Patrico's POV,
"Hey do you want some chocolate?" my sister asked who suddenly barged inside my room.
"No, thanks." I rolled my eyes, tapping on my keyboard. I'm currently playing a rpg game in my computer.
"Okay." She slummed the door.
Grabbing a bubble gum from the table, I immediately quit the game and open chrome. I opened Acebook to chat Azalea.
"Hey how are you? How's your test results? Wanna grab breakfast together tomorrow?" I send her the message but she didn't receive it since she's offline.
Munching my gum, I tilted my head sideways. I'll just waste my time if I'll wait for her reply. Stretching my arms, I stood up from my seat, shutting down my computer.
Opening my cabinet, I grab a cap and wear it. I turn off the lights, opening the door and climbed down the stairs. My older sister is watching television in the sofa while mom is in the kitchen.
Mechanically, I went out the mansion. My older brother isn't with us anymore. He has his own house with his wife and son. About my father? Of course he's in his business. We barely to talk to each other now.
Running my fingers through my hair, I contemplate where I should go. This village is quite big and some billionaire families are living here too.
"Hmm perhaps I'll go to the court instead." I nodded.
I heard noises from the court that's why I fasten my walk to see what's happening. I thought some villagers are playing but my eyes widened, seeing Azalea and Zack. How did they know this place?
They look so happy playing with each other. I don't really have chance to—no! I slapped my cheeks. That's not right, I won't lose to him. I'll do my best to get Azalea.
When Azalea shoot the ball into the ring, I raised my both hands and clapped.
Azalea's POV,
Zack and Rico are now at the center of court. The ball is currently in Zack's hand. Meanwhile, I'm sitting on the bench located at the side of the court.
"The first one who will score ten points is the winner," declared Rico, slightly bending his knee.
Crossing my arms, I know both of them are strong, so I'm not sure who will win. Either of them is the winner, I'll still be happy of course. One is my friend and one is my suitor. No, I'm wrong. Both of them are now my suitor.
"Okay I agree." Zack started to dribble the ball, running towards the ring.
Rico let out a soft chuckle, blocking Zack's way. The latter was about to turn right but Rico immediately got the ball.
"Woah that was past," I murmured, watching him to run towards the ring. Zack immediately followed him, blocking his way, raising his hands.
Rico raised his both hands, ready to shoot the ball but immediately ran passed Zackarius by bending down his back. That was just a bluff huh.
"Tch!" Zack pivoted, following Rico but he already jumped from the ground and shoot the ball into the ring.
"Shall we follow the basketball shooting rule or not?" Rico asked him.
"No, that's only 1 point." Zack pick up the ball.
"Get ready to lose, Zack!" Rico laughed, running towards the other ring.
Zack glared at him, gripping the ball tightly. Uhm the atmosphere is turning intense again.
Standing up, I placed my both hands beside my mouth. "Goodluck! I know you can do it!" I shouted, trying my best not to cringe with my own cheer. What was that Aza?
"Who are you cheering to?" Zack asked, tilting his head sideways.
"To the both of you!" I shouted.
"You should only cheer for me." Rico pointed himself, pouting.
"Okay, go Rico!" I shouted, laughing. His eyes widened as his face blushes.
"H-how about me?" Zack asked, looking alternately at us.
"Goodluck Zack!" I shouted cheerfully.
"Now I have energy." Zack punched the ball as he stretches his neck.
"Good then come at me!" Rico smirked.
Zackarius's POV,
Dribbling the ball, I ran towards the ring. I saw how he jumped awhile ago and it was not normal. He really has a talent.
He stretches his both arms, ready to block me, but I took few steps backwards and throws the ball at the three point line.
The time seems to flies so slow for a moment until the ball reach the ring.
As I drop my hands, the ball drops too on the floor. Rico look so shock, seeing the ball on the ground.
Smirking, I turn my back and walked towards the other ring. He is indeed skilled when it comes to dunking but I'm skilled too when it comes to aiming the ball.
"Wow that was a nice shot!" Azalea clapped her hand, cheerfully.
