I thought this would be easy—a straightforward chase, a sweet pursuit. But Emilia seems determined to make me pass through the eye of a needle just to get a chance with her friend. Not that I mind. In fact, the challenge only makes it sweeter. I couldn't help but smile, my thoughts drifting to Natalie's adorable face.
"Who's that?" Kevin's voice cut through my thoughts, his head leaning over my shoulder, curious as always.
I quickly locked my phone, shaking my head with a grin. Before I could even deflect, Gabriel laughed, giving Kevin a playful nudge.
"Leave him alone. Our boy here is growing up…" Gabriel's teasing came with a mischievous wink—a silent message only I could decipher.
Kevin's eyes narrowed, suspicion dancing in his gaze. "Oh? So that's how it is?"
We were at their place, savoring the last weekend of summer before the school grind began. A final sleepover with the girls—well, sort of. The girls had long vanished into Angel's room, giggling and swapping secrets, leaving us boys to our own devices in the living room.
Beer bottles littered the table, the soft glow of the screen casting shadows as Josh immersed himself in Detroit: Become Human. Raven and Carl had gone to drag the girls out, but so far, we were still on our own.
A thought struck me, lingering like a whisper. Lia… she seemed uneasy around Kevin once. Was it because of her ex… or something else?
Kevin eventually wandered off toward Angel's room, leaving the air a little lighter. Josh was too engrossed in his game to notice anything else, the sounds of robotic voices and action scenes masking our quiet conversation.
Now was my chance. I leaned closer to Gabriel, lowering my voice.
"What's the deal with Kevin and Emilia?"
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, a hint of curiosity playing on his face. "No idea. All I remember is she used to get irritated with you because of Emilia. Why? Are you texting Lia?"
"Yeah, kind of. We're talking about Natalie."
He nodded, pouring water into his glass, seemingly content to leave it at that. But my curiosity clawed at me, urging me to press on.
"Is there something going on between them? Lia seems… almost afraid that Kevin might find out about something."
Gabriel chuckled, a careless shrug following.
He doesn't know? Or maybe he just doesn't care enough to dig deeper. But if he's clueless, then maybe…
My thoughts wandered. Kevin—a notorious flirt, a charmer who never stayed with one girl for too long. And Lia? What was her type, anyway? Who was her ex again? I vaguely recalled that awkward moment when her ex texted me. They were already broken up back then, weren't they? And she's single now… A player in her own right, but these days, she seemed adrift—no boyfriend, no fleeting flings in sight. So could it be…?
I glanced toward the hallway where Kevin had disappeared moments ago.
"I genuinely don't know," Gabriel muttered, leaning back with a sigh. "But it's possible. Lia's type has always been guys like Kevin."
"What?" I frowned, confused.
He tapped his temple, a sly smile curving his lips. "You know—guys who get into her head, mess with it a little. The ones who keep her guessing."
Kevin is brilliant—not just your average smart, but the kind who always stands among the top. It's no surprise he's in the highest section. I decided against prying further with Gabriel. Instead, I turned my attention to my phone, my fingers instinctively drafting a message for Lia.
Me:
Do you like Kevin?
But I didn't send it. I paused, staring at the screen, before switching to another chat—one that had me on edge. Natalie. I had her number now, thanks to Lia, who explicitly told me not to text her yet. But patience was never my strong suit, and the urge was unbearable.
Me:
Hi Natalie. Got your number from a friend. I hope you don't mind. – Deleon Apollo.
My heart raced. I forgot to breathe. Why was I so anxious over one message? A small, almost ridiculous smile tugged at my lips. So this is what it feels like—to be completely smitten.
A reply appeared, sharp and curt.
Natalie:
Where did you get my number?
Cold. Direct. A chill beneath my excitement. Yet I found myself grinning wider.
Me:
From Lia. I hope that's okay? Sorry if I'm bothering you or something.
Silence. The three blinking dots didn't appear. Nothing. But as I was about to convince myself she was just busy, my screen lit up again—only it wasn't Natalie. It was Emilia.
Lia:
Why did you tell her?! She texted me, asking why I gave you her number! Are you serious right now?! I thought you wanted my help! What if she gets mad at me? Then you'd have zero chances! You can't even wait! Ugh! I had it all planned out! You're ruining it!
