[Hello? Sino po to?]

I froze as I hear the response from the other line.

It's not Jiro..

My lips parted, not knowing what to reply. It seems that my excitement vanished the moment I heard a feminine voice from the other line.

I'm like in a word quest not knowing what to answer. Jiro didn't mention any female friends of him.

But why would he? I'm being pathetic right now. Why would Jiro tell me his friends when I don't even tell mine to him.

I swallowed the lump inside my throat.

"Uh.. sorry.. wrong number ako." I said and immediately ended the call.

As I press end, I dropped my phone on my bed before taking a deep breath. I pursed my lips before laying down on my bed hugging one of my pillows.

Sino siya?

Sino 'yung babaeng 'yon?

Friend ni Jiro? Classmate? Or worse..

Girlfriend?!

My eyes widened and I sat back up on my bed.

"He have a girlfriend?! Oh god! What if.. what if magselos girlfriend niya?!Tapos magalit sa akin?! Then sugurin ako?!" I hysterically talked to myself.

That what usually happens right?!The girlfriend will throw a fight towards the girl they assume is another girl of their boyfriend.

Then if that happens.. I'm doomed!

I don't even argue. I would just glare,then that's it, I'm mad. And most specially, I don't do fights. That won't lead you to anything good.

When thoughts came rushing through my mind, I groan ruffling my hair a bit.

This must be because I'm reading too much Mangga or other things that are giving me ideas. This is because of too much drama I'm reading.

I sigh, foing down my bed, walking towards my closet before grabbing a pair of pajamas. I entered shower and take a warm one.

To relax and remove those thoughts in my head. I would hum some kpop songs in my head as I feel the warm water drip down my tensed up body.

As I finished I slip on my pajamas then going out from shower. I hang my towel before jumping
on my bed.

I took a deep breath before closing my eyes trying to clear my mind.

But the thought of Jiro having a girlfriend, and Jiro's girlfriend attacking me, creating a fight just linger in my mind.

I snap my eyes open as I heard my lola call me from downstairs. I grab my phone before heading out my room.

As I usual,and will never gonna change, our dinner is just simple and silent. But the meal was good.. specially the adobo.

After I eat, I kiss Lola to her cheeks before heading back upstairs. I enter my room and lock the door. I directly walk towards my study table to prepare my laptop to talk with mom.

I waited for few more minutes then when I receive a call from mom. I put down my phone and accepted the call.

"Hi mommy!" I tried to sound as cheerful as possible.

[Hi Kass, how was your day?] she asked smiling.

I smiled back . "Fine mom, just the usual day of an ordinary student." I replied and I hear mom chuckle.

[Bakit naman kasi kailangan ordinary? Pwede nalang extra ordinary ah.] mom said and I face palm already getting mom's idea.

"No mom, I won't join the band just like Ali. Alam niyo naman po na hindi 'yon kakayanin ng katawan ko." I replied and mom burst into laughter.

[Hahahaha, okay okay. Edi iba nalang, why don't you join other activities?] she asked.. and my brows furrowed.

"Such as..?" I asked raising a brow.

[Uh.. mga pageants-

"No mom, no!" I immediately cut her sentence making her burst into another set of laughter.

[Why? Maganda naman ang anak ko ah, sexy, matalino, oh diba?] she said and I slightly rolled my eyes.

"No mom.. I won't. Mahiyain ako." I said as I grab my water bottle from the side of my table and sipping some water to ease the dryness of my lips.

[okay..] she replied shrugging making me chuckle a bit. I saw how mom started to look closer at her screen.

"Why mom?" I confusedly ask before looking at my back as well.

I look back at mom and see her still close to her screen. [Is that... a chess board I'm seeing?] my eyes widened and immediately look at my back to see my chessboard just leaning on the feet of my night stand.

"Uh, yeah. But it was Ali's. I just burrowed it." I said giving mom a smile hoping she'll buy my excuse.

