|| Venture

THIRD-PERSON

Sam and Vince went to the parking lot when they finally finished putting on some warm clothes. Sam distanced herself from Vince, as she can still feel the heat of his body on hers; she was also uncertain on how to act given what happened earlier.

"Finally!!" Sev said as soon as both of them arrived at the parking lot which was half-filled with Sam and Vince's cars.

"Bring either of your cars. Oh, Stephen will also be riding with you. We don't want Mr. Cranky Pants riding us at the back." Sev said sweetly, obviously trying to annoy Stephen.

Stephen was obviously not in the mood to do any adventuring tonight; he wasn't a good person when you try to wake him up or even bother him while sleeping. He was only forced to be with them tonight because Sev dragged him out of his bed. He didn't have the chance to fight him because he was still half-awake. The only thing that Stepehen was capable to do was to fixate a disapproving glare towards Sev

Vince rolled his eyes at his friend. He looked at the keys in his hand, realizing he picked up the keys to his Lexus. So, the three of them hopped into his car and soon enough followed Sev's car to their destination.

"Can someone please enlighten me." Sam began. "What are we doing at this hour?" She asks as soon as she is able to grasp the situation.

"Sev is always like this when he feels like it." Stephen said while rolling his eyes for the nth time tonight. "He asks us for his help on something, and usually the help is like helping him fix his car or some sort. If he's not my friend, I think I would've punched him in the face when he does these kinds of things. Though he has these surprises, it's just that, it seldomly happens." He added.

Sam tiredly nodded at Stephen, she obviously wasn't still in the mood for talking.

Stephen was unsure to ask this, but he did anyway. Knowing this guy, even Vince can't stop him from doing anything. "So, you guys are dating?"

Vince remained stoic even after what Stephen asked them; as for Sam, she immediately took it by surprise, it was like a slap for her to wake up properly.

"N-no!?" She immediately answers, unsure. Stephen raised an eyebrow at her, not believing anything she said.

"Okay then." Stephen said, as he formulated his own answer in his head.

Vince silently laughed as he took a swift glance at Sam, who seemed to be nervous ever since the whole car ride. Vince loves how she reacts when it comes to him, every reaction he gets from her is an A+ for him.

"God damn it," Stephen cursed.

"What's wrong?" Sam asks, concerned about Stephen.

"I'm fucking wearing pajamas." Stephen exhaustingly sighed. "I swear I'll kill Sev if this is just one of his jokes again." He said assuringly.

Sam looked at Stephen and saw that he was wearing fluffy pajamas with kiss emojis printed all over it. She immediately smiled at how cute Stephen is while wearing his fluffy pajamas. Sam then remembered the fluffy slippers of Vince that she made him wear.

"You done checking my dick out, Sam?" Stephen asked teasingly while looking at Vince, awaiting for some thrilling reaction. Which made Sam's cheeks even redder than before; it was the first time for her to hear Stephen use such foul words.

Vince immediately stepped on the brakes, while doing so he spread his other arm to Sam's body, preventing her from hitting the dashboard. There were also horns from the other drivers afterwards.

"Hey! Don't drive while you're drunk, asshole!" One of the driver's shouted as they passed Vince's car.

As for Stephen, who somehow expected this to happen, gripped his seat as he smiled teasingly, not breaking eye contact with Vince through the rearview mirror. Stephen was proud of what he did. He felt victorious as he got the reaction he wanted from Vince.

"That hurts! Do you even know how to drive?" Sam immediately said while rubbing her shoulders. Vince looked at Sam; concern took over his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Sam." He apologized sincerely. "And I do know how to drive." Emphasizing the word know.

"If you're sleepy, we can change. I can always drive." She said, but Vince declined her offer.

Vince looked at the rearview mirror again and shot daggers at Stephen, who was silently laughing.

'You're a dead meat' Vince mouthed at Stephen, but Stephen just winked at him.

From that moment, silence enveloped the three. They were sightseeing the vast road ahead of them.

"Have you felt the feeling you were just alone, driving on the road with no one?" Sam murmured.