I frowned, quickly typing back.
Me:
You're too slow! It's taking forever! I'm getting impatient.
But Natalie didn't reply anymore. A sinking feeling twisted in my chest. Had I messed this up already? Maybe she was shy—one of those quiet girls who are bolder behind a screen but freeze up in real life.
I leaned back, closing my eyes, trying to drown out the frustration brewing in me. And yet, the thought of her being shy—timid, perhaps even hesitant—only made my interest grow. It was almost thrilling.
My phone buzzed again. Lia's name flashed.
Lia:
I told you! She already have a bad impression on you because of that last fine dining! I was trying to fix it—make her see you differently! And here you are, showing your playboy moves again!
I groaned, letting my head fall back. She wasn't wrong. Lia was trying to save me, and I was just digging myself a deeper hole.
Lia:
Fine, good luck. Don't ask me about her anymore since it seems like you can handle it yourself.
I barely had time to process Lia's cold reply before a voice came from behind me.
"So it's true—you're texting Emilia."
I nearly jumped, my fingers clumsily locking my phone as I turned to see Kevin hovering behind me. His expression was unreadable, but there was a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.
The girls had finally emerged from Angel's room, their laughter and chatter filling the living room as they joined Josh, who was still engrossed in his video game. Gabriel slipped away from me, blending effortlessly into the growing chaos. But here I was, stuck with Kevin at the far end of the table, with the soft glow of the TV casting shadows over us.
"It's just about a girl," I muttered, trying to sound casual.
"Who?" His question came swiftly, sharp and direct.
"Her friend. A friend of her cousin's."
"So you're not after Emilia?"
"Of course not."
Kevin studied me for a moment, a hint of thought passing through his dark eyes before he shrugged, leaning back. Silence hung between us for a second, but I couldn't help but glance at him—comparing.
He was like a shadowed version of Josh—darker, quieter, a touch of mystery clinging to him. Meanwhile, I was more like Josh himself—open, a bit reckless, always wearing my emotions on my sleeve.
Was that what Lia liked? The mystery, the silent confidence? Was that why she seemed so flustered around him?
But then, why doesn't she like Gabriel? Gabriel might not be in the top section, but he's still smart. His only flaw is his school record—probably the reason he's not among the academic elites. So, what is it? What's her type?
"Come to think of it, you're not her type. And she doesn't seem like yours either."
"What even is her type?" I asked, just as Kevin was about to walk away.
He turned, one brow arched. "Why do you care?"
"You mentioned it, so now I'm curious."
"Smart guys." He leaned against the edge of the table, crossing his arms. "Her ex was our batch president last year. Hated me because of you. Luckily, the guy's about to graduate and head off to college, so we won't have any drama next year."
Oh, right. Josh did mention something like that during the fine dining. It was all starting to make sense now.
"So that's why she's a bit nervous around you? Are you friends with her ex?"
Kevin's eyes widened, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Emilia is scared of me?" He chuckled, shaking his head. "I wouldn't say we're friends. I just used to deal with her ex a lot since I'm the batch representative. But why would she be scared of me?"
My thoughts raced, fragments of past conversations connecting like puzzle pieces. Lia never wanted Kevin to know I liked her. Was she trying to keep something from him?
But Kevin didn't seem to care. He wandered off, leaving me lost in my own thoughts. Was it true? Was there something more between them? Or was I just overthinking it?
"Leo, come here already!" Arianah's voice cut through the chatter, her figure comfortably sprawled on the sofa, her legs draped over Carlos and Raven. A controller rested in her hands, a mischievous spark in her eyes—I could tell she was itching for another round of games, and she wanted me on her team.
"He's busy trying to win someone's heart…" Gabriel teased, his smirk never leaving his face as he kept his focus on the TV screen.
"Still Natalie? I hope so. If it's someone else, I don't approve."
"Natalie?" Josh's curiosity snapped him out of his game, his gaze landing directly on me.
I settled beside Angel on the oversized couch, grabbing another controller, trying to look unfazed.
"Luiz's friend—the one Leo's been dreaming about," Arianah quipped, a sly smile playing on her lips.
This girl. I never actually admitted that, but she seemed to know everything without me saying a word.
"Oh… the quiet one!" Josh's face lit up, like he'd just been granted a glimpse of heaven at the mere mention of her name.
