Is your choice [English Ver.]

Chapter 5.2: Water Challenge [Rock]

As the last word was uttered by Matthias, I shrugged my fingers to opt for the idea of pulling stone. After a few seconds, I noticed that there was another person who had chosen the same option. I raised my eyes and I found that pair of brown eyes. It was Mark. I could not help but smile with levity, though I was a bit reluctant to go with him. Things were not as before. There was no such connection or good atmosphere. Still, I went back to keep an eye on the situation: Joey had taken paper like Bryan. Amanda, luckily, had taken scissors as Matthias. Therefore, we were separated in pairs, although I noticed that in front of me (which was where J-Fred), the mood seemed to wane.

The next thing they did was an explanation of what would be the game today. Apparently they had prepared five buckets full of icy water which would be poured over the group that received the impact of a foam arrows that others shoot. As if it were important, I began to stretch, which Joey also began to do."I'm not responsible if I kick your ass with my good aim." while commenting that, I laught. He ambreced me around my shoulders and, with one hand, began to muss my hair as a teaser gesture.

Sometimes it made me think that he treated me as if I were his little sister or something, despite having the same age. When this happened, I behaved as if I were angry, even if lying. My childish side came to light when this man was near me, unlike Mark, with him I was acting differently. Distant and even serious. J-Fred became someone closer to me and needed to spend my days. As I noticed the hands of J-Fred on my body, trying to make me laugh by tickling, I could feel a look of "jealousy" or something like that. It was ... Annoying or strange. Anyway, soon the challenge begins, I tried to put aside the thoughts that were in my mind and of course, separate my self from my blond companion. First we go in the direction of clockwise, once finished that shift, we'd go in the opposite direction until we finished the turn.

By turns, we began to throw our arrows until, one of the Matthias's arrows, crashed into one of our cubes. Having successful, he decided who threw water on whom. As I thought, he decided that Mark would be who receive the first bucket of water. The truth is that the opportunity to throw water on him gave me the option to "return" everything that happened with Serah and his way of ignoring me more than usual. With the strength that I had, I took the bucket with both hands and I threw it with some force. Anyone expected this so, everyone became surprised. "What the hell...?" With a little anger in my face, I left the emptied bucket behind me on the floor. I had felt rewarding and that helped me to feel more relaxed.

The game continued with no problems. Gradually, the cubes filled with water were pouring. While others chose to continue with their buckets, Mark just tried to find oout the reason for my attack. Obviously I showed strongly disagree to tell him that. It was up to him if he did not realize that what I wanted was that everything return to be like before, when we were two. "Serah ..." I ended up mumbling as I directed my gaze to Matthias and Amanda which had lost by the impact of Joey's arrow. He was not expected that I had said that. Especially taking into account the type of person that I am: I keep my things for me.

Although I wanted to continue the conversation, Joey's voice interrupted him. His voice sounded weirder than normal. Joey did not used to be so rude. I lifted my gaze to meet the other, my blond companion. "The team of Bryan and Joey is tied with Mark and Nani. Now everything will be decided." The shoot that left from the other team was Bryan so, I focused on cross my fingers and pray that that arrow failed, not give in our bucket. My eyes for a moment, turned away from the game and fall again in that "little giant". To my surprise, he was looking at me, which made me to stay frozen and absorbed by those blue icy eyes. I could see him hiding a bit behind Bryan, like hiding from the camera. At first I did not understand why but then, I saw him vocalizing something and then pointing me... My eyes widened in surprise.

I turned my face while I put one of my hands to my face. I really had read those lips properly? Everyone seemed to realize I was rare. "Are you okay? Looks like you've seen a ghost or something... "Mark was the one who took me from my surprise but I denied moving my hands. How could I say that I had read the words "I love you" from Joey's lips? Although I knew (or at least hoped) that that was a joke, my eyes could not depart from the floor. At least, until I heard a sound in front of me. I looked up and saw an annoying Bryan, pulling his bow to the ground. Meanwhile, J-Fred was not so annoying. He only laughed. I thought that maybe he had done that joke only to make me fail if Mark managed to not give into his shot.

I did not let Mark decided who throw water on who, I just leaned on his shoulder and I loudly commanded Bryan to throw the icy bucket on Joey, which he did without hesitation. That was my little punishment for him for saying such things. As the water ran out and listened to Matthias finishing the video, the members of «Team Edge» came to say goodbye as they always did. At that time, Mark had the great idea to approach me and give me a big hug. "I owe you an apology... For been so distant these days. I do not know if I've bothered with anything but... I feel that I owe you an apology. I'm sorry." I was speechless while I was trying to raise my eyes and see his brown eyes. The words would not come, I... I only was feeling much better now that I could feel him so close to me. After all have recorded this video was a good idea to break that barrier of discomfort that had been created by Serah.

As I could, I made my way through the embrace. Our faces were closer than usual. I wanted to say something. Tell him thast I really appreciate his way of being with me, apologizing if it's necessary. I wanted to say sorry and that I loved him. "Mark ..." Everything started well, my words were chosen, the time was right but ... Bryan's deep voice stopped me. "What's going on? Nani is cold?" Mark quickly took his arms away from me and answered in the affirmative way. It was not good excuse but hey, at least Bryan had helped to explain the situation.

The others had already started walking toward Matthias house. I was still in the middle of the park, because of my thoughts, so I had to hurry up a bit. I do not know how I did not realize but, Joey was behind me and held me for a few seconds. "If you are cold..." He did not finish his sentence. Only he take off his jersey, which was drier than mine, despite having been dampened recently. He put it on me, as I listened to him again: "Could you read my lips before?" Of course I had. I just nodded. I wanted to ask if that was really a silly joke of him. Anyway, I did not have time to do it: He told a loud "no" which made me paralyzed and making me feel surprised. Like he could read my mind.