"Wanna bet?"
I froze. Did I just hear that right?
Of all people, it had to come from Arianah. Inside the church. Seriously? A bet? Right here where angels are supposed to be watching?
I tilted my head slightly, giving her a sharp side-eye. But she only grinned—wide and wicked, like a cat about to pounce.
"Oh, silence. My brother's trembling. Like a scared little girl," she whispered, voice dripping with smugness.
My eyes narrowed, jaw tightening. I wasn't replying, not because I didn't have anything to say—but because this place, this sacred space, wasn't where I expected her to throw down a challenge like that.
"I don't need to prove anything," I said smoothly, leaning back against the pew. "She's already making moves. You just can't tell."
Arianah raised a brow, intrigued. "Oh really? Then prove it." Her voice dropped into a taunting whisper again. "Talk to her after the mass. Let's see how far you can get."
She paused dramatically, then added with a flick of her finger, "Five hundred. If you can make it obvious she's flirting with you."
I opened my mouth, about to throw back something witty—but the congregation suddenly rose to sing, cutting off the moment like a snapped string.
"Why are you so damn—"
"Shhh! Leo," Grandma snapped, shooting me a disapproving glance like only grandmothers can.
Right. Church. I straightened up, pressed my lips together, and fixed my posture. A slight glance toward Arianah revealed she had already slipped into 'holy mode' like a seasoned actress. She had her hands clasped like a saint, eyes glued to the altar, not a single trace of her devilish grin from earlier.
Unbelievable.
For a while, I forgot about the bet. The mass lulled me into a quiet peace. The kind that wraps you in silence and softens your heartbeat. But just as the final blessing was given, and the crowd began to stir from their pews—
Elbow.
Right to the ribs.
Arianah, of course.
As if she'd ever let me forget.
The church was slowly beginning to settle into its quiet aftermath. A gentle hush fell as people lined up to bow and press the backs of their hands to the priest's palm in reverence. Some had already begun trickling out, whispering polite goodbyes to familiar faces as they passed. Chona was guiding Grandma toward the exit, steady and attentive.
Arianah and I were about to follow, but something—someone—made me pause.
She looked back.
The girl from earlier. The one who smiled like she could part clouds. The one whose gaze burned through mine like it knew my name before I even had the chance to offer it.
But before I could ask myself why she looked back, my ego kicked in, louder than reason.
There were things I should've considered before I let myself believe she'd come up to me. Like…
1. Why did Arianah sound so sure of herself? What does she know that I don't?
2. She must know that girl. Why else would she be so confident I'd get rejected? Arianah doesn't just throw jabs unless she has the upper hand.
3. She looked so composed, so poised—too refined to walk up to a guy she doesn't know. Would she really?
Still, I braced myself. My lips curled into a preemptive smile. My heart steadied like a soldier called to battle. I told myself this was the moment.
She was walking directly toward us. Toward me.
She was close enough for me to catch the faint sweetness of her perfume. I felt the world slow around us. This was it. She'd stop. She'd speak. And I'd—
She passed me.
Just walked by.
As if I were a ghost she never even saw.
My jaw went slack. I turned to watch her retreat, eyes wide, heart stunned.
She didn't even hesitate.
I blinked once. Twice. Still nothing.
Arianah, who had seen the entire scene play out like a prophecy fulfilled, calmly extended her palm beside me—expecting payment like a smug little loan shark.
"That was her being cute for me, obviously," I muttered under my breath, my pride limping to find some kind of excuse.
But even as I tried to convince myself she was just playing hard-to-get, a dull ache settled in my chest—something sharp and bruised.
My ego had taken a hit.
And damn, it stung.
Right at the center of my line of sight stood a guy who looked like he auditioned for the role of "generic jerk." Lean build, draped in black, with a henna tattoo boldly stamped on his forearm—as if that would toughen up his matchstick frame.
"I know him. Luiz…" Arianah muttered with a voice laced in something that sounded like playful disdain. "I prefer someone with a little more muscle, though," she added with a sly smirk curling her lips.
I scoffed and walked past her, uninterested in entertaining the games she loved playing. But she wasn't about to let me off that easily. She grabbed my arm and fell into step beside me, her pout immediate.
"Hey! You promised. We had a deal."
So now, apparently, she's a businesswoman profiting off my wounded pride.
