When Everything Fails (De Chavez #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

THE SUN was gleaming atop our heads. The soft cradle of the wind made me shiver as I stared blankly at the people talking meters away from me. Kei and Sue. My jaw ticked at their animated conversation and I couldn't help the sense of jealousy prickling at the bottom of my stomach. Kei was momentarily snatching glances at me while he was talking to Sue— probably about the techniques they would do to win this game. A monster of competitiveness clawed up to my throat as I clenched my fists.

"Hey, are you okay?" Trevor asked beside me.

I snapped out of the trance when I heard his voice. Instead of petting the jealousy, I opted to look at the man next to me. Trevor was a good-looking 10th-grade student with flying colors. His perfectly messy brown hair and his coffee-brown eyes were making him more distinct. He looked like a dangerous man— a chic magnet if I'd be blunt. Kaya siguro hindi ko siya hinayaang manligaw noon kasi aside from being afraid of being in love, I was more into my goal of surpassing Kei than wallowing in the comfort of a relationship.

Glancing at Trevor, I smiled and nodded. A smile crept across his face. Honestly, his smile can make the world light up. He started talking about our strategies and I perversely listened to him. When my restraint snapped, I glimpsed at Kei and I saw him looking at us with a scowl stretched on his face. I smiled at him but the tic of his jaw made me realize he wasn't happy with the setup. Neither was I, Kei. But of course, my pride took over the rein in my body as I cocked my brow, almost reaching my hairline.

Kei shook his head before he spoke to Sue. Kumunot ang noo ko nang iniwan na niya ang aking kaibigan na mag-isa at naglakad palapit sa akin. My heart hammered my chest I almost feel the crack of my ribcage. I sucked in a breath before looking at Trevor. It was rude to look at someone while he was talking to me. But I couldn't help the smile curving the side of my lips.

"You two look serious," Kei coldly said behind me. I felt his hand perched between my shoulder and neck. Chills crawled down my spine.

Trevor's forehead has lined a crease, "Yes." He glimpsed at Sue, "Are you supposed to be with your partner?"

Naglakad si Kei palapit sa akin at ngayon ay nasa tabi ko na siya. His arms were now around my shoulder. His thumb that rested on my shoulder started to draw lazy circles. I glimpsed at Kei and I saw the cold gaze he was casting at Trevor.

"We are done talking," Kei dipped his head to whisper by my ear, "Don't make me jealous. I might stop this silly game."

"Kei!" I glowered at him. Kahit naman gusto ko nalang na pahintuhin itong laro na 'to ay hindi pa rin p'wede. We needed to play professionally despite the partner assigned to us.

He smirked before kissing my cheek. He looked at Trevor with a gleaming smug in his eyes, "Stop fussing, Lopez, I just want to say something to my girl."

My girl. His girl.

I looked at Kei with wide eyes. He just smiled at me and tousled my hair before pivoting on his heels and a beeline toward Sue. I felt another series of jealous unfurling at the bottom of my stomach. The way I watched his back walk away, I felt the prominent sadness percolated. However, when he was about to reach where his partner was situated, Kei stopped and craned his neck to look at me.

•••

The game consisted of three obstacles in which each pair should pass through. The first obstacle was the sack race— a large sack solely made for this game. The second obstacle was a piggyback ride wherein your partner should carry you until the endpoint with a little twist on your way. The third was named the 'You are safe with me' game— this was where the pair will climb up the lather (with a safety harness and helmet) and need to hold hands while walking in a thin rope that was 15 meters long.