Chapter 1
"Andrea? Andrea, you'll be late for school," Nanny Helena pounded on the door. Its thickness wasn’t enough to hide the heavy English accent.
I hid myself further under the covers, trying but failing to hold on to sleep. Nanny barged in.
"Andrea Hamilton!"
I jolted up right.
"Nanny! I'm Andrea Tullieno now!" I countered. Any trace of sleep got lost in a heap of pillows on the floor.
"Thought that might wake you up," she reached for my hand and tried to pull me up. This is my favorite part of our mornings, her trying to get me up and my desperate attempts of staying in
bed.
"I am still marveled by your presence of mind young lady," she tugged my arm one more time.
"I'm just cautious Nanny,” she let go of my hand and I straightened my hair. Or at least I tried. “I don't want to disappoint Mom. What time is it anyway?"
"Time for school," she smiled smugly.
~
I entered the school grounds on a chilly Monday morning. I didn't know the month of June here
in the Philippines was a little rainy. I grew up in England, since my Dad was British. My mom
was Filipino, and ever since Dad died two months ago, Mom was such in a fuzz to go home.
I got my class cards and skimmed through them. I didn't realize how big the university was until
now. Eyes on the class card, I hurriedly turned on a corner and felt something smack my face. I
was holding my left cheek when I felt gentle taps on my shoulder.
"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. I didn't see you," an apologetic guy’s voice said.
"It's okay. I'm fine," I lied. I looked up and was glad I did. A pleasant view would be very much welcome.
"Really. I'm fine," I said, more to convince myself than him.
"I'm Anthony." Holding out his right hand.
I froze. Not that I didn't see much more handsome guys in England, but there was something in
his eyes that made him look so... genuine. He was obviously of Chinese decent, or along those
lines. His eyes were a bit small, just the way I like them. Wait, I didn’t know that until now.
"And you are?" I was surprised he was still holding out his hand.
"Uhh. Andrea," I said, finally taking his hand. "But you can call me-"
"Anthony!" A guy came up behind him, clapping him on the back. They stood about the same
height, and looked like they were popular in the campus since every girl glued their eyes on us
as they passed. On them, actually.
"Hey Kris," Anthony replied flatly.
"Well well. A new pretty face," the guy named Kris turned to me.
"Let's go,” he stirred Kris away. “He just meant hi, Andrea. See you around!" Kris still had his eyes on me, managing a small wave while struggling to free from Anthony’s grip.
Still holding my cheek, I cocked my head as I looked at their retreating figures. I turned on my
heel when I almost bumped into someone again.
"Hello there! Haven't seen you around. I'm Kristine," a girl chirped brightly. Surprisingly, she looked very much alike Kris.
"I know, I know. I look like Kris. I'm his twin. But a little smaller than him though." She smiled then frowned at the end of the sentence.
"Oh. That's okay. You're more charming than your brother," I chuckled. "Don't take it too-"
"I knew it! I'm more attractive than him!" She said triumphantly.
I gave a low laugh. "I'm Andrea, by the way." Pulling her from little victory, and took her still extended hand. "But I prefer being called Drei."
"Nice nickname!" She said happily. Then her expression grew serious, eyeing me suspiciously.
"I know what you're thinking," I said before she could say it out loud. "I'm not into girls. I just love the boy name."
"Oh." She laughed awkwardly in relief.
Just then the bell rang.
"Great." I muttered, obviously in panic. My hands fumbled with the class card.
"Oh sorry! You still don't know where your room is!" She got the class card from me and
immediately ran her eyes through it.
"You're lucky!" She smiled broadly, took my hand and dragged me to the opposite direction I took earlier.
Shocked, I ran to keep up with her. "Why?"
"We're on the same class!"
~
The day went alright. Actually, it was fun with Kristine around. I learned many things about her
twin brother more than a stranger should. I was about to call our driver to pick me up when
suddenly Kristine dragged me to the gym.
"What are we doing here?" I asked her as we took a seat.
"Watching Kris and the team," she smiled and shot me a teasing look. "I know you want to see him play."
I raised my eyebrows. Did she think I like her brother? Oh boy.
"No Kristine, don't think that I like your-"
"Wooooooooo!" She suddenly cheered from where we stood by the entrance, ignoring me
completely.
"Brother." I muttered, eyes glued to the player behind Kris. Anthony, wearing the same uniform as Kris. He was on the team too.
Kris saw his twin and waved. I saw Anthony smiling our way, not quite sure to whom it was. I
needed to wear my glasses next time.
The gym was suddenly filled with excited college girls. The close to empty bleachers when we
entered earlier are now jam-packed. Lucky we still found seats.
My eyes landed on the girls cheering. Almost all of them were cheering for Anthony and Kris.
Banners were even up in the air saying "I love you Anthony Tierro!" or "Go number 17!" Funny. I only noticed those with his name.
"You want to do what they're doing?" Kristine's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Not really." Just then, my stomach grumbled.
She was busy screaming out her support for the players when I told her I'd buy something to
eat.
"You want something?" I asked.
"No, I'm fine. Do you remember the way to the cafeteria?"
"Yes, thanks." I stood up and groped my way through the crowd.
Once outside, I almost bumped into someone again.
"Sorry," the guy said. He was charming too, like Anthony and Kris. But there was something a bit scary in his eyes.
"Sure." I muttered, a
