The classroom got filled up in just few minutes after the bell rang, everyone being grumpy taking their seats sluggishly. Kiara checked the subject they were having and let out a slight sign of frustration
"Ready for history?" Kiara asked them as she went to her seat
" Oh my days, history class again!" Vinny groaned as they went to sit
"If only it were a choice." Cyma groaned softly as the door opened
Mr. Benson, the history teacher, walked in. He was in his mid-forties, with a thick beard and a friendly but slightly mischievous smile. He set his stack of books down and glanced around the room.
" I so hate history" cyma said sinking into her chair as she saw the amount of books on the table.
" Good day everyone" Mr Benson said and no one responded
"Alright, everyone," he began
"today we're diving into the stories behind our town — its myths, legends, and some real history that shaped who we are." he added
The room quieted down, the students sensing a break from the usual dry textbook routine. Kiara leaned forward with interest as Mr. Benson paced slowly.
"Our town's oldest story involves a mysterious figure known as The Watcher — said to roam the forests at night, guarding an ancient secret buried beneath the old oak tree near the river." he said
A few students exchanged amused glances. Cyma rolled her eyes but listened intently.
"Some say The Watcher is a ghost, others say a guardian spirit," Mr. Benson said
"but every few decades, strange things happen here — things no one can explain."he continued
A hand shot up. It was Tyler
"Like what? Ghost sightings?" he asked and Mr. Benson nodded.
"Exactly. Lights in the woods, eerie sounds, people disappearing for a few hours and returning with no memory of what happened." he said and the class buzzed with excitement.
"Sounds like a horror movie," someone joked from the back and Kiara smiled, catching Cyma's eye.
"This is way better than just dates and wars." kiara said and Cyma laughed quietly.
"Yeah, my worst subject just got a little less worst." cyma said
"History isn't just about memorizing facts. It's about the stories we tell — the ones that connect us to our past." Mr. Benson smiled knowingly.
Suddenly, a loud snort came from the back. Leo whispered something that made Vinny burst out laughing. Even the teacher couldn't help but smile.
"Bet you didn't think history could be this fun." Kiara nudged Cyma.
"Okay, maybe I'll pay more attention from now on." cyma grinned
The bell rang all too soon.
"Next time, we'll explore the strange disappearance of Old Man Harrow, who vanished in these woods over fifty years ago. Trust me, you'll want to hear this." Mr Benson said before leaving
The students gathered their things, the mood lighter than when the class started.
Victoria came into the class and saw Fernando and Cherry sitting together beside the window. She has been seeing a lot of post online but she wanted to confirm it herself. She couldn't believe her eyes, she was meant to be happy for her two best friends but she felt pain instead and she didn't know why especially when she remembered the romantic speech Fernando mad few weeks back.
Back to the days where Fernando and Victoria were still fighting, before she met Mr H or coach Henry Fernando paid a surprise visit at night.
*******
Fernando stood downstairs by Victoria's window but her window was closed. He dialled her number, it was ringing but she didn't pick. Victoria on the other hand was in the bathroom freshening up and put her phone on silent. As she came out of the bathroom, she noticed her phone was vibrating. That was when she saw Fernando' call, she had plenty missed calls from him already.
" Hey" Victoria said picking up as she dries her hair
" Hey" Fernando replied
" I'm sorry, I'm just seeing your calls. What's up?" She asked
" I'm downstairs"
" In this rain?" She asked going to her window
" Yeah, I've been standing here for hours now" he said and as she opened her window she saw him drenched in the rain
" OMG, I'm coming" Victoria said rushing downstairs to open the door
" You're so drenched" she said giving him a towel
" Thanks for starting the obvious" he said
" You could have knocked you know" she said putting on the heater
" I thought your parents were home and your dad don't like me" he said
" Yeah, I'm working on that" she said going to the table
" Tea?" She asked
" Not too hot, not too cold....."
" Not too sweet, not too bitter. I know how you like it" she said cutting him shut and he smiled
" By the way, what are you doing here this late?" She asked preparing the tea
" I wanted to talk"
" By this time" she said looking at the clock. It was past eight
" Yeah"
" Couldn't it wait till tommorow maybe "
" No, it has to be now or I wouldn't want to say it again"
" And it's not something you can say over the phone"
" No"
" What's that?" She asked bringing the tea
" Um... Where's Vinny?"
" He went for a party I think"
" Vinny?, party?"
" Birthday party"
" Oh, it's probably the one Leo and Alex went to"
" Yeah could be" she said and he took a sip
" How is it?" She asked
" Just right" he said with a smile dropping the cup back on the plate
" So what do you want to take about?" She asked looking at him
Fernando stared at her, she was really beautiful her partially wet hair sticking to her face, her long eyelashes twitching waiting for his words. Her eyes filled with curiosity from what she wanted to hear and just then...
" I like you" he says and the expression on her face dimed
" Huh?" She asked raising a brow
" Have always liked you right since we were kids" he said
" Right since I met you"
" But.. but cherry, cherry likes you. You can't like me when cherry likes you, that's not.....that's not right. Cherry is my best friend, you are my best friend.. it just doesn't make any sense"
" Wait, Cherry likes me?"
" Yeah, isn't it quite obvious?"
" I thought she like Peter"
" Cherry... Peter. Never"
" Look, I really appreciate your feelings but I can't do this to Cherry"
" If I get it right, Cherry is the one you're worried about her"
" Yeah, I mean ... No, no. I care about you both that's...."
" It's fine"
" Nando...
" No, it's fine"
" I didn't mean it that way"
" No, serious it's fine, I got my answer"
" Nando"
" I understand"
" You do?"
