Once and Again

b***h Move

Third Person POV

  Since the day Eirick confessed his feelings and asked Rafi to stay with him, Rafi was having mixed feelings. For some reason, Eirick grew on her. His constant presence around her made her leaving New York harder than expected.

  Eirick was a whole other person when he’s with her. He’s not the cocky jock that the school adores, he’s simply Eirick. And that made her like him. Yes, she likes him, that’s why going away for college is harder for her this time.

  It was Sunday afternoon, and Rafi was packing her things that she’ll bring to Seattle. She got accepted in University of Washington in Seattle. She’s due to leave before graduation. She just finished all her paper works from the principal, aced her finals exam which she took ahead of everyone else.

  Her best friend Trixie is with her, helping her pack.

“I’m so going to miss you.”Trixie said.

“I’m going to miss you too.” Rafi said.

“Why do you have to leave so soon? We still have the graduation and graduation party.” Trixie whined.

“That’s just how it is Trixie.” Rafi said.

  Trixie huffed and sat on the bed with her arms crossed over her chest.

“The way you’re packing seems like you’re not coming back. What about Eirick?”

  That one question made Rafi paused whatever she’s doing. Her friend’s question caught her off guard, for she has no idea.

“You’re lucky you know that. Eirick Salvatore was grovelling at your feet.” Trixia said.

“And he’s too good to be true. “ Rafi said.

“He’s your prince charming, a real prince!”Trixie exclaimed.

  Yes, she’s right Rafi thought. Eirick was a real prince, while she’s just a nobody.

  Rafi sighed and sat beside Trixie on the bed.

“I know you like him. Why holding yourself back?” Trixie asked.

“We’re just not meant to be.” Rafi said.

  Trixie rolled her eyes and stood up in front of Rafi.

“You both like each other. Why hold back?”

“I told you, we’re not meant to be. He deserves someone like-“

“Celene?” Trixie cut her off.

“Like Anya.”

  Trixie rolled her eyes.

“Anya doesn’t like Eirick that’s for sure. That girl is head over heels in love with Eirick’s brother Dranz.” Trixia said, and Rafi stared at her.

“What? How do you know that?” She asked.

“I listen to school gossip my friend. I also heard that Anya was upset a few days ago because Dranz proclaimed his feelings for some other girl.” Trixia said.

  Rafi remembered that Eirick told her about that in the library. She stiffened when she remembered what transpired in the library. Eirick kissed her lips and confessed his feelings foe her for the first time.

  She can still remember the soft and sweet taste of his lips on hers. She wanted to feel it once again but she’s scared.

“What are you going to reply to his texts?” Trixie asked.

  Eirick sent Rafi a couple of texts asking her to watch their championship game tomorrow. He also said that he reserved a seat for her, and asked her to wear his jersey. But she just ignored them.

“I did not reply.” Rafi said.

“What? Why?”

“I don’t know what to say to him. Besides, I don’t know if I’ll go anyway.”Rafi said.

“What?! No! We’ll go and watch! It’s our school they’re going to represent! We need to support our school.” Trixia paused, and sat beside Rafi again.

“You don’t need to wear his jersey or sit on his reserved seat. Just watch.” She added.

  Rafi thought for a second before she smiled and nodded.

“Yes!” Trixia exclaimed and stood up again.

“You know what, why we don’t take a stroll in the busy streets of New York City, Central Park or anywhere. Just like what we always do. You’re going to miss it.” Trixie suggested.

  Rafi smiled.

“Sure.”

****************

  Meanwhile at the Empire Diner, Eirick was with his football team mates and the cheerleaders. They just came from some last minute practice for their championship game tomorrow.

  Everyone else was having fun, but Eirick was focused on his phone. He’s waiting for Rafi to reply to every message he sent. He wanted to ask her to watch him play tomorrow. He even reserved a seat for her, just behind the team’s bench. Heck, he even wanted her to wear his jersey.

“Hey, are you just going to stare at your phone?”

  Eirick was pulled from his thoughts when Kirby nudged him.

“What?”

  The rest of his team mates were snickering around.

“We were planning to have a party at my house after the game. You’re coming right?” His other team mate, Devin asked.

“I-I don’t think-“

  Eirick was cut off when Celene moved next to him, and her hands went to his chest, and neck.

“Come on Eirick, you always come to this parties. Besides, I’ll be there and we can-“

  Eirick cut her off when he pulled away from her.

“Uhm Celene, can we talk?” Eirick asked.

  Celene smirked as her friends grinned.