I looked at her and smiled. That's right cheer for me Aza.
"Woah so you're good at shooting huh." He picks up the ball. "Let's get started."
We played again until he reached the 10 points. Catching my breath, I bend my knees as my sweats trickled down my forehead. I lost. No, I purposely lost. He is skilled not just at dunking, but he's fast too. I purposely lost so he wouldn't be able to see my real play. The real competition is coming, so I shouldn't show him my real skill.
Standing up straight, I saw how he approaches Azalea. I admit that he's good but he won't be able to win against the Red Genius of Hakone. And also, I won't let myself to get defeated.
Rico scratches his nape as he looks at me. "Hey thanks for playing with me, that was a nice game." He offered his hand.
I smiled. "Yes, me too." I shook his hand. "Anyways, how was your injury? I heard what happened."
He withdraw his hand, glancing at Azalea's concern face. "I'm fine now dude."
"That's good to hear. I'd like to thank you too for protecting Azalea," I said, glancing at her. Her face blushes and she immediately averted her eyes off me.
"That was nothing, Zack. I'll protect her just like how you protect her. Remember that I'm courting her too," he stated, raising an eyebrow.
"I remember, but I won't lose to you."
"Oh really?"
"Really."
"Enough you too!" Azalea went between us, raising her both hands. "Stop arguing with that topic in front of me!" she yelled, still blushing. How cute.
"Okay, we'll stop." I tapped her head.
"It's getting late, we should head home," she reminded me, shifting her gaze on Rico. "You're really good at basketball huh. Your nickname "Flying Blizzard" really suits you." She laughed.
"Oh come on don't say that, it's kinda embarrassing." He laughed too.
For some reason, Ashley's voice suddenly echoed inside my mind. "We need to watch out for Layceum, they've got their very skillful flying blizzard, which is their mvp."
Surprisingly, my eyes widened. So Rico is their mvp? Now I know that this man isn't just an ordinary player.
"You're right Aza. We need to head home now," I prompted, pulling her arm to me.
"Hey we're still talking." Rico furrowed his eyebrows, trying to steal Azalea's hand but I shove him.
"It's dangerous to go home at night, so we should all headback."
He glanced at Azalea and smile. "You have a point, then please let me accompany you to the parking lot."
I peer at Azalea and she seems okay with it so I agree. We're now all walking to the parking lot. Azalea is walking in front of us, since she told us awhile ago that she doesn't want to walk between us to avoid any conflict.
Well, I won't make such a conflict if Rico will behave of course.
"Okay see you on Monday!" Rico waved his hand on Azalea, once she got inside her car.
Wordlessly, I put my ball inside my bag as I hoist it onto my shoulder. Shifting my gaze on Rico, I sat on my motorcycle.
"See you too! Let's go Zack." She revved up her engine and drove off.
Watching her car, I started the engine too and was about to go but Rico blocked my way.
"Make sure to accompany her home safe," he reminded, glaring at me.
Smirking, I nodded. "You don't need to tell me that."
"Good." He walked sideways, motioning me to go.
"Zack let's go!" Azalea shouted. She stop her car near at the main gate to look at me.
"Coming!" I position myself properly, wearing my helmet as I nod at Rico.
—
Azalea's POV,
Frantically, I went inside the locker room here in the gym. We're now starting to train for the competition in October.
Ava, our team captain, created a group chat on acebook messenger last night. She told us about our training schedule for this week and the rest will be discuss later.
Upon changing into my sport festival uniform, I grab my bag and went to the gym.
Our other teammates are starting to play volleyball while the three of us are still sitting on the bench.
"Shall we start to play too?" I asked, placing my bag onto the bench.
"We'll just drain our energy if we play early, also Ava isn't here yet," Krystal answered, standing up from the bench.
"How about you Maica, do you want to play?" I questioned nonchalantly, shifting my gaze on the twin. Jamie improve a lot in receiving. That's good for her.
"Yes. I'll practice receiving too, since I'm now the libero." She nodded as she stood up.
