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To Jiro:
No need, I'll just practice with my friends.

I sigh after I hit send. I look at Ali who is still busy with her phone.

I suddenly got curious. Among of us, Ali is the one who is always with the thing so called "love". Tho we make fun of her because of that. She's easily attached to people who treat her nice. But in the end.. she's hurt.

But she does give good advices. Both love and life advices. Her face and mind is basically matured. Some people actually don't believe that she's just a high schooler.

"Uh.. Ali." I called and she hummed in response looking at my side but her eyes still on her phone. I frown, but soon she turn her phone off and look at me before raising her eyebrow.

"Yeah?" She asked.. I played with my fingers before taking a deep breath.

"How can you say you are in love?" I asked..

Her brows furrowed her mouth shaping a medium sized 'ㅇ'.

"What do you mean?" She asked confused, I pursed my lips searching for the right words.

"Like, how can you tell if you like someone? And how can you tell if you already love that someone?" I asked again. I think this time she got what I mean because she fixed her position.

"You know, like is just admiration.You know, you like him because he's good at basketball, mathematics, etc. While love, you can't tell why you love him. Or why you admire him or her. If someone ask you, why you like him or her, you'll just answer.. because you do." She explained. I pursed my lips and nod.

"But.. can you, like someone who you just met?" I asked, she take a deep breath before looking at the ceiling, thinking.

"Uh.. well.. maybe, just like. You like his eyes, nose, lips, or what, etc. It's normal." She said and I nodded.

"But what if you just met him but you already love him?" I asked again. Her brows immediately furrowed.

She scrunched her nose. "Eh? I think.. that's possible. If you two are really for each other. It might sound cheesy but you know the soulmate thing right? Or like, love at first sight. I don't really believe it but maybe it do happen in some." She said, I pout a little before nodding.

"Does those helped you with something?" She asked, I shake my head before leaning at my chair rest.

"A little bit... still confused about the world "love"." I said showing the finger signs (✌️✌️).

"Eh? Bakit ba?" She asked making me  gulp.

"Uh.. it's.. for the story I'm planning to make. I'm planning to publish a story in a website. I still lack of knowledge in love." I said giving her a fake smile.

She scrunched up her nose before shrugging.

"Okay I believe you, it's not like as if you like someone right now." She said picking up her phone.

I stayed silent pursing my lips. She suddenly stopped moving before aggressively snapping her head at my side.

"Don't tell me you like someone!" She said pointing her finger near my face.

My eyes immediately widened and started shaking my head.

"W-What?! No! I don't! What the fuck Al?!" I denied pushing her hands away. She pouted a little bit examine my face.

"What?" I asked looking at hers too.

"Meh, I'm just looking if you're lying or not. And in based on your face and expression. You are... falling in love." My eyes widened and started shaking my head.

"Oh hell no! Bitch no!" I said creating a cross using my arms.

Ali started laughing.. "Bitch! You're denying!" She said and my eyes widened again.

"What the fuck Al! I'm not! There's no way I'm falling in love!" I almost screamed. Getting some attentions from our classmates.

Ali started holding her laughs.I rolled my eyes.

"Ali.. you know I don't give a fuck about love." I said in a serious tone. She fixed herself and brushing some strands of her hair away from her face.

"Yeah I know you don't, I was just teasing you.." she said and I was able to sigh in relief.

"But!" I got startled as she once again pointed at me.

"If you need help with things in love. I'm here.. I'll give you advice." She said putting her hand on her chest smiling brightly.

I chuckled.. "Yeah sure, as if I'm gonna need one." I sarcastically said and she laughed.

-

"This is shit is so boringgg~!" I glance at Ali's direction who is frowning while looking at the board.

Almost all us 5 looked at her direction.

"Ssh! Alejandra! Tumigil ka!" Gwen whispered and Ali just pout more.

I sigh looking back at the board's direction.

Calculus.. I'm so done with you!

When our teacher put her marker down. Almost all of us snapped our heads up.

"Okay.. that's all for today. Good bye class!" She said and as usual. We all lazily stood up.

"Good bye Maam~"

We all sat down cleaning our arm rests. Putting away our notebooks and pen.

"Uhm.. Ms.Milendez." My head immediately snapped up looking at our teacher's direction.

"Yes Maam?" I nervously ask.

"Diba nag register ka sa chess?" She ask and I slowly nodded.

"May tryouts kayo in two days. Be ready." She said before leaving the room.

I was left there shock.

2 days?!

2 fucking days?!

What the fuck?! I just started practicing few days ago! And now the tryout is in 2 days?!

