Prologue (part 2)

VAUGHN'S POV:

I scanned the court, looking for Rhys, and found him lying on the floor. He wasn't moving, as if injured, sparking rumors among the crowd. I couldn't see what happened, but knowing him, he may have simply become exhausted. Their match against the Vikings was incredibly tough; in fact, they almost lost the last set. So it can't be denied that they were really a good team… I wonder what the match would have been like, if the association hadn't removed the deuce.

The situation might have been different, because through duece rule; the leading team should have maintained a two-point lead. However, in that case, the Vipers wouldn't have come up with their strategy, and Rhys might have been forced to call a substitution to conserve his energy. Even so, the outcome remains uncertain.

"Seriously?" Pasha muttered, that caught my attention. "What does he think he's doing?!"

I was aghast at her words. Come on, Pash! Not now, please! My body shook, frightened by what might happen.

But we've been friends for years, so I knew there was nothing more I could do to change her mind.

"Let's go, Vaughn!" she exclaimed, grabbing my wrist and pulling me onto the court.

"Wait a minute, Pash! We might fall!" I protested.

Instead of slowing down, she just glanced at me, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "To each other?" she asked.

I let out a dismissive "Hmph!"

"Be serious, Pash!" I retorted, my eyes narrowing in annoyance. "I'm telling you—we'll end up in the hospital if we fall!"

"Don't worry, that won't happen," she said confidently. "I'll catch you, okay?"

I chuckled sarcastically, feeling disrespected. "Hahaha. I'm way taller and heavier than you, so you can't catch me, Pash," I retorted.

"Then, just catch me instead."

Ugh! This girl is getting into my nerves!

I didn't argue with Pasha anymore, after all, I wouldn't win against her. If we fall, then we fall. There is a medical assistant here on campus.

We've reached the floor a few seconds later, breathless but unharmed. The fatigue and nervousness had left me gasping for air, so I took a moment to compose myself.

"Are you okay?" asked Pasha, her eyes wide with concern.

After you've exhausted me, you ask me if I'm okay?! I thought, but instead I said, "Yeah, yeah. I'm okay." Forcing a smile.

Pasha nodded in agreement, then pulled me forward again. As we stepped onto the court, we were blocked by a knot of people gossiping about Rhys.

"Was Caspian injured?" Someone asked.

"It seems so... but I hope he's fine," another replied.

"Serves him right! That's what an arrogant person deserves," a sneering voice cut in, making me furrowed.

But then, a calmer voice countered. "Maybe he just got exhausted; their fight against the Vikings was incredibly tough."

I let out a sigh of relief.

Thanks! At least someone seemed to understand the situation!

Still, I couldn't blamed them. Rhys was a significant figure on campus, so it was natural he'd attract attention— attention he clearly enjoying, being the showy type.

Pasha released my arm, placing her hands on her hips. "Those gossipers are ridiculous!" she muttered, her voice laced with disdain.

My jaw dropped, and a cold sweat broke out as I panicked. I quickly grabbed Pasha's shoulder, forcing her to face me. "Pa-Pash! Keep your voice down, they might hear you!" I stammered. But she just scoffed and smirked.

"I'm just stating facts... but the truth hurts, doesn't it?" she drawled, completely unconcerned.

She's outspoken! Though… she's always been like that even before.

"J-just, keep your voice down, okay?" I pleaded, my voice softening in an attempt to coax agreement.

Pasha's face lit up in smile, her lips curving into a warm expression. Then she took my hand from her shoulder and placed it over her chest. The soft and gentle curve of her body pressed against my skin, sending a blush to my cheeks.

Her eyes sparkled, and a high-pitched "squeal" scaped her lips, as she visibly thrilled. "Don't be like that, Vaughn!" she said enthusiastically. "You're making me kilig!"

My brow furrowed in confusion. What was she saying? How could she misinterpret me so completely?!

I shook my head, and snapped her misconception. "You're completely wrong, Pash!" I said, trying to pull my hand away. "A-and… please let go of my hand!" I pleaded, mortified.

"Oh… sorry," she apologized, releasing my hand.

She swirled, then she strode confidently forward, her assured gait demanding attention. My eyes widened as she took a deep breath, her chest rising beneath her uniform. I tried to stop her, but it was too late.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY! THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER IS PASSING BY!" she bellowed, her voice booming across the stadium. The warning was unmistakable, and a wave of murmurs and gasps rippled through the crowd.

My heart sank. Shit! Shit! Shit! She didn't listen to me!

"Pash, don't do this!" I whispered urgently, tugging on her arm. "We're not getting out of this!" I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, turning bright red. But Pasha seems unfazed.

"Don't worry, Vaughn. Relax!" she said, winking.

She really annoys me!

I frowned. "It's is so embarrassing, you know?!" I muttered, controlling myself from getting angry. Because I knew to myself that getting angry would only make things worse.

"What's so embarrassing about being the president's daughter?" she retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"That's not what I mean, Pash! Look, there are tons of people here!" I said, gesturing to the crowd. "Isn't that embarrassing?" I asked.

"You know, Vaughn... they don't really care about whatever I do, or whatever we do, okay?" she asserted. I hesitated to admit it, but she's somewhat right.

"And besides… it was all that bastard's fault!" Pasha added, gesturing towards Rhys who's still lying on the floor. "So you don't worry; I got this!"

I couldn't argue with her anymore. So, when she pulled me, I just simply followed. I just can't get it out of my mind that it's really embarrassing; I felt like we were some kind of aristocrats, and people were literally clearing path for us. I kept my head down hiding my face, letting Pasha lead the way.

