Philophobia

CHAPTER 2

Our whole weekend was spent preparing for the event. It's fulfilling though, because aside from Jace's presence, I am enjoying this.

We worked until 10 pm. We had dinner at school. Jace drove me to our apartment.

As usual, he said goodbye through his goodnight kiss.

When I entered our apartment, I saw Rhy playing Mobile Legends- one of his favorite mobile games.

"You look tired."

"Who's not? You know. Alice. If she is not satisfied, then we need to work harder. "

"Yeah, whatever. You ate already? I have chopsuey left there if you're hungry."

"We had dinner but I will eat later. Just need to take a shower."

I took a shower and ate the chopsuey she cooked. It's really good. I admit that Rhy is better than me at cooking. It's not a debatable thing. I know how to cook though. It's just. I don't cook like her or Jace.

I joined her in the living room.

"You're playing tomorrow, then?"

"Obviously. Duh."

"Since when did you start acting b***h to me?"

"All the time," She answered, smirking.

"I mean you became worse, I think."

"Nah. Don't be so dramatic, Zae. I'll be playing tomorrow. I'll crush them all."

She said arrogantly.

"Okay, boastful."

"How about you? What will you be playing tomorrow?"

"Chess, I think. I don't want to be tired physically."

"Mentally, it is. I see."

She teased.

It was getting late so I went to bed.

It's going to be tiring yet exciting tomorrow, I think.

____________________________________________

Jace's POV

I texted Zae good morning and to tell her I'd be fetching her but she refused.

Of course, I still went to their apartment.

"What time is your game?"

I'll be playing basketball. I'm a varsity in our school. And I will be participating in a live band competition.

"9 am. But we willhave an orientation first, so I had to be there before 9."

"How about the live band?"

"The next day. I'll be watching your game."

She glared at me.

"No! I'll get distracted. Don't come. "

"I want to watch you. This is my first time watching to compete."

She's hardheaded, but in the end, I still won.

I want to watch her play chess. I know how much she loves this game.

The opening of the event went as planned.

I stopped by the office to know updates.

"Jace are you busy today? I have to buy a token for our judges in an arts competition tomorrow. I forgot to buy," asked Alice.

"Clyde will drive you. You can use my car," I replied throwing the key to Clyde.

"You should have just said yes," she whispered.

"I'll watch you play so that you'll do the same tomorrow and the next day. "

"Of course I'll watch. But you can set aside watching me play."

I just glared at her to not argue with me. And it's effective. She stopped.

Zaeari's POV

We are on our way to the campus library. It's my event's venue. We entered the room and I'm nervous- not because I'm worried about my opponents but because of his presence.

The game started and although I'm conscious about Jace's presence and look towards me, I conditioned my mind to focus. I won my two consecutive games which gave him a smile. He looked too proud. Of course, he should.

After a short break, I continued my game. Since there are enough equipment, the flow is smooth.

On my peripheral view, I saw Jace. Calculating my game. He also play chess. I taught him. And he's studying my moves as well as my opponent's.

And I won my 6th game. I will be back tomorrow for the championship. It's almost 5 pm so we cannot finish the game.

I called Rhy to tell her that Jace invited me to eat dinner outside.

"Take care. We'll talk about our games later. See you. Don't go home late."

"Noted, mom. Bye."

Jace wants to treat me to dinner. Congratulatory dinner, he called it.

"My game's not yet done. And here we are, celebrating."

"It's alright. I know you'll win tomorrow."

Of course, I can't afford to lose. I'll never let that happen.

"Who will you face tomorrow?"

"From College of Engineering. I think we faced last year too. She seemed familiar. Or maybe during high school. I can't clearly remember. But I'm sure we faced before."

We will be playing for the championship. I dominated the first bracket and so does she on the second. We are both bracket champions so we will compete for board 1.

"You can do it. I know. You won't dare to lose. I know your ego will be hurt," he said teasing me.

We ate then he dropped me at our apartment past 9.

"How's your dinner with Jace?"

"It was fine. He is so excited for me to win tomorrow.",

"Nah. I know you'll get the gold for the first board again."

"Hopefully. How was your game?"

"I won, obviously. When did I allow myself to lose?"

"Okay, Ms. Bragger. So be it."

She just glared at me.

I took a shower and I went to bed. I felt like I was beaten by 10 ninja turtles due to the body pain I am feeling.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Zaeaeri's POV

I woke up early to get ready for my championship game and to condition my mind so that I will be able to focus.

I fried the bacon and the rice from the refrigerator and brewed my coffee.

After that, I took a bath.

"Look who's this early bird," said Rhy coming out from her room.

"I fried bacon. Just fill your mouth with food and don't disturb me."

" Woah! Who's bitchy now, huh?"

"Whatever."

" By the way, who will be your opponent for your championship match?"

"Remember that Engineering student Ifaced in last year's final match? I will be playing with her again."

"Destiny, huh?"

I shrugged my shoulders to her. While sipping m coffee, I am watching Magnus Carlsen's matches and even watched tips and techniques. Then I tried playing with bot to boost my brain. I can't lose right now.

Rhyna and I took a ride to school since Jace will not be picking me up because they have rehearsals for their live band competition this afternoon.

I arrived at the campus library at 7:50 and our game starts at exactly 8. This will be a best-of-three match, so basically, we will have three rounds in a 1-hour standard time game. We will end by 11.

Finally, the facilitators and arbiters have arrived.

Did I tell you that black pieces is my lucky charm?

My chances of winning is greater when I am in the black side because I am a defensive player. In that way, I could easily strategize while my opponent is attacking.

But unluckily, I was given the white pieces, so it is crucial for me to attack.

I played Queen's gambit and he defended it through Queen's gambit Declined.

Luckily, I won the first round but it is undeniably a tough one. She has improved a lot compared from last year.

This round, I will be playing black.

It ended with 24 moves because she took my bait.

We had awarding and I got out after that because my stomach is growling.

I heard a horn and I saw Jace's car.

"Congratulations, champ!" he greeted then hugged me.

"Thank you, MVP!" I hugged him back.

We ate lunch and went to the campus gymnasium after.

I texted Rhy to sit with mein front since I reserved a seat.

"Wow! You deserve a toast later, champ" greetd Rhyna and took her seat.

"Thank you, best midlaner!"

"Guess we'll see each other's face on the Regional Games," said Rhy, sighing.

After a long wait, the competition began and Jace and his band are the last performer, so I can't just leave.

Then here they come. They are required to play OPM songs and they chose Ang Huling El Bimbo by Eraserheads. Althought the other contestand are all good, Jace's band stand out.

The awarding concluded and they were proclaimed as Champion and it's not shocking.

Rhyna, Jace, and I wen for dinner at El Bistro acroos our school to celebrate our wins.

We talked things about our games and had really fun time. Since we rarely go out together, it is a moment I cherish because I spent time with important persons in my life.

After our dinner, Jace drove us to our apatment.

It is a long day today, so I slept after I took shower and messaged Jace.