"Well, at least we tried, right?" Trina asked as she sipped on her frappe. I just smiled at that.
"Yep, it's not bad at all. Like, at least we were able to prove ourselves that we have improved. Imagine, Phylisse Academy didn't really win that big against us last time, so we have a chance to beat the other teams," I said hopefully. I know it may sound delusional, but I am not ready to give up just yet.
"Hey, Arya! It was a nice game last time!" one of our schoolmates approached us. I do not know her name, but as far as I can remember, she's one of those few students who watch our games.
"Thank you, and I really do apologize if we were not able to win," I said shamefully, even though, deep inside, I think they're already used to it.
"Hey, don't be sorry. I actually have this feeling that you will be able to win this time, judging your performance last time," she said again, and after bidding her farewell, she sat on a table nearby with two of her friends.
We're currently at Café Katrina, which is the favorite spot of most of the students from our school. The food and ambiance are so great here that even students from all over the district come here. Their frappes and cakes are heaven, while the rice meals are also elegant, even though they're not even expensive.
"Are you and Maven meeting here today?" Gail asked.
I shrugged. "Not sure. Since the league officially started, from what I know, they're training more seriously. He texted me also that they have training today. Well, you all know how Vicente is. After that loss against Herondale High last year, I bet he's real pissed to take back the crown from them," I sniggered.
Our men's team may be a really good team, yet when they're up against Herondale High, it seems like the cards are stacked against them, and it has always been like that for years; people even call them "destined rivals".
I remember how Maven was devastated last year. It's supposed to be a back-to-back championship for them, but it was really difficult. The match reached the fifth set, and at that point, most of them were already tired while Herondale was still on their game. Though it's no wonder already since Herondale won the fourth set, it's just natural that the momentum is on their side.
So, this time, they're really motivated to play better.
"Well, will you be okay if we're going to leave you alone?" Gail asked while looking at her phone. She doesn't need to tell me, but I can tell from how she looks that it's more likely her mom texted her already to go home.
"Oh, sure, no worries," I assured her, because I understand that Trina needs to go too, especially since their houses are in the same village.
"See you tomorrow, captain. Let's just try harder next time," Trina said, and then off they go.
I sighed because I suddenly felt so tired. That was just the first game, and the next one would be on Friday. Weekends begin tomorrow, and I am thinking of training, but I guess I would have to postpone it until next week so everyone could rest.
The door of the café then suddenly opened. I was kind of expecting that it was Maven or someone, but it's not.
I automatically hugged myself. Last time, the crowd around was clattering, but now everyone is so silent that I can hear my own heart beating in my chest.
Fourteen guys entered, and they're intimidating as ever. They are all tall, and their school uniform looks familiar. Black slacks paired with the same color coat, necktie, and white polo inside.
My eyes widened. These guys are from Herondale High! I can't be wrong because they're the only school here in the district whose school uniform is all black and where students are gangly.
They looked around as if they were looking for someone, and when they saw a vacant table, they squeezed themselves together and then started browsing the menu. This isn't the first time that I've seen a student from Herondale High, but certainly this is the first time I've seen them as a group.
And what are they even doing here in an artsy café?
I badly want to tear away my gaze from them, but I can't. There is something unnerving about them. I don't usually feel intimidated by guys considering that I have three brothers, but being here with these guys in one place makes me feel uneasy.
I won't even have to guess that they're members of a gang because I am sure of it. They have the aura of being in one, and they have these identical rings on their fingers.
I almost jumped off my seat when one of them suddenly turned his attention to me. A pair of cold gray eyes welcomed me.
Shit, why is he looking at me?
We stared at each other for a few seconds until I was the first to look away. I hastily got my spoon and looked down at my cake to distract myself, but I could still feel that that guy was still looking at me.
I just resumed eating and did not bother to look up anymore. I just grabbed my phone instead and texted Maven to ask where he was.
Yet I am also forced to look up because someone just sat in front of me. The gray-eyed guy What is he doing here?
A devilish smirk formed on his lips. "Hello, Arya Astrid Fonacier," he said, which made my eyes widen.
"You know me?" I said in disbelief as I tried to remember if I had seen him somewhere already.
He stared at me coldly. "I just called you by your whole name, right? Go figure," he answered back coldly.
This is dangerous. He is dangerous. I do not know him, but his aura is enough for me to know that he's dangerous.
He put his hand on the table and tapped it with his long fingers. The ring on his index finger caught my attention. I focused my eyes there just in case I could catch something, like maybe the name of their gang, but unfortunately, all I can see is just a faint image of a wolf.
Herondale High. Herondale Wolves. It makes sense.
"I know you're wondering why I approached you. I came here to tell you that your boyfriend is cheating on you. He's been going out with that cheer captain for some time already, did you know?"
My jaw dropped at that. What did he just say?
"You don't know—"
"Maven Paolo Fajardo, isn't he?" he said, cutting me off.
I'm not deaf, so I am sure that I heard him. He said that my boyfriend is cheating on me because he's been going out with the cheer captain for a while now. But does this guy think I am stupid to just believe him?
"I bet your family isn't giving you much attention so you're out here playing with other people? What makes you think that I will believe you? I mean, it's not surprising that you know Maven since he's famous," I retorted, but it seems to have had no effect on him.
I almost jumped from my seat when he stretched out his hand. I thought he was going to touch me, yet he reached for my frappe and sipped from it. The nerve!
"Am I forcing you to believe me? Find it out yourself if you doubt it," he said quietly.
There's just no way that Maven will do that to me. I know him all too well. And if he's going to do something like that, there's no way for me to not know. St. Agatha isn't that big for him to hide it from me. One more thing: he isn't the sort of guy who will do it. He loves me, so it's just impossible.
"There's no need for me to do that! Maven loves me, and he won't do that to me!" I hissed at him.
"Are you sure about that? Let's have a deal then."
My eyes widened at what he said. Deal? What does he mean by that?
"If I'm right, you will pose as my girlfriend for a month," he said, even pointing at me.
I covered my mouth because I was too surprised. This guy is beyond crazy! We just met, and he's already asking me this?
"What do you say? Why does it seem to me that you're having second thoughts already? Are you scared?" he teased when I just remained silent.
"With or without that deal, I know Maven isn't cheating on me!" I answered.
"Then that's it. If you'll insist that he won't do that, then agreeing to my deal should be easy. Anyway, you really believe him, right?"
I can feel the anger slowly rising in my chest. I could've thrown my frappe at him already if I wasn't able to stop myself.
"What will be the answer then, Ms. Fonacier?" he asked again, grabbing my attention.
"What if I win? What will I get from this?" I asked back.
He sat back comfortably and looked at me intently, as if I amused him. He then shrugged his shoulders. "Your call. Do anything you want with me; I don't really care," he said.