I Think This is Love

11: Friends

GABBY

"Kuya Stephen! Yoohoo!" Kaye shouts as soon as we enter the gym. All the heads turn, and I shrink behind her in embarrassment. Seriously. Why the fuss about us getting here?

We navigate to the court sides where the teams are taking a breather, and I spot Kevin, sweat dripping, staring keenly at us.

Meeting us halfway, Kuya Stephen extends both arms and waves enthusiastically. "You came!"

"How's it going?" Janine asks.

"It's great. We're killing it," he replies, rubbing his hair with a white towel. He's soaked, too, but evidently exhilarated to be in his natural habitat.

I step out of Kaye's shadows and mutter, "Showing off again, huh?"

"Let's just say I've proven my worth," he mutters, grinning. "We have a few minutes left on the game. You guys should stay and watch."

My gaze wanders over to the other players, landing on Kevin again. He's still watching us, his expression a mix of surprise and something else I can't quite identify. He leaves the bench and begins to walk... coming straight for us.

"Kevin?" I utter, brows quirking up.

He glances between me and Kuya Stephen around three times, then he lets out a loud sigh. My brother and I swap baffled looks at each other, and so do Kaye and Janine.

"What is it?" I ask.

Kuya swoops in, "You know each other?"

I weigh the situation. Kevin doesn't normally approach me like this in public, but it's not as if anyone here would be bothered. It's not like in the cafeteria or classroom, where he's more discreet.

"Stephen... I mean, Kuya..." Kevin stutters.

I chuckle, amused that he's lost for words. That's a first. Also, it occurs to me that I haven't really told him about my brother.

"Ah, yes. Kuya Stephen is my brother," I clarify, then I gesture to Kevin. "Kevin's our classmate."

"Oh, I see." Kuya tips his head in acknowledgement. "Well, Kevin, you don't need to call me 'Kuya.' I'd like this rivalry to remain the same."

"Rivalry?" I repeat, puzzled.

"I mean, I can already tell Kevin is the best player from the high school team," Kuya states. "And I enjoy beating him."

"Kuya!" I warn. Whereas I don't mind hearing about Kevin losing, it feels awkward to rub it in, especially since their personalities are kinda similar.

"I'm kidding!" he says, laughing. Kevin doesn't say a word, but the color is returning to his pallid face. Maybe he's just worn out.

"Why didn't you tell me you're friends with the high school team's MVP?" Then his mouth widens. "Is he your—"

"We are friends! Yes, that's what we are!" I interject, which comes out more as a shriek, catching the attention of the other players. God forbid Kuya Stephen calls Kevin my boyfriend in front of everyone. I would drop out of the school this instant and disappear from the face of the Earth if that happened.

Kevin, thankfully, doesn't contradict me. Whether because he thinks we are indeed friends or because he doesn't want to embarrass me—it doesn't matter. I've stopped my brother's mouth from spouting nonsense.

Besides, I'm more wary that Kaye will interrogate me about this again. Me and Kevin? Friends? Where did that come from? They're aware of my bias against him.

Kaye is eyeing me now, her gaze piercing like laser beams.

Kevin finally finds his voice. "Yeah, sorry. I didn't introduce myself properly," he says, straightening his back and standing tall. "I didn't know you were related."