"Is this the one, Leo?" Arianah asked, her eyes wide and shimmering like a hopeful child's, innocent and eager.
I felt a pang of responsibility—a quiet weight pressing on my chest. I didn't want to be the cause of confusion or heartbreak for my little sister, especially now, when she had started asking too many questions about love and relationships.
She was only in sixth grade. I was barely a year older, just stepping into seventh grade myself, but somehow it felt like we inhabited different worlds—separated by the gulf of experience and understanding that years sometimes bring.
Already, boys in her class whispered sweet nothings and chased after her with shy smiles and nervous glances. It wasn't a comforting sight. She was too young—far too young for the kind of entanglements that tugged at hearts and complicated lives. Especially for something serious.
"No, Arianah," I said with quiet certainty.
Her almond-shaped eyes scrunched in confusion, the tip of her nose wrinkling as she pouted. Her fingers stopped combing through the few strands of bangs that fell across her forehead, caught and still in mid-motion, as if my answer had frozen time itself.
"Then why did you try?" she asked, the hurt in her voice just barely hidden beneath her curiosity.
That question always came. It was the one that followed every time I mentioned having a girlfriend. She never quite understood.
"Ana," I said, "I'm still in seventh grade. Do you honestly think any of this will last long enough for me to say, 'Yeah, we're really together'?"
"But if you didn't think that way, then why even try?" Her tone was suddenly sharp, almost offended.
I let out a long breath. Maybe other boys my age had different views on love, but for me, it was all part of the journey—an experience to be learned from, not something to rush into blindly. I hadn't fallen in love yet, nor did I expect to anytime soon. Dad always said the more logical you were, the less likely you were to fall head over heels in an instant. I liked to believe I was logical.
I'd been infatuated plenty of times. Every one of those crushes somehow turned into a relationship. Well, except for those distant dreams—celebrities, models, people way out of my reach. Here in Naga City, this was my world—the life I knew—and the girls in my class were the only ones I could really know.
"You know, Ana…" I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and together we descended the wooden stairs of our home. As I spoke, her gaze drifted upward, fixating on the chandelier above us. I could see her mind was weaving through every word, turning my thoughts over in her young heart.
"I live for the moment. If I like someone now, I'll try to get close to her. I don't know if I'll still feel the same months from now, but what matters is the present. Besides," I added with a small smile, "I'm still young. I don't want to be pressured into serious relationships. Nobody—no one, really—takes love seriously when they're our age, or even yours, or anyone stuck in between in these teenage years."
"Wait," she interrupted. "What about Aunt Sonia and Uncle Roben? Didn't they start dating back in high school?"
I gently poked her nose. She wasn't like our soft-spoken sister, Chona. No, Arianah was sharp, practical—she probably didn't believe in fairy tales or dreamy romances. I knew she could handle herself, as long as I was there to guide her.
"That's true, Ana. But out of a thousand high school relationships, maybe only one will last all the way down the aisle. So if, someday, you do fall in love—"
"Tss." She pushed me lightly, eyes flashing with defiance. "I won't."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Alright, alright… But just listen, Arianah. If you ever think you're in love, don't waste your breath on the future. Live in the moment. Imagine that you're two completely different people — maybe you adore him now, but tomorrow, that feeling could fade. And who's to say he won't feel the same?"
She bristled, cheeks flushing. "How dare you say that? That will never happen. I'd get tired of him first before he ever got tired of me, Leo!"
That's my girl. I smirked, proud.
"That's why, every girl I date, I never tell them I'm serious right away, or talk about forever and church weddings. We're young — we should be free, wild even. Stop wrapping yourself in worry about what's to come. The future will arrive when it's ready, just not now. Understand?"
She nodded slowly, biting her lip as a small smile crept onto her face.
Then, from across the table, Chona's sharp gaze pierced us like a dagger. "What are you whispering to Arianah, Leo?"
Her eyes narrowed, and I could see the tension coil in her brows. Arianah started eating again, pretending not to hear, and I shrugged helplessly at Chona.
"So, you think all high school relationships are just for show?" Chona asked, voice low and skeptical.
Her frown deepened, souring the mood like a sudden storm. I should've known better than to get her started. We never saw eye to eye on this.
"Don't listen to your brother, Arianah. He's just a notorious playboy."
"I'm not!"
"Oh really? How many girlfriends have you gone through this month alone?"
