by Abby Osuna
The twins were fast learners. After stumbling a few times, they finally got the hang of it. They
were gliding alongside us minutes later.
I was resting against the railing when I saw someone in the corner of my eye approaching me. I
didn’t turn my head, knowing I wouldn’t like the view.
“Tired already?” Carl’s irritating voice said as he leaned against the railing beside me.
I didn’t bother answering and just continued staring ahead.
“Ooooh. Just because you date a teacher, doesn’t mean you can share the authority too.”
I scoffed at him, but stil didn’t open my mouth to retort.
“Ran out of excuses?” he snickered.
“Andrea, Jonathan’s waiting for you.” Drew was suddenly beside me, gesturing to Jonathan who
was standing steps behind him.
“Right,” I muttered, joining Jonathan who had a questioning look on his face.
“What was that about? Drew suddenly asked me to look at you as he approached you and---“
“Let’s join the twins.” I interrupted him, not breaking my stride.
He shrugged, and glided after me.
~
I didn’t know what Drew told Carl but he didn’t come near me the rest of our stay at the rink. At
about one in the afternoon, Drew invited us to lunch and we obliged. We entered his favorite
restaurant and settled ourselves at the table nearest the door.
I scanned the room and saw a familiar face at the table on the far side of the restaurant. Before I could blink to check if what I was seeing was real, Kristine announced it out loud.
“Anthony’s here too!”
I looked away. Jonathan snapped his head toward me, just as Drew stood up and headed to the
men’s room. Kris was about to stand and approach Anthony when his twin held his arm.
“He’s with someone,” Kristine almost whispered, eyes glued to ‘them’.
Slowly, my gaze went to their direction again and saw that Kristine was right. I figured it was a
girl, who had her back on us. I looked away again, not wanting to see who it was. I felt so foolish I didn’t know why.
Drew got back and took his seat beside me.
“Guess he also knows how to play games too,” Drew whispered.
“Who?”
“Him,” was all he needed to say for me to understand he was referring to Anthony.
“Oh.”
The waiter approached us and took our orders. When he left, I saw Anthony turn his head
towards us and Kristine waved happily at him. He smiled back, and Kris gestured for him to
approach us. I was silently wishing that he’d stay right where he was, but half of me wanted him
to get near and have small talk with the group.
I was half-pleased when he raised his hand as if saying ‘later’.
“Good old Anthony,” Kris muttered under his breath, shaking his head. He sounded amused.
“Yea.” I whispered and Drew shot me a consoling look.
~
Chapter 17
"I'm so full!" Kris sighed as he leaned back on his seat. Kristine nudged her elbow on his side, and he quickly straightened up.
"Thanks for lunch, Mr. Hamilton," Kristine shot Drew a grateful look.
"Don't mention it, Kristine."
Jonathan whispered something to Kristine just as Drew whispered something to me.
"Ready for a game?"
I stared at him. "What game?"
"Prank." He smiled conceitedly.
"W-what---"
"Hey Drei, I think we have to go now. The twins and I have something important to do. Will you be okay if I leave you here?"
Before I could take in why he was such in a rush to leave, Drew spoke up, "Sure Jonathan.
We're fine."
My best friend stood up from his seat, along with Kristine who was smiling happily at him.
Whatever it was that they were talking about, it sure amused her. Kris stood up too, but had a
confused look on his face. I assumed he was just forced to come with Jonathan and Kristine.
"Uhh. Bye Drei, Mr. Hamilton. Thanks again!" Kris muttered as he passed by us, following
Jonathan and Kristine's tail. Jonathan shot us one meaningful look before finally disappearing
from the door.
"What is happening, Drew?" I almost glared at him.
"I told you, we're playing a game," he said as he took my hand in his and stood up. Reluctantly, I stood up too. He was looking at the direction of Anthony's table. I followed his gaze, and was
surprised to see that they were still here. How long were they planning to stay here?
Drew and I were standing awkwardly before we finally moved out.
"What was that about, Drew? Wanted to gain attention?" I asked him as soon as we left the restaurant. He finally let go of my hand.
"Didn't you see his face?"
I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Near-sighted Drew."
"Oh. Right," he scratched the back of his head in realization. "He stared at us. Suspiciously."
I blinked. "So?"
"So, he's in the game too."
"Okay," I muttered, tired of asking him what game this actually was. "What role does he play then?" I pushed on.
"The victim," he answered absentmindedly, his eyes lingering on an item we passed by. I
winced at the word. Just like his uncle. I shoved the thought away.
"Of course. The reward I get by the end of the game is the priceless look on his face," he teased.
I stared at him in disbelief. "You really are mischievous."
"Sure am," he snickered.
We strolled the mall for a few minutes. Sensing that my uncle was bored, I suggested that we
go see a movie.
Checking his watch, he muttered "Just in time."
He pulled me toward the direction of the cinema. I had to keep up with his long strides to avoid
from tripping. He was oblivious to my struggle. At last, we reached the cinema. He secured our
tickets and I went to get our food. Though we just had lunch, I knew Drew too well. He didn't
want to miss out the chance to eat while watching a movie. I was so engrossed with my
thoughts that I didn't notice someone already joined the line beside me.
