Bianca and Alyssa walked through the corridor silently till they got closer to the sports center and heard the loud noise of girls shouting on top of their lungs.
Alyssa tilted her head and tried to understand what was going on. Even as they were standing, several girls rushed past them into the sports center.
" What's going on? Is something happening today?" Alyssa asked. Alternating gazes between Bianca and other girls .
" Oh...yeah. George will be playing basketball today. I guess that's the reason. How about we also watch the competition? It's between first year sports students and sophomore sports students."
" No...I will pass. I don't even know how to watch basketball match."
" It's okay. A lot of girls don't even know what basketball is. They only watch because of George. Let's feed our eyes" Bianca pulled Alyssa along.
Alyssa allowed herself to be dragged. It would actually be nice to see the George she was referring to. She had heard from somewhere that handsome guys are mostly found in the sports department.
" Thankfully the front seat is not filled up yet. Let's sit here" Bianca said excitedly as she led Alyssa to the front row.
Alyssa shook her head with a smile. Bianca appeared even more enthusiastic than her who was curious about how the players look like.
When they got settled, Bianca brought out her phone and showed Alyssa a message.
" Can you believe this? From tomorrow to Sunday is declared lecture free for no apparent reason. I was so shocked when I saw this yesterday. "
Alyssa turned her face away feeling guilty. She happened to talk about her lecture packed week and how bad she would feel if she missed the lectures. She just didn't expect Quinn to take quick action.
*
" You don't have to worry, Grandmother. She will accompany me to your party. I have a meeting to attend. Let's talk later"
Quinn hung up and stared at his phone screen for a while. After much contemplation, he decided to call Alyssa.
Although Alyssa couldn't tell what was going on, she understood everyone wanted George's team to emerge as the winning team.
" The game is interesting right?" Bianca whispered in Alyssa ear noticing her rapt attention.
Alyssa nodded her head and opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sudden vibration of her phone in her bag. She quickly brought it out. On checking the caller's ID, her heart skipped a bit and she couldn't help but smile.
" I'm sorry....but I have to take this call" Alyssa quickly walked out of the stadium.
" Mr. Winters! I saw the school notice. Is because of what I told you yesterday? Y–you really don't have to go through such extent"
Quinn smiled. She sounded excited yet full of remorse at the same time.
" You don't have to worry about that. It's no big deal and it's only right for me to fufill your wishes " Quinn said in a cool voice.
Alyssa smiled and patted her hot cheeks. Quinn had a way of making her feel bashful around him.
" Ah...right. Why did you call? Sorry I got too carried away"
Quinn pinched the middle of his brows. He had not really called for a reason but since she asked, he had to think of something.
" I just wanted to remind you to get ready. I will pick you up tomorrow. "
" Oh...okay. " Alyssa agreed. After much hesitation, she hung up and returned to watch the match.
Bianca smiled at her as she sat and moved closer to her.
" The game is almost over and George's team is winning. My friends decided we should eat out tonight. It will be fun!"
Alyssa couldn't hide the displeasure in her. She hurriedly shook her head, waving her hands along. " I will pass. I have lots of work to do. Maybe next time."
Bianca puller on a long face and sighed deeply. " I understand."
* * * *
Serral girls and boys were seated round a table chatting happily while waiting for the waiter to arrive with what they ordered.
Bianca eyes twinkled in delight when Alyssa entered through the door and walked towards her.
" I'm glad you came. Do you know that George will also be present? "
Alyssa shot her a questionable look but before Bianca could explain, George walked in elegantly. The girls squeaked and squimed happily each one trying to gain his attention.
Alyssa studied him. He had a noble aura around him but it couldn't even hold a candle to Quinn's. Even his facial features lacked when compared to Quinn Winters, the most sought bachelor which was now her husband.
George swept his eyes around the girls in the room and eventually walked towards the direction of where Bianca and Alyssa were seated.
" Do you mind if I seat beside you?'' He asked Alyssa with a breathtaking smile. Breathtaking because her breath hitched for a second before she was back to her senses.
" Yeah...you can" Bianca answered for her.
The students chatted happily and openly praised George's professional skills. He was humble enough to express his gratefulness to his members who were equally skilled like him.
George took note of Alyssa who had been quiet since he sat beside her. He studied her facial features quietly.
She was not the most beautiful girls he had seen but something about her simplicity and ordinariness intrigued him. She looked lost and out of place which he felt was quite funny.
The waiter arrived with several bottles of wine causing the students to cheer loudly.
George calmly poured Alyssa wine when she made no move.
" Thanks" Alyssa said without looking at him. She didn't want to drink wine after what happened to her that got her entangled with The Winters. But seeing how the wine sparkled and everyone had began enjoying it, she braced herself and took a sip relishing the taste.
" I have never seen you with Bianca before. Are you the new student that just resumed?"
*Why is everyone curious about my identity? I didn't expect them to notice the slightest change in the population of the school*
"Ah!" Someone snickered. " Haven't you watched the video? The school took it down but what do you expect. She is the one that tried to brownose the campus belle but ended up embarrassing herself " The rest of the people present laughed casting her disgusting looks.
Alyssa had noticed them silently whispering to amongst themselves before but she thought it was nothing. If she had known she would still be ousted, she wouldn't have agreed to tag along.
Bianca patted Alyssa's shoulder tenderly. " What you did that day was also..." She pursed her lips and sighed. " It's inevitable. You're now popular among students but with time, they will slowly forget."
Alyssa nodded absentmindedly slowly sipping her drink. She had nothing to say in their discussion. The girls were discussing about the latest gown TY had just designed. She did not really know TY and the girls obviously made it clear she wasn't welcome to join them.
Her vision was beginning to get blurry as she felt everything spinning around her. She reached for the bottle to refill her glass but missed. She let out an unsatisfied sound and dropped on the table with her eyes closed.
The girls discussing stopped and turned to look at her. They exchanged nonchalant looks and continued their discussion.
" It's already late. We have to get back before the dorm will be closed" Bianca announced as she stood up to pack her bag.
" I wonder if George and the rest if the boys have left. It's been a while since they left to bring the car. "
" What do you think? They probably went for a smoke the way I see things" The five girls left the private room without looking back.
" Oh! There they are." Bianca giggled.
George saw them off and walked back in to get his bag. He opened the door and saw Alyssa sleeping soundly with her head placed on the table. He scratched his head unsure of what to do. Bianca had told him to take care of her.
He slowly walked towards her and stared at her little face. He smiled. He tucked her hair at the back of her ear and she stirred softly. He carried her in princess style leading he out of the room.
Alyssa stirred again and squinted her eyes at him. " What...."
George admired how adorable she looked with her slightly confused expression. He carefully placed her into his car and ordered his driver to drive. He placed her on his chest and patted her back soothingly with a strange smile on his face.