smile.
"We better get going Anthony, you owe me a homework. Don't forget that," Kris stood from the seat beside me, and put his arm on Anthony's shoulder, shoving him away.
"Yea. Of course not. Catch you later guys!" he called out to us.
~
"Where are your banners?" I heard a girl scolding the people around her as I got out of the gym to go to the restroom. As usual, the gym was full of supporters of the two schools competing
that afternoon. I think I heard someone from the group mention Anthony's name when I
suddenly bumped into someone's chest.
"You really have that awful hobby of bumping into my chest, Drei. I think you're doing it on
purpose," I looked up at Carl, whose face was in a smirk.
I rolled my eyes. I didn't bother answering him. I passed by him, and I heard that familiar phrase
once more."Be careful."I turned and he gave me that smirk again. I glared at him and he neared me.
"What's wrong? Your imagination playing with you?" he teased, his face too close.
I was about to answer him when I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw Drew,
his face serious.
"Miss Tullieno, I would like to have a word with you," he told me, but his eyes were on Carl.
Carl then smiled and said "Good afternoon Mr. Hamilton.""Good afternoon," Drew said flatly.
Then Carl went away, to the direction of the players' dug out.
"Is he bothering you?" Drew asked me, concerned."Not really. But he keeps telling me to be careful," I swallowed, feeling nervous all of a sudden.
"I think you should be when he's around. He looks like he's up to no good," he said.
I nodded. "You're right."
"By the way, I bought you food," I didn't notice Drew was holding a bag on his hand."Awww.
Sweet Drew," I smiled at him.
"Anything for my dearest Drei," he ruffled my hair.
Just then I saw Anthony at the end of the corridor. When I saw him, he was looking at us. The
expression on his face said he didn't like what he saw.
"There he is!" shouted the girl I saw a while ago as she pointed at him, and the group she was talking to was running towards Anthony now. His expression changed to a softer one. He smiled
at them as they greeted him excitedly.
"Did you just see that?" Drew asked teasingly.
"What?" I acted unaware.
"I know you did Drei," he winked.I punched his arm.
"Drop it Drew.""Okay okay. So much for acting dumb," he smiled.
"You better wait for me outside the restroom. I don't want to encounter that monster again later,"
I told him.
"Anthony's a monster?"
"Carl! Now look who's acting dumb," I teased.
"Just giving you a dose of your own medicine," he said, as we started walking toward the
restroom.
I entered the girl's room and was finished in minutes.
Drew was waiting outside, holding the food he bought me. He had a playful smile on his face as
I approached him.
"What?" I asked him.
"Looks like my effort's wasted. He's waiting for you too," he cocked his head to his left.
I followed the direction and saw Anthony leaning against the wall, fidgeting his phone.
My expression must've said how shocked I was.
"Go. I'm leaving too. Call me later when you get home okay?" he stuffed the bag on my hand.
I ambled towards Anthony.He looked up from his phone and smiled.
"Hi," he said shyly.
He wasn't in his basketball uniform, a proof that he was indeed suspended from today's game.
"Sorry if I got you into trouble," I said.
"What trouble? It was my decision Drei. Don't blame yourself," he said.
I just stared at him.
"Really," he assured me.
I smiled, lowering my gaze.
"So... Is Mr. Hamilton your---" he trailed off and lowered his gaze too.
I looked at him in shock.
"My what?" I answered.
"Uhh. Nothing." He glanced at his watch.
"Let's go. The game's starting any minute now."
I was fighting the smile climbing to my face. Was he jealous?
I opened the pack of chips Drew bought and stuffed a handful of it to my mouth.
I didn't care if he found it unlady-like. I offered them to him too, and he just shook his head. We were silent until we entered the gym.
***
Chapter 8
"You saw that shot Drei? It was for you," Carl called to me as the team asked for a timeout.
Kristine, Anthony, Jonathan and I were seated behind their bench. I rolled my eyes.
"Is he courting you Drei? I'm sorry if I forced you to get a boyfriend. If you'd end up with him, you better be a---"
I punched his arm. "Ow!"
"Cut it out. He's not courting me," I told him. He was seated to my left, Kristine to my right, and Anthony on Kristine's right.
Anthony got up from his seat and whispered something to Kris who was about to get back in the
game. The team was in a precarious two-point lead. I think he was telling Kris how to stop the
opponent's offense and force a turnover.
"So..." I heard Kristine mutter beside me,"you and Kris doing well?" I blinked. Not this topic again. "Uhh. What do you mean?" If Drew was here, he'd tease me for acting dumb again.
"You know," she nodded knowingly.
"Uhh---" I was cut off when the audience suddenly went wild. I looked at the court and saw Kris smile in triumph.
The commentator then bellowed "Kristian Wong, threeeee" and I saw Anthony take his seat
again. He was wearing that smile again.
Anthony talked to us happily about the recent play that Kristine was again occupied with him. I
sighed in relief. How will I ever get that idea off of her? I didn't like Kris. I guess she'd drop it for now.
Jonathan suddenly nudged my side.
"Are Kristine and Anthony together?" I swallowed nervously. I didn't like the thought.
"I don't think so," I whispered back."Good," Jonathan smiled.
I stared at him."What?" he asked."Nothing," it was my turn to wink.
The game was on halftime break when Jonathan's phone