And there it was again — the same old routine. Chona and Jennifer, both equally relentless. But Chona's accusations cut deeper; she was quicker to believe the worst. Jennifer at least knew when she was being played.
"Hey, Carlos!" Josh's voice broke through the midday heat, loud and teasing.
Carlos only groaned in reply, slumping further on the bench beneath the shade of the tree. I laughed quietly and glanced back at my phone.
"What's wrong with you? Sleep-deprived much? Been binge-watching… you know what?" Josh jabbed, referring to the way Carlos had been nodding off for the past hour.
Gabriel, eyes flickering to the women passing by, shrugged without missing a beat. "He just hasn't adjusted to the time yet. Let him be."
I found myself drawn into Gabriel's gaze, following the women's paths as they sauntered past. They were probably some of his friends — bold and unapologetic, with streaked hair in wild colors, shoulder bags slung casually, lips painted bright, and an air of grown-up confidence.
I raised an eyebrow, casting my eyes back down to my phone. A slow breath escaped my lips. But when I glanced up again, Gabriel was already looking at me — not just glancing, but watching me like he'd been waiting for the right moment to speak.
"You free later?"
Ah. This again.
I closed the notebook in front of me, its pages still warm from the pen strokes of my just-finished assignment. The next class could wait — this moment felt strangely familiar.
"I've got a girlfriend now," I said casually, my eyes drifting toward the two girls lingering behind him. I didn't recognize them, but I already knew where this was going.
"She's Nadia's cousin," Gabriel murmured, lowering his voice like it was some kind of sacred confession.
"You know she's not my type."
"Picture Nadia," he said with a smirk, "but toned down. A little softer. A little sweeter."
I blinked, caught off guard.
Nadia — petite, with that sugar-and-fire look about her. She was cute, sure, but there was nothing sweet about her. She was sharp around the edges, like a flame you thought you could touch until it burned you. And me? I wasn't built for that kind of heat. Not like Gab.
"She just wants to be friends," he added, as if that would convince me. "After practice, I'll introduce you. She's from ADNU. Says she's had a thing for you for a while. Come on, just this once."
I laughed under my breath, more amused than convinced.
"She told you that herself?" I asked, curiosity flickering despite myself.
Gabriel shook his head. "No. It wasn't her. Nadia told me. It's her cousin's birthday. They're planning to surprise her."
Ah. So now I'm granting birthday wishes? Why do I suddenly feel like a walking charity — the kind that makes teenage dreams come true?
"This better be the last one, Gab," I muttered, giving him a pointed look.
Gabriel chuckled, eyes gleaming with mischief. "She's got a whole army of friends asking for favors. Must be the earring." He playfully flicked the silver hoop on my ear.
I swatted his hand away, scowling. He only laughed harder.
I turned my attention to Josh, who now had his back to us. He was talking animatedly on his phone, completely absorbed, his laughter echoing slightly under the tree's shade. He was far too amused to care about whatever Gabriel and I were bickering over.
"Leo!"
A voice sang out behind me just before I felt the weight of someone wrapping their arms around my shoulders. Kelly. She hugged me from behind like we hadn't seen each other in years, though I was sure it had only been a couple of days.
Gabriel stood up and instinctively stepped aside, casually steering the girls he was with away from us. Josh glanced over his shoulder, still grinning at whoever he was talking to. Carlos barely stirred — he opened one sleepy eye, yawned, and promptly sank back into the same slouched position, as if the world could wait.
"You didn't reply!" Kelly said with a mock pout, pulling away just enough to look me in the eye.
"Oh!" I said, suddenly remembering — though I didn't even know what she meant.
I glanced at my phone and, sure enough, there was her message—unread and sitting there like a quiet complaint. She pouted, and for a second, I almost forgot how to breathe. Her long, curly hair framed her face like a halo, soft and wild, making her look like she'd stepped straight out of some innocent dream. Her skin was porcelain pale, and when the sun kissed her cheeks, they flushed the color of ripe strawberries.
We'd been together for a week now — short, yes, but sweet. So far, so good.
She'd been our classmate for years. Always the quiet one. Gentle. Soft-spoken. The kind of girl who sat in the back and didn't need to be loud to be noticed. The kind I'd always gravitated toward. Mysterious, graceful… elusive. Josh used to say she was impossible to court, with her family watching her every move like hawks. But somehow, she made it easy for me. She'd sneak around, find ways to see me. Sometimes, she'd even slip out of her house just to spend a moment by my side.
"Sorry…" I said, finally breaking the silence. "I didn't notice."
