The practice had ended an hour later. Everyone but Kai, Nick, Jared, Ruehl, and the girls had left the court. As promised, Jared was taking them all to the restaurant for a bite.
On their way out, the cold, winter breeze rushed against them, making them shiver from the cold. It was almost winter, yet the sun still shone brightly but not as warm due to the cold weather.
"Rickey wasn't around earlier," Ruehl said, particularly to Kai and Nick.
"He's usually never absent tor practice."
"Coach wasnt around erther," Kaii pointed out "They must've been
together."
Saying this, he had his eyes fixed on Celeste, who was walking in
front of him, with Jared and Tiffanu beside her Dianne and Nick
were trailing behind him and Ruehl
who were walking on the sidewalk, careful not to get in
anyone's way. They did that with ease since, apart from themselves
no one else was around. Even cars seldom passed.
With the street's desolated state the cold atmosphere, and the leaf-less trees
that lined the sidewalk, It left the neighborhood with such an eerie
aura that none of them spoke tor the rest of the way.
As they draw near the restaurant the streets sceed less abandoned
as a few well -lit stores carme into view. Amidst them stood the
Stephen's Restaurant which was slowly beng emptied by the well-
fed costumers. The Restaurant was within a two story bulding,
between a book store and a parlour
They slowly filed inside with Jared at the lead. They were warmly greeted by a jolly Mrs. Stephens.
"Take a seat, "she urged them gesturing to a table far away from her
ramaining costumers so as not to disturb them but near enough from
the counter so she could keep an eye on them. As they seated themselves on
their assigned tablee, they were asked to wait a little longer for
the food. They didnt mind aince none of them were still hungry
yet, not even the boys who had spent the last hour practicing.
Celeste, who happened to be seated across Nick, was talking to Dianne.
As they talked, the more attentive Kai looked at her. He didnt even bother listening to what they were talking about. He just continued to watch her .
Nick ,who was seated beside him, was to tired to even care about what was happening around him. He was leaning exhaustedly against his chair, faintly listening to the conversation. He was so tired, he didnt even bother fixing his messy blonde hair, which effortlessly covered his right eye. He didnt even mind putting his black denim jacket, which was placed on his lap, despite the cold weather.
"You alright?" Kai asked, noticing his tired condition.
He nodded and suddenly stood up. "Yeah, I'm good," he answered. "I need to go to the rest room." With that, he left the table. They all turned to him looking worried.
"He must be tired," Jared said. "He hasnt been hinself since we left the school." Kai nodded thoughtfully. "Just let him be," he concluded.
Nick washed his face in the bid to stay awake. Leaning on the sink, he looked at the mirror facing his reflection. His bangs were wet and so was his face. Water trickled down his neck as he closed his eyes, thinking about his convrsation with Celeste earlier that morning. He chuckled at the memory of seèing her in that skirt.
"She even bothered to comb her hair," he joked, wiping his face with a towel. With that he walked out of the restroom and made his way back to the table, where he found the others already digging in their food.
He sat down with his hot meal in front of him. It wasnt until he started eating then is he notice that Kai was no longer beside him. Instead, he was right beside Celeste, whom he was happily conversing with...
As soon as Nick had left them, Kai felt a tinge of quilt for being. jealous of his dear friend for saving Celeste when he had only good intentions within him.
but
As the incident repeated itself in his head (he had watch the incident happen on the news) he felt foolish knowing if he hadn't saved her, she would've been badly hurt.
How Selfish of me, he thought
He was so deep in thought he barely paid attention to Jared, who
had been calling him many times.
He looked up to show that he was now paying attention.
"Mind if we switch? Jared asked.
unless my mom calls me
want to get up quick
kai absent mindedly aggreed and, not until he stood up to exchange seats with him did he realize he'd be sitting next to Celeste
He froze for a moment.
Wait, he thought before regaining his composure. He sat down trying to hide his reddened face when a waiter approached their table placing their food in front of them.
Jared had already bold his mother in advance about the Orders when they were still at the school)
Kai, who had a small apeltite these days only ordered a plate of Lasagna. Seeing this Celeste gave him a questioning look.
"Is that all your gonna eat?" she asked him.
She had ordered a huge bowl of chinese noodles same with what to see him Dinn Dianne had. And she was surprised him having only Lasagna despite the hresome practice earlier.
She felt somehow somehow embarassed to see how big her peechle was compared to his
koi nadded with a smile "Yeah he answered. Why?"
Um. I'm just surprised. I mean, after all that practice. I thought you eat a lot to regain your energy are you sure your good with that?
His heart Auttered at her concom for him
"Yeah, I'm fine with this, he said nodding his head
•Don't worry about him, Danne said from across the table He could live a day without food.
Kat laughed in embarrassment, scratching the back of his head That it was when Nick showed up again.
She's happy, he thought as she laughed at something Kai had said. A feeling I could never que you; Happiness
Frowning, he silently finished his food (a bowl of mashed. potatoes) and leaned against his chain
How are you? Jared asked after he top finished his food Nick nodded, but his eyes were stiff on the Celeste. He folded his arms, fists slightly clenched.
She's happy but with someone else. His eyes slowly shifted towards Kai, who was rather enjoying himself. He didn't know it yet, but his eyes possessed a look of jealousy within them. Something! then he had
never felt before...
not until now.
He took a deep breath, feeling his chest burning with rage. What's wrong with me?
