5
1073 Words
"Yes!" I heard Brian shout in the hallway so I looked at him and saw that his friend Kiel was with him again.
"Hey Bri." That's all I said when he got close to my place.
Now the three of us will walk together.
"Are you hurt? Are you all right?" This is a question for me.
"Ah, yes. It's dry. Thank you, I guess I forgot to thank you."
"Yes, hays. You didn't thank me. It's bad after I lifted you-" Brian didn't finish what he was going to say because I suddenly covered his mouth.
He didn't need to be reminded that he picked me up! Its embarassing!
And one more thing, maybe what will his friend think!
I removed my hand from his mouth so he laughed out loud after what I did to him.
"Why did you slap my mouth, Iya? You're terrible!" He was still laughing at me.
"A-Ah haha you're making so much noise. That's fine, don't remind me. Besides, thank you again. Go ahead, I'll say bye first!"
After that, I ran into the room where we were assigned.
I feel like my face is red from embarrassment! "Oh? What happened to you? You're out of breath?" Mira asked when I sat next to her so I just shook my head at her.
"Nothing. I just thought I was going to faint."
On the last day of the review, we were all summoned to be told that the school bus would be used so that we could go to the competition at the same time.
The night before the actual competition day, three of my friends texted me to wish me good luck. Even if they want to watch, they really can't.
I still haven't told my three cousins so I'm expecting their shocked reaction when they see me. I wasn't wrong because when they heard my name called, they just gaped and looked at me in shock.
Ygrette looked at me immediately. Justin just shook his head and Andrel... Is he looking at me or Mira next to me?
I looked at Mira who was next to me now and she also had a bad look at Andrel. Yes, and their last meeting was not good.
"I thought the audience wasn't allowed, why is your boyfriend here?" Mira asked me angrily.
"First of all Mira, Andrel is not my boyfriend. He is my cousin." Mira just gave me a hard time and it seemed like there was no point in saying that Andrel is my cousin so I was surprised by her reaction.
Mira probably knows the Monteclaros, right?
"A-And secondly,
He's here because it's probably obvious that he's one of our opponents."
"Get your brain ready, Iya. We'll beat that Andrel. I'll make up for him disturbing my sleep." He just said what he said and focused on the speaker explaining the rules.
We will be the first to enter the war and ABM will be next. Then HUMMS and GAS.
The points of other schools are close but Andrel's school has the same points as us. SFU and SFA are currently leading followed by UWB and SBU.
When our competition ended, SFA's score was still the same as ours.
"Tangina! Why don't you tell?" Ygrette greeted me when I got off the stage. I saw the two approaching our place.
"Ah, hehe. Surprise?"
"You've got a competitive teammate out there Iya, right Drel?" Justin asked Andrel with a smile.
"Shut up." That's all it said.
"What a reunion bro!" Justin continues to tease Andrel and he laughs. It only made Justin suffer so his laughter got louder. I was surprised when someone suddenly walked up to me. My three cousins were also probably surprised. But Justin grinned at me, which I immediately made difficult. I immediately knew what was on his mind.
"Congratulations, Iya! And, hello to the Monteclaros, right?" I just sighed at what Brian did.
"Yeah, and you are?" Ygrette's eyebrows were now raised and Brian was clearly tickled.
"Brian. His schoolmate and friend." Wow, friend? Are we friends?
Ygrette chuckled. "Really?"
"I am her friend. Right, Iya?" So I just nodded to end the conversation in case it wasn't already. "Is Iya also your friend?" Brian asked my cousins who immediately looked at me as if asking for permission.
"Bry." As soon as I heard his voice, I immediately knew it was Kiel.
"Oh, sorry. I'm going first. Nice to meet you three! Bye Iya! See you later!" It even waved at me.
"I-I'm sorry. Aside from my three friends, no one knows." I said sadly as I bowed.
Even if I want to say it, I can't. Maybe I was really carried away by what happened then. Then there's Brian. I remembered his reaction on Joan's birthday.
"Hey, it's okay. We could've just told them that we're... f-friends." I looked up and saw that he was avoiding me.
Of course, that's a lie. I already know Ygrette. I know he wants to say I'm his cousin and I'm a Monteclaro like them but he can't.
"Take your time, Iya." Justin said and patted my shoulder. Andrel just nodded at me. They also said goodbye afterwards because maybe someone else would see us and gossip about something else.
Whenever we're on public, I notice that they are moving away from me. It was unlike before that they would approach me. Now, they are the ones who voluntarily move away and avoid especially when they get attention.
They know I hate attention that's why they did that. Just like what happened with Intrams. It needs to be in a hidden place or else there won't be many people we should meet.
It seems like the four of us are not allowed to be together when we are in a public place. Its like, it's forbidden to see us being together even though I'm part of them.
I don't mean to hurt them. They are more than a friend to me. They are my family. I know they are hurting somehow because I can't even call them my cousins. I could tell everyone but at the same time, I can't.
I can't yet. Maybe not now. Not now.
I sadly sat next to Mira at the end. It was no longer surprised when I passed it. Like him, I also want to be alone.
- Writer