[Oh okay, akala ko naman nahilig kana sa chess. Kasi kung ganun, ibibili lita ng maraming Chess board. Different kinds and color pa.] mom said and I laughed.

"No mom, I just burrowed it for a reason. Not into any sports." I said removing some strands of my hair that is getting on my face.

[Okay, do you need anything, Kass?] she ask, I pouted looking at the ceiling thinking if I need something right now.

I shook my head. "None mom, I'm fine." I said and mom nodded.

[Sige na Kass, mag re-ready na ako for work.Bye!] She said waving her hands.

I waved back. "Bye mom!" I said then mom ended the call.

I sigh as I close my laptop. With my phone and water bottle on both of my hands. I walk towards my bed putting my water bottle on my nightstand before plugging in my charger in my phone.

I pursed my lips as I thought about texting Jiro asking if they ate already. I actually stopped for now sending them foods since we bought some things for their house last weekend.

Should I ask him if they ate already?Of how are they? Cause these past few days, due to my practices I became too busy and wasn't able to ask how is he doing.

I shook my head and brush those thoughts away. I didn't bother looking at our group chat since it's just basically them bickering and teasing. So still with my thoughts inside my head about Jiro and the girl who answered my call. I drift to dreamland.

-

"You look.. tense?" I snap my head up before giving Ali a faint smile. She just kept her eyes on me while putting down her bag.

"May problema ba?" She ask her eyes... sincere.

"Pwede mo akong pag kwentuhan. I'm your friend remember?" She said giving me a smile. I just can't help but to smile as well.

I pursed my lips as I tried my best not to cry or get too emotional.

The truth is.. before I go to school I texted Jiro a 'friendly' good morning and asking him if he ate his breakfast. But unexpectedly I received a different reply.

It was his girlfriend, telling me to stop texting Jiro and not bother him anymore.

That's the reason why it's just morning but I badly want to end my day already. I know to myself that I'm not into anything that involves love. Towards a partner or different sex.

But why does when I read that message it feels like a cold water is been thrown to me. I felt my whole body froze and my cold sweats started dripping on my forehead.

"Hey.. you okay? May problema ba sa family mo?"

And that's when I realized I'm already tearing up. I immediately wipe my tears away and sniff. I push the hair that are sticking in my neck away with Ali helping me.

I kept silent for a while, Ali looking at me, concern.

"You can talk to me.. it's still early. I can comfort you." She said and I nodded wiping the tear that just flow down my cheek.

"Tara sa labas?" I said, she immediately nodded and we head out our classroom.

We arrived at our field and sat down on one of the benches. Ali is just beside me examining my expression while I'm just looking from a far.

When a good minute pass and I finally bring up my courage to tell her, I took a deep breath.

"Promise me first you'll not tell this to them."nI said and her eyes widened before started nodding.

"I won't! Promise! You know me." She said and I nodded before pursing my lips.

"You've said few days ago that you know I'm not into things that connected in love right?" I asked and she nodded..

"What if I told you I fall in love to a guy I just met a week ago. Poor, barely eats, and live under a bridge." I said before looking at her direction.

She's just there, looking at me with her big  doe eyes, blinking and her head leaning on her hand.

"Oh?" She asked looking at me nodding telling me to continue.

"That's it.. I fall in love to a guy that I just met, then he's poor. Aren't you gonna judge me?" I said, her brows immediately furrowed and her eyes squinted.

"Eh? Why would I judge you?" She confusedly asked.

I sigh. "Because you all know that I don't care about love, but here I am. Falling in love to a guy, not just a guy but a guy who lives under a bridge." I said and she squinted her eyes once again.

She pointed at herself. "You thought, I'll judge or laugh at you cause you're in love? With a guy?" She asked and I slowly nodded.

Her expression dropped giving me the 'are you serious?' Face.

"Why would I do that? Ano bang masama sa ma in love? Or crush, or what so ever? Wala diba?! So anong kinakatakot mo?" She exclaimed and I frown shaking my head.

