"Liar"
Kite went home with a grin on his face. It has been a long time since he has played Dota. But the feelings and thrills are still there. He couldn't help but feel that his burden has lightened up a bit.
Everything would have been perfect if it wasn't for that annoying girl.
'Well, if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been have able to play. So I guess it was fair.'
'But I hope I won't bump into her again.'
Hopefully.
He placed the fifty peso bill inside his bag, then took a shower and went to his bed.
He laid there, reminiscing the moments of playing again after a long time. Then, he smiled.
'Makatulog na nga.'
———
The rest of the weekend went past like a normal day. Except for the fact that it's the final preparation for tomorrow.
End of vacation, start of school days.
For Kite, this will be his first day as a college freshman. As expected, he was quite nervous.
Seeing different faces from places afar gathering in a single room is quite amazing to think of. Nonetheless, one would still hope to find a familiar face among them.
Kite was also hoping for this. He constantly gazed back and forth among those that were already in the room, and those coming in. Even one familiar face could change everything. Anything will be fine if one could have a companion, specially in rough... awkward times.
Still, Kite was very unlucky. For none of these faces could trigger the term 'familiarity' in his brain.
Kite sighed and was about to give up when he saw someone familiar went in. He became excited inwardly and observed the newcomer. Trying to remember the name of this person.
Suddenly, his excitement turned solemn. As he concluded his observation.
A cute girl shorter than him, with a petite figure and a non-preferable size of her...ahem. With a portion of her hair tied to a bun, and the rest laid bare on her shoulders and back. That pointed nose and glaring eyes reminds him of something—annoying.
He suddenly remembered a few words that concluded her assumptions.
'Hacker! Mama! Eto fifty.'
F*ck!
Dugun!
His heart thumped. He felt a cold sweat dripping on his back.
'Sh*t! Bakit ba andito yung babaeng yun! Don't tell me na blockmate ko siya! Shuta wag naman sana. Masisira yung college life ko nito.'
Their eyes met and he could only gulp, then he averted his gaze at the windows. Pretending that he didn't saw her.
Kite retreated to the farthest corner at the back of the room to avoid detection. He couldn't help snickering as he heard the guys around him.
"Sino yung babaeng 'yun? She's hot!"
"Oo nga, ang swerte natin kasi dito siya sa block natin!"
"Oo nga! Feel ko I'm blessed by heaven."
"Sigi lang. Magpaka-tanga kayo diyan. Malalaman niyo rin ang kasungitan niya," Kite thought.
The professor in front slammed his hand on the table softly yet audibly which silenced everyone. The boy near the door closed it. Everybody faced the front to listen for the professor.
"Everyone from Block F, welcome to UP. University of Punong. I thank you all for your bravery in choosing the bloodied path of Bachelor of Science in Biology," the professor laughed after saying this which made the audience laugh as well. "Where are my manners? Let me introduce myself, I am Professor..."
The rest of the hour went past with the professor talking about their course program, the school, rules and regulations, etc. It was finally the students' turn to talk about themselves.
Everyone just went with the usual stuff like their name, age, dream, the school they're from, etc. Which made Kite bored and almost dozed off on his seat.
When it was that girl's turn to speak, Kite unconsciously began to pay attention. It's not that he was interested about her—or maybe a bit. He was more inclined to seeing her show her annoying personality that she's shown at the computer shop.
"I wonder how these guys will react when she takes off that facade," Kite smirked as he drank from his canteen.
She stood at the front and smiled. "Hello everyone! My name is Rachel Grace, but you can call me Chaser! That's my IG in Dota 2! I'm 19 years old. Also, I'm a professional gamer! If you want some tips, you can just ask me. And by the way, my favorite hero is Lina. Isn't she pretty as me?"
Pft!
Kite almost thew up alll the water that he's drank. Had he not been leaning his head above his desk, he might have sprayed all the water at the person besides him. That would've been awkward.
"Bro, okay ka lang?" the person beside him asked.
He coughed and said, "Ahem, okay lang ako. Medyo nagkasabay lang yung paghinga at pag-inom. Pero okay na ako."
Seeing the person hesitantly conceding, Kite turned his attention to the girl in front.
