Best Friends

Alice headed back to the quadrangle for the closing remarks. There was also an awarding ceremony, much to her chagrin since she remembered how she lost to Tiffany in the worst and most embarrassing way possible.

She even got more frustrated when she saw Tiffany taking her award on the stage since she won the highlight game. "Hey Alice, Tiffany just beat you." Gerald teased.

"Well, no shit Sherlock." she got flicked on the forehead. "Damn it that hurt" she hissed. "At least it's just a game, it's all Mark's fault." she groaned.

"Why me? I was about to win a while ago." he whined.

"If you didn't hit me, I could've won!"

"Marie Allison Villanueva and Mark Zachary de los Reyes!" they both stopped when they heard their names being called by the emcee.

"They called you two," Josh told them. All of a sudden Alice began laughing. The guys looked at her as if she lost her mind.

"They called you Zachary! That's so lame!" she said as she wiped off a tear. Mark only gave her a deadpan expression.

"Shut your pie hole, Marie Allison, you have a pretty lame name too you know." her retorted which caused Alice to suddenly leer at him.

"Just hurry on to the stage idiots!" Alex said as he pushed the two.

They both went to the stage and to their surprise they were awarded as the best players for the game and the best team. They were both given certificates. "Look, at least I won something," Alice chuckled to herself.

Once the awarding was done the students were given the rest of the night to party and enjoy themselves. There was a band playing on the stage and most of the students were dancing.

"Mark, I think you should head to the rooftop now. I'll go and call Mia," Alice told him. He was about to protest but Alice patted him on the back. "Go and get a girlfriend!" she smiled then she left to look for Mia.

Mark sighed in disbelief but he went to the rooftop anyways. He saw the set-up that Alice made. He took a seat and he impatiently drummed his fingers on the table.

"Where is she?" he wondered to himself whether he was thinking of Alice or Mia.

After a few minutes, the door opened and he couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment when he saw Mia. She approached him and she immediately pouted.

"Why?" Mark asked.

"Aren't you going to pull out my chair for me?" she said.

Mark lazily stood up and did as he was told, he immediately sat down once again. "Alice sure did a good job huh? Anyway Mark, aren't you going to tell me that I look cute in my outfit?" she grinned.

"Huh?" Mark looked at her. "Well yeah. I think everyone looked good though." he said.

"Is something wrong Mark?"

Mark sighed, he needs to make a decision now. Is he really still in love with Mia or is he really in love with Alice? "Damn, I must be crazy…" he sighed.

"So Mia, we are best friends aren't we?" Mia nodded. "And whatever happens we'll understand each other."

"Wait, is there a problem?" Mia asked worriedly.

"Look Mia, back then I was in love with you. Alice helped me get closer to you in a romantic way but you had Jason. Alice cheered me up and ever since then we got even closer. Then I realized that maybe Alice isn't as bad as I thought she was, she has a sweet side too. Up until now I thought I'm still in love with you but it seems like I never was to begin with. Somewhere along with my infatuation with you, I fell for Alice. She's the one that I'm in love with."

Mia stood up. "I thought so, I was suspecting there is something going on between you and Alice! It's always Alice, she's already popular then she got to be your teammate then I heard she already went to your house, I thought I'm your best friend? Then why is Alice your friend? Am I not enough?!" Mia blurted.

Mark took a deep breath to maintain his composure. "That's selfish Mia, when you got a boyfriend I gave you space. Alice is also my friend, you aren't my only friend Mia, my world doesn't revolve on only you. If you'll keep acting like this then I think we shouldn't be best friends anymore, you should have been happy for me but your reaction is the opposite."

"Damn it, Mark! I'm your best friend! You met me before you met Alice, why do you have to prefer her?!" Mia slammed her hands on the table.

"Mia, you don't get it. This isn't just about that,"

"Then tell me one damn good reason why you should choose Alice than me," Mia seethed.

"I can give off a lot of reasons based on how you're acting right now. Please Mia, just drop this. I don't want to be disappointed with you. We can still be best friends."

"No we can't!" Mia kicked the table in order to contain her anger. "I hate Alice! I curse her!" she stormed out the rooftop. As she climbed down the stairs she passed by Alice who was just about to go up.

"So how did it go? Did everything go well?" Alice asked excitedly.

"Out of my way!" she shoved her. Good thing Alice took a hold of the railing otherwise, she could've fallen down the stairs. She rushed up the stairs and once she got to the rooftop her eyes widened in shock when she saw that the set-up she made was now a complete mess.

"Hey Mark, what the heck happened? Mia looked furious, she was mad at me too. What did you do?" she asked worriedly.

"I guess nothing worked out," he sighed.

"My plans weren't enough, were they?" she frowned. "Damn I'm such a failure," she said as she leaned on the railings and looked down.

"No, it's my fault." Mark went beside her. "I guess I'm not really in love with Mia."

Alice looked at him wide-eyed. "Are you serious? Did I plan this for nothing or did you just waste an opportunity?"

Mark shook his head. "I thought about it and I'm no longer in love with Mia. I never was to begin with. I guess I'm just way too stubborn or maybe it was just my pride and ego that refused to let go of the thought that I like her." he said.

"Sorry about this. I guess I rushed things, I was too stuck on the goal to get you and Mia together," Alice apologized.

Mark patted her head and gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay Alice, you don't need to apologize. I'm glad I don't like Mia, I saw her worst side a while ago. She's like Tiffany," Mark chuckled.

"Really? That's too bad then," Alice sighed.

"I have to tell you something," Alice turned to listen to whatever Mark has to say. He gulped. "Alice I think I in lo.... o."

Alice wasn't able to hear him since the fireworks just began. She cupped one hand at her ear then she went near Mark.

"What is it? I didn't hear you!" she asked loudly.

"Nothing," Mark shook his head.

"I think I missed something important," she shrugged.

"Yup, I really am crazy. I was just about to confess to her. What was I thinking?" Mark thought to himself.

Once the party was over, they all headed home together. Alice was already about to make a turn to her street but the guys were all still following her. "So, why are you following me?" Alice asked grumpily.

"We're staying at Mark's house," Lance replied. Mark nodded in agreement.

"Your house is at the other way," Alice pointed out when they took a detour.

"I think you are forgetting that I promised my mom that I'd walk you home to make sure you're safe." Mark reminded.

"Whatever, I have my scissors with me so I'll be okay." she said as she showed them the weapon.

"You carry that thing around?" Alex wondered aloud.

"But I still want to walk you home," Mark insisted. Alice sighed in defeat, it's not like she had any other choice.

Once they arrived at Alice's house she blocked the gate. "I'm at home and I'm safe, now leave." she stated.

"How rude," Josh mused.

"Whatever, just go and enjoy your vacation. Goodbye." Alice said hurriedly before slamming the gate on their faces.

From outside, the guys sighed. "What an idiot," Alex said. "Anyway Mark, how'd the thing with Mia go?"

"Horrible," he answered casually. "But at least I made up my mind." he added.

"And what would that mean?" Vincent asked curiously.

"Alice is the one I really like, that I am sure of," Mark smiled.

The guys all smiled too. "Glad you finally realized it, dude." Gerald grinned.