I gently placed my hand on her waist and guided her down beside me. Josh, ever the drama king, fake-coughed and threw a look at my hand still resting on her side.
This idiot. That's his entire personality—thinking with what's below the belt. I mean, yeah, I'm not a saint, but I'm not as brainless as him either. Well… maybe a little. Especially now.
Kelsie leaned into me, and I felt the soft press of her chest against my arm.
I didn't move.
Not right away.
I figured I'd shift away a little, give her some space—maybe do the gentleman thing.
But instead… she leaned in even closer.
"Let me copy your assignment, Leo?" she whispered sweetly, that dangerous kind of sweet that wraps around your spine and makes you forget what rules even are.
I'm not a pervert, but I'm definitely weak to temptation.
"Sure, Kelly. Here," I said, opening my notebook and handing it to her, heart thudding louder than I'd admit.
"Do you have practice later?" she asked, her voice dipping low with disappointment.
Without answering right away, I slid my arm under hers, intertwining our fingers like it was the most natural thing in the world — like we were meant to be stitched together in small, secret ways.
"Yes," I murmured, brushing a loose strand of her hair behind her ear with a tenderness I didn't even realize I was capable of.
She pouted again, her expression childlike, yet there was a storm of emotion behind her soft eyes.
"So many girls will be staring at you again."
"That's fine," I said, meeting her gaze. "As long as I'm not looking back at them… right?"
A smile curved on her lips, sweet and fragile, the kind you wanted to keep in your pocket just to look at when the day turns cruel. "But I don't like the idea of anyone liking you," she whispered. Her pout returned, deeper this time, and she clung to my arm like I was the only thing keeping her grounded. "I want you to be only mine, Leo."
I looked at her — really looked. And yeah, I'm a teenage guy with a pulse. How could I not react? The closeness. The way her voice made everything else blur out. This was how high school felt when it wanted to drown you in the rush of something that felt like love, or the start of it.
If the DSA prefects saw us like this, tangled up in teenage longing, we'd both be doomed.
She clung to me tighter, like a koala in slow motion. Rested her cheek on my arm and closed her eyes dramatically, like she was in the middle of a music video no one else was watching. I caught Josh across the field mouthing something wildly inappropriate.
I threw my notebook at him.
He dodged it with a laugh, and soon we were both cracking up like nothing else in the world mattered.
"Come with me," I said, lowering my voice, leaning just close enough for her to feel the heat of it. "Let's find a place where we can be alone."
I started packing my things, heart already racing.
I never really understood why some of Gabriel's girl friends had this strange fondness for me.
Maybe it was the irony of it all.
Girls love bad boys. That's why Gab doesn't even have to try — he walks, they follow. He smirks, they melt. It's almost unfair how easy it is for him. Me? I'm the exact opposite. I go for the quiet ones, the graceful girls who live like whispered prayers. And strangely enough, I've never heard a 'no' since the first time I asked someone out. Still, it puzzles me why the loud, wild friends in Gabriel's orbit seem to gravitate toward me too.
"Deleon!" Gabriel's voice rang out from the bleachers, slicing through the noise of the court.
I was still catching my breath, sweat clinging to my skin. My eyes darted toward Josh sprinting across the court for a final fast break. The seconds were bleeding out of the game clock. I was about to run up to support him when I saw the ball sink perfectly through the hoop.
I clapped, grinning as Josh hollered with arrogant pride, arms raised like he'd just won a championship.
"Show-off!" I shouted back. "Pure luck, man!"
My laughter echoed across the court, carefree and full. But soon, my gaze drifted again to Gabriel, now casually chatting with a small group of girls. Something about the way they stood told me this wasn't just any conversation.
I tilted my head, curious, and jogged toward the bleachers.
"This is my cousin, Deleon Apollo," Gabriel said as I approached.
Right there in the middle of five girls was one who stood out effortlessly — not because she was loud, but because she wasn't. She was quiet. Delicate. The kind of beauty that didn't scream for attention yet still stole the spotlight. Her eyes dipped slightly, shy and uncertain, framed by lashes that looked too poetic to be real.
Now this… this was my type.
"Leo, this is Riva," Gabriel added.
"Hi, Riva," I said warmly, extending a hand with a smile that felt too easy for a heart suddenly pounding.
She took my hand, soft and hesitant, but her eyes refused to meet mine. That made me smirk. Gabriel always knew exactly the kind of girls who made me pause.
