The Story of Us

Cheers

Author's Note:

Before you read this one, you should read Pansamantala, Let Her Go, and Unsaid to have an idea what they're talking about here. There will be another part for the girls, don't know when I'll get to post it though. Enjoy!

Looking at the three of them, you can say that they're three of the most handsome, most attractive, and hottest collegiate basketball players right now. They're chick magnets, and they don't even need to do anything special to catch the attention of girls. They just do what they on-court and off-court, and girls automatically swoon over them. But no one would expect that these boys would be sulking around because of three girls. No one would expect that instead of partying and having fun, they would be at the darkest corner of the bar, sharing glass after glass of tequila, gin, and vodka.

"I'm so stupid. Akala ko okay na ako, kasalanan ko naman eh. I chose to hide my feelings kaya naunahan ako." Jeron said after downing another shot of vodka.

Jeron felt so hopeless. He was the King Archer, yet he was got so caught up in everything that was happening for him that he forgot that he should also be chasing after the girl that he liked. Unfortunately, there was already someone that caught the girl's heart. He let her go, and he knew that he'll regret it for the rest of his life.

"I thought you guys dated for real?"

Jeron gave a slight smile. They did. But they back then, he didn't considered what they had as a legit relationship. He wanted to make himself believe that he wasn't falling for her. He did all he could to deny the feelings that were forming in his heart. At that time, it worked. But the cracks formed showed sooner than he thought. He still remembers the day he knew he'd already fallen for her completely. It only took a smile from her to break all the walls he built.  But he also should've seen the signs that someone he thought he'd only be rivals with on-court, would be his rival for the girl of his dreams.

"We did, or so I thought. Actually, I really don't know." Jeron replied, was it the effect of the alcohol or was it just really that way? He knew it was the latter.

"So what do you feel now? Didn't you admit your feelings for her?"

Jeron nodded, "I did. That encounter was so open-ended though. Sa lahat naman ng pwedeng mamiss ni Coach na sabihin, he forgot to tell me what's the game plan after pouring out my feelings."

Jeron laughed bitterly while he remembered the aftermath of his confession. He indeed felt like a lump was removed from his heart, but after a few days, he still felt something was wrong. He suddenly felt longing. It's been a month, but he still felt like shit.

"Lakas ng tama mo sa kanya bro! Didn't you date a softball girl, then a showbiz girl? I thought you already moved on?"

Jeron smirked, "I thought so too. I guess she'll always be the occupant of that spot in my heart. Anyway, Arnold, how's Rosie?"

Arnold was surprised at the sudden change of topic. They were okay; they always were. But deep inside, he was missing someone - the girl on the sidelines who always cheered for him.

"We're okay..."

The hesistant tone in Arnold's voice gave his friends a reason to doubt his feelings, or at least the sensed that there was something wrong.

"Are you sure? I think there's something bothering you. Spill it out bro, that's the reason we're here."

Arnold gave them a nervous smile. He lead her on without meaning to. There was something about her that was magnetic. And she was the one who was always there for him when he needed someone to lean on. Whenever he needed someone to talk to, she was there. When he needed help with school work, she was there. When he was recovering from his injury, she was there every step of the way. He never asked her too, but she was just always there. He took her for granted without noticing it, and now she was gone.

"I just really miss someone right now. Someone I took for granted." he replied, then he poured himself another round of scotch.

His friends immediately know who he was talking about. They both knew that this girl liked Arnold more than just a friend, but their friend was slow and dense. So he didn't realize that he was already breaking someone's heart.

"Oh, her... Have you talked to her after what happened?"

Arnold shook his head, "Why would I dare to? She's obviously never going to forgive me so, might as well give her the peace she deserves."

He still remembers that moment. He couldn't deny that he felt sparks when their lips touched, but those sparks didn't match up to the fire in his heart that burned for his girlfriend. But after losing her, his days were became dull. There was no one to bring an automatic smile to his face everyday. His personal cheer leader was gone.

"Don't you want closure though? Don't you want to explain?"

"Why would I? Won't I just over-complicate things? What if I just lead her on again and break her heart? I don't want to hurt her anymore, that's why I'm never talking to her again."

An eerie silence filled their area at the bar. The silence wasn't until Arnold looked at the guy beside him and said, "Oh Thomas, your turn."

Thomas looked at his friends and realized they weren't really the closest teammates. But something brought them together that night, a common denominator.

Of the 3 of them, he could say that he has the biggest problem. He was inlove with two girls - his girlfriend and the girl whose heart he broke. It's been more than a year ever since what happened between them. He neglected the feelings he had for her, but instead of them going away, they grew more intense. And it has reached a point where he couldn't hide it anymore.

"I wish I could go back in time. Kasi right now, I think I made the wrong decision."

The two looked shocked with the revelation. They always thought that Thomas was happy with his girlfriend. But instead, there was another girl that was in his heart.

"I feel bad. I already hurt her; I can't risk hurting my girl as well. But I think I still love her. And ang tanga ko lang kasi I only realized I loved her when she was gone." Thomas laughed bitterly and added, "But I think she already moved on, after all it's been what? Almost 2 year na rin yun, I think I'm the only one caught up in this."

Thomas suddenly felt like his heart was going to burst. Across the room, a group of people were looking for a table. He immediately knew who the girl leading the group was. It was her, with her girlfriend. Jeron immediately noticed the change in Thomas's expression and looked at the same direction. His jaw dropped as well when he saw the girl Thomas was talking about holding hands and acting sweet with another girl.

"So it's true... Sila na pala." Jeron couldn't help but blurt out.

Thomas just gave a bitter smile and said, "It could've been me. I was a jerk. Inom na lang tayo. Cheers?"

"Cheers!"