Silence lingered again from the three.

"Oh look, we're here." Sam said, which made Stephen and Vince look ahead and saw that they were at Sev's company.

When the two cars parked at Sev's VIP parking, Sam instantly asked what they were doing here.

"You'll see." Sev said happily and winked at Sam.

The seven of them reached the elevator and got in; Sev pressed the UP button, which made them wonder what his plans were.

"Fucking make sure that this is all worth it." Stephen said, gritting his teeth. And that is why you shouldn't wake Stephen up even if the house is on fire.

"Of course, it is." Sev replied and at the exact moment the doors opened the seven of them figured out that they were on their way to the building's rooftop.

"Wow." Sam said in a whisper as soon as she saw tents and a fireplace at the corner, she even saw a telescope beside them.

"We're stargazing tonight!" Sev beamed excitedly.

Harper and Sam were the first to run at the telescope and immediately took a peek at the starry sky.

"Wow!!" Harper and Sam exclaimed in unison as their eyes linger at the numerous stars above them.

"And we." Sev said while looking at his boyfriends, slightly with authority. "We'll be cooking barbecue. Oh, don't worry we have beers at the mini-fridge." They just grunted and followed Sev's orders. None of them really know how to cook barbeque; it was only Vince who knew how.

"It's actually really beautiful." Stephen said while still admiring the numerous stars above them.

"Yup, and NASA said tonight will be a great night to stargaze so yeah, that's why I woke up all of you guys." Sev informed them. Stephen looked at his friend, his anger from before was now gone. For once, he felt thankful for Sev's unplanned agendas; it was the first time that Sev's night outs were actually fun for him.

The five of the guys cooked barbecue while drinking beers. While Harper and Sam continued to look at the stars. It was indeed an amazing night with a very magical view to look at, and of course with such great people.

While Harper was looking at the telescope, Sam took a moment and smiled while admiring her friends. The last two months were amazing for her because she never thought of experiencing this moment.

She did not realize Vince was behind her.

"You will never be alone, I'll always be on the passenger side driving with you." Sam felt the chill inside her. She was surprised by Vince's sudden expression, also the point where he remembered what she said earlier.

Just like that, Vince walked past her in a swift motion. Not wanting anyone to notice.

Sam instantly knew she already embraced an unknown, but yet comfortable feeling; she realized that she was home. As she looked at Vince and her friends she realized that they might not be family by blood but she claimed them as her family, her people.

"So, is this worth it?" Sev blurted out to Stephen.

"Yeah, yeah." Stephen said, having a hard time admitting that it was, in fact, a good idea.

"This is worth it." Ethan commented, also appreciating Sev's efforts.

"Thank you, dude." Colin also added.

"I didn't know you have this emotional side, guys! Anyways, let's savor this moment; let's take a picture!" Sam suggested.

"Who said we are emotional?" Ethan said to Sam.

"I mean, it's okay to set aside your fragile masculinity for some time." Harper supported Sam.

Sam took her phone while Harper ran beside her, the dramatic guys squeezed in each other trying to fit the seven of them on the screen.

Sam took a lot of photos even if the guys were arguing; she continued to take pictures, not wanting to forget anything. She was happy with the outcome. It was definitely worth it to be here even though they illegally trespassed in her house. She just laughed at the thought while wondering how they entered her apartment. She laughed as she thought, 'my friends and their weird ways.'

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

"What a morning." Sam said exhaustingly as she saw Sev flirting with a girl at the parking lot. After 10 hours of sleep, she was still exhausted. But this was just a normal sight for her now.

"Careful now, Sev may be handsome but we're not sure he's clean yet." Sam quietly said, it ws just enough for SEv and the girl to hear.

"What? You have HIV?" The girl flirting with Sev said.

"Hey! I am clean!" Sev tried to reassure the girl. He took a moment to look at Sam, warning her to run for her life.

"That's what they always say. Goodbye!" The girl hurriedly went away with her shining red face.

"That was so cool, Sam!" Ethan said. "But very mean as well." Ethan, Sam, and Colin bursted out laughing, while Sev's face was indescribable. His eyes were crossed, his face was full of shame, and holistically speaking, he did not know how to handle the situation immediately.

