THE CHESS GAME (Completed)

EXTRA CHAPTER 2: AGAINST THE OBSTACLE

DAYS HAVE passed, and our history class and chess class ended. They both said that for the remaining days, we will focus on our training because that was the important thing. The past days went smoothly. We were getting along well. The barriers that were built before were gone. We became comfortable with each other.

Right now, we are still in the same wide room. Same as usual, the weapons were on the table and we were squatting on the floor. Sir Jessie is not around yet so we decided to gather in circle to do chitchats. Beside me were Mami V and Josh.

"So, you two were acquaintances already? Or perhaps---friends?" Ren asked, pertaining to Blyth and Lori. This was our first time talking with the boys.

Lori sighed. "Yeah, we've met before because we are neighbors. We were not close that much because I am not fond of socializing with other people," she said while looking at Blyth.

"Yes, Lori was just always in her house. We did not have conversations before." Blyth stated after giving a nod.

They already shared it with us, girls, in our dorm. Lori did not socialize with their neighbors. When we asked why, she did not answer directly. Instead, she just smiled and just said it was just her choice not to. But as I've said, everything has changed.

"Aside from the two of you, who else knew each other before?" James, spoke next, resting her arms to his crossed legs.

"None, we just met here," Jing answered, brushing her hair on her ear.

I unconsciously stare at Josh. I don't know if it is right to tell them that we also knew each other---have a relationship either. I mean, is James' question pertains only to the girls? Actually, I did not tell it to the girls. I don't know what is their reaction if I'll tell them, especially Lori.

Suddenly, Josh moved his head and our eyes met. His gray eyes were seriously looking at me. It lasted for a few seconds and we suddenly heard someone clearing its throat so we quickly diverted our gaze.

"Ehem! We're here, guys---in case you forgot." Reynan jokingly muttered, showing her devilish smile.

Everyone was looking at us causing me to look down. Gosh!

"What's really the score between the two of you? Josh? Jobella?" Ain asked mockingly.

I immediately looked at them. I was caught off guard by the question. Then my eyes diverted to Lori, on the side, who was just showing her poker face.

"N-Nothing." I quickly answered. I felt tense for no apparent reason.

From my peripheral view, I saw Josh looked at me. "Yeah, nothing." he then answered plainly.

They were making such faces. "We felt otherwise---" Carl stopped his words when the door creaked open and Sir Jessie came into light.

"Good morning, class!" His voice echoed to the four corners of this room. We stood up and greeted back. As he reached near the table, he then spoke. "Today onwards, we will focus on your training. What I mean is that, training with your weapons."

We just maintain our silence. We already expected that because in the past days, what we just did was a punch or find any other strategies to knocked the enemies out without using weapons. Suddenly, I then heard cheerful whispers coming from the boys.

"Before I will give you your weapons, Just listen to the instruction first." Sir Jessie went on, as usual, putting his hands in his pocket. "You will go again inside the rooms. Same instruction, show your weapons in the sensor and wait for my signal. Inside the room, there were few obstacles that you need to surpass using your weapons. Your goal is to reach the end. Sounds easy, right? But we're not done yet. To be more challenging, you will only time 3 minutes to surpass the obstacles and once you will not make it on time, there will be another challenge that will occur."