"Because I know you all expect me not to fall in love. Cause that's what I always show you, that I don't care about love." I said looking down.

I hear her hissed. "Okay, okay, calm down! Calm the fuck down!" She almost scream making me confused.

"I'm calm.." I said and she looked at me before making an 'Eh?' face.

"I know, just part of my self." She said and I lightly chuckled.

"Akala mo, we always thought na hindi ka magkakagusto sa lalaki?" She asked and I nodded.

"Akala mo, na inisiip namin na wala kang pake sa love?" She ask and I nodded once again.

Then she laughed. "Gaga ka ba?! Of course hindi 'yon ang iniisip namin!Laura, puso mo 'yan, hindi puso ko. Puso nila ,or puso ng saging. Puso mo, wala kaming karapatan na diktahan 'yan." She explained even making hand gestures.

"You can fall in love to anyone you like. Cause it's your heart to decided and not ours. Tsaka, we don't mind naman kung mag ka gusto ka sa lalaki, or girl. Kaibigan mo pa rin kami kahit may iba nang bumabati sa iyo ng good morning at goodnight." She said before laughing. But that what just actually made me feel sad.

"That's the problem." I said looking down.

"Huh?! Bakit?" When I look up I saw how confused her face is.

"Yesterday, when I was about to tell him I pass the tryouts, a girl answered his phone. Then this morning I ask if he ate already. But the reply caught me off guard." I paused before talking a deep breath.

"It was his girlfriend." Her eyes widened and started slapping her hand on the table.

"Seryoso?! May jowa na?! Gago 'yon!" She said rolling her eyes.

"Eh tanong ko lang.. saan ba kayo nag kakilala?" She asked and I take a deep breath.

--

"Seryoso?! Taga Munhigh siya?!" Ali asked, surprised.

I finished telling her the whole story without her interrupting for me to finish the story  quickly.

I pursed my lips and nod. "Yeah.. just like what I said." I replied.

She brush her hair. "Okay so wait, PA mo siya. Tapos tinuturan ka niya mag chess. Tapos nag date or kumain kayo sa labas. Then kasama mo siya bumili nung chess board mo, and nag I love you kayo sa isa't isa?" She asked and I chuckled before nodding.

"Pero may girlfriend na siya?" She ask and I nodded.

"Aba'y gago 'yon ah! Ginagawa ka pang kabet! Ulol!" She said having that 'garalgal voice'.

But she calmed down.. "Pero try mo kaya kausapin?" She asked and I frown.

"For what? Eh may girlfriend na nga siya diba?" She said and I shake my head.

"No! I won't.." I said crossing my arms.

"Hindi kasi Laura, ganito, walang problema ang hindi nalulutas kapag maayos na pag-uusap ang ginagamit. Try mo.." She said and I shake my head again.

"Still no." I said and she pouted.

"Sige na nga, edi no.Tara na sa Room, malapit na mag start ang klase.." She said before standing up, but I held her wrist.

"Thanks Ali, ha? "I said and gave her a smile. She smiled back..

"No problem, jusko! Siyempre friend mo 'ko. Edi normal na tulungan kita." She said and I smiled using my grip on her hands to stand up.

"Basta you won't tell this to them,o kay?"I said and she nodded.

"Okayyy~" She said making us laugh before we go back to our classroom.

Days went so fast, Ali would always be at her band practice all day and all night. Then me on our chess practice that is actually getting on my nerves.

It's just few weeks of practice and now it's finally the day. The special day for players.. like me. And also Ali since it's her turn to lead the band as the Mother Majorette.

I am still at our classroom looking at my reflection on our body mirror here in the classroom. I'm wearing our school sport uniform that says chess at the back with a chosen number of mine.

It's like a jersey but just a shirt.

"Uy! Laura! Tara na! Nakapila na sila." I snap my head at my back to see Tobi peaking inside the classroom.

I took a deep breath before nodding grabbing my bag and running through the door then downstairs.

