Our favorite place (Book 1 and 2)

Seventeen

"I'm not jealous." Lie.

"Talaga ba?" Jema reached in for Deanna's cheek. Then she pulled her face near her. They were so close that Deanna can feel Jema's breath.

Deanna's body stiffen again on the gesture, but Jema squeezed her cheeks and wiggle it side by side. "Cute cute naman pag nag seselos ihh." She said as if talking to a baby. 

She squeezed it harder before letting go of her face and it made Deanna yelp in pain. She was soothing her own cheeks using her palm.

"Wag ka nang mag selos. Wala lang yun, she used to make me sandwiches nung kami pa, baon ko for breakfast, sa practice. Maybe force of habit."

"I used to make you pancakes."

"Yea, I miss those too."

"Buti pa yung pancakes." Deanna said under her breath.

"Ha? You were saying something?"

"Sabi ko, we better get back. We might be late for practice."

"Hmmn." Jema squinted her eyes on Deanna who just smiled at her and walked towards the 4x4.

When they arrive at the court the practice is almost starting. They walked side by side to change clothes.

"Oh. Don't worry, I missed you too." Jema said and bit her lower lip to contain her smile. Deanna feels like her knees can't handle what happened so she sat down on the bench first. Coach O saw her so she immediately stood up to change, stumbling on the process.

"Tomorrow we will start the tournament for all the teams that participated. 1 game lang. Let's just apply what we learned here and enjoy the game." Coach O said.

When they were about to go back to their respective accommodations, they heard arguing. They snapped their heads towards the noise. It was Aly and Mika.

"How many times I will say this to you? Walang kami. Don't get jealous!" Ly said.

"Walang kayo pero kung makayakap sakanya wagas? Ano ba Ly? Be sensitive naman."

"We were always like that. Even before you."

"Well, don't. Kasi may girlfriend ka. Nung kayo pa ni Kiefer, pwede. Now you are with me, a girl. Ano ba sa tingin mong iisipin ko pag nakikita ko kayong nag lalandian?!"

"Babe, she's married! She's straight! And for fuck sake we are not naglalandian." Jema looked at Den, who is earlier just behind her, walking towards their accommodation head down.

Jema rushed to talk to Den. "Ate Den."

"Oh, J. Kamusta naman yung lakad nyo ni Deanna kanina?" Still her head down. When Jema was about to response Den spoke again. "She still haven't changed."

"Hmm?" Jema asked as if she didn't heard what Den said, she's ready to listen to her Ate Den.

"Aly, she still the sweet besh that I know. Even risking her relationship with her. She still manages to be my besh. Our besh."

FLASHBACK

They were at a public bar at BGC to celebrate Ella's birthday when she arrived. She wasn't supposed to be there.

"Kala ko bawal ka besh?" Ella asked Ly. "Kasama mo ba si Mika?"

"Hindi, di den naman nya alam na nandito ako. Happy birthday." She kissed Ella's cheeks and handed a paper bag.

"Oh, no. You didn't. The famous Alyssa Valdez lied to Mika Reyes. Thanks." Ella said.

"Tell me you didn't Ly." Den asked when she sat beside her.