because according to him, one of them sexualized me," I explained the whole story.
He look mad and worried in the same time. He shook his head and continue eating his food. "One of those thugs sexualized you that's why Rico fought them?"
"Yes that's the reason." I nodded.
"He got some balls huh. I shall thank him next time we'll meet," he uttered, chuckling. "I'm glad the two of you are safe. So Rico is starting doing his work huh."
"Y-yeah he started courting me," I replied awkwardly. That's not the best topic we should talk to!
"I see. I won't ask anymore." He nodded. "Come on eat up. Why do you look so sad?" He laughed.
"I-i'm just worried that you'd be jealous," I answered honestly, though I don't want him to feel that.
"I'm truly is. But who am I to feel that right? I'm not yet your boyfriend, so I don't have the right to be feel that. Also, he's courting you too the same what I'm doing," he stated, swallowing his meal.
"I-I see." The only word came out from my mouth.
He laughed. "Come in eat up, you shouldn't make that face."
I chuckled and followed what he said. We started eating while talking about our academic activities and experience. Sometimes we laugh but sometimes we rant.
"I'm full," Zack said, handing the money to the counter. We agreed to pay the half of the meal 'cause I know he would probably pay the whole bill, so I insisted.
"Let's go to my motor first, I'll get my basketball ball that I bought yesterday." He entwined our hands as we went out the buffet.
"You bought a ball too huh?" I laughed, walking synchronously with him.
"Yes since I want to enhance my basketball skill and also to play with you," he answered, winking.
I slapped his right arm slightly, hiding my blushing face.
"Wait me here." He let go my hand, running towards his motorcycle.
Crossing my arms, I stay here at the place he left me and watched him get the ball from his bag. How the hell that ball fit in?
"Let's go?" he asked, offering his arm which I quickly cling my arms around.
"Yes."
"I saw yesterday that there's a basketball court here," he said as we started to walk.
"You've been here? What were you doing here?"
"I went to Owen's house to play some video games with him and his house is located in this village," he answered honestly as we arrived at the basketball court.
"Wow!" I said, looking around the place. There's no one around the court, so I quickly ran towards the center. "It's so big Zack!"
"I know." He spin the ball on his index finger. "Now, shall we start?"
I nodded. "Sure! Tell me first the basics."
"Okay. First, I'll tell you how to dribble." He drops the ball onto the ground, showing me how to do the dribble properly. "Do you understand?"
"Yes! Give me the ball, let me try."
He handed me his newly bought ball and did the dribble he said. At first, I couldn't do it properly but slowly, I started to know how to control it.
"Wow you're really a fast learner!" He claps his hand. "Now, I'll teach you to dribble while running. Just watch me." He wink, making me laugh. This silly man.
He started showing me how to dribble while running at shoot it into the ring by dunking on the ring.
"Wow!" I claps, watching him to get the ball from the ground.
"Now you try it." He handed me the ball gently.
"Okay! Watch me and I'll learn it immediately!" I boasted.
"Okay I'll watch." He laughed.
Taking my deepest breath, I started dribbling the ball as I ran towards the ring. Unfortunately, I lost the grip on the ball, making Zack to laugh harder.
Exasperatedly, I glared at him, giving him a shut-up-or-else-I'll-kill-you look. Swallowing, he covered his mouth and stop laughing, though I could still see his smile.
I get the ball again and continue what I'm doing. After three fails, finally I shoot the ball into the ring.
"Yes!" I shouted excitedly.
"Wow very good." He ruffles my hair, picking up the ball from the ground. "Then shall we duel?"
"Sure! I'll defeat you definitely!" I raised an eyebrow, threatening him. Come on be afraid!
He just laughed at me and started running to the ring, dribbling the ball. Frantically, I blocked his way, trying to stop him, but unfortunately the ball went in.
Looking glum, I dropped my arms and sighed heavily. I forgot that I'm playing against a real basketball player. Wordlessly, grab the ball.
"Come on Aza, you can beat me!" Zack shouted.
Smirking, I sprint to the left side to shoot the ball. His eyes widened as he tried to block me, but how unlucky of him since the ball I threw went it.
"Nice Aza—"
"Wow that was a great quick shot!" We both look at the guy who's clapping his hands.
"Rico? What are you doing here?" I asked, walking closer to him. From my peripheral vision, Zack grab the ball and spin it onto his left index finger.
"Me? I'm just wondering around, since I'm living in this village," he replied, placing his hands behind his back.
"Really you live here? Wow."
"That's right." He nodded, shifting his gaze on Zack. "Did he teach you how to play?"
Glancing at Zack, I nodded. "Yes, he taught me awhile ago."
"I see. I saw how you dunk awhile ago dude. You've got skill to basketball." He smirked.
Zack dropped the ball to his left flank. "That's a given."
"Wow you've got some balls too."
"So as you." Zack replied, smirking.
I looked alternately at them, noticing the great tension between them. Uhm I should stop them. I was about to open my mouth to say something but got interrupted by Rico.
"Do you mind fighting against me dude?" he asked, stretching his arms, still smirking at Zack.
"Sure! I don't mind." Zack shrugged.
"Then, get ready to cry." Rico let out a mocking laugh.
I was about to speak to stop them but then again I got interrupted, but this time it's Zack.
"Cry?" Zack burst out laughing, holding his stomach. "I won't cry. And I should be the one to tell you that." He tilted his head sideways.
Swallowing a lump, I raised my both hands nervously. The tension is becoming more and more intense.
"Fine let's settle this!" Rico announced.
***