He thought towards the uknown feeling Overwhelming him. He wanted to get rid of it as soon as possible.
But he couldn't bring himself to look away from her
No
Has one always, he thought, looked so good everytime she smiles? Or does them her eyes always look so bright when she's happy? His cyes were completely glued to her. He couldn't take it off of. her-not for as long as he could, which was until they teft were to leave the restaurant, half an hour later.
They all bid farewell to the Stephen's, including Jared.
Since Ruehl lived close to the McGee's, he, kai and Dianne
parted ways with Nick, Celeste and Tiffany.
Nick and Celeste lived next door to each other Lwhich was very unfortunate for Celeste) while Tiffany lived in the 3 blocks from them. The three of them took a cab back home away for easier transportation
There was no need to rush back since all their parents were aware of were they were. But they had no desire to stay out any later in the night, since they knew of the possible dangers they could encounter, especially Celeste, who's father was a policeman and who's mother was a well-experienced lawyer. They were, of course, concerned for her safety but they weren't always present to watch over her due to their jobs, which they spent many late, od hights over Even right now, her parents were still at work. But fortunately, she was already used to it. She was aware of how busy they were, and she knew had expected the to come home late these days due to their increasing work load, and it wasn't going to de reduce any time soon. "Well, good luck with the game,"Tiffany regarded Nick after a long conversation about the incoming games for the various sports this saturday.
Celeste, as usual, listened carefully at the conversation as she looked out the window.
Nick, on the other hand, watched her everyone once with the corner of his eye as he talked with the noisy Tiffany.
"Stacy, huh?" Nick said thoughtfully. They werent in th same class but she was a close friend of theirs.
"Isn't she up againt this guy called Kwan? From City High?"
Tiffany nodded. "Yeah. She's been in a lot of pressure because of him. He's said to be the best in the city."
"I've heard of him before. And I've seen him play, too. Indeed, he's one good player though."
"Well, "Celeste spoke up, I'm sure no matter how good heis, Stacy would be able to handle him."
Tiffany nodded in agreement. "Yeah, that's one thing for sure. Suddenly the cab came to a halt. Tiffany, who was the first to drop off, had reached herdestination. She bid them. goodbye before getting out of the cab. (The driver looked somehow relieved to see that she was going now
So it left Celeste and Nick now.
For a minute they both sat silent, to deep in each other's thoughts. Celeste was still thinking about this "city's best player and how good could he be to threaten Stacy's spot in the
championship. She knew that stacy was one of the mat Skillful badminton player she had ever encountered. She herself was rather good with the sport but refused to join the team. for the sake of avoiding stress.
unmanageable
But, for the meantime, she was quite concerned for her friends. well being.
Meanwhile as she thought, Nick, had want, who still hated the thought of seeing her being so happy around kai Carlier, had been meaning to ask her something But he didn't ask immeadiatelyou. Not because he was afraid to. No. so sudden. He just didn't want it to be so occured and So he waited for a minute. He watched her leaning against the window, watching the cold night in silence, her brown wavy, brown hair resting perfectly down her shoulders to her
chest.
She's beautiful
....he thought. She always was. "Celeste," he finally spoke in a gentle yet yearing voice Celeste, who was so deep in thought that she completely ignored hist presence, turned to him
Nick opened his mouth to speak but he couldn't bring himself to say anything as soon as he found himself lost in her eyes, which stared back at his own.
Her eyes, he thought, dumbfounded.
"Nick ?" Celeste sand raised an eyebrow This thoughts
snapping him out of
He didn't know what got into him but he shook his head.
"Nevermind", he said under his breath but soud curr hear it
Celeste nodded laphing surprised the cyling spent the fast calling her for nothing. He usually had something to say— it was either a criticism or a teasing. But today, he refused to say either of them. She could tell, though they weren't close, that some thing was wrong.
"Are you ok?" she asked with pure concern, Though she hated him, she couldnt help but feel worried for him.
Hed been acting odd lately, especially at the restaurant earlier.
" He must be tired," she remembered Jared say earlier.
She had caught him looking at her earlier and she could clearly see the weariness in his eyes.
"I'm fine," Nich assured her with a smile.
She nodded thoughtfully, letting go of her worries with his assurance. She was about to turn back to the window when she suddenly caught sight of a familiar book shop
behind Nick.
"Wait!" she called to the driver, suddenly remembring something. The cab stopped.
"I'll just drop off here," she said, turning to Nick." I need to get something."
"But—"
"Tell my mom where I am?' she pleaded.
Nick, who had no intention to let her out in the middle of the night alone, protested.
"I'll come with you," he said.
Celeste shook her head. " It's alright. It'll only take me a while. And, besides I know my way home and its
not very far from my house, ok?"
Seeing he could do nothing, he nodded. Before she could Leave, he grabbed her hand making her turn back. He took of his jacket and handed it to her.
" In case you get cold," he
said.
Celeste smiled as she took it, trying to hide her surprise. Letting go of his hand she closed the door and the cab drove away from her sight.
He's really not himself today, she thought putting on his jacket. And he truly wasn't. Usually, when they were alone, Nick would just make fun of her, telling her that everything she did was wrong and so on.
But today it was different. He treated her so differently that she couldn't even bring herself to hate him for the first time with in the past nine years.
As she made her way inside the book store, she suddenly paused.
What was that he wanted to tell me?