"You got me good, Sam." He said, barely processing what just happened.

"Where's Harper and Stephen?" She asked Colin and Ethan, after they bursted laughing. As Sam saw Vince's arrival and now just parking his car, it reminded her about her other two friends.

"Harper's in a meeting with the council of leaders. And Stephen, uhh that I don't know." Colin informed me."So, how's your weekend?" Asked Colin intriguingly.

Sam looked at him weirdly. "I spent it with you guys, what's wrong with you?." She replied unsure, which made them raise their eyebrows.

"It was the funniest story I've heard!" Colin laughed, which made Ethan laugh too.

"Never in my wildest dreams would these two call Stephen for just a spider! And they even thought Stephen would keep his mouth shut!" Colin barely let the words out of his mouth. Sam just looked at them with an angered expression, but they didn't seem to be affected by it and just kept laughing.

But everything that Colin said is true; before Sam and Vince called Stephen, they first analyzed who they should call. After a while, they soon decided that Stephen was their best option because he's quiet, making him more likely to keep it a secret.

"I know, right! It was the story that made my weekend! Imagine their faces when they saw the spider! AHH! A spider! Vince a spider! What the fuck Sam?! It's a spider! AHHH!" Ethan mimicked Sam and Vince's voices; he even exaggerated his hand gestures.

"Calling Stephen was just a no-no move. Calling the exterminator was a better choice!" Colin suggested, still laughing.

"Hey! We were not like that!" Sam disapproved and tried to defend herself.

"Dude! Have you ever considered being an actor? You'd be a great one, I'm telling you!" Colin suggested while Ethan nodded at him in agreement, still laughing.

"I know right!" Ethan said while Sam just looked at them plainly, every student that passed them by just looked at the two psychos.

"I would really dig out your past, you two psychos!" Sam said with full integrity. Trying to punch and avenge her honor.

"Students of Holy Angel Academy, kindly proceed to the function hall now." A familiar voice announced and was repeated 3 times.

It was Harper.

"Sev to Earth?" Sam said.

"I have HIV?" Sev asked.

"Oh God! Fix your comprehension! We're going to the Function Hall now! And you, Vince. Follow us afterwards!" Sam said angrily as she hadn't moved on to Ethan' and Colin's teasing.

So the gang went inside of the school and went to the function hall. They knew that today would be the day wherein the school would announce a new set of student councils for this academic year, everyone was talking about it, but none of them wasn't interested in this event.

At Holy Angel Academy, the board of directors will choose the student council's leaders while the current council of leaders is the ones who propose possible candidates. There's no campaigning, no party lists, and no voting. Everyone seemed to be excited about it because no one knew who the possible people that would lead everyone this academic year. All of the students enjoyed the thrill of this event.

"I guess you'll be stuck with us then." Colin said while putting his arms on Sam's shoulder; Ethan saw what Colin did and felt left out, so he did the same. While Sev is still at the top of his world.

They entered the function hall in just minutes. Everyone was staring at them and whispered as they walked. They felt eyes staring at them, but it wasn't enough to break their confidence down. They made their way to the front seat, where Stephen was already seated.

The student's chatter didn't fail to land on the gang's ears.

"I bet Stephen will be the next president"

"Yeah, I know right. It always came from their group of friends."

"Last year was Ethan, and it was the most amazing school year yet!"

"I know right?! I hope he can be the president again"

"I bet it will be Stephen or Vince."

"Or it could be the new girl, Sam."

"Monteñegro?! Yeah, I was shocked to see her at school last time! I didn't know she was just the same age as us! Maybe Sam, Vince, or Stephen will be the next president."

These were the words that filled the function hall; they all anticipated that the next president would certainly come from the gang. The students couldn't wait for the announcement, they're not nervous about the announcement but excited. They know that the academy will choose a worthy president to lead them. The academy didn't disappoint them for the past years when they chose a president, so they really trust them.