" Yeah"
" Thank you" she said hugging him
" I will see you tommorow then" he said getting up to leave.
He got outside and smiled looking at Victoria again before he left. His actually thinking was Victoria likes him but seeing can't accept cause of Cherry and he didn't mind if it took some time but he knew they would get there soon, all he needed to do was explain to Cherry and that was the night he bumped into cherry
*"*"""
" Hey Tory" Fernando called seeing her standing by the door bringing her back to reality
" Vic, come" Cherry said and Victoria put on a fake smile before walking towards them.
" Hey" she said to the both of them
" You missed first class, what's up?" Fernando asked
" Oh, I was caught up with something" she said
" Okay" Cherry said winking at her
" Guess I'll leave you two to it, I gotta go for training. We missed the first match, can't afford to lose the second" Fernando said
" You won't, trust me" Cherry said placing her hands on Fernando's which got Victoria wondering what was happening
" Thanks" he said and kissed her
" Alright, I gotta go or I would be late for training" he said getting up
" Bye cupcake" he said giving her a quick peck on her forehead
" Bye Fern" she said as he was leaving
" Fern?, where did that come from?. Since when?" Victoria thought still standing there as they behaved like she didn't exist
" So Vic, what's up with you and your man" cherry whined
" Good, I... I need to get to training" Victoria said leaving
" Wait, I thought you're just coming from there" Cherry said as she left
" Okay, guess it's me to myself then" Cherry said bringing out her phone
That afternoon during football training, the sun glared down on the field, sweat glistening on shoulders as cleats pounded against grass. The Coach barked directions while Jason led the drills, focused and fired up for the upcoming game. After sometime, the coach left them to train on their own. The boys ran drills, sweat pouring, cleats tearing into turf. Jason barked instructions, focused as ever—until the atmosphere changed as uninvited footsteps crunched across the grass.
Leon, in his signature varsity baseball jacket, stormed onto the field with some of his teammates trailing behind him. Their presence stopped the entire practice.
Jason dropped the football, stepping forward.
"What are you doing here?" he asked
"Wrong field, wrong sport." Peter muttered "Wasn't talking to you." Leon shot him a glare and then he faced Jason
"We need to talk." Leon said moving closer to him and the other players slowly gathered, uncertain but tense
"Say what you came to say." Jason's eyes narrowed
"You have something of mine, release it"
" Something if yours?" Jason asked
" Yes, Nancy," Leon said flatly.
"She's not yours, and she's not a possession. Besides, She made her choice." Jason replied
"You knew what you were doing, the whole her coming to her rescue was all part of your game" Leon's jaw twitched
"And you think storming in here's gonna fix it?" Jason snapped.
" Look, I wasn't the one maltreating and taking advantage of the fact that you're rich so it's not on me" Jason said turning his back to go back to training
" I dare you to say that again." Leon shoved him
"Don't touch me." Jason shoved back, harder
" Jason, let him be" Peter said interfering pulling Jason back
In a blink, Leon dragged Jason back ang threw a punch at him and he fell. Peter standing there after he helped Jason up, got angry the moment he saw blood on Jason. He lunged at Leon and his baseball team tried to stop Peter but Fernando and the rest of the football team present stopped them and in few minutes, the field tired to a battle ground.
Coach heard the noise and came out, he blew the whistle and some other staffs came out to seperate them.
"What the hell?" Coach yelled
The two teams stood on opposite ends of the field, panting and glaring, jerseys torn, lips split, faces red from adrenaline or shame. Jason wiped a streak of blood from his cheek and glared at Leon, who spat on the grass
" Counselor's office now!, all of you!!" Coach yelled and they marched there
Kiara was walking in the hallway, coming from the restroom when she bumped into Kelvin.
" Hey" she said but he just ignored her and left. He had been ignoring her since last night after he saw her with Peter.
" Listen, I know you're angry at me" she said going after him
" Angry?, no. I'm heartbroken" he said stopping in his tracks
" I know I fucked up big time, I'm sorry" she said
" Sorry?, you rich people always think sorry can fix everything"
" No, the rich thinks money can fix everything. They barely say sorry but that not important right now, I just want you to hear me out"
" Hear you out?, okay"
" Listen, I know I shouldn't have bailed on you last night. I mean I followed you to the party and left with someone else, that was wrong of me" she said
" Totally wrong"
" Yeah, and I know sorry can't fix the damage I caused but the truth is I.. I genuinely like Peter, like I like him a lot like like like him...."
" Okay, I get that part"
" Oh, so I don't know what to say other than sorry but still I'm really sorry"
" Did you ever like me?" He asked and Kiara went mute
" Okay" he said as her silence said it all
" If Peter weren't here, I would have. I mean who wouldn't have. You're hot, funny, charming, you play the drums well and you are you"
" Don't think your sweet words will work"
" I really will be so happy to have a friend like you, for real. It will be like a double blessing"
" When you say friend, you mean like best friend cause I know I'll still have a chance as your best friend"
" Uh..."
" Let me guess, you have a best friend already"
" Yeah, Leonardo"
" Okay, I see. Having an handsome best friend"
" It's not what you're thinking"
" Yeah sure, at least now I know you were just using me"
" Don't put it like that, even if it's true but still"
" I'm not angry, nor heartbroken. As long as you're happy but Peter?... Seriously, that guy is dangerous"
" I know about Cynthia death and trust me he's not at fault"
" You don't know much, but it's fine. I'm still your friend though, so you better not cut me off. And I'm still going to try to woe you over" he said and she smiled
" Who knows what the future holds" She said
" See you in music class" he said
" Yeah" she said and they were about to par was we she gave him a hug
" Thanks for understanding" she said and he smiled as he returned the hug