After hearing the roaring noises from the crowd's various chanting, Veronica's ears feel like they're about to burst. She dislikes loud noises, but here she is contradicting herself by joining their school's cheerleading squad.
Today is their university's sports festival, and as expected, their campus, as the largest among all other campuses, is hosting this event. Veronica Del Rico must admit that she is one of the students who is excited for this event to take place. Classes have been canceled so that the students can enjoy this one-week event.
"Veron, your shoe tie is untied," her co-member Angela informed her.
She responded by nodding and lowering her knee to tie her shoelace. As she adjusted her shoes, Veronica noticed a cold stare from her left side. She tries to ignore it and keep her head down. She already knows who it is— her suitor, Andrei. Correction, her ex-suitor starting today.
According to what her brothers usually joked, he's the only one who can tame a stubborn princess like her. But not anymore, because he's a liar.
When she's finished, she listens to the girls in front of her squeal in unison as players from other campuses enter their closed gym for the opening ceremony.
She's not sure, but what drew her attention was the brown-haired boy, who she believes is six feet tall, walking like a king with his teammates. She read his surname on his jersey, "Gustavo."
Hmm, doesn't ring a bell.
The opening began, and the venue became even louder than before. They began with a prayer, then their beloved school President's opening remarks, and finally the emcees' banter with each other. When she heard her brother's name called for his speech, she snorted.
Veronica knows that her brothers and her share the same air, but there's something about them that makes you look twice when you see them. Especially this brother of hers, who exudes arrogance and pretentiousness!
Why is she related to him by blood? If they knew that he's like in their house, they wouldn't be reacting like this!
"Now, may we call on to the stage the chairman of this year's Sport Festival, the most humble, intelligent, and most importantly, the one who has led the students in a great path of being a responsible player, Mr. Vincenzo Del Rico, for his official opening of the sports event."
Humble, his ass!
Her brother marched proudly to the center stage. She is close to all of her siblings, but this one in particular gets on her nerves. Maybe because Vincenzo is the youngest brother she has while she's the youngest daughter of her family.
She's not going to lie, all of her brothers and sisters are attractive. Because their parents are Spanish and Filipino. But here she is, the family's ugly duckling who doesn't resemble any of her parents nor her brothers and sisters.
She's like a sprinkle that's not needed on a perfectly baked and decorated strawberry cupcake.
"Today, as we begin our intercampus sports festival, I will call on each representative from each basketball team to toss the ball," her brother explained.
The largest school in August City is their school, Saint Therese Academy. This academy is a college school that has a total of six campuses across the city. Each campus offers undergraduate programs that students are free to choose from.
"John Paul Gomez from West Campus. They are the Brown Bear Commanders!" Vincenzo starts to call the representative for each campus.
The West Campus is well-known for its College of Arts and Sciences which offers diverse programs in humanities, social sciences and natural sciences.
Veronica then turned her gaze to the man wearing the Gustavo jersey and watched as his body hugged his shirt tightly. She must admit that he has a good physique.
Oh! He also has dimples, which is adorable!
"Jeremiah Gustavo from South Campus representing the White Tiger Trailblazers!"
As she examines his facial features, she can't help but smile. Jeremiah, huh. This boy's rather cute. Wait, what smile?
The South Campus on the other side offers engineering, architecture and fine arts programs. Famous national engineers and architects graduated from that campus. Like her oldest brother Valentino Del Rico.
She imagined Jeremiah as an architecture student and damn her face was hot.
Veronica's view was obscured when someone suddenly barged his way into Gustavo's left side. He didn't even wait for his name to be called. When she saw him, her mouth curled into a frown.
Aside from her brother Vince, his arrogance makes her blood boil. This type of person irritates her greatly. The one who infuriates you whenever you see them.
Why did she let him court her in the first place? This is ridiculous!
"Our very own Andrei Josefino from Main Campus! Andrei led our campus last year to be the overall champion! Representing the Red Mammoth Marchers!" Her brother proudly roared.
Of course Vincenzo is proud. That's his best friend for God's sake!
Veronica rolled her eyes as she cheered for their campus. "Go! Go! Red Mammoth Marchers!"
The Main Campus is the largest campus among all campuses. It offers accountancy, business, and administration courses. It also has a college for computer and information science. Masteral and doctorate degree programs can also be taken in the main campus.
Saint Therese Academy - Main Campus is also the largest because it has dormitories for students who live far away from the city. The biggest church of the city's patron saint can be found inside the campus. How cool is that?
"Benedict Dula from Virginia Campus! They were the second place last year! The Yellow Stallion Runners!"
"This man is also good-looking, looks like a freshman," Veronica murmured.
Virginia Campus offers programs for students who want to take education courses. It is the smallest among other campuses but the population of students is large. Mostly girls are enrolled in this campus. Some people call this campus an "All Girls Campus".
Veronica's surprised to see a guy representative from this campus. Few men are interested in taking the programs offered there.
"Robert Santos from East Campus! He's representing the Blue Wolf Howlers!"
East Campus is where future lawyers and politicians came from. This campus offers programs in law and political science as well as public administration and transportation management.
"Last but not the least! From the newly built Mary Margaret Campus, Arnold Reyes is here to represent the Green Raptor Rangers!"