Oh hell no!

"Laura! Maupo ka nga!" I snapped back to reality when Gwen screamed my name. I sat down on my chair before grabbing my water bottle and taking a sip.

"Two days nalang tryouts na?! Hala! Hindi pa ata ganon ka galing si Laura." Jax said sitting on her chair's arm rest.

"Grabe ka naman! Malay mo! Makapasa siya." Tobi defended. I took a deep breath before putting my water bottle back inside my bag.

"Okay.. I'm backing out!" I said raising both of my hands as if I'm surrendering.

"What the fuck?! Laura naman! Sayang yung mga practice natin!" Ali hissed, I bit my lower lip and shake my head.

"There's no way! I'll pass that tryout!" I said and they shook their heads.

"The fight haven't started, yet you're already surrendering? No, that's not how you survive that." Lory said and I frown.

"But-

"Nope! No one's quitting! Maglalaro tayo ngayon!" Gwen hysterically said.

"Ilabas ang chess board! Sasali sa tryout and babaeng ito!" She shout like a boss making us all burst into laughter. Tobi grab the board under my chair and we started fixing the pieces.

"Dito! Dito Laura Kassandra! Ako ang harapin mo!" Gwen said signaling me to face her. I laughed a bit before making my first moved followed by her.

"Putragis Kassandra! Ang sadista mo!" Gwen screamed as she is only left with a poon and her king.

I chuckled before eating her last poon.

"Okay! Talo si Gwen! Si Lory next!" Ali said, I fixed the piece while Lory and Gwen switched places.

"Okay bitch! I don't know how to play this so I'm letting you win!" She said making us burst into laughter.

"I'm hella lazy for this so prepare to win." She said while doing her moves.

We spent our two hours free time on playing chess. Dahil palapit nadin ang palaro ay busy na ang mga teacher. Which is actually great for me. I can still practice with my friends.

I think it actually benefits me. I mean the whole game and stuffs. The free time, I get to play and practice. The game, I learn new skill but not hoping to be a hobby.

I think it will be pretty boring. I'm just enjoying playing with my friends because of course. They're loud and playful. Which actually brighten up my mood.

It's okay to be noisy and loud as long as it's them.

"By the way, Ali, nakapag pasa kana ng project sa MAPEH?" I glanced up at Lory who is sitting across me.

Then I look at Ali beside me.

"Band member, no need.." She said and almost all of us gasp.

"Ay tangina! Ang daya! May criticism! Walang equality!" Gwen cursed and we started laughing.

"Napaka naman! Tara na nga Tobi! Lipat na tayo sa Mars!" Gwen said snatching Toni's arms making is fall into more laughter.

"Parang tanga." Ali said rolling her eyes.

-

The day end up quickly and each passing day. We would use our free time to practice. Until the tryouts day came.

The tryout is set after class here in the faculty. So I'm here, outside the faculty,with my friends. Ali just actually run away from the court just to go here. But she told me she'll go back there within 15 minutes.

"Basta Laura, 'wag kang kakabahan, okay? Kaya mo 'yan." Lory said and I smiled nodding a bit.

"Kaya mo pati 'yan Laura. Tapos kung hindi ka naman makapasa, okay lang!" Jax comforted making me less tensed.

"Laura Kassandra Milendez?" I froze as a teacher went out the faculty room to call my name

"Maam." I said raising my hand. She signaled me to get inside, I look at my friends and they cheered me before I enter the room.

As I entered there 3 teachers inside. Then there's already some sets of players playing. The teacher who called me signaled me to go to the table where a boy is sitting.

I walk towards the table and get comfortable. The teacher set a timer at the side of our table. When she press start I moved my first piece since I have the white pieces.

At first I was cool and relax. Caused being nervous will bring me nowhere. It will be just the cause of my defeat.

But as soon as my opponent started eating my officials. I can't help but to tensed up. We like have the same numbers of pieces and he's catching up. I was actually winning at first but as soon as my officials went out. He started eating them.

Then my eyes saw his queen and bishop. One move of either of it can check mate me. Then I look at my ruck which is not been moved.And my king as well.

"Your turn." My opponent said adjusting his glasses before crossing his arms.

I once again looked at the board. Looks like he's really planning to do it. Check mating me using neither of the two. I took a deep breath before switching my ruck and king.

When I glance up to him. He looked shocked.

I smirked already knowing his strategy that just got destroyed now.

"Your turn." I said before leaning at the seat rest. A bit relaxed.

I saw how his Adam's Apple went up and down.

