15 "Is He Better Than Me?"

For Lawrence, Isla answer was like a bomb suddenly dropped before him in his most peaceful time. He felt like his whole world was crumbling and his heart torn to pieces.

He shivered and his face darkened. He thought that he already lose her before he even had a chance. He stared at the girl who occupied all his mind for the past two years. His heart ached so much at the sight of her smiling happily thinking about some other guy, other than him.

How could this happen? He thought he knew her well, but he didn't even noticed that she was falling for someone else! He was blinded by his feelings all the time. He was sinking deeper and deeper everyday in the ocean made up of his love for her. He truly loved only her for two whole years but what now? She's falling for some other guy!

His mind was fully occupied by his unrequited love for Isla until he was aroused by a voice that called his name.

"Lawrence! Lawrence!" Isla shook him on the shoulder. She seemed to be worried as her friend who looked well and fine just a few seconds ago, turned pale in a blink of an eye, like he saw a ghost.

Lawrence was startled, like an electric of 36 volt shocked him. "Oh! Sorry. I was a bit surprised." He rubbed his eyes and answered Isla, who looked very anxious.

"You're so mischievous! You made me worried!" Isla made a sigh of relief and hit him softly on the upper arm. She had no idea what he was thinking about.

Lawrence tried hard to control his emotions. 'I can't make her suspect me' He thought to himself. Her anxious, but innocent smile was so much for him to bear. He was groaning on the inside. But he forced a smile. "Sorry. But you are at fault. You surprised me so much. How can you like someone without telling me?" He put up an act of a betrayed friend.

Isla chuckled at his words. "Then tell me. Who is this amazing guy who complete an impossible mission?" Lawrence added, crossing his arms.

"There you go again. Trying to lecture me like an elder brother. What did you say? Impossible mission? Am I a mission?" She teased him.

"Yeah, you are. Don't try to changed the topic. Tell me." He looked displeased but he really wanted to know the guy she liked.

"You won't know him even if I tell you." She pouted, placing her head to look the other side.

Lawrence was awestruck by her childish behaviour. Though she just confessed that she liked some other guy, he still enjoyed chatting with her. 'Am I a fool' He asked himself.

"Is he better than me?" He asked Isla, with a serious face.

Isla was taken aback by his question. Apart from this, his serious expression almost scared her. She had known him for the past two years. They had spent many times together. But he never looked at her with such serious and dreadful face. What's wrong with him? Is the rumor true? Did he really like me?

"Never! You're far better than him. You're a perfectionist. What kind of guy would be better than you?" She said jokingly. She tried to make the mood lighter as she didn't like their current condition - a moody and solemn one.

As he stared at Isla, Lawrence soon noticed that she's nervous and uncomfortable. He didn't want her to feel awkward around him. She's too precious for him to be treated that way.

"Yeah. I think I'm better." He played along to her joke.

Isla's mind was assured by his joke. She told herself that she over think so much. Why would someone as Lawrence liked her? His father owned one of the prestigious private law firm in their country. He was the only child, which made him heir to all his father's assests, including the law firm. If he want, he can afford almost everything that money could buy.

But Lawrence was never proud and lived a low life. He was originally from Denver, Colorado; where his house and law firm was also situated. He came to Houston all alone to lead a simple life at the age of 15. He wanted to support himself as much as he could. But he doesn't need to worked much because his smart brain alone was enough to earned him an enormous amount of scholarships. His father was always so proud of him.

While they continued to chat happily as carefree as before, Davina and Celine approached them. They just reached the school a minute ago and come straight to Isla as she was already waiting for them for almost an hour. But as soon as they saw Lawrence with her, their mind was at ease.

The two girls had long known that Lawrence liked their naive friend, who didn't even understand his feelings while everyone else know. But they don't want to tell her because she was falling so hard for August. Actually they shipped for Lawrence more than a playboy like August. But they respect Isla's feelings.

"Hey! Why are you so late? How can you make me wait for one hour in this hot weather?" Isla said to her friends with a grumpy face.

Davina completely ignored Isla's nagging. She looked at Lawrence and smiled. "Hi, Lawrence. You're here too!"

Isla was so furious as she saw the scene right before her. Celine chuckled at her childish reaction.

"Hi, Davina. You too, Celine. I saw this childish friend of yours sitting here alone. She look bored, so I try to lift her mood." Lawrence said with a warm smile.

"Friend of yours? Am I not a friend to you?" Isla asked Lawrence, looking displeased.

"There you go again. Don't act like a little kid. We already know that you are one." Lawrence teased Isla, patting her head.

Isla pushed Lawrence to the other side. "What? Little kid? I'm not a little kid! Besides, don't always pat me. You turned my hair into a mess!" Isla pouted.

Lawrence and the two girls bursted out in laughter due to her childish behaviour. Lawrence loved sawing her childish reaction because he feels that she's cute. That's the reason why he always teased her.

"Okay, enough for the jokes. We need to go. The programme will start soon. Some already gathered at the auditorium." Celine said, thinking she's the only normal person present there. Lawrence was blinded by his feelings for Isla; Isla was blinded by August; while Davina always said whatever is in her mind, without thinking much.

Lawrence looked at his watch. "Oh! It's nearly time. Come on, let's get going." He pulled up Isla who still seemed to be displeased at him.

Then they leaved the school garden and went to the school auditorium.