"Hey, hands off. I'm going to court her," I warned, throwing him a playful glare. Josh, after all, had a habit of swooping in without a care for competition.
"Relax, she's not my type. So full of himself." He chuckled, shaking his head. "It's Rivera's cousin I'm interested in…"
"She's still single. I remember hearing she saw Leo's message on Lia's phone—that's what started their fight. Her boyfriend even tried picking a fight with me. Honestly, I was tempted to punch him," Kevin chimed in, his voice laced with annoyance.
I turned to look at him, but I stayed silent, letting the conversation flow.
"You should've punched him," Carlos muttered.
"If it were me, I would've swung first," Josh boasted, leaning back. "But then again, you were alone. You didn't want to risk getting ganged up on."
Arianah's foot shot out, kicking Josh lightly from her spot on the couch.
"Idiot!"
"Tch. Why would I even bother? I know how to pick my battles. He wasn't even mad at me—his real problem was with Deleon," Kevin shrugged, a calm, almost smug expression on his face. "And if I had punched him, he would've coughed up his liver."
"Arrogant!" Josh shot back, rolling his eyes.
"He's a loser anyway," Kevin added, waving the thought away.
"What?" Gabriel suddenly perked up from where he was lounging, eyebrows raised. "Even now? Seriously? Ugh. Rivera's taste is so bad. Such a waste—she's gorgeous and has a killer figure."
"What's the boyfriend's name?" Angel leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "I just want to check if Kevin is telling the truth or if he's just being bitter because he's into her."
Chloe laughed, her laughter a soft, musical sound, before she pulled out her phone.
"Type it… Jared…"
Instead of playing the game, all of us leaned closer, our attention shifting to the girls' phones as they typed in the name, searching.
"Oh… He's… not exactly handsome…" Angel commented, her voice calm and almost indifferent.
I stood right behind her, peeking over her shoulder, watching as the search results loaded on her screen.
"What's Rivera's full name again?" she asked, clearly curious if Lia was as pretty as rumors claimed.
"Emilia Rivera…"
Angel's fingers danced across her phone, entering the name.
And there it was—a picture that spoke louder than any words I could muster. Her ex wasn't exactly… striking. Short, painfully thin, and with a face that lacked any standout features. Not that looks were everything, but somehow, I'd expected someone taller, maybe even a bit imposing, considering how aggressive his texts to me had been.
He wasn't just insecure—he was overwhelmingly possessive. I wasn't even flirting with his girlfriend, and yet he leaped straight to jealousy.
"Wait, this is her, right? The campus crush at their school?" Angel's eyes widened, her gaze fixed on the screen. "Your friend, Arianah?"
"Yeah, she's really beautiful. A real fantasy for most guys, according to Lance," Angel confirmed, leaning back with a knowing smile.
"A fantasy of mine too," Josh chimed in, practically drooling at this point. "But her boyfriend's a total eyesore. How did someone like him end up with someone like her?"
"She has a thing for nerds or smart guys. It's always been her type. That's why I don't stand a chance," Gabriel shrugged, his tone casual but confident.
"You actually tried?" I asked, half-amused, half-curious.
"I don't waste my time trying without a decent chance, Leo. One glance at her list of exes, and I knew my looks wouldn't matter. It's not about being handsome—it's about being… well, them."
"Wow, so full of yourself, Gab!" Chona scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Ever thought that maybe she's into guys with kind hearts? That maybe it's not about looks at all?"
I couldn't help but laugh. "Come on, there are handsome guys with kind hearts too, right? Like me?"
"The only thing pure about you is probably your appetite," Carlos shot back, earning another round of laughter.
Chloe groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You guys are so gross. Is everything you say just pure trash talk?"
"Oh, come on! Am I the only one being inappropriate here?" Carlos defended himself, looking around.
"Did I say it was just you?" Chloe's voice rose a little, sharp and exasperated, her glare enough to shut Carlos up.
"Enough of that! You guys can turn any conversation into an argument, can't you?" Chona snapped, crossing her arms with a look of utter exasperation.
Gabriel, ever the playful one, shook Chloe lightly to pull her gaze away from Carlos, who seemed entirely unbothered, his focus never straying from the TV screen.