"Riva!" A sharp, all-too-familiar voice sliced through the air from behind us.
I immediately dropped her hand and straightened up, one hand planting itself on my hip with a dramatic sigh. I didn't even need to look. I already knew who it was.
Nadia.
And judging by the storm brewing in her glare, she was livid.
Of course.
"I told you not to introduce my cousin to that Deleon, Gabriel!" she hissed, stomping her way to us like a queen whose throne had just been threatened.
I turned my back on her theatrics, rolling my eyes toward the sky like it could save me. This is unbelievable. She's actually insane. Just because I didn't fall headfirst for her charms, she acts like I've committed a crime against humanity.
"Riva, don't even talk to him!" she snapped. "He already has a girlfriend! And he's a total player!"
That was it. My patience had limits—and Nadia loved testing them.
"Oh really? Who told you that?" I shot back with a cold chuckle. "If I were a player, I would've made you my girlfriend already, wouldn't I?"
Her face turned crimson—redder than a tomato at high noon.
"What did you just say?" she gasped, scandalized. "How dare you, Deleon Apollo!"
Oh, hell no. I'm out of here.
And with that, I turned away, not even waiting for the fallout. Let her scream. Let her throw her tantrum. I've got better things to do than babysit someone's bruised ego.
I turned my back on them without another word, lifting my hand in a lazy wave as I descended the bleachers, hoping to escape the circus before it got worse. I had barely reached the edge of the court when I heard hurried footsteps chasing after me.
And then—bam.
Nadia shoved me, her hand colliding with my shoulder like a bolt of frustration.
"What the hell?" I snapped, barely managing to catch my balance.
"You really are a piece of work, aren't you?" she hissed, her voice rising with every syllable. "So brave now, huh? Acting like some heartbreaker when you're just a user! You think your new girlfriend's all that?"
I threw my duffel bag over my shoulder, jaw clenched tight as the weight of curious stares settled over us like a heavy fog. Everyone was watching. Whispering. Judging. I felt the heat of embarrassment creep up my neck, but I kept walking, telling myself I wouldn't stoop to her drama.
But Nadia wasn't done.
"Don't you walk away from me, you arrogant jerk!" she screamed, grabbing my arm with an iron grip.
I froze. I don't hit women. Never have. Never will. And I knew if I even tried to pull away, I might end up hurting her. So I let her drag me around, let her force me to face her fury head-on.
"Deleon, the great loverboy of—"
"Rough day being handsome, huh?" one of my teammates called out with a mocking grin.
"Oh look, it's Kelly, Deleon's girl!" Josh chimed in, his tone somewhere between teasing and… something else I couldn't place.
And just like that, the flames Nadia was fanning only grew hotter. I could already feel the wildfire about to erupt.
I ran my hand over my head, fingers brushing the short, freshly grown strands of hair I had shaved off last summer. It had started to grow back, just enough to feel soft against my palm. I liked it this way—no need for gels or mirrors or trying too hard. Low maintenance, just like I tried to be with everything else in my life.
My hand paused at the back of my neck as I let Nadia's words play out.
"You've been telling people I have feelings for you? Excuse me?!" Her voice was sharp, venomous, the kind of accusation that didn't even deserve a response.
Seriously? She thinks I have the time—or the interest—for that?
"You're unbelievable! And now you're trying to flirt with my cousin?" she snapped again, her eyes wide with fury.
Was she delusional?
I nearly laughed.
"She walked over to me, in case you didn't notice," I muttered under my breath. Why was I even explaining myself? Why did I need to? It was like arguing with a storm—you don't win, you just hope not to drown.
"You'll never win her over. Not someone like her!"
That was the last straw.
"You done?" I said coldly, my voice flat, dead calm—the kind of calm you only learn when you're trying not to erupt. Like a plane in mid-flight, trying to descend without crashing.
But maybe temper really is in my blood. Maybe I've just been better at pretending.
"You're disgusting!" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.
I groaned, pivoting to walk away. I had no more words to waste on her madness.
And then I froze.
Right there, standing a few feet away, was Kelly.
Her eyes were brimming with tears, glossy with heartbreak, her lips parted as if she'd walked in on something she wasn't meant to see.
"Why are you two fighting?" she asked, her voice cracking, almost whisper-like. "What's going on between you, Leo?"
What the hell just happened?