Fine. I admit it. I misread the situation. I thought the girl had been throwing glances, soft smiles—flirting. But clearly… I was just a bystander in her world.
"I wasn't rejected," I said flatly, because no matter what the truth was, I couldn't let that be the narrative.
I refuse to believe someone would actually reject me once I start showing them what I'm really made of. That girl? The one glued to the side of that twig-armed guy? If I ever chose to put in the effort, I'm sure the tides would turn. They always do.
We had already stepped outside the church, but we couldn't make it far. Grandma had stopped by the koi pond again, caught in another wave of warm greetings from her neighbors. Arianah kept jabbering on about the five hundred pesos I "owed" her, while Chona was shooting us both curious glances, dying to know what the hush-hush talk was about.
Just then, the girl walked out of the church. She wasn't alone. Beside her was him—Luiz, apparently—and another girl I recognized instantly.
That silky black hair, that soft porcelain skin, the poised grace of her figure—I knew that girl. I'd seen her before.
"Don't even think about asking for help!" Arianah's voice rushed out, as if she'd read my mind and saw exactly who I'd just spotted.
I smirked, not missing a beat. "Relax. I'm not as desperate as you when it comes to a few hundred pesos. If I win this bet, I won't even charge you."
She made a face, scrunching her nose like a brat denied candy. But I didn't give her time to throw a comeback—I slipped away into the crowd, moving through the stream of post-mass chatter like I was meant to be there. Casual. Invisible. Calculated.
I pretended to be circling back to the church, maybe to fetch something or greet someone—anything to mask my true intent. Everything fell into place like clockwork. Perfectly. Just like I imagined.
"Deleon!" A voice, sweet and unmistakably confident, rang out through the buzzing noise.
I turned.
Lia.
There she was—her smirk devilish, her eyes gleaming like she'd just stirred a secret. Time had been generous with her. She was like a fine bottle of red wine—aging into something more captivating with every glance. Her jet-black dress hugged her like a tailored whisper, the curve of her hips demanding gravity's full attention.
"You go to church here?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral, though I could've sworn my chest was already showing signs of betrayal.
She laughed lightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear with the ease of someone who knew she had every gaze in the vicinity on pause. "Just today. I'm staying at my cousin's house for the weekend." She tilted her head toward the guy standing beside her.
So that's the guy. Her cousin.
I blinked. Really? No resemblance. None. He didn't even look like they belonged in the same species, let alone the same family tree.
I fought the urge to glance at the girl beside him—the one I knew was the reason for this sudden race in my pulse. But my eyes betrayed me. Natalie. Even her name sounded like poetry waiting to be written.
"This is Luiz, my cousin," Lia said with a flick of her wrist, like she was conducting a social orchestra. "Luiz, this is Deleon." She paused just long enough for the moment to matter, then turned ever so slightly. "And this," she added, her voice curling into a teasing softness, "this is Natalie—my classmate."
Then, finally, her eyes met mine.
"Deleon… a friend."
As much as I wanted to reach out and shake her hand—Natalie's soft, delicate fingers within my grasp—I couldn't. Not when doing so would mean extending the same courtesy to the boy standing beside her. Luiz. The mere thought made my skin crawl. It would be too obvious, too telling, if I offered a handshake only to her. And I wasn't about to risk that just yet.
"You? Weren't you not from around here?" Lia asked, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.
My eyes flicked back to her—twice. She always carried that glint in her stare, the kind that felt like a dare. There was something in her gaze that tiptoed between flirtation and challenge, and I didn't like how familiar it was. How comfortable she seemed with crossing invisible lines.
"Yeah," I replied coolly, slipping my hands into my pockets. "I'm here with my grandma. We're visiting some relatives." I tilted my head in the direction where Arianah stood, hoping Lia would catch the drift.
Right on cue, Arianah waved in our direction. Lia waved back, all too casual. I knew my sister was keeping her distance for a reason. She didn't want to interfere—but I also knew she understood that Lia could be my bridge to the girl who now had my heart on a string.
"I missed Arianah," Lia said softly, her gaze lingering on my sister with a fondness that felt almost nostalgic.
"Yeah, uh..." My words faltered. My eyes had already betrayed me, stolen by the quiet girl standing beside Lia's cousin.
Natalie.
We locked eyes—and for a heartbeat, the world slowed. Her lashes fluttered as she looked down, visibly flustered. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and bit her lip as if steadying herself. My chest tightened.