Seems like everyone was bewitched by his beauty and personality. Well, it isn't common nowadays to meet a girl gamer. But now, someone of that category was in front of them. Of course, everybody became excited. Except for Kite.
'Hmmp. You might've fooled everyone, but not me. Alam ko yung totoo. Tapos ano raw? Pro gamer? O...kay? Well, nevermind.'
Seeing that everyone became ecstatic with the unorthodox presentation of Miss Rachel, the professor cleared his throat that made the students cease.
"Thank you for that, Miss Rachel—ahem—Miss Chaser," the professor winked at the class then continued, "You may sit now cause we'll have to proceed with the introductions. That being said, next!"
After that, the next group of students seemed to be influenced by Rachel, began adding their own IG and other stuff about games on their introduction. Amazingly almost 80% of the next group were DOTA players.
Even the person next to Kite. He remembered him calling himself as Leo, with his IG as Sunny.
"Sunny? Because of the Lion's mane? Or is it a Nanatsu no Taizai reference?" Kite mumbled to himself.
Kite noticed that Leo was nudging him. He saw that everyone was pretty much looking at him. Apparently, it's his turn next.
Damn.
Kite proceeded towards the front. As he was walking, he noticed some people murmuring and discussing to each other things about Dota. Amazed on finding something they have in common.
As Kite turned around to face the class' gaze of expectations—probably wanting another Dota player as part of their circle, his and Rachel's eyes met.
Gulp.
He composed himself and said his planned introduction, "Hi, my name is Kite Valdez. 18. I like Science. I don't play games. Thank you."
He lowered his head and was heading back to his seat. When he heard her.
"Liar," she blurted loud enough for everyone to hear.
With this word, Kite's step froze. He suddenly frowned and looked at her.
"What do you mean," he asked, annoyed.
She crossed her arms then squinted her gaze, "Wala. Sorry mam—este Mr. Kite. Peace!" she gestured and immediately changed her attitude to an apologetic one.
But this won't fool Kite.
Tsk. He clicked his tongue then went to his seat. He leaned his head and arm on the table.
After sitting down, his seatmate Leo, asked him, "Hey, magkakilala pala kayo ni Ra...Rachel ba yun? Classmate mo dati?"
"Huh? Hindi. Ngayon ko nga lang nakita yun eh," Kite answered without even batting an eye.
"So, girlfriend?"
"Pwe! Ano? Ano bang sinasabi mo? Nagjojoke ka ba? Di mo sinabi sa introduction mo na joker ka pala ah."
"So, hindi? Eh bakit kanina, tingin ka nang tingin sa kanya?"
"Ha? Siyempre, baka kilala ko. Ganun naman ako sa lahat ah. Naghahanap lang ako ng kilala ko. Tsaka, bakit ba tayo nag-uusap tungkol sa kanya, hayaan mo na nga lang yun!"
"O...kay. So anong ibig sabihin niya dun sa 'Liar'?"
Kite did not answer. Seeing this, Leo stopped talking to him.
'Bakit ba kasi andito siya! Kingina ang malas ko naman. Ano kayang kailangan niya? Hindi naman ako nag-abandon ah. Naglaro lang naman ako ng maayos. Mababa pa kaya kills ko nun? Malamang kasi nanlalamig pa kamay ko nun dahil sa ulan. O baka naman kaya yung XPM ko or GPM. As far as I know, wala namang mali dun, ah?'.
As Kite was lost in his thoughts, their Professor has left, saying that they should use this time given to them to explore and familiarize themselves with the school and their blockmates.
Hearing this, he chose to sleep rather than go out as he wouldn't have anyone to accompany him.
After quite some time, Kite opened his eyes, then saw a cute face looking at him. As his vision became clearer, he woke up with a jolt!
'Shuta!'
"Good morning, Mama—or Mr. Liar!" Rachel winked then grinned at him. "Now, will you play Dota with me?!"
Kite gulped then wiped the imaginary sweat on his forehead caused by the numerous gazes on him. Apparently, all the guys are wondering why someone as cute as Rachel would like to play with a guy like him.
'Please don't let them misunderstand this like Leo did.'
Kite prayed as he was wondering whether he has dug his own grave, or if Rachel has dug it for him.
Kite did not know that this is only the start, of the road to glory that he and Rachel will be taking.
###