"Drei?"
I turned to the voice and almost froze to the spot when I saw Anthony looking down at me.
"Oh. Hi," I mumbled.
"Where's the others?" he scanned the place quickly.
"Uhh. They left," I replied uncertainly.
"To?"
"I really don't know," I spoke, as if talking to myself.
"Who're you wi---"
"Done Drei!" I heard Drew chirp behind me. "Anthony?"
Anthony turned, and I saw his face flash with uncertainty.
"Hi, Mr. Hamilton."
"Good to see you again," Drew responded politely.
Before I could join their unusually polite exchange, it was my turn to order for food, so I turned
my back on them instead. Anthony ordered for his food too, and Drew moved to the end of the
line to wait for me.
When the cashier handed me the items, I turned to face Drew, with a what's-going-on look. He
shrugged almost imperceptibly.
I glared at him before turning to Anthony again. What I was about to say died in my throat when
I saw a girl take the food Anthony just bought. She was inches taller than me, and had beautiful,
shiny shoulder length hair. I was star struck. She was so beautiful.
"I-We're going Anthony," I muttered, then spun on my heel. Just as I was about to take a step away, he took a hold of my arm. "Wait."
Reluctantly, I turned to face them. Drew was still on my side and he too, faced them again.
"Mr. Hamilton, Drei, this is Car
ley. Carley, this is Drei and---"
"Andrew Hamilton," Drew extended his hand. She took it, smiling politely at him.
"Nice to meet you," she said.
"Same here."
After letting go of his hand, she stuck it out to me.
I hesitated for a moment, then held out my hand too. I gave her a courteous shake. "Pleased to meet you," I tried my best not to stutter.
"Why don't we all go inside now? The movie's about to start. I see we're on the same movie,"
Drew broke the awkward silence and gestured to the ticket on Carley's hand.
Before my hand landed on my side after the handshake, I felt Drew take it in his again. I stared
at him and he squeezed my hand, "Let's go."
I followed my uncle inside and in the corner of my eye, I saw Anthony and Carley start toward
the cinema too. I think I saw her whisper something to Anthony but I didn't take a second look to
see if I was right. The awkwardness was getting too much to handle, and staring at them would
only double it.
I didn't realize I was staring at the floor the whole time until we reached the door leading to the cinema. Luckily, Drew held it out for me. He noticed my expression. "Smile," he whispered cheerfully. "Right," I smiled wryly.
I thought Anthony and Carley weren't following us, but to my dismay, Anthony suddenly spoke
behind us. "I saw empty seats there, we could sit together." He was towing Carley beside him, and Drew and I followed suit. Luckily, the movie hadn't started yet, and the lights were still on.
The free seats were on the aisle. All the other seats around it were occupied. The guy seated on
the fifth seat looked like a frustrated rock star. Wearing a muscle-sleeved shirt, the tattoo on his arm was more than visible. His hair was in a Mohawk style, and had multiple piercing on his
face. When his eyes landed on me, his face was in a smirk. Carley took the seat by the aisle,
and Anthony sat beside her. After hesitating for a moment, I unwillingly took the seat beside
him. Even if I would take the seat beside the frustrated rock star, I knew Drew wouldn't let me.
As I sat, Drew whispered something I didn't catch onto my ear as he took his.
"What?" I asked as he adjusted himself in his seat.
He smiled mischievously. "Perfect."
I lowered my gaze. In a way, it actually was.
Just then the lights turned off, and the trailers started. I began sipping my drink absentmindedly.
I was about to place it on the drink holder to my left, when I bumped into Anthony's hand.
"Uhh. Sorry," I muttered as I placed my drink on the other arm of the seat.
"No, its okay," he smiled.
As the movie rolled, I found it hard to focus on it. Not only because Anthony was beside me, but
also because of the frequent giggles I heard from Carley from time to time. Couldn't they do it
more discreetly? I sighed. Then I felt something on my shoulder. I turned and found Drew
leaning against me, sleeping. I raised my hand to adjust his head to a more comfortable position
when he suddenly caught it and rested our hands on the arm of the seat. My eyes widened
when I realized how visible it was, but he resisted my move and continued to rest our hands
there. I rolled my eyes. Drew was really serious with this game.
I turned my attention back to the movie and I saw Anthony turn his head toward me. I feigned
interest, and tried my best not to look at him too. I felt his stare linger at our hands before
turning back to the movie. I resisted the smile that was threatening to climb on my face. So
Drew's plan was somehow working after all.
The movie was halfway when the heavily tattooed man beside Drew left. He was obviously
alone, when the people beside him didn't follow him outside. Drew raised his head from my
shoulder and straightened himself in his seat. After a few minutes, he excused himself and
headed to the men's room. As if on cue, a man was suddenly taking Drew's seat beside me.
"Excuse me the seat's occ-" I was stopped short when I saw Carl smirking at me. "Carl."
Anthony must've heard me as he greeted Carl from behind me. "Hey."
"Hi."
I glared at him. He really acted like a stalker. But a little attractive than the usual ones. I pushed the thought away.
