Chapter 1: Commotion After The Triumph

VAUGHN

I was looking for Rhys when I found him lying on the court's floor. I couldn't see what happened, but knowing him; maybe he just got exhausted.

"What is that jerk doing?!" Pasha muttered suddenly, sending chill in my body.

Come on, Pash! Not now, please!

I'm aghast of what she was thinking when she said those words, but we've already been friends for years. So, I know that there's nothing more I can do to change her mind.

"Let's go, Vaughn!" said Pasha, grasping my wrist and pulling me out waygoing on the court. I offered no resistance, rather just thinking; Here we go again!

As we stepped onto the court, we were blocked by a crowd of people gossiping about Caspian.

Someone asked, "Was Caspian injured?" And then, someone replied, "It seems... but I hope he's okay."

"Serves him right! That's what arrogant get," Someone sneered, making me furrow my brow. But then, a calmed voice chimed in. "Maybe he'd just got exhausted, because their fight against Vikings wasn't easy afterall."

I let out a sigh. Thanks, at least someone seemed to understand the situation!

But I couldn't blamed them, as the fact that Caspian had a significant influence in our campus. So it was just normal for him to get attention... and he was enjoying it, being the showy guy he was.

Pasha swung her hands, placing it to her hips. "These gossipers are just making a nonsense!" she muttered under her breath, her tone tinged with disgrace.

My jaw dropped, and began sweating as I panicked at what she had said. I swiftly glanced at her, my voice shaking as I spoke, "Pa-Pa-Pa-Pash! Lower your voice; they might hear you!" I stammered. But she merely let out a dismissive "Tch!" and smirked.

"I'm just stating a fact... but well, truth hurts for them," she drawled, her tone dripped with nonchalance.

She's surely outspoken! Though she's always been like that heretofore.

My lids hid my eyes as I inhaled to loosen my vexation. Then I swiftly grasped Pasha's shoulder softly, and I pleaded, "J-just, lower your voice a bit, okay?" My voice soothing, hoping to get an affirmative answer from her.

Pasha's face lit up, with a smile spreading across her face. She then grasped my hand back off her shoulder, placing it under her chest. The soft, gentle curves pressed against my skin, sending flush rise to my cheeks.

Pasha's eye sparkled. She let out a high-pitched squeal, as she tingled with delight. "Eeeeep!"

"Don't be like that, Vaughn! I'm thrilled!" She giggled.

My brow furrowed in confusion. What is she saying? How could she misinterpret my korero?!

I shook my head, and frowned before snapping her misconceive. "You are thinking wrong, Pash!" I said, while trying to take off my hand from her. "And please let go off my hand!" I gasped.

"Ow, sorry," she apologized, and do as I said.

Pasha swirled around and step forward, her confident stride commanding attention. My eyes widened as she inhale deeply, her chest rising beneath her uniform. I attempted to stop her from doing what she was planning, but it was already too late.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY! THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER WILL BE PASSING BY!" Her voice boomed through the stadium, echoing off the walls, sending a shiver down my spine. The warning in her voice was unmistakable, and the crowd's murmur and gasps filled the air like a living thing.

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

"Pash, don't make an excuse!" I whispered urgently, tugging on her arm. "We're not getting exempted here!"

Pasha's outburst had drawn attention, and I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, turning bright red. But Pasha seems unfazed. "Don't worry, Vaughn. Just chill!" she said, and flashed a wink.

I furrowed my brow at her in annoyance. "It was so shameful, you know?!" I blustered at her.

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

"That wasn't the point, Pash! I mean— look, there's a lot of people here!" I remarked, gesturing to the crowd of people in front of us.

"You know, Vaughn... they don't care to whatever I do, or whatever we do, okay?" she asserted to me. I hesitated admitting to myself that she has a point.

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

I have nothing elso to do against Pasha anymore. So when she pulled me towards Rhys, I just followed. It just so embarrassing because we're like aristocrats, and people were clearing a path for us. I kept my head down to hid my face, and let Pasha to guide me on our way.

Just a moment more, Pasha stopped suddenly, so my head bumped with her. "Ouch!" I whined, rubbing my forehead. Pasha twirled, "Sorry, Vaughn!" she apologized.

"No, I'm okay!" I said. "Are you sure?"

"Y-yeah, don't worry about me," I 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; after all, it was his fault.

Rhys eyes darted around, pleading for help. "H-how am I supposed to do that? Don't you see? I'm injured!" he argued, 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 starting to kick Rhys continuously.

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

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

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

"Enough Pash! Ouch! Ah! I don't want it anymore— Vaughn! Help me!" 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 sighed. "That's enough Pash." I dabbed 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, you idiot."

Pasha blustered, and she kicked Rhys once more. "You're so slow, get up there!"

Rhys whined as Pasha's kick landed on him with a loud thud, "Ouch!" Then he stoop 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 seemed 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.

Rhys muttered, "V-Vaughn... I might melt in your gaze."

Huh? did I just— "N-no! I'm not staning at you... I-I'm just—."

"You're so shameless!" Pasha interjected. She raised an eyebrow, her look is threatening.

"Stop being delusional, that look on your face is disgusting, you know?" she said sarcastically. But Rhys seemed unfazed, ignoring Pasha as if we were the only two people in the stadium.

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!

"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 beat Caspian," she replied.

Rhys intervened, "Hey! I'm not just fighting you back because—." Pasha cut him off, her voice rising in challenge. "Because of what?!" Rhys' eyes darted to the side, avoiding Pasha's gaze.

Rhys couldn't answer, so Pasha repeated his question. Her voice growing louder. "Because of what?! Tell me, because of what?!" The air seemed to vibrate as Pasha's word hung in silence.

Sorry, Rhys! I didn't intended to detract Pasha's heap on you!

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

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

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

Despite his well-defined physic, 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.