close to each other that I even felt it when it rang.
He excused himself and I followed him outside. I felt that my legs were numb from sitting, so I
thought a stretch outside would be good.
I found Jonathan smiling to himself as I finally got out of the crowded gym.
"We have to fetch someone now," still with the smile on his face.
"Who?"
"You'll see," he got my hand and we went outside.
We were waiting in the parking lot for a few minutes when Anthony sent me a message.
Where are you? his message read.
Outside. We'll be back later. Jonathan's waiting for someone, I sent him.
I was about to bug Jonathan about going inside again when suddenly we saw his mom's car
arriving.
"You going home already?" I asked Jonathan."Nope," he said.The suspense was killing me.
Then we approached the car and Jonathan opened the passenger seat. I almost shrieked in
delight when I saw his cousin climb out.
"Jazz!" though they were Korean, Jazz's parents chose to give her an English name.
She approached me and threw her arms around me.
Jonathan talked to his mom and she went on her way.
"You've changed! You're so beautiful!" I pinched her cheek.
"Well, I thought I should be as pretty as you, so I did the necessary changes." she smiled.
"She's moving here Drei. We'll arrange her papers so she can attend the Highschool on the next block by next school year."
"Why? Did anything happen to your previous school?"
Before Jazz could answer, Jonathan answered for her.
"She was missing us a lot at the expense of her grades."
Jazz frowned. "You make it sound so bad."
"It is bad," I reminded her.
We went inside again and found Kristine alone on our seat.
"Where's Anthony?" Jonathan said my thoughts out loud.
She smiled faintly, but I could tell she was disappointed. "There."
We followed her gaze and we found Anthony standing by the bench of the players.
Kristine was looking at Jazz so I introduced her.
"Kristine, this is Jazz. Jonathan's---"
"Friend," Jonathan finished for me. Jazz and I shot him questioning looks but he ignored us.
Kristine extended her hand and Jazz shook it. There was something in Kristine's eyes. Jonathan
sat beside Kristine. Jazz was seated between Jonathan and me. I was seated on the farthest
side.
Jazz nudged my side.
"Is he courting Kristine?" she whispered.
"I think he plans to," I whispered back.
Courting is undoubtedly the word of the day.
The team was on a comfortable ten point lead. I saw a few girls in the audience wave to
Anthony. I was trying my best not to glare at them. Anthony glanced at our direction, and after
smiling at the girls, he approached us.
"Where've you been?" he said, taking the seat beside me.
"Out to fetch her," I nodded my head toward Jazz. I tapped her shoulder and introduced her to Anthony.
"Is she a relative of Jonathan?" Anthony whispered to me afterwards.
"Uhh. Yea. But Kristine doesn't know yet. Jonathan doesn't---"
"Want her to know. Yet," Anthony finished for me.
"Exactly," I smiled.
"Good thinking," he said.
"Why?" I asked him.
"I think he likes Kristine that's why he's doing that," he smiled.
"And you're fine with that?" I asked, before I could stop myself.
He paused. "Of course. Why shouldn't I?"
I bit my lip. Me and my big mouth.
"Nothing." I lied.
"You think I like her, don't you?" he asked further.
I didn't know what to say. Could I just disappear right now?
"Don't worry Drei. I don't," he smiled, pleased with himself.
"I'm not worrying!" I said too loud.
"Okay okay," he turned when someone called out his name and I heard a loud giggling from
their direction after.
"They won!" Kristine was suddenly calling over to us.
I turned and saw that the team was already celebrating.
Before I could ask Jazz and Jonathan where they were having dinner, Anthony pulled my arm
gently.
"Don't worry about them too," he nodded toward the girls.
"I wasn't worrying about them!" I said a little too defensively.
"Just making sure," he smiled.
***
Chapter 9
Jonathan and his cousin Jazz went home after the game. I was waiting outside on the parking
lot when Anthony and the twins emerged from the direction of the gym.
"Your driver's getting busy lately," Kris said as he neared me first.
"I think so too," I smiled at him.
"Why don't we wait for Drei to get fetched before we go?" Anthony suggested as he and Kristine approached.
"As much as we'd like to, but Mom's such in a fuzz for us to get home for dinner. She called five times already," Kristine said.
"No, go ahead. I'll be fine," I refused their offer.
Anthony looked at me. Just then Kris said, "We really should get going Drei. I'll call you later okay?" he said.
I nodded, and Kristine shot me a teasing look.
The twins got in their car and Anthony stayed where he was.
"Aren't you going home yet?" I asked him.
"Nope," he said, taking a seat on the nearest bench.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking a seat. We'll wait for your driver," he said.
I just looked at him.
He tapped the empty seat beside him, and I obliged, having no choice.
When I was seated, my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Drei, Mr. Champ and Nanny Helena ran an errand for your Mom tonight. I'll fetch you," Drew answered.
"Okay. I'm in the parking lot already. Thanks," I replied.
I hung up and Anthony said,"so we won't be waiting that long after all."
I smiled faintly.
Anthony was settling his things on his lap when Drew pulled into the parking lot.
"New car?" Anthony asked beside me as I stood up.
"Uhh no. That's Drew's," I replied. I didn't look at him after I answered.
I approached Drew's car and I waved Anthony goodbye.
"Thanks Anthony!" I called out. I didn't see his expression. But whatever it was, he just waved back.
"Was I ruining a moment, Drei?" Drew asked me as I settled on the front seat.
"No. Of course not," I lied.
"I was hoping I was," he teased.
"What?"
"I am starting to enjoy playing with that Anthony," he smiled.
"Drew, cut it out," I warned him.
"Okay. You get very sensitive lately."
~
True to his word, Kris called me shortly after I got home.
I was doing my homework that night when suddenly my phone rang
