The Last Dance

Chapter 4 - The devil in him

The School Festival will be held one month from now. As expected, I gained a lot of haters from my seniors. Most of them are claiming that I don't deserve to represent the College of Business because I have no previous record of competing in such pageants. Those harsh comments do not affect me negatively. In fact, those are humbling. Those are reminders that I have yet so much more to overcome if I want to be accepted in this field.

A week has passed since the competition for the representatives of College of Business. My mother was right when she said that I would gain some admirers and there would be few who will try to latch on me after that competition. None of them caught my attention.

Our college sponsors skin care and training for me and Leysam Montealto for the upcoming Mr. and Ms. Stallion University 2019. My schedule for weekdays is full, and the same case for Leysam because he's working on his thesis this semester. After class, I have to attend my piano lesson at the street across the Stallion University. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I go to the swimming club I am member of to workout.

I used to be part of the swimming varsity team of Stallion, but my schedule won't allow me to continue with that. Rather than being an athlete, my parents would prefer me to be student-leader. In my next years in college, I can see myself being involved in different organizations.

The trainers hired by the academic chairperson of College of Business had to bend with our schedule, so we will have our practice every Saturday. The Lescante Stadium was reserved for our practice that Saturday.

"Good morning.." One of the trainers greeted me with a smile. I answered with a smile too, and right after that, I saw my partner approaching us. His hair is still wet, so I presume that he just came from the football training. That's his sport.

"Hello, everyone!" He greeted us all before he asked every person inside that stadium their names. I knew him for years already, but I didn't expect that he has this personality. From the way he stands to the way he talks imply intellect and elegance.

He sat beside me when our coaches start explaining the flow of our practice for the next 4 Saturdays. They divided the time wisely, and they strictly reminded us to notify them 3 days before the practice if in case we cannot attend, so they will reschedule our meeting for that day.

Leysam gave his best effort to break the ice between us.

"Thanks for today. Let's have snacks outside. My treat." He announced after Ms. Hernandez said that we may go. It is already 4 in the afternoon and all I want is to lay down on my bed and get some sleep.

"Oh man! We would love that, but my team has to catch a flight for the international pageant that will be held tomorrow. I wish your offer still stands next week." She answered looking a little guilty for turning him down.

He tilted his head and turned to me instead. I cannot say no to him.

"Sure!" I answered with full of energy. I know that he's just being nice to me, so we can work without feeling awkward with each other. I admire his personality.

We bid our goodbyes to each other before we walked out of that stadium. I asked him where he wants to eat, but he said he wanted me to decide.

"Anything will be good for me." He nodded with a smile. He remained silent while we were walking to the direction of the football field. I stopped when he was about to enter in the gate. He immediately noticed that, and he turned to me.

"We're having a friendly game with the football team of another school. I wasn't able to catch up with the schedule, so I just want to show up even I am late. Would you mind?" I smiled at him with assurance. A rich heir like him is living his life to the fullest, I guess. This is his way of spending youth. Seeing how responsible he is, I can't help but admire him.

The first time I saw when I entered was Marco. My heart ached when I saw him sweating so much. His brows were furrowed as he run to the opponent's net. His white jersey suits him well. How can he look this good despite the sweats on his forehead and his dirty jersey? For a while, I was stunned and can't move from where I was standing.

"I know the best spot in the bleachers." Leysam claimed when he went to me again. I can last a day watching Marco, and I won't even get tired of that.

There are only few people who are watching that friendly game, and most of them are girls. I also saw Camille Rivero sitting in the front row while looking at her phone. I can't stop glaring at her from where me and Leysam are.

Last minute and the score is tied at 3. Marco looks so frustrated, but it just turned me on. He was giving instructions to his teammates while he was clutching his hair. He smiled at the end and they chanted their cheer. He is the sexiest when he is doing his passion.

The people in the bleachers cheered for our team when a penalty kick privilege is given to our team. My fingers were crossed when it's Marco's turn to kick the ball.

"Do you like him that much?" My jaw dropped when I heard Leysam's question. I was totally caught off guard at first, but I cannot admit it to him.

"What do you mean?" I tried to play innocent, but the smile in Leysam's face is kind of insulting for me. All my life, I tried to hide it from others because I don't want Marco to feel responsible for my feelings.

"You always just look at him all the time, Alisha. It's so obvious." I gave him a sarcastic laugh.

"We grew up together, Leysam. We are more than comfortable with each other because he's my... brother." I hesitated in saying his position in my life. I consider him as my closest guy friend too.

Leysam's head tilted to the right and after that my eyes went back to Marco. He was looking at our way, and there is no smile in his face. We were at the top bench, and aside from us, there are no other people in our way, so I am certain that he is looking at me and Leysam.

Everyone celebrated when the ball went into the net. That signals our win in this friendly game. His eyes went back to us, but Leysam said something that distracted me from observing him.

"You know that he's down for only one woman, Alisha. You will just get hurt if you continue to..." I didn't allow him to complete his sentence. I am very aware of what he wants to say.

"I don't know what you are trying to say, Leysam. But please don't say it in a way that makes me look pathetic because I am not sticking with him to steal his attention from that woman. I came into his life first. I won't compete with her as I have a lot of men who are chasing me." I gathered my things, but he stole my arm and made me seat again. I looked at him with questioning eyes.

"We all don't like that woman for Marco, Alisha. But I and his other friends decided not to get you in our plan to take him away from Camille. I want to ask for your permission if we can set him up for date with another woman." A sarcastic smile can't stop showing in my face that time.

And why do they need my permission? That is a silly plan to start with. It's not as if they can change Marco by just setting him up on a date. He is a society playboy, and he doesn't deny that despite claiming that he is way too deeply in love with Camille. Can you imagine the devil he is?

"He is not mine, so don't ask for my permission. But let me just give you my opinion. Try to think again of a better plan, Leysam. You will only hurt the lady that you'll set him up with. I don't know if that guy is heartless or just too dumb to fall in love with the wrong woman who already has a boyfriend." I won't be this way if he's into someone who's as decent and educated as he is. But it's Camille. The b***h I hate the most.

I removed his hand in my arm as I stood. He stood and put his hand inside his pocket trying to look cool after everything he said.

"I'll consider that we never talked about Marco and you setting him up with another girl. That is so silly of a plan. Let's grab the snacks you are talking about next Saturday, partner. Bye." I rolled my eyes as I waved bye to him.

"Let me take you home. At least let me do that. I never saw Marco jealous, so I might as well take this opportunity to make him feel that way. He's bad for holding you up in that situation." I glared at him, but he smiled from ear to ear.

Why will he get jealous? He never felt anything more than friends toward me. I looked down to the field only to see Camille and Marco taking a selfie. Their faces are so close with each other, and somehow that is making me lose my sane.

"Take me home, Leysam. Make sure to update your friend how closer we get today."

It hurts me, Marco, to see you with someone else. Why can't you consider me? I don't want to be just your little sister.