I fall in line and soon the band begins.nI tried looking and searching for Ali who is in front of the parade. I smiled as I finally saw her, twirling her baton professionally.

The parade started.

We're not really going through the whole town. We're just basically gonna walk in lines through TNHS where the parade will end and also where the games will be held.

Since TNHS have a very large open field and other facilities where other sports can be held.

Since it's just 8am, the sun isn't that up already. But as we arrived at TNHS, or more known as Munhigh, I was panting pretty badly.

Sweats dripping in my forehead and neck. The parade isn't that long yes,but it isn't that short as well.

"Uh.. miss? Water?" I look up to see a boy, wearing the same blue colored shirt I was wearing. But his is a real jersey not a shirt like mine.

"Thank you, but no." I said looking away.nUsing the collar of my shirt, I try to create some air to remove the heat I'm feeling.

"Sige na miss.. pagod kana eh." He said reaching forward the bottle.

I rolled my eyes before flipping my bag and grabbing my water bottle from inside.

"See, I have one for myself. Give it to others who needs it." I said before chugging my water bottle.

Gladly the boy,who is basically my senior soon left.

I'm still panting when our trainer called me. I put  my water bottle back inside my bag before running towards her.

"Yes ma'am?" I ask as I arrived in front of her.

"Pumunta kana sa second floor ng main building, ito." She pointed at the largest building in the campus and I nodded.

"Tapos kumanan ka pag dating mo. Tapos hanapin mo yung room na ang section ay Narra, okay?" She said and I nodded.

Before I leave she handed me a chess board just Incase there's no board provided. I hurriedly walk towards the building since it pretty hot here.

I walk through the wide stairs then I arrived at the second floor. I turn right, looking at the classroom doors to see the labels and it's section.

On the second classroom I finally found the Narra scction. It was a classroom for 9th grade students as well. But when I read the Adviser's name,nI realized it was Ali's mom's classroom.

I entered the room, other players from other school are already here. The teacher who is also assign to us is here.

"Kompleto na ba?" She ask as I sit down on an available chair.

I was looking around confusedly.

"Yung taga OLLA andito na ba?" She ask, I look around before raising my hand.

"Kompleto na, sige,ets start." She assigned us to different tables with chess boards already set up.

On my first game, I competed with a girl from the mountain zone. At first I was pretty tense and nervous, specially my opponent looks like a professional. But as time passes, I  realized I was scoring the whole time. Leading me to winning that game.

On my second game I competed with a guy. A funny guy to be honest. He would keep on laughing when I would eat one of his pieces, making me less tense. Our game didn't last that long and I won this game.

"Hintayin mo muna yung makakalaban ko hija. Nasa laban pa kasi. "The teacher said and I nodded. I walk towards my previous seat which is near the blackboard.

I pull out my phone and checked our group chat.

From Emory the Emo Queen👸👑🙌:
Lauraaa!!! Kumusta laban?

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Oo nga! Panalo ba? Pa cheese burger ka naman! Yung may extra cheese!

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Asan kaba now @Lauriat Kassandra?

I chuckle a little before typing down my reply.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
Sa Room ng mommy ni Ali.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot 🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Ay weh?! Talaga?! Wait punta ako jan!

From  Emory the Emo Queen👸👑🙌:
Hoy Ali wag mo ubusin cheese burger!

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Pisting babae ka! Kapag inubos mo cheese burger ipapaluwa ko sayo 'yon!!!!!😤🤬🤯😳🥵😡😭😢😒😏😇🙄😵🤤🤕👿

I hold back my laugh as I saw Gwen sent all of those emojis. I was just sitting right next to the door so when Ali popped out of nowhere, I immediately see her.

"Tapos kana?" She whispered and I noddedz she signaled me to come with her so I did.

"So kumusta?" She ask as we just stop right in front of the door.

"Thank god I won in the first two games." I said and her eyes widened.

