Alvin's phone beeped.
From: John Ford
Gym locker. NOW.
"I have to go, Bee," Alvin said, glad to have an excuse to leave. It wasn't because he didn't want to be with her. It's just that it was painful to be around her when she talked about John like that. He used to think that the most painful thing in the world was seeing his best friend date his one true love. But now, he realized that seeing Elizabeth continue to go after John even after he broke it off with her was a hundred times more painful. But the pain he felt just strengthened his resolve.
"Okay," Elizabeth nodded. "I'll stay here a bit longer."
Alvin left and headed towards the boys' locker room, where he saw that the whole team was present.
"What's this for, Bro?" Alvin asked John.
Alvin sat on a bench when Coach Sam and Wolf entered the locker room.
"I know what you're going to say, John," Coach Sam said. "But Wolf stays."
"I know that, Coach," John said. "In fact, I'm here to invite the whole team to a welcome party for the rookie."
John's announcement shocked everyone. Coach was the first to recover from the shock.
"Then you boys better play it nice. I don't want a repeat of what happened yesterday. Three sanctions mean that you'll be suspended from playing for the season. And since most of you are seniors, please be reminded that this is your last season to play," Coach told them. "Practice is four times a week after your classes. You'll have your Titans jersey tomorrow, Wolf."
"Speaking of jersey, Chandria will be designing our new jersey for this season," John said.
Wolf frowned but decided to ask Chandria about it later instead.
"Fine, fine. As long as it's done before our first game. See you guys later after your class. Practice is 4pm sharp," Coach said before he left.
Alvin stood up and walked up to Wolf. "I haven't properly introduced myself. Alvin Lopez, captain and shooting guard for Beaufort Titans," Alvin extended his hand.
Wolf shook his hand, and the rest of the team did the same. John remained where he was. But when their eyes met ot looked like John was challenging Wolf to another match or maybe even a brawl.
"Don't forget, party in our beach house on Saturday," John said.
"Why are you telling me?" Wolf asked.
"I did say the whole team. Send the word out."
John left and Alvin followed him. They were walking in an empty hallway because everyone was probably in the cafeteria for lunch.
"John," Alvin called. "I'm asking Liz to go with me to the party."
"Go ahead," John said. "You don't have to ask me. We're not even dating anymore."
"I'm not asking. I just want to make things clear."
John stopped walking and looked at him, "Nothing's going on between me and her anymore. Besides, I plan to ask someone else."
"Chandria? John, I don't think that's a good idea."
"What?" John defended himself. "I'm not doing anything wrong."
"Not yet. If you're planning on using her to get revenge on Wolf, then you better –"
"Whatever, man. I'm not butting in your plans of courting Liz or whatever so just stay off my back on this," John cut in as they both walked towards the cafeteria.
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday passed without much fuss. Wolf was juggling his classes, basketball practice, and being Alexis' personal assistant. Alexis, although with a sprained foot, remained as busy as always between her classes and presidential duties as she was excused from the pep squad in the mean time.
Chandria was busy with the Arts Guild and designing the Titans' jersey. John continued fetching Chandria every morning, and Chandria let him, thinking she might find out what his plans were every time.
Elizabeth became busy with pep squad practice, but what was weird was that someone left white tulips with a green ribbon tying them together on her locker on Wednesday, violet tulips with the same green ribbon on top of her car on Thursday, and pink tulips with the same green ribbon on her table on Friday. She asked around as to who they might be from but no one knew. The days passed and, it's finally Saturday afternoon, with the sun just beginning to set. The girls were supposed to go together. Chandria was supposed to fetch Elizabeth and Alexis.
Elizabeth was ready to go and was wearing an orange beach dress when Chandria texted her that she was outside, waiting in her car. Elizabeth hurried outside. But when she went out, she didn't see Chandria. Instead, it was Alvin who was waiting for her
"Alvin, what are you doing here? Where's Ria?"
"I came here to fetch you. And Chandria's on her way to the beach house," Alvin said, then he extended his hand to Elizabeth, handing to her what he was holding.
"Red tulips?" Elizabeth said, bewildered as she took the flowers from Alvin. "So you were the one giving me flowers?"
"Yes."
"What for?"
"The white tulips are my apology. I'm sorry, Bee, I can't keep the promise I made to you earlier. I can't keep fooling myself that it's fine seeing you love someone who doesn't even know how to take care of you, someone who doesn't value your worth."