Damn it. I really, really liked her.
"She used to be in the swimming team, right?" Lia asked, breaking the spell.
That's how we first met her—during one summer break years ago, back when Arianah was still in fourth grade. She had enrolled in swimming lessons at a resort in Legazpi. I already knew how to swim, but I tagged along anyway, playing the protective brother—and also because I had basketball games on the other side of the same compound.
"She wasn't really into competitions," I said, my voice softer now, my thoughts still stuck on the shy girl who refused to meet my gaze again.
And maybe that's what I liked most about her. She wasn't trying. She wasn't showing off. She was just… her. And yet, she had already done enough to undo me.
Lia nodded once more, flashing Arianah a sweet, almost too-perfect smile. I, on the other hand, stole another glance at Natalie—and my breath caught.
She was looking at me.
Those eyes—wide, warm, and innocent—held mine like a silent question I didn't yet know how to answer. I quickly averted my gaze, pretending to focus on Lia instead, hoping no one else noticed the way my chest tightened just from that look.
"So," Lia began, tilting her head, "you're playing varsity again this year?"
The question almost didn't register. My mind was too lost in the presence of the quiet girl beside her.
"Huh? Why?"
She arched a brow, her lips curving mischievously. "Don't tell me you forgot. You've got a game next Saturday, right?" Her eyes flicked toward Luiz. "You're up against this guy."
I turned to her cousin.
Luiz met my eyes, gave a smug nod, and added a cocky little smirk like we were suddenly in the middle of some silent challenge.
"He's varsity too?"
The voice that asked that question barely rose above the breeze—and yet it rang clear in my ears. Natalie.
Her voice was soft, delicate. Like spun sugar melting slowly on the tongue. It made my heart skip like it was chasing itself.
I finally had a reason to look at her. "Yeah," I said, my voice lower, steadier than I felt.
And then came Lia, ever the chaos-bringer.
"But you're not usually in the starting five, right?" she said, tossing her words like darts. "You're mostly on the bench, if I remember correctly..."
The corner of my mouth twitched into a practiced smile, the kind you wear when someone knows how to cut just right. I didn't bother defending myself. It was true, after all—but not for the reason she was hinting at.
I wasn't benched because I couldn't play.
I was benched because they didn't know how much damage I could do when I did.
"You're usually part of the starting five, right, Luiz?" Natalie asked, her voice polite, her interest genuine.
That irked me more than it should have.
Lia's show-off cousin gave a lazy nod, barely paying attention. His eyes had already wandered to another girl nearby—one who clearly noticed. He smiled at her, and to my quiet dismay, Natalie's gaze followed, curious and a little amused.
Great.
"Leo!" Arianah's voice cut through the haze of my rising frustration. "Let's go! Bye, Lia!" She gave a cheerful wave.
I scratched the back of my neck, suddenly feeling like the air had thickened. I glanced at Natalie once more. This time, her eyes were locked on me—curious, maybe even teasing. There was something unreadable behind them, something that made my pulse stutter.
"Gotta go," I muttered, forcing a small smile.
"Bye, Leo!" Lia called, lifting her hand in a playful wave.
"Bye," Natalie whispered, her voice barely above a breeze. She wasn't even looking at me anymore—her attention already stolen by Lia's cousin, who was now deep in conversation with someone familiar.
"Bye." I offered a faint smile, even though I knew it didn't reach my eyes. Then I turned and walked away.
Arianah was already waiting. I noticed her watching Lia for a moment longer, then doing some hand signal I didn't quite understand—some secret sisterhood gesture, probably. I didn't bother asking.
I didn't look back either.
Instead, I reached for Grandma to help her with the steps. The noise of the crowd blurred behind me.
But in my head, it was her—Natalie. Her soft voice still echoed. Her gentle eyes haunted me.
I like her. I really like her.
Angelic face. A voice you'd want to wake up to. Eyes that make you forget where you are. And that softness—an energy so quiet, yet it screams in your chest.
God, why am I already thinking about her like this?
But here's the thing—I'm in trouble. She's from another school. How the hell am I supposed to make a move?
Sure, I've dated girls outside my campus before. But those relationships always sparked from something—maybe they'd been regulars at our games or hung around mutual places. But this one? This girl? She's different. I don't remember seeing her once in the crowd. And if I had… believe me, I would've made my move long ago.
Which means... next week's game can't go to waste. It might be my only shot.
