Girls called Alessandra

CHAPTER 13 - OLIVERS

Drew regarded his sister with a hopeless gaze. Alie was giggling again in her bed with her phone right in front of her eyes.

He was merely ten years old, he couldn't understand the feeling of being a devout fan of an idol, or that immense weight of not being able to tell someone you liked them very much.

Thus, with an annoyed look on his chubby face, he threw a pillow at her.

"What was that for?"

"I'm sleeping."

"Then sleep. Do I need to tuck you in?"

Alie was the one who influenced his brother on Kpop music. After seeing the boyband, he would imitate their angst and dances. He was not into Kpop girls yet, but who was to say that he would not end up like his sister?

"If you like that boy so much, then marry him already!"

"Hey, I will. Okay, shut up."

Dad overheard them and said, "It's late. Go to sleep."

Their house was but small so Alie and Drew still shared a room.

Alie's phone gave off a Ping as a chat head bubble popped up in her screen. It was Jude, asking for the homework and for her help in the essay he was yet to submit.

Her fingers tapped, replying, "The topic is about Racism and how the present society suffers from it today. Ms. Ruan said to talk about it at a local level. It doesn't need much facts."

"Oh, I see."

"As for the homework, I'm not done yet."

"It's fine. Thanks."

She just lied. She was already done with it. That's why she had time to rewatch Oliver's vlogs.

She thought, 'Jude is naive. Who does he think he is? He's overestimating our relationship. He's just an acquaintance to me. He's not a real classmate, let alone a friend.'

The next morning, Alie found that Jude had done his homework even without her help. 'If he could do it on his own, why bother me?'

On their PE class that week, Alie's eyes drifted somewhere else.

Oliver was playing with his friends again. They probably did not have classes at this hour.

Alie had been bumping into him, more often now than before.

The class watched Luke embarass himself. "Oh, Luke made two baskets. Impressive."

But Luke was not happy. In order to pass the practical test, they needed at least four out of twelve. It was a kind and benevolent requirement. Their instructor took note of the fact that most of these students spent their lives holed up in their rooms, studying, reading, surfing, and watching movies. Only a portion of them were athletic. He did not expect much from these bunch of smartasses.

Luke left the court with proud shoulders. He brimmed with pride and calm at all times. Yes, even at times of despair.

Trish reached for his hand, "You did great. I'm afraid I won't even get one."

Fate toyed with them. Trish basketed three shots. But she was just lucky. Luke, on the other hand, thought too much about sinking a ball; so with his focus off, he was lucky enough to make two.

When it was Jude's turn, Alie had the leisure to watch him because Oliver stopped playing and sat on a bench. If he caught her staring at him intensely at such a time especially now that his gaze seemed to drift to her direction, what would he think of her then? Thus she averted her eyes back to her side of the court.