Chapter 10: PhantomDeck (Part 1)

It's currently our lunch break and I'm on my way to see Colleen. She messaged me a while ago that she has something important to say and I need to come see her right now.

She's currently waiting in their classroom which annoyed me because the Business Management building is on the west side of the campus. It's on the exact o opposite side of my building so I'm really pissed why I have to go all the way there.

I saw her just outside her room and she's obviously waiting for me. I'm still a bit far away from where she's standing but I can already see the big smile plastered on her face. She was waving at me exaggeratedly like a five-year-old child.

"Ven, hurry up!" She shouted.

I rolled my eyes when she even waved her hand in an impatient manner, urging me to walk faster.

Instead of shouting there, why don't she just run towards me like she always does? It's so not like her to stand still in one place and wait for me to get to her with my almost turtle-like speed.

When I got to her, I kiddingly hit her on the head. It's not even hard but knowing this girl, she would react exaggeratedly.

“Ouch! Why’d you hit? It hurts!” She scowled at me while scratching the part of her head where I hit her.

“Oh, shut up Colleen. Why did you make me come here?” I asked while she’s glaring and pouting at the same time. I just raised my eyebrow at her, telling her that her childish attitude won't work on me now.

"So? " I asked again because she’s not answering.

"I hate you,” she said while being all teary-eyed as if I just took her candy or something.

I closed my eyes in irritation when I knew that I won't win here at all. Why is she such a child?! She just had to show her cutesy self to make me feel guilty for hitting her.

In the end, I sighed heavily and pat her head, admitting defeat. A victory grin was quick to draw on her face the moment I did that. She changes her mood really quick.

Her victory smile was wide enough to show her perfect white teeth. "Aren’t I cute? I know you can’t resist my cuteness.”

I rolled my eyes again before giving her a deadpan look.

“Behave yourself before I’ll hit you again,” I warned with a blank emotion on my face to make it look scary.

"Geez, I’m just joking!" She put both of her hands in front as if surrendering before scratching her head again, hesitating. "So, I want you to meet someone. Come with me."

She grabbed my right arm and dragged me away.

She made me come all the way here just to bring me somewhere else?! I inhaled a deep breath to calm my nerves. I can feel my blood boiling because of irritation. Did I mention I get irritated easily?

I noticed that we’re heading towards a bench where there are a lot of boys hanging out. It's beside the field just outside the Business Management building.

“Rain!” Colleen called the guy holding a guitar who was sitting at the middle part of the bench. He glanced at us along with his other guy friends who were laughing at each other just a second ago.

I think I know where this is going.

"Hey, Rain! I brought Heavenly here so you guys can talk."

The guy called Rain looked at me briefly before I shook my head and rolled my eyes. Then I looked at Colleen who was standing right beside me. The most appropriate term is glare. I glared at her.

"Hey, Heavenly," He greeted while smiling brightly that made me irritated even more.

I didn’t greet him back. Instead, I just looked at him with no interest at all. When he noticed that I have no plans in acknowledging his presence, he looked down and faked a cough.

“Have you thought about it yet?” Rain asked.

“Wait!” Colleen suddenly interrupted so all of our attention shifted to her. She literally put her hands in front of our faces. “You guys talked to each other already? When? Why was I not informed?”

“Yes, just last night. I accidentally bumped into her in a small pharmacy near the university and I recognized that she was the one you’re referring to so I approached her."

He looks happy while explaining because he's even smiling. While me, I look like I'm ready to kill someone just by standing here in front of him together with his guys who also looked confused.

They look like idiots.

“Ven, why didn’t you tell me sooner?! I look like an idiot here!” Colleen said while pouting again.

Damn, I had enough!

She thinks she looks stupid? How about me? She just dragged me here out of my will!

“So, umm... have you decided already?” He asked me again even though I was just glaring at them since a while ago. They all looked at me hopefully.

