Chapter 17: Bryce

The sudden laughter of Tresha interrupted me, I removed my sunglasses and took them off, I saw Nathaniel and Tresha playing together.

"Surfing seemed to be so fun," I said as I watch a half-naked Bryce walking towards me.

He chuckled, "Yeah" and grabbed the towel on the side of my folded chair. He takes a glance at Tresha and Nathaniel and looked at me.

"Let's go and join them,"

"I don'---"

"Hey, come join us!" Tresha said in the distance. Before I could reply, Bryce grabbed my hand and walked towards them. Tresha tossed the ball and we started to play. I never played volleyball in my life but I'm glad I'm practicing at my condominium.

"Wow, you got 6.." Tresha said, looking at the scoreboard. "And we got 4"

She smirked, throw the ball into the air and smack the ball, "watch out!"

Bryce hugged me as he protects me from a ball that is about to hit me.

"Cut!"

"Tresha, it's not on the scene that you are going to hit Daphne." the director said, I looked at Tresha and she averted her gaze.

"I'm sorry, director. I actually didn't mean to toss it to her"

Or does she?

"Are you hurt, Flynn?" the director asked, concerned.

"No, director," Bryce said, smiling. I looked at Bryce and saw a reddish spot on his shoulder due to the impact of the ball that hit it. I'm about to tell the director but Bryce held my hand that made my eyes widened, he looked at me and give me a look not to tell the director.

The director nodded, "Anyway, 2-minute break."

Nathaniel and Tresha waked together and sat on the minibar. I looked at Bryce as we walked together and sit on the other side of the mini-bar.

"That was not on the scene... You hurt yourself because of me. I'm sorry" I said as I'm following him behind. He looked at me, smiling. I grabbed his hand and turn him around,

"Since we have a two-minute break. Can I at least put an ice pack on your shoulder?" I asked, looking at his shoulder.

"Thank you for your concern, Daphne.." he said with a smile as if he wasn't hurt by the ball then sat on a wooden chair. I looked at him, concerned.

He chuckled, "Don't give me that look, you look like Tom Nook. Come, sit"

I smiled at his remark and sit beside him, "Animal Crossing?"

He nodded. I was about to talk when he interrupted me, "Look, you don't need to put an ice pack on my shoulder. I'm fine at least I protected the girl I like" and he stood up and went back to the set.

Protected the girl... That he like?

Throughout the day, my mind is occupied with what Bryce said. The smell of the grilled barbeque flew into the air, I told the director that I should pass, eating tonight, and go for a walk. I walked through the dark moonlit night. With the ocean breeze that blew my hair and the relaxing sound of the ocean waves, I never felt so much relaxed.

"Hey" it was Bryce.

"I think you might need an accompany," he asked. I smiled and shake my head in amusement, He followed me as I stroll. Silence wrapped between us, "Can we take a seat?"

He nodded, Bryce and I take a seat on the sand and watch the subtle waves. "Bryce.."

"Yes?"

"About what you said earlier.. what do you mean?"

"What did I say earlier?" he asked as if he forgot.

"About the girl that you...like" I replied. Bryce looked at me intently as if had something to say, I couldn't figure it out. I didn't notice his face is getting closer and my eyes widened when he suddenly collapsed.

"Nathaniel!"

Nathaniel glared at Bryce, Bryce glared at him back. Bryce stood up and punch his face, Nathaniel's eyes widened, and knee-kick Bryce on the stomach. Bryce grabs Nathaniel's collar and Nathaniel punch him in the stomach, they are fighting against each other.

I'm between them, "Stop!" stopping them from fighting. I looked at Bryce that winced from the pain.

"What are you doing, Nathaniel?" I angrily asked.

"What am I doing? Obviously punching the guy who would kiss my girlfriend!"

I couldn't reply, not in Bryce's presence. If I would reply, our pretend-relationship would be exposed.

I shake my head and scoffed. I turn my back on Nathaniel and walk towards Bryce.

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned. Bryce couldn't reply due to the pain, I put his arms around my neck and let him stand up.

"Come, I'll help you," I said. I looked at Nathaniel as I walked past him.

Nathaniel threw his hands in the air out of disbelief. I looked over my shoulder and saw Tresha, walking towards Nathaniel. I averted my gaze, Nathaniel and Tresha could be together. I mean, from the distance, they look cute together. I shake my thoughts off.

"Honey, what are y--"

"Don't!" Nathaniel interrupted Tresha's sentence. He sighed and glared at Tresha, "Don't... Call me honey, okay? And leave me alone"

And Nathaniel strolls alone, leaving Tresha. His eyebrows furrowed as he thinks why he was angry when in reality... Daphne is not his girlfriend and remember rule number 4.