Chasing over the Belief (Secondary Series #1)

04

Chapter 4

Photo

"Hey Felix! What do you think of this?"

I saw James taking a seat on my chair showing a paper to Felix.

"Did you find the book?" Char asks as soon as I take James' seat next to her.

I shook my head before roaming my eyes throughout the whole room. Nicole is currently excused for the whole month because she was chosen to take part in the school's dance group while Emma is busy practicing for the upcoming essay competition and Noah is to compete in taekwondo. They will participate in the annual competition where each school will send their own representatives to compete among numbers of students from each school. So that left me, Charlotte, and James alone.

"Girls! Wanna come?" James suddenly said that made me and Charlotte look behind us.

"Come where?" Char asks.

"Dad got an invite for a photo exhibit in Makati tomorrow from his regular patient but he can't come because he has an important operation on Saturday." James explained before raising the paper he showed to Felix earlier. "So he told me to go instead of him since I'm interested in photography."

"Isn't that invitation valid for one person only?" I ask him as he nods.

Char smack his head because of his response. "i***t! You're inviting us when the invitation is only for one person."

"Ms. Charlotte Isabelle, let me handle it. You'll be able to enter that exhibit, trust me." he said confidently.

Char and I eyed each other because of James' action. I wonder what this guy will do again to get us an invite.

"Since Nicole, Emma, and Noah are busy with their own competitions, I'll bring Felix with us too." he continued.

I look at Felix asking through his eyes whether its true or not but he just shrugged. It's been two months since Felix transferred to our school and since last month he has gotten closer with James because of their similar interest in photography. The girl's judgement of him being a flirty one too like James did not change though.

"I still can't believe you two are close now. Like you were saying things about Felix when he just transferred here." Char complained as James immediately glared at her.

Felix raises his eyebrow while looking at James before looking at Charlotte and back to James.

"He's a damn backstabber Felix, don't be fooled by him." Char said teasing James that only made Felix chuckle.

"No worries, I know you guys have been saying things about me anyway." Felix stated before looking at me. "Especially if it's regarding Felicity."

I look back at him before he looks away and stood up. "I'll just get something in my locker."

"I'll come!" James exclaimed before draping his arm over Felix's shoulder.

For the past two months, Felix has been a big flirt almost to everyone that's why his actions towards me were not a very big deal. Emma says that I should be careful over Felix because he might make me as one of his what she calls 'toy'. Girl's are crazy about him just like they are to James and Noah which causes the increase of envy over me and the girls since Felix is hanging out with the three of us since the other three were excused to train.

He's been quite persistent also over me by messaging continuously and pestering me all the time whenever he wants to. It's like it's already his habit to pester me every single day, and that includes the weekends.

"Have you eaten already?" I asked Noah as soon as we arrived in their training room where the taekwondo players to compete for the school competition are.

He shook his head before wiping the sweat in his forehead and drinking his water. "We still have an hour before we can eat."

Noah and James are both taekwondo players in our school but Noah is the only one who chooses to participate in this year's school by school competition because James was sick for a week already when their coaches are choosing the ones to compete.

"Don't skip your meals too much, you might get sick." I said as he only gave me a smile.

"Feli's right bro! You need to look good when you visit the other schools." James said draping his arm over Noah's shoulder before realizing his sweaty taekwondo uniform.

"Stop talking to me. I told you to talk to the coach again so we'll compete together but your lazy ass just chose to stay still." Noah complained.

When James attended our class again after being absent for a week, he went to their coach but instead of insisting to put him in the list of the competitors, he told their coach that he'll just compete next year.

"Dumb ass, stop being such a sporty addict. We still have a year left in high school, I'll compete next year. I'll let you enjoy your spotlight for this year." James said.

"Stupid! Noah is much better in taekwondo than you Isaac." Char said as me and Noah laughed while James glared at Char.

"Oh come on Char, we all know Aiden and I are just at the same level in terms of our taekwondo skills." James tried to brag which only made Char roll her eyes on him.

"What you're good at is flirting dumb ass. Stop bragging, it doesn't suit you." Char exclaimed which left James mouth hanging.

I don't know why but James always finds himself in an argument with either Char or Emma. Is it because those two have been friends for a long time that they have this connection which pushes them to constantly argue with James even though one of them is not around?

"Anyway, you're no different. Em is much better in writing essays than you!" James tried to tease Char.

"Well I don't disagree with that. She's really better than me anyway." Char replied that made James look at her in disbelief.

"Will the two of you stop already?" I said in between laughter

Noah returned to his training after that because their coach already called him while James received a mouthful of sermon from their head coach for not participating this year.

"You still haven't given me your answer." Felix suddenly said leaning over the lockers while I'm fixing my things inside my locker.

"What answer?" I simply ask, not looking at him.

"I asked you if I can court you right?" he states as I glances at him before roaming my eyes around the area to see the students looking at us whether they are just passing by or standing in their own places.

I sigh and remember his words in the library before. "I already said no didn't I?"

