I left the dining room first, so it wasn't too obvious that GD and I have a secret. I then went straight to his bedroom. After a few minutes, the door opened, and entered CL. CL?!
"Sorry, princess, but I had to tag the second brother here since he also saw your reaction last time when you were asked about Maven. What was that all about?" GD started.
I haven't said anything yet, but I saw their jaws tighten. Yet CL is scarier compared to GD because, aside from the tattoos on both of his arms, he's really a war freak.
"We have broken up," I said slowly, then looked at the ground. I can't meet their gaze because I do not know how they would react. I don't feel nervous for myself, but for Maven, who might get hurt if my brothers found out what he did to me. I'm not concerned for him as an ex but as a fellow student athlete if he gets an injury.
I am still mad at what he did to me, but I don't wish him bad fortune.
"Who called it quits? Don't lie to us. I know you're into that guy," CL said in a clipped tone that made me more nervous. On the other hand, GD has no reaction to that.
I shifted uneasily. God knows I want to be honest with them, but I am really terrified. At this rate, I am positive that they would really hurt him. No doubt. My brothers are so protective of me that they will fight my battles for me.
I wanted to lie, but knowing them? It's impossible. So, I let out a deep sigh and then composed myself. "I saw him last time. He's seeing the cheer captain behind my back. I confronted them."
They both looked at each other as if they were talking through their eyes. I might not be able to understand what their gazes towards each other mean, but with the way their fists are balled, I already know. Especially CL, who looks like he's going to explode anytime.
"Gideon Dorian and Christopher Leonel, please just let him be. Anyway, it's not as if it's a big deal. Just look at me right now; I am not even crying about our breakup. So can you both calm down?" I begged and even used my powerful puppy eyes for effect, like what I am doing if there is anything I want them to give me.
But sadly, it doesn't have any effect on them.
"GD. CL. Please. If you're going to hurt him for sure, it will be difficult for me. I don't want anything to do with him, so I'd really appreciate it if you'd just leave him alone. Not for his benefit, but for mine. Can you both do that?"
This time, their faces softened, which I am grateful for.
"We took care of you so well that we didn't even let a single fly bite you, and there he was! Nobody does that to our princess!" CL gritted between his teeth. I just smiled at that and hugged him.
"Having a broken heart is a part of growing up, isn't it? I am really okay."
"Well, having a broken face is also part of messing up with my baby sister."
I faked a wounded face at that while GD hugged me when CL had already let go of me. I hugged back tight, fighting every urge to cry. Not because I am brokenhearted, but hugging my brothers like this feels nostalgic; it's as if I am back to being a little kid who used to run to them when someone made me cry.
"If that is what you want, then okay, we won't do anything. But once he lays a finger on you or even attempts to win you back, I'm telling you, Arya, not even your cries will stop me from killing him," GD said.
I know it's not possible for Maven to do that, but still, I nodded.
***
"So let me get this straight: Maven and you have broken up because you caught him and Snow alone at the dugout?" Trina asked in disbelief. I can't blame her, though.
I shrugged my shoulders and just resumed sipping my coffee. "Yes. And there will be no part two or sequel for us," I said confidently, and that is true.
Maven has been texting me ever since last night that if it isn't too much of a hassle, I'll change my digits, but I just blocked his number instead. Thankfully, despite that, he didn't try to go to our house. I know my brothers have promised not to hurt him, but I can't guarantee that if he's the one to come to me personally. Doing that is like going into a lion's den.
"Arya, I know we're friends, but don't you think you just misunderstood the whole thing? Maybe they're really not doing anything," Gail said. As usual, the logical one among us three
Trina tsked at that. "Come on, Gail. They're in the same room together where there are only two of them. What could it be then? And the fact that he didn't tell our dear friend here that he's even close to that devil woman is already something," Trina said in a pissed tone, which isn't a surprise. Well, that serial flirt stole his boyfriend back then. I could still remember how I beat the guy up, and a week later he dropped out, probably out of shame that a girl turned his face into a smashed grape.
"Well, that's love, isn't it? You will get hurt, but it's more than worth it," Gail said, still positively.
"Come on, Gail. In what in the hell is that love? Anyway, I am fine. I didn't even cry when I caught them although I felt betrayed. There's no sense wasting my time, crying over someone like him." I said, then ended the discussion because I'm afraid that she and Trina might fight already. Maven can go to hell for all I care, but I can't really afford to lose my friends. Next to my family, these two are the ones I love the most.
"That's right! Let's just be happy that our friend here is not like the other girls out there who think that they are dying already when their boyfriend left them. Cheers to us, single ladies!" Trina cheered and even raised her cup of coffee for a toast. Some diners sitting near our table even looked at us slightly, laughing. I just shook my head, but Gail and I raised our cups as well, anyway.
"Can we go to Jollibee after this? I am suddenly craving chicken joy," Gail said after our toast.
"I am actually thinking of Korean barbeque, but Jollibee is fine," Trina agreed.
"Then let's go? I am starving too," I told them. We left our half-empty cups on the table and then made our way to the bee house.