“Yes?”

“Alone, if you don’t mind.” Eirick said.

  Celene bit her lip seductively. Different scenarios flashed in her mind when she and Eirick are alone. One of them is making out inside the Diner’s comfort room.

“You can just tell her here. You might end up making out or something.” Another one of Eirick’s team mate teased, and they chuckled.

  Celene on the other hand glared at them.

  Eirick sighed, and turned to Celene but maintaining a safe distance.

“Look Celene, you are a nice a person but I would like to ask you to maintain a decent distance from me. It’s not really appropriate that you would be draping yourself around me.” Eirick said.

  Celene gaped at him, while the other guys snickered.

“I think what Eirick is trying to say is that refrain from PDA stuff. You can do that in private.” Another one of Eirick’s team mate said.

  Eirick turned to his team mates.

“Celene and I are not dating, and I am not taking advantage of her. So a decent distance between us is just necessary.” Eirick told them, which made them a bit confused.

“You two are not dating? But we thought you were since you’re together most of the time and that’s what Celene said.” Devin said.

  Eirick furrowed his eyebrows and turned to Celene.

“It doesn’t matter anyway. Just maintain a safe distance.” Eirick said.

  Celene on the other hand was fuming. This cannot happen. She cannot lose the chance with Eirick.

“A-Are you seeing someone else?” Celene asked.

To some, she might look like a girl that her crush dumped, but she’s actually a desperate b***h at the moment.

“Are you?” Kirby asked too, as everyone else on the table was waiting for his answer.

  Eirick sighed.

“Yes, I am. And I don’t want to upset her with some annoying gossips.” Eirik said, glaring at Celene.

  Then he stood up and left the Diner, with Kirby following him. Everyone was left surprised but Celene was fuming. She knows who’s responsible for Eirick’s sudden change.

**********************

  When Trixia and Rafi got tired of walking around, they decided to have a snack. And since Rafi will be leaving soon, Trixia coaxed her to treating her for a snack.

  They were walking towards a Diner when they saw their school’s football team and cheerleaders, coming out of the Diner. Rafi held her breath thinking Eirick was with them, but he wasn’t.

  Celene was still upset with Eirick told her, but her fury ignited when she saw the reason this happened. The girl that thinks she’s good enough for her man. So she formulated a plan in her head to get rid of the girl. And together with her friends, she approached her.

  Celene looked at Rafi from head to foot, before scoffing.

“You’re Rafaela Mendez right?” Celene started.

  Rafi confused as to why Celene would talk to her, just nodded at the question.

“I want to talk to you regarding Eirick.” Celene said, and instantly Rafi stiffened.

“I know Eirick is getting close to you.” Celene started.

“That’s because I am his tutor.” Rafi said, and Celene scoffed.

“I didn’t know our class top student is that dumb.” Celene said and her friends snickered.

  Rafi and Trixie glared at Celene.

“What do you want?” Trixie asked.

  Celene ignored Trixie.

“Look, whatever I will tell you now are just because I am a woman as well and I know the feeling.” Celene said.

“What do you mean?” Rafi asked.

“Eirick is just being close to you because of a bet.”

  Celene’s words are like ice cold water poured on top of Rafi’s head.

  A bet?

“What the hell are you talking about?” Trixia asked Celene.

“It’s true. He made a bet with the other guys in the football team. He did that to me.” Celene paused, faking a sniffle.

“They made a bet on me that he had to get me to bed, and he won. Now the boys made the same bet on you. And base on their conversation earlier during practice, he will win once again.” Celene explained.

  Each word is like a knife stabbing Rafi’s heart.

“If I were you, stay away from him. It’s still early; you can still save yourself from the terrible mistake.” Celene said.

“Why should we believe you? For all we know you’re just making it up. You’re the one following Eirick like a lost puppy.” Trixie hissed.

  Celene glared at Trixie.

“I liked Eirick I admit that. But after what he did, I want to stay away from him. But he has something that can destroy my reputation. So I have no choice but to follow his every word.” Celene said, and then she looked back at Rafi.

“It’s up to you if you want to suffer after all.” Celene said, and then she turned around and went to where her car was parked, followed by her friends.

    Rafi was left there staring at nothing, tears falling down her eyes. She was hurt; her heart was smashed to pieces.

“Hey, don’t listen to her. She might be lying.” Trixie cooed her crying friend.

“I was right. I was right not to trust him.” Rafi said, and then she turned around and ran away.

  Trixie tried to call her back but Rafi just ignored her and kept running away.