"You asked for help, didn't you?" Arianah met me at the door as we got home.
We hadn't talked about it during the ride, but I already knew what she meant.
"If I ever ask for help, it'll only be to start a conversation. Maybe just get her number, Ana. I'll do the rest."
"Ugh. You're so full of yourself."
So now I'm torn. Do I wait for that game and let fate do the heavy lifting? Or do I make a move now, go all-in?
I could just ask Lia for her number. Or add her on Facebook. Just a simple click. That's all it takes.
But I let it eat at me for 36 freaking hours. Thirty-six hours of spiraling just to make one decision. Unbelievable.
At last, I threw my hands up, surrendering to the chaos in my head, signaling to the coach that I was heading in. The moment I stepped on the court, Josh was already glaring at me, sweat dripping, chest heaving like he'd been carrying the whole team. Carlos tagged out so I could take his place.
Game time.
But my mind?
Still on her.
"Deleon!" Raven's voice boomed across the court just as I stepped out of bounds.
I raised a hand in reply, casual as ever, before squatting next to my gym bag. My fingers dove straight for my phone. Carlos was sitting nearby, nursing his Gatorade and drenched in fatigue.
"It really can't wait, huh?" he muttered, side-eyeing me.
I didn't respond. My focus was locked on Natalie's profile. One breath, one click—and I hit "Add Friend." The moment felt heavier than it should've. I shoved my phone back into my bag like I'd just committed a crime, then stood up and grinned at the rest of the team, who didn't look amused.
"Relax, guys!" I chuckled, but the tension in the air had already thickened beyond repair.
As soon as the ball landed back in my hands, the weight of the game finally hit me. I hadn't been paying attention earlier—too busy scrolling through Facebook, too busy thinking about her. But now that I was back in, it was clear: this wasn't just any game. This was war. The score was neck and neck, and every pass, every breath, felt like a gamble.
I caught the ball and dribbled twice, scanning the court. There—Josh, wide open on a fast break. I launched the ball in his direction.
Too fast. Too strong.
It slipped right past his fingertips and soared out of bounds.
Before he even turned around, I was already yelling, laughing to ease the blow.
"My bad!"
But Josh didn't laugh. He didn't even flinch. Just stared at me, his frustration simmering like boiling water behind clenched teeth.
Yeah. They definitely weren't chilling anymore.
"What the hell?" he stormed toward me, his face tight with irritation and focus.
I closed my eyes briefly and gave a quick nod. "Just a moment."
When the ball came back to me, I didn't pass it. I pushed forward, slicing through the defense, aiming for the basket. Thankfully, my layup went through despite two players blocking my path.
I puffed out my cheeks and started sprinting into a fast break—only to feel a sharp slap on my back.
"That was traveling, idiot," Raven said with a calm but cutting tone.
I smirked, glancing sideways at the referee who, predictably, missed the traveling call on my drive.
Raven and I were neck and neck—this was a friendly match between schools, just practice for the real games ahead, but no one was taking it lightly.
After the final whistle, I went straight to my bag, heart pounding, fingers trembling as I grabbed my phone to check for any updates.
She accepted my friend request.
I clicked on her profile, scanning through her pictures—mostly family gatherings and school events. If it wasn't a birthday or holiday, it was a trip somewhere, always with her family by her side.
"Who's that now?" Gabriel's voice broke the quiet from the bleachers, flat and uninterested.
I lowered my phone just in time to catch Josh whispering gossip behind me, their eyes darting toward my screen.
"Let me see! Let me see!" he said with genuine curiosity sparkling in his eyes.
I just chuckled softly, reaching for my bag. From the bleachers, I spotted Arianah and Angel making their way toward us. A quiet sigh escaped me as I realized Chona still hadn't arrived.
"Where's Chona?" I asked Arianah, who was now intently picking at her tempura.
"She's at dance troupe practice. Said we should just wait outside," she replied without lifting her gaze.
Without thinking, I plucked a stick of tempura from her plate and took a bite. Arianah frowned slightly but chose not to protest. I felt the fiery heat hit my tongue — definitely the spiciest kind. She laughed at my reaction.
"I'm heading out first. My water's all gone," I said quickly, slipping past the others toward the gym exit.
Once outside, instead of heading to the cafeteria, I made my way to the convenience store nearby. I grabbed a cold bottle of water from the fridge and stepped into line to pay.