He smirk and I can feel his stares over me while I'm arranging my books. "I don't take no as an answer."

"Then don't expect any other answer." I said before taking my Math and Science book then closed my locker.

I thought I could run away from him already but he stood beside me, walking at the same pace as me.

"Don't you have anything to do instead of pestering me Felix Charlie?" I ask me as he looks at me amused.

"Hearing my first name from the beautiful mouth of yours is so satisfying." he said as I shook my head and sigh.

"Well, you won't hear it again." I only said.

"We're not really sure about that..." he answered. "But as for your question, my answer will still remain the same as what I said before."

He held my arm to stop me from walking before coming closer to me, leaving a small distance between the two of us. "I don't have anything to do except bugging you. You're an interesting person."

"Well... I'm not interested in being your entertainment Felix so step back." I said looking through his eyes.

He did not budge except his forehead creased with a forming smile on his lips. I removed his hand from my arm and pushed him enough to give me space so I can return to our room already.

"I really think there's something between the two of them." I heard one of the girl's in the corridor say.

"But wasn't Felix spotted with a senior just yesterday? Some say they were in a coffee shop dating." the other girl says.

Felix has been a great interest of every single girl on the campus. It's like their main targets are Noah, James and Felix, since even the seniors are after those three. Noah does not entirely entertain them though because he's always busy with random things or maybe it's just an excuse. James do entertain them but only inside the campus. Felix is on the next level, just like what the girl said earlier, he flirts with the girls and takes them out to eat or what. And those three are surrounding me, Nicole, Charlotte, and Emma. That's why the girls' eyes are full of envy everytime the four of us are with James and Noah and everytime Felix is with me.

"Hey! I heard what Felix did in the hallway." Nicole said when she came in the room for a visit.

I hardly see her because of their training and our weekly hang out is not possible right now also because the three are always out for training until 6pm.

"It's nothing. He's just being stubborn." I said as she shook her head.

"I don't think so." she stated. "What really is going on between the two of you?"

"Nothing. He's just bored and I'm his seat-mate so it's only normal that he will keep pestering me." I explained.

She raises her eyebrow while looking at me. "I didn't know that he's also bored when he's at home. He's also pestering you through messenger right? Like every single day."

I don't know how to answer because Nicole is right. Felix is still sending messages to me like a daily routine.

"How's your training?" I asked as her eyes turned small while eyeing me.

"Avoiding the topic huh?" she exclaimed as I only glance at her. "It's great. We only have two weeks left before the the competition."

Among the six of us, it is Nicole who is so into dancing. She's so good at it that we even accompany her sometimes in a dancing studio and watch her dance for an hour there. Emma and Charlotte are both interested in Literature specifically writing stories and essays. Noah is interested in drawing that he even had a drawing pad where there's a drawing of each of us. James is a flirt but he's very interested in photography especially taking a photo of the sky, it's his daily routine to take a photo of the sky before class and also after class. While me, I'm interested in craft and music. I do pottery and practice violin and piano as the instrument I'm interested at.

"We'll watch your performance, where is it again?"

Our talk continued until her break time finished so she returned to her training already and the day also ended with us simply just listening to our teacher and more.

"Ate, can I sleep here for tonight?" Christian said as soon as he walked in my room after knocking. I was seated on my study table facing the window that shows the bright stars.

"Of course. Did you take a shower already?" I ask as he nods before sitting on the couch.

I stared at him as he silently just looked in front of him. "You can open the television if you want to watch."

"But you're studying ate." he answered as I smiled before standing up and taking the remote control from the drawer then opened the television.

"It's okay, I'm almost finished with the equations already anyway." I said before handing him the remote.

Christian is currently in 5th grade and after what happened to him two months ago, I just feel like I need to handle him with care and give whatever he needs and want that is fine for him to have. He's a precious kid for me to think that he still wants to hang with me and sleep in my room even though he calls himself a big boy already.

A knock on the door was heard before the door opened slowly. "Felicity, have you se-"

Mom looks at Christian who is also looking at her. "Can I come in?"

I nod at mom before giving her a smile. She placed the milk for Christian on the center table before taking a seat next to him.

"Why are you at ate's room dear?" Mom asks him.

"I don't want to sleep in my room tonight mommy, I want to be with ate." Christian politely answered as I smiled.

"You're so clingy with your ate tonight ha?" Mom exclaimed acting like she's jealous as I sat on my bed looking at them.

My heart feels so warm with the sight of them. I wish that they’re always well because they are too precious for me.

"Ate seems so stressed with her academics so I want to cheer her up but she's still doing her Math homework so I can't bother her for now." my brother said as I chuckled.

"I'm not stressed, I just look like I am since our Math equation is too hard to solve right now." I said with a smile.

Mom gave the glass of milk to Christian as we watched him drink it. The opened once again to reveal dad in his suit.

"What a nice view I have." dad said. "How's my precious people?"

He went to give mom a hug and a kiss on the forehead. "How's my prince?"

"Doing great dad." Christian answered with a smile before dad pat his head.