"Kelly, it's nothing," I said, almost pleading. "She's just being dramatic—"
"Dramatic?" Nadia cut in with a venom-laced laugh. "Your precious boyfriend's trying to flirt with my cousin! And trust me, I know this guy. We dated last summer, and there's nothing good about him. Nothing. He's a walking red flag, and you? You're just another girl he'll break."
My jaw tightened. "What the hell are you talking about, Nadia?"
She smirked with triumph, her eyes glinting with cruelty. "He still texts me. Like, all the time. I wouldn't be surprised if he's doing the same to his other exes, too."
Before I could even turn back to explain myself to Kelly, she stormed forward and started hitting me—her fists small but angry, her strikes desperate and shaking.
"You liar!" she cried. "I trusted you!"
Each word was like a blade sinking into my chest, deeper than her fists ever could.
"Kelly, no—it's not true, I swear," I said, trying to catch her wrists gently, not to stop her but to calm her.
She froze.
And when she looked up at me, her eyes were glistening not just with tears, but with fire.
Then she turned sharply to Nadia, and something inside her snapped.
"You bitch!" Kelly screamed, her voice trembling. "You think I don't see what you're doing? Always pretending, always circling around him like a vulture—trying to act innocent while stabbing me in the back?"
Without warning, she lunged forward, grabbing Nadia by the hair and yanking it.
"Ah! What the hell!" Nadia shrieked, completely caught off guard, trying to pry Kelly's hands off her.
Gasps filled the air around us.
"Oh my God!" I heard Chona scream from the bleachers, her voice echoing across the court like a siren.
I rushed toward the chaos—two girls clawing at each other like wild cats, hair tangled in fury, shrieks cutting through the gym's echoing walls. I tried to pull them apart, gripping Kelly's waist and dragging her away, even as she kicked and scratched like she'd forgotten who I was. A couple of classmates jumped in to hold Nadia back, who was equally furious, her blouse now rumpled, lips curled into a snarl.
It was madness. Pure, unfiltered mayhem.
Kelly's nails raked across my forearm again, and I winced. She wasn't just angry—she was breaking.
And then—like a lightning bolt slicing through a storm—the sharp voice of our Discipline Officer cracked through the noise.
"What is going on here?!"
In an instant, the whirlwind stilled. Kelly finally froze in my arms, her breathing ragged. Nadia stepped back, brushing her fingers through her tangled hair, avoiding the gaze of every eye now locked on her.
Moments later, I sat on the cold gym floor, heat simmering beneath my skin. My polo shirt was half-unbuttoned, my chest rising and falling from all the tension. Across the gym, Kelly and Nadia were now being spoken to in hushed tones by our Guidance Counselor and their class advisers.
I faced the Discipline Officer. Her expression was unreadable as she stared at me over the rim of her glasses, her fingers slowly closing the thick, scarred record book in front of her.
"This is the third girl fight… because of you," she said, the words falling heavy like stones in water. "And you're only in seventh grade, Deleon."
She sighed, shaking her head before her features softened into exhaustion. There was no longer frustration in her voice—just weariness. She'd grown tired of hearing the same story from me: that I didn't ask for this, that I wasn't at fault.
She didn't believe it anymore.
I closed my eyes and massaged my temple, trying to ease the throbbing ache building in my skull. I didn't even know what the solution was anymore. It's like I was a magnet for drama I didn't sign up for.
"Kelly's father is furious," she continued, her voice lower now. "He's threatening to pull her out of school. Turns out, her parents didn't even know you two were… together."
Her gaze turned sharp again, like a warning buried in sorrow.
"And let's not forget—you're both still far too young for these kinds of relationships."
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I'll remember this," I said, trying to steady my voice as I glanced up at the Discipline Officer.
She raised a skeptical brow, her fingers deftly organizing the scattered papers on her desk. "No point in calling Attorney Apollo," she murmured, a hint of weariness lacing her words.
I watched her quietly, lips pursed, as she continued arranging the documents with practiced efficiency. I remembered when Dad was called here once before—he only laughed it off and never took my punishments seriously.
"And calling your mother? That's useless too," she said with a slight shake of her head. "She'll be too embarrassed to show up. In the end, it's always your father who ends up stepping in."
Her voice was calm but final, like the last bell signaling the end of a long day.
"You're to clean the hallways for a whole week. After that, you'll extend your service in the library instead of practicing," she announced, "and no Passerelle tournaments for you this year."
I closed my eyes tightly, anger and frustration boiling just beneath the surface.
Damn it. These girls are ruining everything for me.