Checkmated by the Queen (Athlete Series # 4)

Chapter Eight

DISCLAIMER: THE SONGS THAT WAS USED IN THIS CHAPTER ARE NOT MINE. CREDITS RIGHTFULLY TO THE OWNERS. NO INTENDED COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.

Songs:
Afterglow by Taylor Swift
Ganito na pala ang pag-ibig by Marika Sasaki
Statue by Lil Eddie

Chapter Eight

Dedicated to

I'm surprised. Siya pala ang bokalista ng banda? Napag-alaman ko na gumagawa pa sila ng sariling album at iyon ang pinagt-trabahuan nila ngayon. Kilala pala sila dahil sila iyong banda na mahilig magcover ng mga kanta.

"Shocked?" Avery asked then smirked at me.

"Whatever," I said and rolled my eyes. Dahil nga hindi ko gaanong kilala itong banda na ito, I just  put my whole attention at them. Not minding the huge amount of people watching them. Iyon naman ang purpose kung bakit ako sumama, gusto kong malaman kung may ibubuga itong Atlas. Well, I'm not bragging or whatever, I just want to know if they're really good since marami ang sumusuporta sa kanila.

"Woah! We're so excited to sing for all of you. Since malapit na ang tournament, good luck, athletes!" sigaw ni Oliver.

"Yes! Oliver ang pogi mo!"

"William!"

"Hashiiiim!"

"Hoy! 'Wag si Hashim, may girlfriend na iyan," biglang sigaw ni Avery kaya naman sa kaniya natuon ang atensyon ng madla.

"Huh? Single raw si Hashim. Sino namang girlfriend niya?" tanong ng isa sa may harapan.

"Ako," sagot ni Avery at kumindat pa kay Hashim. My jaw dropped, I don't know if this is how she wants to get him. Ang harot-harot. I looked at Hayden na hindi man lang nakangiti o ano. Nang makita niyang tumingin ako ay ngumiti ito sa akin nang hilaw.

"Ri, dito muna kayo. Bibili lang ako ng tubig, baka matagalan akong makabalik dito kasi ang daming tao," paalam ni Savina sa akin.

"Sure, magpasama ka na lang kay Sam—"

"Huwag na! K-Kaya ko namang mag-isa, magpapasabay ba kayo ng tubig?" agap niya at tinanong pa ang iba.

"Hindi na," Bailey answered and Savina just nodded.

"Sige, bibili muna ako," aniya at tuluyang sinunggaban ang mga tao para kang makaraan. Hindi naman kami nagmumukhang sardinas sa rami, well, nasa harapan kami kasi VIP. Avery paid for it at pinareserve niya na itong pwesto namin kaya hindi kami nakikipagsiksikan sa iba. That's better than joining the crowd na naggigitgitan na.

I was looking at the band in front when our eyes met. A ghost smile crept in his face, I furrowed my forehead and Sage chuckled. Mayamaya pa ay pumunta ito sa pinakaunahan at nagsalita.

"Before we sing, I would like to invite someone to sing for us. She's great at singing, will you sing for all of us, Andriette?" I stilled. He went to me and assisted me to go in front.

"Ayoko—"

"You got this, Ri!" Avery said.

"Yes, sige na kaya mo 'yan," dagdag pa nina Bailey at Hayden. Sam just nodded at me and smiled. The whole crowd is cheering for me, I don't know why. Pasimple kong kinurot si Sage sa kamay habang naglalakad kami papunta sa harapan.

"Uhm... good evening," kinakabahang bati ko sa lahat.

"Are you ready for her performance?" and the crowd said yes.

"Well, the stage is yours, Ri," dumilim ang paligid at ang tanging may ilaw lang ay ako. Nasa akin ang spotlight, nahihiya at kinakabahan ako for unknown reason. It's not my first time to do this kaya nagtataka ako kung bakit ako kinakabahan. I saw Sage at my peripheral vision, he's watching me intently. Nakaupong de-kwatro at prenteng nakasandal sa upuan.