WINNING HIS HEART AGAIN

Chapter 9: A Tangled Web of Emotions

Avery POV.

The classroom buzzed with the usual chatter, but my attention was fixated on the back of the room. Dara, the new girl, sat there, her presence radiating a quiet elegance that seemed to eclipse even the most vibrant personalities.

"Looks like you've got a rival now," Sofia whispered, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Just shut up, Sofia," I muttered, keeping my voice low. Ms. Salve was lecturing, and I didn't want to risk getting called out.

A wave of annoyance washed over me. It wasn't Dara's beauty that bothered me, not really. I've never cared much for the spotlight, and if she wanted it, she could have it. My frustration stemmed from the fact that she was Ashkent's girlfriend.

"Girl, if looks could kill, you'd have already taken her out," a voice chimed in, pulling me back to reality.

I realized I was staring intensely at Dara, and quickly averted my gaze back to the front of the classroom.

"Who is she? I know she's a transferee, but the way you look at her… I think you hold some grudge against her," Sofia whispered again, her voice laced with curiosity. I just gave her a warning look.

I needed to get a grip. What was happening to me? Why was the thought of Dara and Ash together making me feel so heated?

It didn't make sense. Dara was Ashkent's first girlfriend. We'd had an unspoken agreement, a pact to focus on our studies and avoid relationships until graduation. So why was he breaking it now?

I sighed heavily, the weight of my confusion pressing down on me.

 

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A month had passed, and the school was abuzz with activity. Extracurricular events filled our calendars, leaving little time for anything else. But no matter how busy I was, I couldn't escape the feeling of annoyance that surged whenever I saw Dara and Ash together. At first, I thought I was hallucinating. It was as if my eyes were betraying me.

Why did I have to witness their physical intimacy? Every day, I tried to act cool, nonchalant, as if I didn't care. But I did. I was frustrated. I even faked conversations with Dara and Ash, pretending everything was normal. It was suffocating.

I was currently setting up the booth for the upcoming camp when my thoughts drifted back to the storage room, where I'd just seen them kissing.

"Ouch!" I cried out, my hand stinging from a needle prick.

"Shit! Why are you being so clumsy?" Darren rushed to my side, his face etched with worry.

"I'm fine," I said, pulling my hand away. I felt suffocated by even the slightest touch.

He sighed. "Next time, be careful, will you?" he said, his voice laced with a scolding tone.

I rolled my eyes and continued my work.

"Hey, you love birds! Stop arguing and move faster, it's almost dawn!" Sofia shouted, her voice laced with frustration as she worked on the banner with the other members.

I rolled my eyes again. We weren't love birds, but everyone in the student union knew that Darren was courting me.

I sighed. I didn't want this. I had a hard time turning Darren down, rejecting him just like I had rejected Ash two years ago. It was so hard to break someone's heart, especially in public. People thought I was heartless, that I didn't feel anything. But they were wrong. I cared. I didn't want to hurt anyone, but I couldn't give them false hope. I wasn't a player. And besides, I had my own mental health issues to deal with. Relationships were the last thing on my mind.

My frustration deepened. Ashkent was becoming a local celebrity after saving Darren's team at the last basketball tournament. People were pushing him to play professionally, but he kept declining. He said he was busy. Busy my foot! I knew he was busy with his girlfriend.

But who was I to act like this? I was just his friend. I shouldn't be acting like this, right?

I sighed heavily.

"Guys, I'm going to the comfort room," I announced, needing some time to clear my head.

I walked to the bathroom, washed my face, and stared into the mirror.

"Wake up, Avery!" I said, slapping my cheeks lightly to try and regain my senses.

This wasn't me. I shouldn't be jealous over trivial things. Ashkent was just my best friend, nothing more, nothing less.

"Heyy..." A voice startled me. It was Dara.

"Are you okay? You look pale," she said, her voice laced with concern. I looked at her, and I couldn't deny it: she was a good woman. She was genuine, not fake or a bitch. But why did I despise her so much? Shouldn't I be happy for her and Ash? After all, he had finally moved on from my rejection. She was there to catch him after I let him go. I should be thankful, but why was it so hard?

"Heyy..." she repeated, her concern evident. Before I could protest, her hand reached out and touched my forehead, checking my temperature.

"Shit! Avery, you're burning! You have a fever!" she exclaimed, her concern palpable.

"I'm fine. I can handle it," I said nonchalantly, wiping my face with a tissue.

"No. Ashkent will kill me if he knows I just left you here. Papatayin ako nun," she said, her voice exaggerated, but her concern was real.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just his best friend, silly. And I'm not a kid. I can take care of myself, Sandara," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

I heard her sigh heavily. "You're always so stubborn, just like he always says," she said, her words a bit unexpected.

My eyebrows furrowed. Why did she always mention Ashkent talking about me? Was she not offended? I was just his friend, she was his girlfriend.

"Does he always mention me to you?" I asked, trying to confirm my suspicions.

She rolled her eyes for the first time. What the hell was that?

"He always does. He cares a lot about you, Avery. Minsan nga, we even argue. But he always tells me you're just like a little sister to him. Pero paraho naman nating alam that it's more than that, diba?" she said, and I could see a mix of envy and sadness in her eyes. Why?

I shook my head in disapproval. "I don't know. All I know is that since day one, he's been my childhood best friend, and there's nothing more to it," I said bluntly. But deep down, I knew there was something more, something I didn't want to admit.

I saw a smirk flash across her lips. When I met her gaze again, all I saw was sadness. Her eyes held the same look Ash gave me when I rejected him. She was clearly faking a smile.

"You should take some medicine and rest. Anyway, I'm leaving first," she said, gesturing towards the door. Before I knew it, I was alone in the bathroom again.

What was that? I didn't understand what she was trying to convey. Maybe I was just overthinking things. Nevermind.

I sighed heavily and started to retouch my makeup.

I needed to figure this out.
I couldn't keep ignoring my feelings. But how could I? I was just Ashkent's best friend.

Nothing more, nothing less.