Chapter Six

I felt a flicker of irritation. CJ was blushing.

She is here to cheer for me, right? Not to watch Seth.

"Hey, Angelo. The game's about to start. Come over here," said our manager.

"Y-Yeah," I answered.

I sauntered to our bench. Although it was only a practice game, I still wanted to win. However, I couldn't focus. I was so pissed at the fact that CJ was flustered when she gazed at Seth. Why would her face look like that?

She has never looked at me like that.

"We lack one player on the opposite team. Who wants to change?" Coach asked.

I glanced at Seth. We're on the same team.

"I'll change my team," I volunteered.

Seth frowned. "What? Why? You need my assists."

I smirked. "You mean, you need my assists."

He laughed. I felt annoyed.

I changed my shirts. Girls started yelling as I stripped. I secretly glimpsed at CJ. She was only talking to Sofia.

Now, I'm in the red team. Seth is in the blue team.

I was still boiling with anger. But what right do I have to feel this pissed off? And who should I be angry at?

I glanced at CJ again. She was still speaking to Sofia.

"Hey, Angelo. You okay?" Seth asked.

I didn't answer.

CJ'S POV:

The game started. I didn't know why, but Angelo's face was crumpled. He didn't seem to be having fun. He also committed a lot of fouls and turnovers.

Meanwhile, Seth was doing really great with his three point shots. Angelo's fans were mumbling. They seemed confused and disappointed.

I became concerned.

"Something's wrong with Angelo," Sofia muttered.

"Hm?"

"He doesn't usually play like that. He seems distracted."

I clasped my hands together, biting my lip. I hope he's alright.

Somebody threw the ball to the basket, but it bounced on the board, and everyone jumped for rebound.

Seth got the ball. Angelo, however, fell out of balance and landed on his back.

I gasped. Angelo cried in pain as he held his right ankle.

"Angelo!" I yelled, my muscles tensing up.

The referee paused the game. All the players, including the coach, surrounded him.

I hurriedly got up from the bleachers and ran to Angelo.

"CJ!" Sofia called, but I didn't stop.

"Angelo!"

ANGELO'S POV:

My ankle hurts. Damn it. What the hell is my problem?

I winced in pain.

"Angelo, are you okay?" Seth asked, worried.

"Shit..." I cursed under my breath.

"Angelo!"

I raised my head. CJ was there. She squeezed herself in and knelt in front of me. Her eyebrows were curled against each other, and for some reason, I was relieved that she was there.

"Somebody help him up and take him to the infirmary," Coach said.

"I'll do it!" CJ volunteered.

My teammates were surprised. They exchanged glances with each other.

"Are you sure, Miss?" Coach asked, doubtful.

Yes! I'll take care of him," she replied and tried to help me up. She obviously couldn't do it. Marco, another teammate of mine, assisted.

I pressed my lips together. It really hurts.

I glanced at Seth. He also looked surprised and worried. Then I glanced at CJ as my arm wrapped around her shoulder.

I suppressed a smile that was about to form on my lips.

"Can you do it? Do you want me to go with you?" Seth asked, passing the ball to Jason.

"No, it's fine, Seth. Stay. Finish the game," I answered before CJ could open her mouth.

CJ'S POV:

We finally arrived at the building after at least 15 minutes. Angelo was having a hard time taking steps. I knew we should have let Seth help us. I was obviously too petite and weak to do this by myself.

"Are you okay, Angelo? Can you walk?" I asked him.

He didn't answer. He was only wincing in pain.

"We should have asked Seth to come with us. I'm sorry. I thought I could help you."

Angelo clicked his tongue.

"Then just go."

I scoffed. "What? I'm only apologizing because I'm worried about you."

"Who told you to worry about me?" he snapped.

I elbowed him.

"Ouch!" he shrieked. "I'm already injured! What do you think you're doing?"

"Why are you being so mean?"

"You have nothing to do with it," he hissed.

"I have something to do with it. I'm your best friend."

He stopped walking. We were only a few steps away from the clinic.

"Why did you stop?"

He gently pushed me away, then he tried to find support on the wall instead.