"First of all, don't call me Ven, we're not close. Secondly, I don’t need to think about it, I never said I will. Third, you're talking as if I will agree sooner or later. Why? Are you that sure that I will agree? Well, sorry to disappoint you but I won’t.”

I told them all that directly with my straight face, leaving no chance for a negotiation. I am really super pissed right now! I hate being pushed around!

"Ven! You told me you'll think about it!" Colleen shrieked while hitting me on my shoulder. I tried to control myself because I know I shouldn't snap in front of these men. I should keep my composure.

"I told you that, Colleen. Not to him. So, why does he talk like he knows everything?"

I didn’t look away from them as my brows furrowed in annoyance. In fact, I am actually just steps away from shouting but I know I should not. Well, not here, at least. And Colleen knows I don't have that much patience so they should really stop soon.

“I told Rain that you’ll think about it just like what you told me,” she said before doing a peace sign.

I inhaled a large breath to calm down. Calm down, Salazar... Calm your nerves.

"What's the problem with that? I also told you last night that I won’t stop until you agree, right?” Rain butted in.

I'm really trying my best to keep my composure and the two being so annoying is not helping at all. Colleen is enough already. But two Colleen would make me blow up. Not to mention the guy who has attractive eyes that’s currently staying in my condo.

I have too much on my plate right now and I can't even tell anyone!

The other three guys are just looking at us and listening, of course. Their faces look like they want to laugh because of the current situation but they’re holding it in.

"Listen guys, I don't have time for this shit. I have so many things to do because I'm a very busy person, okay? I’m not the only one who can sing in this whole university. You should find someone else." I tried saying that as calm as I can. I hope they'll understand.

"But you're the only one who we want to sing with us." Rain insisted with no inhibitions. "Heavenly, this is just until the cultural festival. There will be a battle of the bands competition and we want to join. We really want you as our vocalist. At least give it a chance."

"And Ven, remember what I told you before? I know how much you love singing. It's one of your passions. Give it a try, please?"

Why are they so persistent?

I can't. I really can't.

“Wait, guys. Shut up for a sec!” The guy beside Rain suddenly shouted. “I have an idea!”

We all looked at him with creased foreheads, waiting for what he's about to say. This better be good.

“Since Ms. Salazar here is so against the idea of singing with us, why don't we give her the chance to sing with us?" He flashed a smile like what he just said made sense at all.

"What?" We all said in unison.

We all looked dumbfounded because of what he said. I said I don’t want to join them then he wants to give me a chance to sing with them? This one has a loose crew in the head.

“What the hell are you even saying, Tyrone?” Rain hit him hard on the head.

“Hey, I’m serious. Listen,” he started his I think long speech. "Why don't we bring her to practice with us later? Let her experience the feeling of singing with us for just once. And if she still doesn’t want to join despite trying, let’s just respect her decision,” he explained with so much enthusiasm, even wriggling his eyebrows.

That actually makes sense. I take back what I said earlier about him have a loose screw. At least he knows the word respect.

"That is indeed a great idea, Tyrone!" The other guys praised Tyron, including Rain who now has an understanding look plastered on his face.

"So, Ven, will you agree?" Asked Colleen hopefully.

Why is she being so supportive to them? It's becoming fishy. I don't think this is just about me anymore.

I thought about it for a few moments before exhaling a loud breath, a sign of surrendering. "Okay fine. Deal."

"Yes!" Rain shouted with joy and he even raised his hand to do a high five with Colleen.

"But it doesn't mean that I will be joining your band already. I just agreed with Tyron’s idea of giving it a chance so I hope you’ll stop being so pushy once I’m done trying."

"Yes, yes, we get it. So, are you free later? We'll do it right away if you're available." That's how excited they are. They want to do it immediately.

"I'm okay later in the afternoon. I only have one last subject for today."

"Nice! Colleen and I will pick you up later."

"Okay," I said before I turned around and walked away.

They're really a bunch of childish idiots.