Just a few seconds more, Pasha stopped suddenly from walking, causing our heads to bumped. "Ouch!" I whined, rubbing my forehead.

Pasha quickly turned over me, unconcerned on herself. "Sorry, Vaughn!" she apologized.

"No, I'm okay!" I replied.

"Are you sure?" she doubted.

"Y-yeah, don't worry about me," I said to assured her.

Pasha twirled back, her eyes locking onto Rhys. She cleared her throat before speaking, with a hint of annoyance creeping into her voice. "Hey, Pineda! Stand right there!" Her word's causing Rhys to whimper in fear.

I couldn't help but feel conflicted about him.

It's you're fault, jerk!

Rhys eyes darted around, pleading for help. "H-how am I supposed to do that? Don't you see? I'm injured!" he protested, wincing in pain.

My brow furrowed in annoyance at his reasoning. Ugh! Just get up already, you blockhead!

Pasha's expression darkened, charging at Rhys. "Aah!" she uttered. "You were injured, huh? Okay, then take this!" she exclaimed before she started kicking Rhys continuously.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" Rhys whined, scrambling to defend himself.

Pasha hollered, "That's serves you right, jerk!"

"Take this more! more! more! Yah! Yah! Yah!" she taunted, each kicks landing with precision.

"Enough Pash! Ouch! Ah! I don't want it anymore!"

"Vaughn! Help me, please!" Rhys pleaded in pain, sobbing with tears streaming down his face.

I felt a sympathy for him, but I pushed it aside and maintained my expression neutral.

I let out resign sigh before intervening. "That's enough Pash," I murmured, dabbing my hand over her shoulder, indicating for her to stop.

"Tch!" she let out.

I glanced at Rhys, giving him an emotionless look. "That's your fault," I said nonchalantly.

"You're so cold to me, Vaughn!" said Rhys, his tone dripped with disappointment and grief.

I furrowed my brow, glaring at him. "Just get up already, idiot," I said, intimidating him.

Pasha cut in, kicking Rhys once more. "You're so slow, get up there!"

Rhys whined as Pasha's kick landed on him with a loud thud, "AH!" Then he stood up. "Here it is, I'm getting up!"

Rhys regained his balance, overwhelming both me and Pasha by his height. Just then I realized; How can we boss him around? Thankfully, he's not getting annoyed with us, not even once! Though Pasha seems unfazed.

Suppositionally, for how many years we've been a tight-knit trio, Rhys has always been broad-minded. He doesn't mind being scolded or even being hurt. He doesn't even getting mad at me, though he's always quarreling with Pasha. But after all, we were still friends, and I knew that it was just a part of our friendship. And whatever happens, they will always be my friends forever.

Rhys cleared his throat. "V-Vaughn... I might melt in your gaze," she murmured.

Huh? did I just—

"N-no! I'm not staring at you... I-I'm just—."

"Shame on you, jerk!" Pasha interjected. She raised an eyebrow, her look is threatening.

"Stop being delusional, you look disgusting, don't you know?" she said sarcastically. But this time, Rhys seemed unfazed, ignoring Pasha as if we were the only two people in the stadium.

"No, I saw it. You're staring at me, directly in my eyes!" he insisted.

"Hey!" Pasha cried, punching Rhys. However, Rhys doesn't even flinched, as if he become immune in pain.

"Do you have a death wish?" Pasha warned, but Rhys wasn't paying attention on her, making Pasha to burst out.

Pasha swung, her knuckles gleaming under the harsh light, ready to connect with Rhys face. But I feel like I've become a statue— I couldn't move my body or even my lips so I can stop her.

Pasha landed her fist at Rhys, but in my surprised, Rhys was able to stop it. He's grabbing Pasha's arm as if he predicted it's movement, just like what he was doing when playing volleyball.

"Say it, Vaughn. You stared at me, didn't you?" Rhys asked, locking his gazed to me, making my heartbeat fast. But I couldn't answer his question, as my brain couldn't function well.

Danm it! What should I do?!

I twirled around, struck by a sudden realization— the stadium was empty. It was just the three of us here.

Right, I can use this to divert the conversation!

"W-wait… where did everyone go?" I asked, pretending to be unaware.

Pasha's face lit up with pride. "Maybe they all left in fear earlier, after witnessing me beating Caspian," she replied.

"Hey! I'm not just fighting you back because—," Rhys intervened, but Pasha cut him off. "Because of what?!" asked Pasha, her voice rising in challenge.

Rhys' eyes darted to the side, avoiding Pasha's gaze. He couldn't answer, so Pasha repeated his question. Her voice growing louder. "Because of what?! Tell me, Caspian. Because of what?!" The air seemed to vibrate as Pasha's word hung in silence.

Sorry, Rhys! It's not my intention to detract Pasha's heap on you!

"Calm down yourself first, Pash. Let's settle this somewhere else, not here," I intervened, glancing at Rhys.

I swiftly swung my arm over Rhys' shoulder and asked, "Let's go?" My tone laced with intimidation.

"O-oh, yeah, l-let's go," Rhys stammered as my eyes narrowed at him.

Despite his well-defined physique, I pulled him along, leading him out of the stadium. But I had no ill intentions. Let's just say I want to congratulate him on his triumph.

Pasha didn't argue anymore, and willingly followed me. But he and Rhys continued murmuring behind me, but I just let them be.

My head is spinning. Should I carefully explain it to him everything, or just come clean?

The thought of explaining it all makes me anxious. But he's my friend; I don't think he'll mind knowing what I think about him, right? I'm sure there's no reason for us to misunderstand each other.