Mary Margaret is where the college of medicine can be found. Medical courses were in demand last year, maybe that's why building and making a new campus pushed through.
After all of the representatives have been called, Veronica's brother will hold the ball that will be thrown into the air, and whoever catches it will represent his team's victory in the upcoming games. It's more akin to a lucky charm.
When Vincenzo tossed the ball, Gustavo was the first to jump. Veronica believes his height has become an advantage for him. But Andrei jumps higher and almost touches Gustavo's ball. He's an inch shorter than Gustavo, so he didn't manage to snag the ball.
When he looked disappointed, Veronica let out a small laugh. Hah! She thinks Andrei began competing against someone out of his league. Good luck, Mr. Arrogant!
Gustavo's team yelled their cheers when he got the ball. Their white pom-poms compliments their see-through shell tops and skirts.
"This year's sports fest will be exciting" Veronica plays with her hair as these thoughts come to her mind.
She believed Andrei heard her because he immediately looked her in the eyes as his feet touched the ground. Veronica squinted her eyes to make it clear that she's not looking at him.
He then walks away from the crowd, smirking. What the hell?
They have an hour before the cheering squad competition begins. Veronica joined her teammates as they made their way to their room to freshen up and put on makeup and their competition costume.
"Vincenzo is hot!" exclaimed Cheska, their team's captain.
Since they're both freshmen, Veronica heard she has a crush on her brother.
Chelsea, her twin, added, "Have you seen that guy Santos? He's cute!"
"Chelsea, why are you pretending to be single? I saw your Snapchat photos with your guy and bitch, and you guys make me want to puke with your sweetness!" one of their teammates says.
"Oh, shut up girl! He's just a fling", Chelsea giggles as she responded.
Veronica listened as she busied herself putting on mascara. She looked in the mirror and saw her reflection. She's ordinary compared to her family. She sighed.
"Maybe I'm adopted?" She thought.
She then focuses on the color of her eye which is dark brown. Which Andrei usually compliments. Why is she remembering that man?
Veronica shook her head lightly thinking that it would make her thoughts go away. But the devil suddenly knocks on the door, making her jump a little.
"Is Veronica in there? I'd like to have a word with her" his deep musky voice envelopes the room, making everyone silent.
She suddenly panicked and tried to hide herself in the back of Angela. One of her teammates pointed in her direction and she felt betrayed. Veronica forgot that they don't even know what's going on between her and that guy anymore. He's just my brother's bestie for the love of God.
She can't help but fix her skirt pulling it down thinking it would get longer as she walked straight to him. Andrei's playful grin makes Veronica want to punch his pretty face.
What? Did she just compliment him in her mind?
Veronica pulled his right arm as they walked through the hallway full of students. They strutted away as they found a place where there were less people before she let go him.
"What do you think you're doing? Barging in our room like that!" she started irritably.
"What?" He playfully answered.
"I thought we talked about this. I wanted space because you're so suffocating!"
"It's been two weeks, babe", he softly said as he slowly leaned himself to the wall.
"Well, let me tell you! I don't care anymore. Let's end this" Veronica almost shouted at his face.
"Don't call me that anymore, you playboy! Partying with girls and forgetting about me. Thinking that it is fine? You think I'm a saint? I'm not dumb. I'm tired of your shits."
"I said I'm sorry. I apologize already. I give you space even though I don't think it's necessary. I controlled myself for two weeks, Veronica. Can you imagine two fucking weeks without you? Even Vince thinks I'm getting crazy."
His tone is getting serious and it feels like she is getting chills down her spine.
Veronica was stunned when Andrei grabbed her waist pulling her into his arms. She just realized that he did that because there are a couple of students who're carrying steel poles that look like they will be used as a goal in soccer. He protects her because she's blocking their way through the pavement.
"Can you let me go now?"
"No, baby I won't ever do that" he talked as he buried his face on my right shoulder.
"Andrei, how can we talk if you're like this? Being a child and forcing yourself to me. I'm getting tired of this. You never listened to me" Veronica answered as she tried to release herself from his embrace.
He came to his senses when he heard the girl call his name. Calling his name tastes bitter in Veronica's mouth because she doesn't feel the same anymore, she just felt nothing.
He then let her go and faced her and stared at her blankly.
"I already told you yes when you wanted to court me, my siblings approved and I don't know what magic you put them in. But making me feel the only girl you love and doing something without my knowledge is like cheating on me. Don't you ever think about it just like nothing because we're not even in a relationship yet." She said with glazed eyes.
He bites his lower lip as he bowed his head accepting his defeat. The face that she once adored.
"It's my fault, baby. I have no reason for that mistake. It's nothing to me, but it's a big deal to you. I'm sorry because I didn't notice I thought it was okay because we don't have a relationship yet. Then it was just a friendly party, Victor and Vince were also there. I didn't do anything. I only had two shots when I read that you had a text about it, I hurried to leave." he explained.
"You know what I dislike the most?" she looked him straight in the eye.
He also stared right back at her. The playfulness is gone in his face. Maybe he realizes that Veronica's not joking. That's right! Hell, she's dead serious right now.
Veronica took a couple of breaths before she continued. Inhaling then exhaling, is what she did as she mask her anger.
"There's a picture. You even sent Gwen home that night."
"What?"
"You're.. kissing her," she said with a lowered voice.
xx