"There's someone seated there," I said flatly.
"There's a free one here," gesturing the seat beside him.
I rolled my eyes at him. Just then Drew got back and was equally shocked to find Carl on his
seat. He cleared his throat and temporarily took the seat beside him.
"I believe that's my seat."
"Oh yeah? Well---"
"He's right Carl." I heard Anthony mutter behind me. Before standing up, Carl muttered his famous line again. "Be careful."
I stared at him incredulously as he passed Drew, and headed to the exit.
***
"I'm so full!" Kris sighed as he leaned back on his seat. Kristine nudged her elbow on his side, and he quickly straightened up.
"Thanks for lunch, Mr. Hamilton," Kristine shot Drew a grateful look.
"Don't mention it, Kristine."
Jonathan whispered something to Kristine just as Drew whispered something to me.
"Ready for a game?"
I stared at him. "What game?"
"Prank." He smiled conceitedly.
"W-what---"
"Hey Drei, I think we have to go now. The twins and I have something important to do. Will you be okay if I leave you here?"
Before I could take in why he was such in a rush to leave, Drew spoke up, "Sure Jonathan.
We're fine."
My best friend stood up from his seat, along with Kristine who was smiling happily at him.
Whatever it was that they were talking about, it sure amused her. Kris stood up too, but had a
confused look on his face. I assumed he was just forced to come with Jonathan and Kristine.
"Uhh. Bye Drei, Mr. Hamilton. Thanks again!" Kris muttered as he passed by us, following
Jonathan and Kristine's tail. Jonathan shot us one meaningful look before finally disappearing
from the door.
"What is happening, Drew?" I almost glared at him.
"I told you, we're playing a game," he said as he took my hand in his and stood up. Reluctantly, I stood up too. He was looking at the direction of Anthony's table. I followed his gaze, and was
surprised to see that they were still here. How long were they planning to stay here?
Drew and I were standing awkwardly before we finally moved out.
"What was that about, Drew? Wanted to gain attention?" I asked him as soon as we left the restaurant. He finally let go of my hand.
"Didn't you see his face?"
I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Near-sighted Drew."
"Oh. Right," he scratched the back of his head in realization. "He stared at us. Suspiciously."
I blinked. "So?"
"So, he's in the game too."
"Okay," I muttered, tired of asking him what game this actually was. "What role does he play then?" I pushed on.
"The victim," he answered absentmindedly, his eyes lingering on an item we passed by. I
winced at the word. Just like his uncle. I shoved the thought away.
"Of course. The reward I get by the end of the game is the priceless look on his face," he teased.
I stared at him in disbelief. "You really are mischievous."
"Sure am," he snickered.
We strolled the mall for a few minutes. Sensing that my uncle was bored, I suggested that we
go see a movie.
Checking his watch, he muttered "Just in time."
He pulled me toward the direction of the cinema. I had to keep up with his long strides to av
oid
from tripping. He was oblivious to my struggle. At last, we reached the cinema. He secured our
tickets and I went to get our food. Though we just had lunch, I knew Drew too well. He didn't
want to miss out the chance to eat while watching a movie. I was so engrossed with my
thoughts that I didn't notice someone already joined the line beside me.
"Drei?"
I turned to the voice and almost froze to the spot when I saw Anthony looking down at me.
"Oh. Hi," I mumbled.
"Where's the others?" he scanned the place quickly.
"Uhh. They left," I replied uncertainly.
"To?"
"I really don't know," I spoke, as if talking to myself.
"Who're you wi---"
"Done Drei!" I heard Drew chirp behind me. "Anthony?"
Anthony turned, and I saw his face flash with uncertainty.
"Hi, Mr. Hamilton."
"Good to see you again," Drew responded politely.
Before I could join their unusually polite exchange, it was my turn to order for food, so I turned
my back on them instead. Anthony ordered for his food too, and Drew moved to the end of the
line to wait for me.
When the cashier handed me the items, I turned to face Drew, with a what's-going-on look. He
shrugged almost imperceptibly.
I glared at him before turning to Anthony again. What I was about to say died in my throat when
I saw a girl take the food Anthony just bought. She was inches taller than me, and had beautiful,
shiny shoulder length hair. I was star struck. She was so beautiful.
"I-We're going Anthony," I muttered, then spun on my heel. Just as I was about to take a step away, he took a hold of my arm. "Wait."
Reluctantly, I turned to face them. Drew was still on my side and he too, faced them again.
"Mr. Hamilton, Drei, this is Carley. Carley, this is Drei and---"
"Andrew Hamilton," Drew extended his hand. She took it, smiling politely at him.
"Nice to meet you," she said.
"Same here."
After letting go of his hand, she stuck it out to me.
I hesitated for a moment, then held out my hand too. I gave her a courteous shake. "Pleased to meet you," I tried my best not to stutter.
"Why don't we all go inside now? The movie's about to start. I see we're on the same movie,"
Drew broke the awkward silence and gestured to the ticket on Carley's hand.
Before my hand landed on my side after the handshake, I felt Drew take it in his again. I stared