"Top section, huh? But you're just the general secretary. She likes smart guys, remember?" Chona teased Gabriel, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Exactly. It's like she has a checklist. Ugly? Check. Intelligent? Check."
"Guess I wouldn't make the cut then. I'm only smart, after all," Josh quipped, only to have Arianah playfully wrap her hands around his neck, pretending to choke him.
"Anyway, back to Natalie," Kevin leaned towards me, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "You're trying your luck with her, Leo?"
"Yup. She's only close with Luiz and Lia. Can't really ask Luiz for help, so I turned to Lia."
"She can definitely help," Arianah nodded, but then she pointed a finger at me. "But this isn't part of our little bet anymore."
A sly grin curved my lips.
"Oh, she's got skills, no doubt. I mean, look at her track record—losers and nerds who somehow end up falling head over heels for her. One of her exes was this top student, a total genius. And after they got together and eventually broke up? His grades plummeted. I swear, that girl must have some kind of spell for attracting guys who are way out of her league—"
"Alright, enough, Gab." I cut him off, unable to hide the amused smile tugging at my lips.
"How is it a love spell? It's just that those guys are thirsty for a pretty face. Lia barely has to make a move, and they're already falling all over themselves," I teased, letting out a soft laugh.
"Which is why she should end up with me. Smart, handsome—I mean, that's a perfect deal, right?" Josh declared, flashing a grin. "Leo, I got you. I'll handle Lia. Double date? You bring Natalie."
Before he could get too carried away, Kevin hurled a throw pillow straight at his brother's face.
"Cut it out!" Kevin snapped, irritation lacing his voice.
A thought struck me. Was Kevin's reaction because of… Lia?
I scrolled back through my old messages with Lia, my eyes catching on that part where she seemed nervous—didn't want Kevin knowing I was joking about her having feelings for me. It was all a joke, just a harmless tease to get a reaction out of her, but…
But then Gabriel's voice echoed in my mind. "She likes ugly boys." Was that really true? Could Kevin be the kind of guy Lia would go for? Is Kevin ugly?
I shook off the thought and typed a message, fingers hovering for a second before I hit send.
Me:
Sorry. I won't do it again. Please help me out. I was just getting desperate. Things were moving too slow.
Lia:
Whose fault is it, huh? You were the one who caused a scene at your fine dining event, and now it's ten times harder to set you up with her.
Me:
Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. Fine. I'll wait.
Lia:
Have you really thought about what I said? Be honest with me.
Me:
Yes.
Lia:
Did Natalie reply?
Me:
Not anymore. :( Is she mad at me?
Lia:
She told me it's strange that you texted her, especially after getting back with your ex at the fine dining!
Me:
I didn't! I swear! :'(
Lia:
That's what I told her. But you need to stop being so... creepy!
Me:
Creepy? That wasn't creepy. Sometimes it works, you know…
Lia:
Only with girls who are already into you. She's not. And she's not the type who falls easily. If you're not willing to be patient, maybe you should just look for someone else.
Me:
But I want her... :(
Lia:
Oh, using a sad face to play the pity card now?
A laugh escaped me, the sound light and unguarded.
Me:
I promise I'll stick to your plan. Just please…
Lia:
Fine. Let's meet…
Me:
Perfect! When?
Lia:
Not in the first two weeks. I'll be busy with organization recruitments at school.
Me:
Wow. I didn't know you were that active.
Lia:
Of course. Making a name for myself.
Me:
For Natalie?
Lia:
You self-centered jerk! I have my own life too! Do you think your love life is the only thing I have to focus on at school?
I glanced at Kevin, who was now engrossed in the chaos of the video game, his laughter blending with the others.
"Kevin..." I called, my voice cutting through the room's noise.
"Yeah?" he replied without looking away from the screen.
"Are you joining the organization recruitments at your school?"
"Yes. Why?" Kevin's gaze remained fixed on the glowing screen, his fingers dancing across the controller, fully immersed in the chaos of the game.
"Nothing…" I murmured, though my eyes lingered on the last message from Lia. A thought nudged at the corners of my mind—did she… like Kevin?
Me:
Maybe I can help you with your love life in exchange?
Lia:
I'm confident, so no thanks… I can handle it.
A wry smile tugged at my lips. Typical Lia—always so sure of herself, always the one in control.