He walked closer to me and gave me a hug before giving the top of my head a peck. "How's my princess?"

"Busy with academics... but doing great too, dad." I answered as he nodded before sitting next to me.

"By the way, mom and dad. James asks if I can come with him in this photo exhibit that tito is supposed to come to but he has an important operation so he made James to attend instead. Charlotte will be with us and a new classmate of us." I explained, asking permission.

"When is this? You have class right?" dad asks.

"It will be this Saturday dad, morning." I answered before he nodded.

“Since you haven’t had an after class hang out with your friends lately and you’ll be with James and Charlotte anyway, I’ll let you go this Saturday.” dad said as I smiled and hugged him for a bit before saying thank you.

Mom and dad stayed in my room for a few more minutes before they left so I could finish my homework while Christian watched a few more episodes of the anime he is watching before I told him that it's time to sleep because he can’t stay awake until late at night.

“Miss Felicity, sir James is already outside.” one of the maids said after she knocks on my door.

I took my shoulder bag and hung it on my shoulder before looking at my outfit. I wore a black top tucking it in a black and white striped fitted skirt that ended in my mid thigh partnering it with a black shoes while I let my mid length hair down. I walk downstairs before saying goodbye to my parents before coming out of my house to see James’ car.

“We need to pick Felix up in their house so we don’t need to use two cars.” James said before telling their driver where Felix’s house is located.

The car entered a village and stopped in a big house, but not as big as the six of our houses, with a black gate. Its a two-storey house with the exterior is in touch of colors brown, black, and beige. There’s a small parking lot that can fit two cars and a balcony upstairs.

Felix went out of the gate wearing a beige shirt that is tucked in navy black pants with a brown trucker jacket and a pair of black chelsea boots.

“Why does he look like a damn model?” Char suddenly spoke as I changed my attention to her from Felix.

He opened the car door to the back seat where me and Charlotte are seated because James is seated to the passenger seat. Since Charlotte is seated on the side of the left window, I was left to sit in the middle while Felix sat on my right side.

We rode for an hour due to the traffic before arriving at the venue of the exhibit.

“Are you really sure that we can enter?” I ask as soon as we hop off the car as he nods.

“Don’t worry! I got everything under control.” James said before giving me a wink as I only rolled my eyes on him.

We entered the building being greeted by the receptionist who asked us to sign our names. James wrote his name and the receptionist immediately recognized him, I think.

“A VIP guest.” I heard one of the receptionists say before saying that we don’t need to write our names already and letting us go inside.

“Now what did you do?” Char asks, giving James a suspicious look.

A girl around who looked older than us, by maybe a year or two, approached our spot as soon as we stepped foot inside the room full of pictures hanging on the wall.

“James! You really made it!” the girl said giving James a peck on each side of his cheeks while we only gave her a smile.

“Guys this is Hannah Diaz, an alumna of our school and is the daughter of the one who held this exhibit.” James explains as me and Char gave each other a knowing look.

Of course, James will take good use of his good looks and flirty mouth. As always.

“Please... I only graduated this year.” The girl shyly laughed before greeting us and dragging James with her which left the three of us alone.

Charlotte decides to roam around the exhibit alone while I’m stuck with Felix who is eyeing the photo clearly.

“You really like photography.” I said while looking at the wall where the photos are.

“Photos are one of the ways to treasure a moment we want to remember forever. Imagine 10 years later you’ll look at a single photo and be suddenly reminded of the moments that you temporarily forgot, all that because of a single photo.” he explains, still focusing his eyes to the photos in front of us.

“Look at this.” He pointed to a photo of a woman smiling. “She looks happy right?”

I nod with his question. “The question is, is she really happy?”

I look at him confused as he glances at me. “What’s interesting about photos is that it hides the real emotions of the subject. Their smiles can mean something else and their fierce look can also mean something. It's like hiding the real you in front of the camera.”

He looks serious while talking about photography which makes me wonder about things.

“With this kind of interest, will you take a photography related course in college?” I ask him before he looks at me and smirks.

“Interested about me now yeah?” he only said before leaving me there but I caught up with him because I don’t want to be alone in the area.

We spent an hour in the exhibit before we decided to go to Greenbelt and stayed there until 4pm to eat and play in the arcade before going to Ayala Triangle Garden to walk around.

“Feli! Stand there!” Char said as she took out her phone to take a picture of me.

We continued walking while taking pictures of one another until we got tired and decided to take a seat for a while.

“It's a pity Nicole, Emma, and Noah are not here with us.” I said while roaming my eyes around the park.

“The six of you really spend time together most of the time huh?” Felix said while sitting beside me.

I nod before standing up and walking to the tree close to us because there are birds in there while Felix followed me since Charlotte and James went to buy our drinks.

“We’ve been friends for one to two years now and since then we’ve been doing everything all together already.” I said as he nodded.

“It's nice in here.” I said while closing my eyes and feeling the air of the place. When I opened my eyes, I saw Felix staring at me with a serious face.

"It is. It also has a very... very nice view."