Then he removed his queen from being in front of his king. I look at my board. His king being opened now,no protections and piece blocking the way.

I moved my bishop..

"Check mate." I proudly said.

Then he moved another official. Only for me to eat it.

Not so long after I won. Which actually surprised me. I thought my opponent is a good one. Just by his looks and posture. He look likes a  pro. But today, is another example of never judge a book by its cover.

"Congratulations." He said after we stand up.I nod and smiled.
"Congratulations too." I said before walking towards the teacher.

"Sino nanalo sa inyo?" The teacher ask. I raised my hands and smiled.

"Paki sulat ang pangalan mo hija." The teacher said and I nodded writing down my name on the paper.

They told me to wait outside cause the results will come out today too.

When I went out a smile plastered on my face.

"Ano?Anong nangyari Kassandra?" Gwen ask.. I smiled before sighing in relief.

"I won." I shyly said.. it looks like they can't still process what I said since they're just looking at me,eyes blinking.

"Weh?" That's the only word that came out fork Gwen's mouth.

I chuckled and nod..

Then they started jumping and screaming. Gwen hugging me by my neck which chokes me a bit.

I started coughing..

"G-Gwen.. mas-sakit." I said tapping her hands. When she heard what I said she immediately let go.

"Ayos!  Panalo! Eh Ano daw? Kasama ka sa palaro?" She asked, I brush some few strands of hair away from my face before shrugging.

"Maghihintay pa tayo. Ngayon din daw sasabihin kung sino kasama eh." I said and they nodded I even saw Lory frown a bit.

There are other participants who will join the tryouts. And svery time that someone entered. I feel like I'm losing hope and chance to join. Pag dami ng participants pag konti ng chance kong sinamaan.

"Huy, bakit parang malungkot ka?" I got startled as I felt Jax's hand on my back.

I frown. "Eh kasi.. parang wala na akong chance na makasama." I sadly said. I hear Jax hissed.

"Makakasama ka, promise! Ang galing galing mo kaya sa practice natin!" She said giving me a small hope. I nod and we waited.

Pass 6pm all the participants were able to finish their games. Most of us are here waiting while some already went home.

Us five are formed into a small circle when we all suddenly almost fall on the ground when a heavy weight suddenly attacked us.

"Piste ka Alejandra! Ang bigat bigat mo!" Gwen hissed before slapping Ali's hands away form her shoulders.

"Ang bad! Kumusta Laura?" She asked looking at me.I smiled before shrugging.

"Uh.. fine. Nanalo naman ako dun sa kalaban ko." I said and her eyes widened before clapping.

"Eh?! Yieeee!!! Kasama na siya!" She tease and I laughed a bit.

"N, wala pang results. Nag hihintay pa kami." I said and she pouted.

"Fucking bullshit! Basang ka ng pawis Ali!" Lory curses before removing Ali's arms around her shoulder.

"Aray naman Ali! Yung flag mo!" Tobi hissed holding the back of his head.

"Oo nga! Ako din natatamaan." Jax said moving her head away form Ali's flag.

"Ay weh? Sorry ha.. ibaba ko na." She said before putting her flags and baton down.

Right after she stand up from squatting the teacher came out.

"So apat lang ang isasama namin sa palaro. Dalawang babae, dalawang lalaki."

My eyes widened and I immediately searched for Jax's hand before Squeezing it tight.

"So.. ito na ang mga kasama.."

I didn't care to the other three participants who passed. All I'm waiting is my name to be called. That's why when the other girl participant is not yet announced I shut my eyes closed.

"And... Laura Kassandra Milendez."

My eyes shot opened and my friends started screaming. The other participants just confusedly looked at us before frowning g and leaving. I saw the teachers laughing at us.

"Hoy! Laura Kassandra! Babae nakapasa ka!Babae!" My eyes widened when Gwen groped both of my shoulders before shaking me.

"I passed? I passed!" Even me started jumping too.

I passed!

When I arrived home I immediately run upstairs, removed my shoes before throwing myself in my bed.

I need to call Jiro!

I immediately search for his number and when I did I immediately tap on the call button. I fidget with my foot while waiting for it to answer and when he did..

"Jiro I passed the tryouts! Kasama ako sa palaro!" I excitedly screamed!

But the smiled plastered on my lips vanished as I hear no response..

"Jiro? Hello? Jiro?" I called.. I move my phone away form my ears and look if I got the right number.. and I did. I called the right number.

"Hello?" I called once again.. until I heard a response.

[Hello? Sino po to?]

I froze as I hear the response from the other line.

It's not Jiro..

It is a girl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•