A Game of Love

Chapter 10

ANIKA

"Out my way, losers!" I moved towards my locker when I heard that voice. After that little incident in the classroom, Monique's been like this ever since. I know that she was bitchy, but not as bitchy as this is. Carlie told me that she might be like that because she was hiding something . I just shrugged. I want them to think that I've already forgotten about what happened with Monique and I and that I'm back to my normal self.

"Do they really have to do that? Push everyone so they could pass through? They can say it in a nice way and not in a bitchy way." I heard someone in the hallway complained. Well this is high school. If you're popular, you're on top, and if you're a loser, they can do whatever they want to do to you. I was just hoping that nobody from the jocks or cheerleaders heard what she said.

"Who said that?" uh-oh. That's what I was talking about. If you don't want to get into trouble. It's better to shut your mouth.

I watched as the students turned their heads to look at the culprit. She's not familiar. She must be new here. Well, so much for her welcome party. I feel sorry for the girl. I mean she went here in this school because she wants to learn and meet new people, but what now? She'll be bullied by these students who think that they can do whatever they want to do because they're popular.

"Aw, can someone help that cute creature?" Carlie whispered.

I looked at the girl again, and yes Carlie was right. The girl is pretty.

"She's new. I think she doesn't have friends here, and even if she has, I doubt if they would help her. No one wants to challenge these kids who think highly of themselves." Jonas said in a low voice.

"What did you say?" one of Monique's minions asked.

"I believe that you heard it the first time that's why you're here, trying confront me, right? So why do I need to repeat it?" ha! Go girl! Burn!

Trying to hide her embarrassment the minion, who I don't know the name pushed the girl.

"Who gave you the permission to talk to me like that?" oh, I think I heard the girl growl, lol!

"Sorry, are you the owner of the school? Or the principal? Or the guidance counselor?" the girl asked while smiling cockily.

The cheerleader was really furious so she tried to slap the girl but somebody stopped her.

"Just leave it, Aris. We have to go to the gym. Coach is waiting for us." I smiled internally when I heard that voice. At least, she's not as bad as we thought.

"But Monique--"

"Let's go!" she ordered. The bitchy cheerleader did what she was asked to, but mouthed to the girl that she ain't finished with her yet. The girl just winked at the furious cheerleader. She's really cool. I like her already.

I saw her look at me for a second but automatically looked away when she saw that I was looking at her too.

Once the cheerleaders were out of sight, I saw Stacey and Jonas approached the new girl.

"Hey." Stacey smiled at girl.

"Hi." at least she smiled back.

"My name's Stacey and we saw what happened and I just want to tell you that what you did was awesome! Nobody has ever done that." Stacey stated with so much excitement. But she's right though, it was really awesome.

"Uh, thanks?" the girl replied bashfully. "My name's Charlie by the way."

"Nice name. Almost the same as my friend's. Oh, speaking of my her, these are my friends, Jonas, Carlie, and Anika." oh wow, at least she remembered us.

"Hey guys, nice meeting you." she waved at us.

"Are you new here?" Jonas asked.

She nodded.

"Yeah. First day. And look what happened." she chuckled.

"What year?"

"Senior."

"Oh cool. We're classmates, then!" Stacey cheered. Wow, she can't really hide her excitement.

"Sorry for being nosy, but what school did you come from? I mean, why transfer here in your last year?" Carlie asked.

"Long story. I was from the Philippines and I just moved here." I don't know if my friends also noticed the sadness in her voice when she said that.

"Oh, Lopez is from the Philippines, too. I mean, she's a Filipino but she grew up here." Jonas said while pointing at me.

"Lopez?" she asked while looking at me.

"Anika Lopez at your service Ma'am!" I joked.

"Right. Another Lopez." she whispered but I heard what she said. So she knows someone with the same last name

"You were saying?" I asked.

She just shook her head and smiled. I nodded. It's fine.

"Let's just go to our class." I put my hands in her arms.

"Then walk me to class, Ms. Lopez." and we both giggled. At least we met a new friend. This year ain't bad at all.

***

"Ugh!" I heard Charlie groaned. She's sitting beside me.

"What?" I asked her.

"I didn't know that she's in our class. Such my luck!" she whispered while discreetly looking at Aris who's sitting beside Monique.

"Haha! Yeah. And congrats, I think she saw you too!" I laughed. "Good luck."

"Wow, thank you for being supportive, Anika!" she pouted.

I pinched her cheeks. She's so cute.

"Ouch!" what was that for? She whined.

"Because you're so cute when you pout." I confessed.

She smirk.

"Oh, someone's got a crush on me. Though it's really impossible. I've been experiencing it since I was a kid. I think it's a gift." she sighed.

I playfully hit her.

"So modest." I laughed.

"I know. So it's fine. Just don't take it seriously because you might get addicted to me." I couldn't control myself, so I laughed out loud. She's really funny.

"Sorry, but you're wrong. I don't have a crush on you." I said while still laughing. I pinched her cheeks again.

"Excuse me, can you guys lower your voice?! You're disturbing the whole class! And please, NO PDA, we're inside the classroom, lesbos!" we stopped when we heard that voice. Oh wow, coming from her?

Charlie was about to answer, but I put my hand in her arm and shook my head. She sighed.

"Fine." she mouthed.

I looked at Monique and nod.

"I apologized for disturbing the class. It won't happen again, I promise." I said. I don't want to start a fight again. And if possible, I don't want anything to do with her.

She was looking at me the same way I was looking at her. Please, just accept my apology and let's move on.

She nodded.

"Okay, just-just don't do it again." she said before looking away.

I heaved a sigh of relief.

"Oh wow, that was some serious s****l tension between you two. Is that your girlfriend?" Charlie whispered.

I shook my head.

"No. She's our quarterback's girlfriend." I said.

"Oh. I thought something's going on between you. I mean, the way she was looking at you?" she added.

"She's just angry because we're disturbing them, that's all."

"No, no, no, no! I know that kind of look. And for your information, she's been eyeing me since you pinched my cheek for the first time. I thought it was because of what I did in the hallway, but I guess I'm wrong. I think she's just jealous. She likes you, Lopez." I looked at her incredulously. Monique is jealous? I don't think so.

"You and your imagination, Garcia. She has a boyfriend and she doesn't look at me like the way you're describing. And no, she's not jealous." I laughed trying to hide whatever I am really feeling right now.

"I totally agree with you, Charlie. I felt that thing called jealousy in Monique's voice." Stacey commented and both Jonas and Carlie nodded.

"Guys, please? Just drop it. We all know that it won't happen. I know where I stand, remember?" I pleaded. I was really trying my best and I don't want to waste my efforts these past few days to avoid thinking about what happened between us. And of course, in avoiding her too.

"Well, that's interesting. You know where you stand, huh?" Charlie said while looking at where Monique is.

"Please?" I asked her.

She sighed and smile.

"Hmmm. Okay, if you say so. I won't push it." she said.

I smiled and changed the topic.

I don't want to think about what Charlie said. I don't want to expect. And I don't want to be the one hurting in the end.