"What... what are you talking about?" Elizabeth slowly asked.
"The violet tulips are my faithfulness. Because from now on, I'd be faithful to you."
"Alvin..."
"The pink tulips are my way of telling you that if you'd let me, I'd take care of you." Alvin took Elizabeth's free hand, "And these red tulips are my declaration of war."
"Are you... fighting with me?" Elizabeth said, confused and surprised at what Alvin was saying.
"No. I'm declaring war against your feelings for John. I was stupid. I kept looking at other people when I knew all along that I already found you."
Elizabeth didn't notice she was holding her breath. Her heart was racing. Alvin took a step closer to her.
"I... I love you, Bee," Alvin whispered.
At that same moment, in Chandria's house, she was already in her car, on her way to fetch Alexis. From the start, she was only going to fetch Alexis because Alvin had asked this favor from them. She was almost out of the gate when a car suddenly appeared and blocked her way.
She immediately recognized the car. After all, it's the same Dodge Challenger she's been riding these past few days to go to school. She stormed out of her car while John just leisurely rolled down the passenger's seat window.
"You really are crazy! What are you doing here?" Chandria shouted.
"Get in," John commanded.
"Why don't you leave me and my car alone and stop blocking my way! Lex is waiting for me."
John got out of the car and Chandria thought he was going to push her inside his car. But to her surprise, John passed by her and went straight to her car. The next thing she knew, her phone was in John's hands.
Chandria ran to him to take her phone back. But it was already too late. When she got it back, she saw that John had sent a message.
To: Wolf Ford
Wolf, I won't be able to fetch Lex. Please do so for me. Thanks.
"Problem solved," John said. He went to his car and opened the passenger's seat.
Chandria looked at him in disbelief, "I can't believe you just did that."
"Get in," John said again.
In the mean time, Wolf just received the message from Chandria. He was surprised at her request but just shrugged it off. After all, he's been fetching Alexis to and from her house these past days. Besides, he thought it was the perfect time to show off his new car after finally getting his license.
When he arrived outside Alexis' house, a few cars were already parked on their drive way. A maid ushered him in the living room to wait.
"Wolf?" Alexis called as she slowly went down the stairs. She was wearing a long white beach dress and was walking with the help of a crutch under one arm. "Why are you here?"
"Lex," Wolf said and he immediately went to her side and stopped her from walking.
"What?"
"They should've told me that you were going down," Wolf carried Alexis, bridal style.
"No, I can walk," Alexis protested.
"It's okay. I told you I'm at your beck and call right?"
Alexis blushed. These past few days, except during basketball practice, Wolf was literally attached to her whenever they were in school. He was always ready with a helping hand. And he was always very kind about it. It was very different from the Wolf she first met.
Alexis changed topics before her blush got any deeper, "Why are you here? Isn't Ria supposed to be the one fetching me?"
"She texted me and asked me to do it. Glad to do it anyway."
They were about to reach the last step when suddenly, a man wearing a barong, with two men in suits behind him, walked in.
"Alexis!" the man shouted.
"Pa!" Alexis said. "I didn't know you were here."
"I only dropped by to get some paperwork. What is the meaning of this?" Mr. Christopher asked Alexis.
Wolf carefully put Alexis down.
"Pa, this is Wolf Ford. Ria couldn't fetch me so he came instead," Alexis explained.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir," Wolf said, walking towards him to shake his hand.
"Wolf Ford. The other son of Paulo Ford?" Mr. Christopher asked as he shook Wolf's hand.
"Yes, Sir," Wolf begrudgingly answered.
"Are you courting my daughter?" Mr. Christopher asked.
"Pa!" Alexis said, horrified. "Aren't you leaving yet?"
Mr. Christopher walked towards Alexis and kissed her forehead, "You take care of yourself, okay?"
He then turned to Wolf and said, "And you, you better take care of my daughter."
"Yes, Sir," Wolf replied.
Mr. Christopher nodded then left them. Actually, it's Atty. Christopher Sandoval. He was a widower and one of the leading lawyers in the country. Alexis' mom died when she gave birth to Alexis and that was why he loved his unica hija very much. And although he was almost always out and busy because of work, Alexis and him were still very close.
"Sorry about that," Alexis said. "Papa's a bit... protective."
Wolf just smiled, "Let's go?"
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