From all of the famous people in school, it was the gang who were really looked upon. Even seniors look at them with respect; I mean how could they not?

Vincent Wright the most famous out of all of them. Not only known for his cold stares, sharp looks, and his one-of-a-kind eyes but also his personality. Boys at his age don't challenge him at any sports, because they know that he will only beat them. He may not be in the varsity but it's a festival for his admirers, during sports fest. Being the next CEO of his dad's multi-billion oil and shipping company, he is considered as the richest person in the academy. Vince doesn't talk to anybody but his friends and his teachers. He didn't date anyone after Claudia, which made people think he still hasn't moved on.

Stephen Everly, the Korean-American prodigy. It was more than obvious that Stephen wanted to be picked as this academic year's president. What they didn't know is that it's not for him, it's for his mom that wanted everything to be his. Stephen is one of the hottest students in the academy. Not only is he smart with books but also with girls. With Stephen's mind, he'd already received a Ph.D in Psychology and is now getting his masters' degree in The Constitutional Law of America. As for a woman who's the ideal type of guy that is smart, well mannered, and has a sexual appeal that is to die for, then Stephen is your man. You wouldn't even believe me if we say that he owns a dozen clubs around the area.

Well, if your type of guy is a person that can guarantee you that he would always be on your side and protect you always as if you were his little sister, Ethan Metrakis is the way to go. Ethan is not only known for his oozing sex appeal and charisma, he is the guy that has a perfect personality that can guarantee an army of girls on his back. Ethan is the type of guy that everyone gets along with; he always smiles at people and always laughs. Ethan always does volunteer work which made him very famous for the people who have vaginas. Based on his ex-girlfriends you'd regret leaving someone like him; not only does he pour his heart into you, he always tends to your needs.

Sebastian Assent or known as Sev well, do I need to tell you more? He's your typical bad boy. You can see him everyday locking lips with other girls. It's not just one girl, it's other girls. His looks can almost make your panties drop. Sev is a party person, you'll see him clubbing every night, and during the day it would be hard for you to know if he's sober or not. But Sev is Sev; he still keeps up with his friends' academic status and still maintains a 3.8 GPA. His parents don't need to punish him or ground him; as long as he keeps up with his GPA, he's safe.

If your type is a musical and somewhat an idol, Colin Hasey is your man. With his God made hands, he can play any instrument for you, since he is the son of PJY Entertainment Company and VOVE. His angelic voice can bring you to sleep and it is not a joke. Colin is also liked by his peers because of his closeness to them. For Colin, hierarchy is nothing to him, his eyes are like God and he sees his peers equally. He loves to talk about songs and animals, which made girls go soft on him like crazy.

The president's daughter, Harper Ronan, is not what you think she is. Harper is one of the humblest people that you'll meet. She is like a ball of sunshine every time you look at her. She'll help you whenever you're in need and even lets you copy her homework. Harper's born with leadership that made her contribution to school more than she expected. She is not only smart, but Harper's looks are to die for, perfectly proportioned like others said. She's the girl in your dreams that you'd wish to be beside you all the time. When you get to Harper's bad side it's like day and night, but it rarely happens, and it will happen for a rational reason.

The newest addition to their group, Samantha Monteñegro, who recently enrolled in the academy already received love for her perfect looks and well-proportioned body. All of them were shocked when they knew that Samantha was just almost their age. Sam, who is second to be the wealthiest person in the academy, is well-loved by the crowd. She's perfect in their eyes, great mind, well mannered, and her confidence oozing out made people look up to her more. In just days since she enrolled every man wants her. Her locker was already a mailbox full of love and hate mail from both girls and boys.

The perfect candidates, as the audience presume.

Harper, who was now standing in the middle of the stage with a wireless microphone in her hand, carried herself with grace and confidence, making everyone look at her with respect.

"Good day, Angels!" She beamed. The whole school clapped, and some even shouted in response.

"GOOD DAY TO YOU TOO, MY ANGEL!" A boy said, and it seemed that he's at the back of the function hall because his voice echoed. That made everyone laugh, even Harper.