"What are you doing, Angelo?" I tried to help him again, but he stopped me.

"I told you before, didn't I? I won't be your best friend," he said in a firm tone. He started walking again.

"Angelo, let me help you," I pleaded.

He continued walking away bit by bit.

"Stop. Leave me alone. Just go back and watch the game."

"Angelo--"

"The reason why you came to watch is there anyway."

My brows curled.

"What are you trying to say? You're the reason why I came."

"For me?" he hissed. "Don't lie."

A wave of irritation surged through me. "What the heck is your problem?"

"Nothing."

"You're so hard to figure out!"

I walked by his side. Even though he's being difficult, I don't want him to fall and get even more injured. He's so stubborn.

"You have to talk to me, okay?"

But he didn't say another word. He just continued walking without looking back.

What's wrong with Angelo? He said that I watched because of someone else. That's not true. I went because of him.

I paused.

Could it be that he saw me looking at Seth?

My heart pounded.

Oh no.

He probably realized that I have a crush on Seth!

Angelo finally got into the clinic. I stayed outside and watched as the male doctor started to assist him. His ankle was swollen. It looked really painful.

The doctor asked him to lie down. I wanted to stay and talk to him. To convince him that he was wrong. But I would most likely spill that truth that I have a crush on Seth.

I sighed.

Okay. I'll just go back to the gym for now.

However, when I came back, no one was inside the gym anymore.

"I missed the entire game," I whispered in angst.

"How's Angelo?"

I turned around.

It was Seth. He was dribbling a ball as he walked toward me. My heart fluttered again.

"He's okay... Why did the game end so early?" I asked him.

"It was just a practice game, besides, it isn't fun without Angelo," Seth replied then threw the ball to the basket. It went in.

"You're really good."

He smiled at me.

"Let's sit," he said.

Seth took a seat on the bench where players rest. I sat on the other end.

"Angelo's been acting pretty weird recently."

"Hm?"

"He was distracted during the game. And he's been snappy lately. Did something happen between you two?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't really know, Seth. I thought we were okay since he defended me that night. But he's mad at me again."

He suddenly chuckled.

"Did you talk about anything important? I mean, he walked out with you at that party. Maybe it has something to do with that."

I got another flashback of Angelo saying that I could be his girlfriend if I wanted to hang out with him. I blushed.

"N-Nothing comes up..."

"Hm," he rested his elbows on his thighs, his hands clasping together. "Well, do you have a boyfriend? A suitor?"

I shook my head. "I don't know why you're asking that but no."

He poked his tongue on his cheek.

"Why?"

"I guess you still don't know."

I raised an eyebrow. "Know what?"

He shot a look at me then he grinned. My pulse raced.

"Never mind."

I looked up the ceiling. "Well... It's impossible, Seth."

"What is?"

"That somebody would have any interest in me. I'm not pretty. I'm not like the girls here. I don't think any sane guy would want to be close to me."

Seth tapped my shoulder. I gazed back at him.

"Silly. I'm here next to you, aren't I?" he said.

My lips quivered.

Seth is really nice. I know that he's a player so that's probably why he talks like this. But he's the only person who's good to me aside from Sofia.

I lowered my head. I hope he didn't notice that I blushed.

I do have a crush on him, but he already has a girlfriend. And although he is next to me, I know that he will never like me.

But this is good enough. Just sitting next to him is good enough for me.

ANGELO'S POV:

My ankle was still painful and I was forced to use crutches. The doctor told me to rest for a bit, but I didn't want to. I thought I needed to see CJ. To at least try to make things a little better.

Alright. I'm being unfair to her. I know.

I headed straight to the gym. I peeked and saw nobody. I guess the game ended.

I was about to leave when I heard CJ's voice. I walked closer to the door.

"That somebody would have any interest in me. I'm not pretty. I'm not like the girls here. I don't think any sane guy would want to be close to me."

I opened the door a little. CJ and Seth were sitting at the bench.

My throat closed up.

"Silly. I'm here next to you, aren't I?"

The edge of irritation returned, and it ate me up. I don't like this.

I'm jealous of Seth.