Love Is Second Best — Chapter 22: UNBURNT FLAME

"Yep, you heard me right." Adrian winked at her that Carmella can't help but blush so hard.

"W-Why?"

"I had guy friends in your school who wanted to play basketball with me. I think it's a good idea because I remember you."

"You know what? You always remember me. Why?" Carmella hides her happiness with a slight chuckle for her to not sound very obvious that she loved everything she heard of.

"You're in that school and you're a dear friend. How can I forget you?"

"Oh," She smiled as she looked into another direction.

"I was hoping to find you later today since we'll play there but I never expected that I would see you this early."

"As if you're never used to us being seatmates here. As what you told me a while ago, we're bus buddies."

"Yeah but in days like this? Gosh, are you not even bored to not explore out of your comfort zone?"

"I am exploring out of my comfort zone. You're teaching me how to do it."

"Well, I think you need some leisure. I don't want you to be left out."

"Not anymore ever since those times you're inviting me to some restaurants for delicious meals."

"I am more than pleased to invite you, Carmella. You're actually helping me as well because you're also giving honest reviews to what you think of their food."

"Not a big deal."

"You're serving as my voice whenever I am running out of ideas. You're such a great help."

I blushed. I could really feel it. That's why I moved my face as I looked entirely at the window. I bit my lower lip as I smiled.

The awkwardness suddenly faded away when the bus stopped in front of our school. He smiled as he stood beside the door, making way for me to pass. Him, being a real gentleman is giving me a great impression of him more and more.

Who can unlove this person? When he's always nice and approachable all the time? We walked on the hallways that I can't help but to glance at his face. We are walking side by side and I can see his calm face right away.

"What time is your basketball game with friends?"

"They're weird. Did you know that most of them selected the 6:00 A.M schedule? I admit, I find it something new and interesting."

"Whose team invited you?"

"The ."

I chuckled that he looked at me intently. "Why?"

"I understand now. They're known to be the 'early birds' beating other teams for this title. They love to do work-outs early in the morning, including playing basketball."

"Wow! Now I know why they wanted me to play with them this early." He nodded in agreement.

"You should expect them to do it. They're used to it."

"Thanks, Charm. I learned a lot from you."

"It's my pleasure." He said as he's about to turn left going to the gym while I turned to the right side of the hallway. I saw him glancing at his wristwatch.

"Charm!" I turned my back and I saw him smiling at me.

"Yes?"

"It's only 5:45 in the morning. Would you mind coming with me for a light breakfast? They texted me that our game will be moved at exactly 7:00 in the morning."

"I'd love to. The library will be opened at 7:00 in the morning anyway."

"Let's go?" He smiled again. This time, it's the kind of smile that is too inviting for any girl to fall in love with him.

---

After eating breakfast, Adrian told me that he'll be going in my opposite direction. I nodded and smiled as I went to the library. It was already 6:55 A.M and I will only wait for five minutes for the library to open.

"I hope I will see you later." He smiled as he walked away from me. I was too speechless to even respond so I just waved back at him.

When I was at the door of the library, I got my phone in my pocket. When I checked it, I saw a text message coming from Hope. She's informing me that she's on our school gate and she's rushing to where I am right now.

"Sorry. Am I late now?" I chuckled as I saw her gasping for air. It was so obvious that she ran all the way here.

"No, Hope. You're being silly. It's summer anyway. We don't have classes so you're not considered late."

"By the way, I am so sorry about last night. We hung out with my friends outside. I will not hear you because we're walking on the sidewalk."

"It's fine. I understand dear." Hope smiled as she grabbed my hand as we went outside the library.

We sat on our favorite corner as I opened our own books. I looked at Hope and she's reading Shrevakhuk's biography again. I smiled as I read mine.

"Gosh, you're the only person I know who studies calculus books and still you're smiling."

"What? Am I?"

"Yes, you do." She chuckled as she insisted. I looked at my calculus book, too. All I can see are numbers and letters dancing around the pages. I understand what I am reading somehow but Adrian is the reason for my smile.

"You look happy these days. I hope I will always see you that way." Hope said as she tapped my shoulder. She read her books again.

"Thank you so much."

"Oh, where are you going?" I said as Hope suddenly stood up and packed her bags.

"Sorry, Carmella. I will go to our room, first. Some of our classmates are looking for me. We need to sign our clearance to Mrs. Charize as a group."

"Okay."

"I will be back in a jiffy." She winked as she walked outside the door.

I followed her with my eyes until she's lost in my sight. I smiled again as I continued reading my calculus book. I even got my thick pad paper and pen as I started solving problems.

Am I going to see Adrian again?

----

Hope's POV

"Sorry Thelma. I am going there now. Please wait for me. I'll be there in a minute." I was rushing as we went to our room when someone caught my attention. I stopped walking as I passed by the gym.

"Hey! Pass it here!" I saw a guy who has a gray basketball uniform playing with the Blazing Phoenix.

Kalix passed the ball to the guy as he did a three-point shoot. The ball shoots into the ring effortlessly which made the other team cheer for the guy. I can't help but to look at him as he smiled. His dimples caught my attention. He is tall, fair and incredibly charming. Who is he? I've never seen him in school before.

"Whoa! That's amazing Ian!" The other team members went to him as they did the high-five. I saw him smile at them, too. He got his towel that's placed on his knapsack from one of the benches beside the court.

"Nice job! We should do this more often." Kalix did a fist bump which he responded too.

I can't help but smile as I look at him more. I am pretty sure he's not from here, either because it is the first time I saw him playing here. I felt my phone vibrate from my pocket. I frantically got my phone, that it fell on the ground.

It made a sound which made all the boys look at my direction. I hurriedly got my phone on the ground and hid behind the tall wall from the corner of the gym.

"Who was that?" I heard the guy's voice which made my heart flutter. Why is this happening to me all of a sudden?

"Oh, there's no one." Kalix, the team captain of the blazing Phoenix answered him.

"I thought I heard someone."

"Don't mind it. Maybe it is just some of the fans who wanted to watch us play." Some other players joked around that made them chuckle.

I slowly left the basketball court and headed to a different direction in going to our classroom. I rushed as I passed a different way farther before I could reach the classroom.

"Where are you?" I can hear Thelma's sarcasm as I answered her call. I noticed a tiny crack on the screen of my phone but I don't mind at all. I guess this one should be the remembrance after I saw that guy.

"I'm coming, please don't be angry."

"Wow! You said you're coming five minutes ago. Are you still walking until now?"

"Sorry. Something unexpected came up. I will make it up to you."

"How? Mrs. Charize already left because we're already late."

"Nope. I already messaged her. She's happy to wait for us in her office."

"Oh my, really?" Most of my classmates gasped in excitement.

I opened the door of our classroom. I saw three of my classmates turning their backs on my direction. Thelma is still holding her phone while placing it on his left ear. I nodded and smiled.

"See, Thelma? I told you everything will be fine when Elise Hope is in our group." She sighed as she folded her arms.

"Let's get that clearance signed!" I said as I smiled to all of them. I thought going back to school was boring but it turned out to be one of my luckiest days ever!