Chapter 17: Competition

"There's a lot of people." Marina said as we walk in the bleachers to find a seat.

"How many schools are here?" I ask.

"I think 4."

"That's a lot."

Every school sitting separately with their jersey shirt supporting their teams. Our school is wearing white jersey shirts.

There will be a running contest. Every school will have a competition between their own students first and then the winners from each school will have a final competition.

From our class Brian and Hazen will be taking part.

"Who do you think will win from our school?" Marina asks.

"I don't know but I hope Brian wins."

"Oh do you know those seniors from last week they're also taking part."

"Well of course they will."

"Oh look it's starting."

I look at the stadium a teacher holding a mic.

The school wearing red jerseys will go first.

"I think the guy with long hair will win." Marina says.

I squint my eyes to see.

8 students from their school are standing in position ready to run.

"He didn't win." I look at Marina.

"I was just guessing, well from this school this guy is fast huh?"

"Looks like it."

"From our school that senior runs fast maybe he'll win."

"Which one?"

"You know the one with a piercing and the one who has a tattoo on his ankle."

"I don't know who are you talking about."

"You'll see."

After one other school it was our school's turn. They walk out.

"Cheer for me." Brain says to me as he walks by.

I smile. Hazen walks by looking at me. My smile disappears.

"This one." Marina whispers when a tall guy with a piercing walks by.

"Oh, you think he'll win?"

"Maybe."

They get in position and start running, my eyes on Brian all the time.

"I told you he's fast." Marina says talking about the senior guy with a piercing.

"He is." I say.

After some seconds Hazen crosses Brian and the senior guy.

"Woah, maybe Hazen will win." Marina says her mouth slightly open.

"No, Brian is about to cross him." I say looking with a concentrated face.

several minutes later

"I knew Hazen will win." Marina says proudly.

"That's not what you said." I say.

"Why do you look sad, he's from our class we should be proud."

I fake smile.

"Oh they're coming." Marina says.

"Hazen!! you were looking awesome when running." Laila yelled from behind. Some other girls also yelling his name.

Brian looks at me, he looked disappointed.

"I think I was too slow." He chuckles rubbing his head.

"No, you did very good." I say.

"Thanks but not as good as him." He sighs. "It's ok, i'm glad Hazen will represent our school he's quite good maybe we can win because of him."

I smile.

"He's right, Hazen was really fast we could win all of the other schools." Marina says.

"Yeah."

After the last school was done now was time for all the winners to have a final competition to see which school will win.

"Woah now this is gonna be exciting." Marina says rubbing her palms together.

"It is." I say chuckling lightly.

"My brother will definitely win he's very competitive." Mr. Sam suddenly talks from behind us.

Me and Marina look back at him.

"He does look like competitive." Marina says.

"He is, very much." Mr. Sam replies.

I look back at the running track, Hazen is looking here, I move my head slightly away so he can have a better view of his brother.

The competition starts. Everyone is fast. Our school cheering for Hazen specially girls.

"Looks like my brother is very charismatic even girls from other school are cheering him." Mr. Sam smiles.

I look around, he's right, aren't they supposed to cheer for their own school?

"Oh look the blue jersey guy crossed Hazen." Marina says nudging me.

"My Hazen will definitely win." Laila said from behind.

His Hazen?

"What did she say?" Marina asks.

"I don't know."

"HE WON!!" A girl from our school yells.

I flinch. Damn she's loud.

"Yes! Hazen won that means our school won."

Marina says clapping.

So he is competitive.

"Marina it's too loud here i'm going in." I say in her ear slightly loud so she can hear.

She nods giving me a thumbs up.

Loud noises gives me headache, I don't know why.

I go in and take a water bottle out from my school bag. A hand grabs my water bottle and snatches it.

"What the-"

"Thanks." Hazen says breathing heavily as he opens it and starts drinking.

"Don't you have your own water bottle?" I say calmly, a slight annoyance on my face.

He stares.

"What?" I say snatching the bottle from him as he finishes drinking.

"You don't look happy that I won."

I don't answer and turn around and start looking for my snack in the school bag.

"You wanted Brian to win?" He steps closer. "Too bad, I don't like losing." He whispers in my ear.

I turn around moving back.

"Did I ask?"

He smirks.

"Move." I say as he was blocking my way.

"No."

"Don't annoy me."

"You are always annoyed."

"Because you always annoy me."

"And take this used bottle." I say angrily putting it down.

He's still smirking.

"Can you move?"

"I already said, no."

"What do you want?"

"Will you give it?"

"No."

"I didn't even say what I want."

"I don't want to know."

"All these girls were cheering for me and look at you, can't even congratulate me."

"Aren't those girls enough?"

"Oh, jealous?"

"Ugh, move." I push him back.

He grabs my arm.

"Hazen, let go."

"Why couldn't you cheer for me?"

"What do you mean?"

"You cheered for Brian and not me?"

"Everyone was cheering for you it wouldn't make any difference if I did-"

"It would."

I pause for a while.

"Lia?" Brian walks in. "What's wrong?" He looks at my wrist that Hazen was holding onto.

"Nothing." I free my wrist.

Brian gives a stern look to Hazen. He walks towards me and holds my wrist.

"Let's go." Brian walks.

Hazen grabs my wrist again.

"I was talking to her." Hazen says sternly.

I side eye both sides, they will definitely fight.

"Brian, i'll be there, you can go."

"Lia, you don't need to talk if you don't want." Brian says.

"Woah!" A voice comes from behind.

I turn my head, Alex is sitting on the bench his leg crossed over his knee.

"Love triangle?" He gets up.

"Alex-"

"I know Lia." He cuts me off. "I'm here to save you." He winks.

Huh?

"They're holding your wrists then should I hold your leg?" He scratches his chin.

He's definitely gone crazy.

"Alex can you not interfere?" Brian says.

"Is that a question? my answer would be no." Alex raises his eyebrows.

"Looks like I haven't punched you in a while." Hazen frowns.

Alex smiles.

Can't they fight after letting me go?

I sigh, freeing both of my wrists aggressively.

I give them a stern look and leave.

5 minutes later

I'm sitting on the stairs thinking about how much i'm annoyed. Hazen almost broke my wrist, doesn't he know how to control his strength? or maybe he was showing how strong he is.

"What happened?" Marina sits beside me.

"Nothing."

"Your expression says something else."

I sigh looking at her a vulnerable expression on my face.

"Who did this?" Marina dramatically says. "I will start a war!"

I look at her weirdly.

"Then start a war!" I dramatically say, joining her.

"Aghhh-" She stops and looks at me with a calm expression. "War is not a solution."

I side eye her and chuckle.

"Marina I think you were right."

"I know." She says a smug smile on her face and stops looking at me with confusion. "Right about what?"

"About Brian liking me."

"Oh! did he confess?! why didn't you tell me? am I not your best friend anymore? am I not important anymore-"

"Calm down! He didn't confess."

"Oh."

"I just think you were right."

"He will confess someday so you might as well plan your wedding"

"I already did." I joke, a serious expression on my face. "The day I saw him everything was planned."

"Ohh~ you're one step ahead, huh?"

"Always." We both smirk creepily.

"Hey?! how about we do a test?"

"Test?" I say confused.

"Yeah, we'll test his love for you."

I furrow my brows and shake my head side to side.

"Hear me out!"

She pulls me and whispers her plan.