"You guys know what day today is, right?" She announced with a beam. She receives excited claps from the crowd.

"I know all of you are excited to know who the next president will be? Without further ado, I am very honored to present to you your president for this school year, Vincent Wright!" Vince then entered the stage with much more confidence and authority.

"I knew it! He'd absolutely win!"

"Aww! I wish it was Stephen, but for sure, Vince will do great!"

The rest of the gang clapped at Vince who was walking confidently beside Harper; Harper then gave the mic to Vince.

"Good day, Angels." He began, he hasn't said the next word yet, but there are already girls collapsing on the ground and falling off their chairs.

"This year is a year full of excitement so I hope all of you will look forward to it." He smiled. Sam felt her cheeks burn because she remembered the smile and the words that he gave her last Saturday.

SAMANTHA

As Vince continued to give his speech, I noticed that someone sat beside me. I'm not that person who gets picky when someone sits beside them, but when I look to my right side and see Alex, I know right away that he's up to something,so I immediately get into a bad mood.

"Want to know my other secret?" He began, I stood up. I instantly stood up; I had enough of this. And in an instant, I can feel people looking at me. It was worse because we were in the front row. Even Vince and Harper looked at me curiously.

"Oh, Sam! Let's go, shall we?" Colin stood up from his seat and put his arm over me, and together, we went outside of the function hall.

I can finally breathe.

"Thank you, Colin."

"It was fine; I noticed that you were uncomfortable when he sat beside you. And when you stood up, I instantly knew he said something to you." We both walked through the empty halls of the school.

This made me think of the situation that I am in right now, since the day that Alex told me that he knew I couldn't bring myself to forget it. I considered everything I must do; I also found ways to prevent it and make it less complicated. There is another thing that I continuously thought of; if Alex already said my darkest secret to somebody else. If that is the case, I'm afraid that I would instantly drive back to my father.

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked beside me, I saw Colin happily listening to songs with his AirPods. He didn't mind the silence that we shared, and also the fact that we we're just walking without a direction. I smiled, thinking that I would do anything that I could for me to not lose them.

I immediately stopped walking when I caught sight of Stephen and Ms. Anderson together. In my mind, I know that they're supposed to be at the function hall. In an instant, Colin grabbed my wrist and the two of us hid in the Botany Lab. Since it was quiet, we could hear every sound that Stephen and Ms. Anderson made.

"It's okay, you still have next school year." We heard Ms. Anderson say in a comforting voice. I look at Colin trying to figure out what's happening. Our eyes widened when we heard a smacking sound.

"I really thought I'd get the position but I guess I'll have more time to spend it with you, then." Then we heard Ms. Anderson giggled in joy. Colin and I didn't speak. We just looked at each other. There were no words to explain how we should express ourselves at this point.

"Where do you want to go later?" Stephen's voice became distant as well as their footsteps.

"Wherever you are." Ms. Anderson replied, and that's the last clear conversation I heard.

Colin and I stared at each other reading each other's eyes and reactions. We both were shocked after everything we heard. I was suspecting that Stephen was dating someone but I didn't expect it to be a teacher. While looking at Colin, I can tell that he was also shocked by what we just heard.

"Are they dating?" Colin asked me, unsure if he even needed to ask me the question.

"We don't know." I replied while thinking of other possibilities on how to describe what we just witnessed. Then a memory flashed in my brain.

"Wait. What if they are actually dating? Because a month ago Stephen and I went to the mall and while I was waiting for my contacts, I remembered that we bought a designer bag and some chocolates." I informed Colin, which made him think seriously.

"And based on Ms. Anderson's giggles, it was a giggle of a girlfriend, not a teacher." I continued. "Is this allowed…?" I trailed off.

"It's unconstitutional." Colin replied seriously.

"For now, we'll pretend that we didn't hear any of that or even the fact that we've seen them together." I nodded, agreeing with Colin. This is the right thing to do. He is Stephen and he wouldn't do anything without a backup plan.

Even Colin, who is his best friend, didn't know if they were dating. So, it must mean that Stephen didn't want us to know.

It was supposed to be a secret.