Then, I caught a pair of eyes fixed on me.
Well, if luck had a face, it looked like Natalie—standing alone in her uniform. She was here buying water too. I wondered what she was doing so far from her school.
"Hey!" I called out, unable to hide the smile spreading across my face.
"Hello…" Her voice came out soft, almost hesitant, like she was testing the air before speaking.
I glanced at her and couldn't help but notice the faint blush blooming across her cheeks. "You really went far, huh?"
She bit her lip, looking away for a moment before answering, "We had a project at a classmate's house. It's just nearby."
I nodded slowly, curious. "So, how are you getting home?"
She offered a shy smile and pointed toward the street. "My driver is waiting for me just outside."
Once again, I nodded, eyes drifting to the bottle of water she held. It was the same as mine—nothing fancy or expensive—so I casually reached for it. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"I'll pay for it. It'll be quicker that way," I said, already stepping toward the cashier.
"Oh, wait…" She fumbled through her teddy bear wallet, pulling out some bills and holding them out to me.
I only smiled, a quiet warmth spreading through me, and shook my head as I handed the water to the cashier.
She said nothing in response. I wasn't sure if that was good or bad, but I hoped it meant something.
Turning back to her, I handed her the bottle and added with a small smile, "Consider this my way of saying thanks for accepting my friend request."
A gentle, bashful smile curved her lips. "Oh… well then, thank you, too…"
We stood there for a few moments, caught in a quiet pause. I noticed the curious glances from people nearby, and soon I realized she was growing painfully shy—like the kind of shyness that tightens the chest and silences the tongue.
"I'll walk you out," I offered softly.
"Okay…" Her voice barely rose above a whisper, hesitant and delicate.
She was so innocent, so reserved, it felt like words were a struggle for her. Every time I tried to say something, she seemed to quietly shut it down, leaving the air thick with unspoken thoughts.
I held the door open for her, and she glanced up at me before stepping outside.
"Thanks again. I should go now," she murmured.
I nodded gently. "See you next time, then."
She hesitated for a heartbeat before climbing into the car. I stayed rooted in place, watching as their SUV backed away slowly.
Only after they'd driven a few meters did it hit me—
"Oh, damn it! You forgot! Crap!" I muttered to myself, fumbling for my phone.
She was painfully shy—too much so, really. A true good girl through and through. Always chauffeured by a driver wherever she went, forever hesitant, second-guessing every step she took. Honestly, I couldn't remember ever trying to win over someone so soft-spoken, so gentle.
I didn't want to scare her off with my usual boldness, so instead of messaging her directly, I decided to reach out to her friend.
Me: Lia, can you send me Natalie's number, please?
The chat bubble popped up instantly—she was already typing. Wow, talk about quick on the draw. It was like she'd been waiting for this moment.
Emilia Rivera: Not her, please. She's way out of your league.
Great. Maybe I should've just messaged Natalie straight away.
Emilia Rivera: She's top of the class. A good girl. Doesn't party. Don't make her one of your girls.
Me: Come on, Lia. You know me better than that. When I'm in a relationship, I'm loyal—always.
Emilia Rivera: Yeah, but you have a habit of throwing girls away fast. She's not the kind to put up with that, you know?
I sighed, ready to shut the chat and just ask Natalie myself. This friend wasn't much help.
Me: That's exactly why I'm curious. I always end up with girls who start quiet and shy but turn into fire once they're mine. Why not try someone who's naturally reserved from the start? Like her.
Emilia Rivera: You talk like you're just describing a meal, huh? Maybe you should try her—see if she's any good?
Emilia Rivera: Nothing's going to happen between you two, Leo. The only guy she talks to is Luiz—they've been classmates since kindergarten.
Emilia Rivera: She doesn't know how to talk to boys.
I had a feeling she was right—that's exactly what I had noticed all along.
Me: Try me. Just give me her damn number, Lia.
Me: Why won't you? Afraid I'll steal her away? ;)
Emilia Rivera: She's my friend! I'm just trying to protect her!
Me: Protect her from what? I won't hurt her.
By then, Arianah had arrived. Chona was already there. We were all piled into the car, heading back to my place—and still, my resource person hadn't replied, even though her status said "active now."
Me: Busy, busy, busy...
Me: Please...
Finally, a message popped up.
Emilia Rivera: 0918xxxxxxx
A slow smile spread across my face. Yes. This was it.