Golden Rule with a Twist

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Catalina became friends with her best friends now; Suzy, Hashmin, and Rein when they are still in their first year at High School. It may be unbelievable considering Rein’s personality but Rein is actually the person with who she became friends first.  While for Hashmin, she’s always hanging around Rein because they are childhood friends so Catalina met her through Rein. Because they have too many similarities, they became friends the very first time they met each other. As for Suzy, Catalina actually met her when they are still on their diaper days because their parents are good friends but Suzy’s family need to move to a different country back then so she and Catalina didn’t get a chance to be childhood friends. They just learned it when both families met in a restaurant to have dinner and since then, Suzy and Catalina became inseparable.

Ever since they’re in their first year of high school they already know that Catalina has feelings for Blair though she never admitted it. Catalina always talked about Blair and whether she wants to admit it to her friends they already know it. But they never saw Blair and Catalina interact so they really wonder how this crush, puppy love, or what reached this extent.

“Well, back when we’re still in our 7th grade, we- we happened to be sitting together during an exam. It’s not really that we’re next to each other that our wrists are bumping into each other. There’s a large space between us, one seat apart but I can still smell her perfume a-and then she suddenly called my name. And- and she asked if I have a spare pencil cause she lost her's.”

The whole time Catalina is speaking she’s smiling like she's telling the story of how her long-time crush finally confessed that she feels the same way for Catalina.

“Oh, I remember that. You lent her your only pencil and asked me for a spare one. Then you never used that pencil again but you always keep it in yours.”

Rein said in an amused but sarcastic tone. She immediately received a slap on her shoulder and a glare from Hashmin after saying that. 

Catalina just nods, feeling really embarrassed to remember that scene and that stupidity, but not regretting her choices back then.

“I can’t believe that time that you lent your own and only pencil. Imagine if I don’t have a spare one you will surely get scolded by the teacher. Jeez. You-”

Rein didn’t get a chance to finish her statement because Hashmin suddenly pinched both of her cheeks to shut her up and glared at her. Well, Rein is actually scared in Hashmin for reasons regarding the L word. 

For someone who’s not a fan of talking, she’s actually loquacious.

“Wow. As if I’m the one who’s stuck with this stupidity?”

Catalina mocking said and stuck her tongue out on Rein. Hashmin is the only one who didn’t get the message and that’s not new, Hashmin is oblivious to the fact that Rein is also stuck with a one-sided love for her. Maybe that’s the reason why Catalina and Rein clicked because they are both crazy in love with people who’s always been looking behind them. They forgot about the golden rule, you shouldn’t fall in love with straight people.

“Wait that’s it? That’s the only time you two talked?”

Suzy asked, looking at Catalina like Catalina is some crazy girl, well she’s close.

“O-Of course not. Remember that trash vending machine when we’re in our 8th grade? One time, I’m buying an orange juice, it took my money but it didn’t give me my orange juice. And then s-she comes to the rescue like she was a prince that’ll save me. She kicked that vending machine for me and got two cans. She gave both cans on me then walked away."

Hashmin and Suzy shook their heads at the sight of Catalina. While Rein can't help but give a nasty remark.

"And you forgot to thank her."

"It's because I was so shocked. I never expected her to suddenly show up so I didn't get my mind to process immediately."

Rein received a pinch on her side and she just gave Hashmin a glare then just shrugs her shoulders.

Suzy was about to ask Catalina if that's all the times she had a conversation with Blair when Catalina suddenly stood up in excitement, remembering something. Catalina, suddenly standing caught the attention of other people, curiosity is written all over their faces. Catalina didn't notice that and it's not like a big deal for her. That was nothing new for her. Catalina only stood for good 2 seconds then take a seat again, getting excited.

"I remembered when we're still in 5th grade. She approached me once when I'm playing Plants vs. Zombies on my phone. That time I was so frustrated at Zombotany 2 and I really don't know how will I complete the level. Then she suddenly came behind me and she gave me a piece of advice and help me finish the level."

Catalina's smile is almost blinding. It was so bright. Her eyes have a different glow, a different glow that can only be seen if Catalina is talking about Blair. An effect that only Blair can put on her.

-

Blair is just taking a break from practice. Though it's just the first day of school, she and her teammates are working really hard already because inter-high will happen two months from now and they can't waste time if they want to grab the championship again. 

Blair grabbed her tumbler and drank its contents with big gulps. As she lowered her tumbler, she saw her boyfriend, Jared, and one of her friends Yves, standing before her. Jared handed her a towel for her to wipe her sweats and she gladly took it.

"Practice's done already?"

Blair shook her head, busy wiping her sweats.

"Just taking a break. You don't have practice, Yves?"

Blair asked, shifting her gaze from her boyfriend to her friend and finding it really weird to see Yves standing before her on a day that should be busy. Yves is the captain of the men's soccer team. He was supposed to be practicing but for some reason he ditched it. While Jared is not fond of sports. He prefers books over them. Classes ended already and he's just waiting for his girlfriend to finish the practice so he can take her home.

Yves scratched the back of his neck, feeling embarrassed then take a seat on Blair's left side while Jared sits on Blair's right side.

Yves was about to speak when Jared spoke on his behalf while scrolling down on his phone boredly.

"He ditched it because he wants to ask you for a favor."

Yves groaned not liking the idea of Jared spilling everything without his consent but didn't say anything.

"What favor?"

Blair asked, shifting her gaze from Jared to Yves again.

Yves scratched his nape again, a habit of him when he's shy about something or someone.

"Well, you know Catalina right?"

Blair just nodded her head, encouraging Yves to continue.

"Actually I like her since last school year but I got rejected the moment I ask her to go out with me and I still haven't forget about her. I really like her a lot but I doubt if I ask her to go out with me again, she will agree. So I really want to ask you for help."

Blair stood up, put down her sweats-soaked towel, and dusted off the non-visible dust on her shorts.

"Why me? We're not close and we barely talk so I doubt if I will be any help."

"B-But you too are a girl. You have a good relationship with girls. They like you a lot so maybe if you invite her to go out with you then maybe she will say yes."

The corner of Blair's lips raised in an unamused manner. She put her arms on her waist, looking at her teammates, who are also taking a break from practice.

"You want me to fool her, make her believe that she will go out with me but once you're there, I'll leave you two alone?"

Yves stood up and approached Blair, putting both of his hands on  Blair's shoulder.

"No, it's not like that. We can just go on a double date."

Blair remains in no motion, just staring at her teammates who are already on the court and planning to resume the practice.

"Come on Blair. I like her a lot and I still believe that we can be together."

Blair can't help but furrowed her eyebrows, not liking what she just heard.

"How sure are you-"

"Just agree Blair. You know that he won't stop bothering us unless you said yes."

Jared said, putting his phone back in his pocket then stood up to approach his girlfriend.

"After all you helped Bryan with Denise too."

Blair stared at her boyfriend in disbelief. She can't believe that her boyfriend is agreeing with the idea and even helping Yves to convince her.

"Denise is a different story. We're pretty close and before I even helped Bryan, I already know that she felt the same way with Bryan. But Catalina, I don't have any idea. She's completely in a different story."

Blair argued, there's no way that she will just agree with it.

"We won't know unless we try. Just give it a shot. Who knows maybe she likes Yves now. It's not a that bad idea, right?"

Blair didn't move, didn't say yes nor shake her head. She just brushed their hands off of her shoulders, not sparing them a glance as she proceeded with their practice.

It's not that bad? It is. It is the worse since she and Catalina are on the same page.