Friends

Lucretia sent her eyes wandering in the canteen once again after Philip and his friends left and met Daisy eyes glaring venomously at her table.

"oh...gosh.., that glare alone is enough to kill a lion." she murmured, hastily turning to her friends.

"I'm leaving guys, I have to get something from the library before heading back to class." she added

"Um...,let's go together." replied Mimie with her mouth full.

"Yeah..Lucretia.." added Crystal, dropping her cutlery on the tray.

"Okay...okay..." replied Lucretia surrendering to them.

They took their trays from the table and left together with Jayden to the counter to drop them.

Daisy and her friends glared at them as they left.

"Is this how you want to play it? Then.., be ready for me Lucretia.." she mumbled smugly.

"Let's go girls..." she added.

**********

Philip and Eugene were in the locker room changing into their soccer suits when Mike came in from the washroom.

"So...Philip, what was that about?" asked Mike as he opened his locker.

Philip stood quietly for a while thinking about Mike's question.

"What was what about?" he asked, looking confused.

"I mean..., in the canteen. Why were you so rude to Jayden? That was unlike you."

"Yeah...Philip, I never knew you has an unfriendly person. What happened?" asked Eugene as he leaned on his locker looking puzzled.

"Nothing guys, I just don't like that Jayden guy and the fact that he is always around Lucretia." he answered as he sat on the bench, putting on his boots.

"Eeii...., such a possessive friend you are. Or should I say boyfriend?" said Eugene with a chuckle.

Mike chuckled and closed his locker.

"Do you love Lucretia....?" he asked as he puts a hand on his shoulder.

"Crazy.....; guys, stop misunderstanding. I just don't like him."

"Um...." nodded Eugene skeptically as he sat beside him.

"But..., he is a nice guy so what grudges are you holding against him...?"he added with quizzical expression.

"Yeah...Phil, even though you didn't respond to his greeting, he kept smiling at you. So what's in it then, if it's not about Lucretia?"

Just then, Jayden walked in and smiled on seeing them. Philip looked on and wiggled his eyebrow.

"I think we should go now guys, coach will be waiting by now." he said to Mike and Eugene.

"Um..., let's go.." mumbled Mike, heading the way followed by Eugene and Philip.

They passed by Jayden without uttering a word to him. Philip scowled at him for awhile as he neared him and dashed off following his friends.

"What's his deal?" queried Jayden, looking puzzled and shrugged off to his locker.

He changed quickly and rushed off to the field.

"You're late Jayden..." exclaimed the coach as he got to the field.

"Sorry coach, I was got up in something.."

Philip looked on and chuckled.

"Go round the field 10times before you join the others." uttered the coach.

"Okay...Sir.." he replied and ran off.

Mike and Eugene looked on and smiled. Mike went closer to Philip and nudged him on the ribs.

"Isn't he cool...?" he queried, smiling.

Philip turned to look at him scornfully.

"C'mon.... Phil..., chill.." he replied, wrapping his hand him.

The coach sent his eyes wandering around, watching each student practicing seriously and noticed Philip and his friends standing.

"Philip...., what are you guys still doing over there? Join the others." he exclaimed angrily.

Philip and his friends smiled sheepishly, slightly ruffing their hair in embarrassment and dashed off to join their team mates.

***********

Lucretia and his friends sat in the library doing their research with Lucretia looking serious with her face totally buried in her book. Mimie sat quietly starring in the air deeply in thought about Philip's behaviour towards Jayden.

"Um....Lucretia." she uttered suddenly.

"Um..?" she mumbled in response with her face still buried in her book. Crystal also paused what she was doing, waiting for what Mimie was about to say.

"What's with Philip?" she asked with a puzzled face.

"What's with him?" Lucretia asked indifferently.

"Don't you think he has been acting weird lately? Especially towards Jayden."

"Yeap..., I've been trying to figure that out myself." she answered with a quizzically look.

"But have you tried approaching him on this issue?" questioned Crystal.

"And why should I?" she asked indifferently.

"Ow..., because he is your best friend and crush for that matter." answered Crystal bemused.

"Okay...., I will ask him later. Can we concentrate now?" uttered Lucretia expectantly.

"Yes...I..guess." uttered Crystal dully.

They went back to what they were doing but their attention was interrupted by Mimie.

"Talking about Jayden..., Luc..? What do you think about him? Isn't he cool?" she uttered gleefully.

"Yeah..., he is cool and very friendly." muttered Crystal

"Yeah..., you're right. He's an okay guy." replied Lucretia.

"Come to think of it, why was Philip so rude to him at the table today and why did they even join us anyway. Aren't they always with those witches?" uttered Crystal, slightly furious.

"hey...Crystal, tone down girl? I guess it's nothing serious. But I will try and talk to Phil." replied Lucretia assuredly.

"Enough of the talks, let's get back to work. Mrs. Katty will be coming for it soon." she hastily added.

"Okay...,okay..." mumbled Mimie.