A/N: Here's the Carla vs. Ari scene. Hope you guys enjoy it!
Prompt: Carla takes a vacation to get Samuel back, but Ari makes a claim on Samuel.
[Set a few weeks after the New Year party.]
Samuel
Going back to school without Guzman and Ander felt more different than when the school year started without Lu, Nadia and Carla. If anything I'd say it's weird and wrong to be this way. But they have been sending postcards to each of us whenever they can which we all appreciate. Rebeka is still walking on eggshells around Mencia because of the secret that we are keeping.
But I took my mind off of somethings because of the debate team. Surprisingly, after finally confirming that me and Guzman had nothing to do with the attack on Ari, Benjamin let me continue in the team. It was one of the ways that I can apply for a scholarship in college and I'm not complaining. This time, I'm focusing on myself and nothing else.
What I realized before New Year is that, I never really had romantic feelings for Ari. It was just physical and infatuation. What's real and is still relevant is my feelings for Carla. It just never went away. Of all the time that I spent, some part of me always held back for her. Even when it came down to Ari making a decision between me and Guzman. I took my time and thought, yeah I really don't need to be involved in this anymore. I'll work hard and focus on myself. Hopefully at the right time, I can get Carla back. With luck, I'll get a scholarship to go to London and follow her there. But the decision on whether we get back together when I do get there, still lies with her. If she still wants to be with me.
Right now, I'm here on a meeting for the debate team then we get research and practice later on. On breaks, Benjamin gives me books to study not just about the topics and tips on debate. But books about investments and stocks. He made it clear that he wants to teach me to get ahead in life and not just rely on my part time jobs as a waiter and such. With investments, I have money flowing all the while not compromising my studies.
It still feels weird that Guzman and I can't physically hang out after this. But then again, most of my days I spend my time working after class. Not anymore. That's why I feel like there's something missing because I have a lot more free time than I'm used to having. I don't go out that much now and just spend my time reading up on the debate topics or studying all the books Benjamin gives me about investments. I'm thankful for him for teaching me this. Although it's kind of ironic because I declined Carla's help in my financial situation. It took me weeks after she left to realize what a dumbass move it was to react that way with her offer. At the time I just didn't want money to be something that comes up whenever we fight but then it came down to my pride and insecurity. I felt so bad that I have to be that disrespectful towards her when all she wanted to do was help me be the best version I can be.
After the meeting I had a little session of the side study with Benjamin before going home. Usually we do this lessons at his office at home but I'm trying to avoid unnecessary interactions with Ari. She openly told me that now, Guzman and her are really over, she wanted to try to make it work with me. She has made it known countless of times and more often she would come over to try and talk. Tonight is one of those nights.
Ari: Samuel, What is holding you back? I'm here trying to win you back. But we can't make this work if you don't at least try.
Samuel: There's nothing to work on Ari. I've told you multiple times, I don't want to pursue you any further. The only relationship I want us to have is to be friends. If you don't want that then I can't be anything else other than your team mate in the debate team.