"How about you Krystal? You really don't want?" I asked, shifting my gaze on her. She's now stretching her arms and legs.
"Later," she answered coldly, making me nod.
Then Maica and I went to the other net and started to play. There's three nets here now that's why we have freedom to play in every corner.
"She looks happy yet sad at the same time," Maica suddenly blurted, once I serve the ball.
"I noticed that too, is there something going on?" I asked, giving her a spike.
"I don't know, perhaps about the issue of her family." She shrugged, receiving the ball.
"Oh yeah perhaps about that. However, I really want to ask her what happened last Friday." I jumped, slamming the ball.
She dive at the left side to receive the ball. "L-let's just leave her alone for the moment."
"Wow I'm so amaze, everyone is here."
We all stop playing, shifting our gaze on Ava and her friend. They are already wearing their uniforms.
"Okay everyone huddle here all together and I'll tell you the rotation."
We all walk towards her wordlessly. She shows us the formation in her tablet.
"First is this one and blah blah blah," she explained the whole formation we'll do.
The practice began and we're all energetic. Ava is giving us a very strong spike to receive. The practice went smoothly until the lunch break arrive.
"Let's go to the basketball court," Krystal said, wiping her sweats.
"What are we going to do there? We should hurry and go to Leonel's room to fetch him," I muttered as I drink my juice.
"Exactly."
"Huh."
"He's a basketball varsity."
"Really?!" Maica and I said in unison.
"Yes."
We went to the basketball court and we immediately spotted Leonel. He's with Rico and Anthony. Of course I already expected that, knowing that the two of them are also basketball varsity. But how did Leonel become one too?
"Leonel!" Krystal waved her hand, making the three of them to look at us.
"Hey!" Leonel greeted us as soon as he arrived.
"Let's go grab lunch together," Krystal said, making Leonel to nod.
"Let's go Rico, Anthony," I called them.
"Wow! I thought we're not belong!" Rico laughed, wrapping his arm around my nape. "Then, let's go."
"Hey get your arm away from me, you smell like sh*t." I rolled my eyes frustratingly.
"What do you mean sh*t? My sweat smells like lavender you know." He laughed.
We started walking, yet his arm is still around my nape. I tried to shove him away but he kept putting it back. How annoying.
"Hey are they dating?"
"Maybe."
"Probably."
"Back then Rico was bullying her and now they became lovers?"
"What a b*tch, she probably forgot what Rico did to her back then and just submit herself, knowing that Rico is handsome."
"You're right."
"Hahahahaha!"
Exasperatedly, I shove his arm away from me, walking faster than him.
"Azalea just ignore them!" he shouted and I could hear his footsteps behind.
"Stop right there." I spin on my heels, telling him to stop. All of my friends including Anthony are already inside the cafeteria since they walked faster than us.
"What's the matter Aza?" His eyes look so worried.
"Stop touching me, will you? I don't want to cause a trouble to you and to this school," I implored, spinning on my heel and went inside the cafeteria.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. In all of those days, Rico kept sending me gifts and apology letters. He even announced to the whole school that he's courting me, some are agree but some aren't. Why would I care about their opinion right? Of course that news will spread quickly until it reach my grandpa and Rico's parents.
"So are you going to meet his parents?" Zack asked coldly. He heard the news too from Aizen. I don't know how those two became close since my mind is too occupied by Rico these past few days.
"No, I told him I don't want and he understands it," I answered coldly, leaning my back against the wall. I just hope this news won't reach my parents abroad.
"But how about his parents? You said his parents were the ones who nagged him to meet you?" he asked again. I could hear his heavy breathing.
"He said it's fine to them."
"I see."
"I'm sorry Zack, I know I'm hurting you that much."
"It's fine. I know that you're hurting too."
"Yeah." Tears are slowly forming in my eyes.
"You should rest now, Aza. Goodnight."
"Yes I will. You should too. Goodnight Zack I love you," I reminded.
"I love you too, my Señorita." And then I end the call and went to sleep.
***