"Talaga?! Yes! Woo!" She might have just said that a little too loud. Some students passing by start looking at us.

The teacher inside her mom's classroom shushed her making us both laugh.

"Ang ingay mo Ali." I said and she just pouted.

"Uuwi kana?" She ask and I shook my head.

"Still one game, final." I said and she nodded.

"Kilala mo kalaban mo?" She ask and I shook my head.

I started looking around,but my eyes widened when I spot Jiro walking towards our direction.

"O-Oh Ali.. you should go na. I'm heading back inside." I said turning Ali's body to the stair's direction where Jiro just came from.

I saw how Ali confusedly look at me before passing by Jiro who is just looking down.

I immediately rushed inside the classroom not wanting Jiro to see me.I immediately sat down on my seat pretending to be busy on my phone.

As I thought Jiro already pass by the classroom, I look up, to only see his back and broad shoulder facing me. He is talking at the teacher right now.

And when I saw the teacher pointed at me my eyes widened a bit as Jiro turn his face at my side looking at me. I see how his eyes widened a bit, probably shock to see me here.Well me too!

"Nini, kayo na ni Jiro ang maglalaro. Final na 'to ha, galingan niyo." The teacher said smiling.

I nod and put away my phone before walking towards a certain table. All of the at table are now empty. We really are the last players to compete. In our game, this is where they'll get the 1st and 2nd place. And I know I'll only get the second place.

"Goodluck." He whispered as we both sat down. I just nod once before our game started.

The flow of the game was a bit intense since we both know the strategy of each other. I know how he play and he know I play. I know his techniques and stuff. And how he get away from a check mate and other things.

It's been minutes since we started playing. And we both only have our Kings and one official left.

"Bilisan niyo nang dalawa. Gutom na ako." We both look at the teacher's direction who is busy on her phone.

I slight snorted before looking back at Jiro. But as my eyes met with his dark brown eyes, I froze.

And I realize how I miss him. His voice and presence. His moves and a bit of jokes. I miss him.. but I can't say that.It'll be awkward and weird.

"Ang galing mo na.." He said but I didn't bother looking at him.

I just focused on the board.

"I'm so proud kasi isa ako sa mga naging trainer mo." He said as he make a move.

I just snorted making my move. I was fully focused until these words came out from his mouth..

"I miss you.."

My eyes widened and my head snap up. He just chuckled before I saw his hands move a piece..

"Check mate.." He said.

I look at back at the board and that's when I realized he won.

"Maam tapos na po." He said as he stand up leaving me there still in shock.

When I no longer see him at my front I stand up, walking back at the chair packing up my things.

I leave the classroom basically all grumpy. How can he said that?! He's basically playing with me! He fucking have a a girlfriend for Pete's sake and he have the audacity to say that he misses me?!

"Laura wait!"

I got startled as someone held my wrist turning my body around. My eyes widened as I met Jiro's eyes which is worried and serious at the same time.

"Gladly I know your full name." He said smirking, I snorted before pulling my hand back going down the stairs.

"Laura wai-

"What?! Ano ba naman Jiro!?" I snapped out as I got tired of him.

"What?! You're gonna tell me you miss me?! Okay! You miss me! Tapos!" I shout ,my shoulders going up and down I started panting.

I felt my throat tighten up as I try to control my emotions and not breakdown in front of him.

"After what you did?! You have the audacity to tell me you miss me?!Well.. screw you!" I said pointing at his chest.

Then I feel my tears slowly started to flow down my cheeks.

I saw how his expression change from serious to shocked and worried. I felt him both held of my shoulders.

I wipe my tears using the back of my hand before looking at the other direction avoiding his gaze.

But I felt his hand on my chin. Slowly turning my face to look at him.

"Laura.." He called, and just by him calling my name makes me weak and want to cry more.

I miss him, his voice, and is simple touches.

And I'm once again feeling those, but now it's painful. Painful to think that this boy, right here, in front of me is already someone's.

"Why shedding tears, love?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•