Love Is Second Best — Chapter 33: THE LOVE TRAP

Carmella's POV

Months became shorter for me to even notice it. We're in the last two months of senior high. I can't help but be excited for what's in store for me. I don't want to assume but I could see that I am going to maintain my spot from last year. It is making me feel inspired even more.

I was walking through the hallway when someone blocked my way.

"Hello Carmella..." It was Thelma, the lead gossiper of the school. My goodness. I want to ask her if she's really liking her title so much she's living it.

"Hi," I answered as I tried avoiding her by walking in another direction. She blocked my way by going there, too.

"What do you want? A password?" I frowned as I met her gaze. She chuckled because of what I said. She's like a door from a narrow pathway that I couldn't enter easily.

"Nope. I just want to let you see this." She placed her hand on her pocket as she pulled her phone. She raised her hand while holding her phone, showing me her phone screen. There's a video that's been paused for a while.

She really intended to show me this one. Probably a new scoop. She clicked the 'play' button and the video showed someone playing basketball. When I realized that it was Adrian, I swallowed hard.

So, Thelma knew all along? What is she up to, this time?

"W-What do you mean by this?" I met her gaze and she's smirking. It creeps the hell out of me, swear.

"Gosh, you're only seeing seconds from the video, keep watching, baby girl.

I blinked and from the video, there's a girl who is observing Adrian from one corner. My eyes widened when I realized it was Elise Hope. My best friend. She's smiling and blushing as she claps her hands. She's really focused on watching him and she's not even wasting any seconds to give her attention to somebody else.

"Well, what can you say?" I blinked when I realized that the video is over but my eyes never left Thelma's phone screen. I avoided her gaze because her smirking is irritating me so much. It gets me annoyed easily.

I tried stepping into a different direction and yet she's too fast to let me pass. She's intending to block my way.

"What should I say?" I exclaimed out of annoyance. Seeing my heightened emotion excites her so much. She's really evil.

"I shouldn't ask, right?" She stepped on her left foot, giving way for me to pass. What I saw kept repeating inside my head. I felt like crying. I got the opportunity to walk away before it will be too obvious for her.

"Looks like the friendship will be over soon." Her voice resounded the empty hallway. I closed my fist and turned to face her again.

"Nice try girl, but it will never happen." I said as I turned my back. She kept on blabbering nonsense words that's adding pain to my wounds. I don't care anymore. It's a good thing that I have been warned, anyway.

I admit, my world is like falling apart right now. I don't know why she has to also like the one that I like.

"Hey!" Kara approached me as she tapped my shoulders. She noticed my facial expression that made her wrinkle her forehead.

"What happened to you? You look miserable." She said in a very straightforward mode. I found myself crying as I hugged her tight. Elise Hope looked at our direction but I don't feel like talking to her right now. Even if she's an angel, I don't have the courage to talk to her.

"Sorry, dear, Carmella had a problem. She just doesn't want it to talk to most of us, including me, right now." I heard Kara explaining to Hope. As I glanced at her, I saw her nodded.

I really admire Kara for being a good friend. She knew me really well. She's able to see my situation whenever I cry or whenever I feel miserable.

"Thank you," I mouthed. She winked at me as she gave me a gesture which more like, "text or chat me" with the use of her hands. I nodded. That's always the thing that usually happens.

I received a text message coming from Hope. I looked at my phone and to her direction. She smiled and winked at me.

"I hope you're alright. I will always be here if you want to talk about it, okay? Don't be shy." I sighed. Our classes continued. I tried focusing myself on our lessons. I also replied to Hope about what happened. Of course, using my mom as an alibi again. We met at the library and we sat next to each other. Kara got some books in the other aisle while we're already done. We're already reading our books. She's tapping my shoulders and it made me annoyed secretly.

"I will also tell you something. You'll be the only one who will know this secret of mine, dear." All of a sudden, I felt like my heart beat really fast.

"W-What is it?" I faked a smile, like I always do.

"Dear Carmella, I think I am in love." I looked at her in the eyes. She cupped her cheeks with both her hands.

"Wow, who's the lucky guy?" I bit my lip as I stopped myself from crying. I shouldn't feel this way, right?

"Well, I don't know his name yet but I admire his basketball skills so much. He's really good at playing basketball."

"Is he our classmate? Or schoolmate? Do I know him?" Gosh, I never thought pretending could be this hard.

"Hmm, I doubt you know him. I guess he's not from here."

"Why? How can you say so?"

"Well, I never see him often. He's a new face." While she's telling me these things, I can see her blushing too much.

"Wow, how I wish I will know him too. I am sure he's handsome." I replied. It made her describe Adrian's face almost similarly to his crush and it made all of what I feared came true.

She's also in love with someone I love, too.

----

"What?" Kara exclaimed as I told her everything. From what Thelma showed me and from what Elise Hope confirmed to me.

"You know what, Charm, I don't know what to feel right now. I want to curse my cousin for being 'too handsome'."

I sighed as my reply. She held my shoulders and tapped it as if to comfort me.

"And what a coincidence, you both liked the same guy! Is this a joke of the 21st century?"

"I guess I will agree to that."

"Well, if I will choose whom to bet, I should probably be on your side. Of course, I am your best friend before Elise Hope."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"It made me doubt this time, though."

I can't help but to glare at Kara. What does she mean by this one? Doubt?

"What?"

"Kamz, look, Elise Hope is really kind. She's beautiful inside and out. She's been defending you and helping you most of the time."

"Keep talking..." I responded coldly. I guess I knew where this conversation would go.

"Can you still remember the last time she asked any favor from you or from anybody?"

Suddenly, I am confused. I want to hit my best friend for being silly at cliffhangers.

"Can you please tell me everything straight to the point?" I said as I put my hands on my hips.

"Okay, okay, what I am saying is, what if she'll ask Adrian for a favor from you? She's really blushing and she's so in love."

"What? Kara, you can always give your cousin to her."

"Do you mean it or it was meant for sarcasm? I knew you, dear." Kara said as she smiled.

"I don't know, Kara. I just want things to happen when they will happen. Why do I have to answer you in the first place?"

"Well, your opinion would always matter."

"If it matters then honestly, I want Adrian for myself."

I could see the shocked expression from Kara's face. Shocked, at the same time, pleased from what she heard from me.

"Finally, I am hearing something I wanted the most."

"Wanted the most?"

"That you want Adrian for yourself. I mean, friendship would be there but you can't easily get away with love. You have to make decisions sometimes."

"Kara, you know what, please admit it. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Nope. Just a bunch of friends from my previous section who love to get along with guys. They love to play with love and it bounced back to them."

"Ooh, I see."

"I am speaking from other's experiences."

"That's why you're certain of what you're talking about."

"Yep. I just want to make things clear to you, dear. Now that you told me you'll fight for your love with my cousin, I hope that would be until the very end." She hugged me, on the other hand, Kara is giving me a weird vibe.

'Fight for your love until the very end...'