Chapter 41: Chapter 41

“Let’s go to your apartment. We haven’t had girl talks as we used to.”

We talked together away from the field. On the basketball court, the boys were done with their practice and were packing up too. Siobhan looked over at the court as we walked away, her green eyes searching for someone among the players. I followed her gaze. They were gathered around Coach listening to what he had to say about their performance.

“I’m tired.”

I glanced back at Siobhan. She was looking straight ahead now. We were almost at the quarters. She rested her head on my arm.

“Yeah me too. Everyday training might just be taking its toll on me. But it’s going to be worth it in the end…”

“Don’t be so clueless, Bianca, I’m not talking about the training but I do agree with you, it is taking its toll on my ankles but it’s just 3 days until the game now and I can manage till then.” She looked up at me as we walked into the quarters and went straight to my apartment. We went to the kitchen for some juice and stood side by side to talk.

“Your apartment is better than mine,” she commented. “Mine’s a mess, I can’t keep anything organized. I wish they would let me bring Lana with me, she knows how to keep everything arranged.”

Lana is her housekeeper. “Since when did you need Lana to keep your things arranged?”

“Since I decided I don’t have to put my things away by myself anymore. Ugh! Why can’t I just move into your apartment? You know how to keep things organized.”

I laughed at her brattiness. “Well, I’m sorry you can’t move in. I’m sure my space would be too small for all your stuff. But you didn’t come all the way here to talk about moving in with me, did you? I feel like there’s something else you want to talk about. Is it about what’s making you tired?”

She nodded and sighed with her arms crossed. “Yeah. It’s about Andre.”

My heart skipped a beat. She doesn’t know about the kisses, does she? Did Andre break up with her? No, he wouldn’t do that, he agreed with my suggestion, didn’t he?

Just in case, I approached my next question very carefully. “What about Andre?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know, I don’t feel his vibes anymore. It’s…it’s complicated. He’s still very much invested in our relationship but I don’t know…it feels like he isn’t. Or maybe it’s me? Maybe I’m bored. You know how easily I get bored with relationships.”

I tried not to show too much of my thoughts but my mind was nagging me, telling me it was my fault Andre wasn’t interested in his relationship with her anymore. Oh, God what have I done?

“But you are in love with him. You liked him the moment you saw him in Mainland. You thought he was hot and funny, you thought he had that bad boy thing going for him so what changed?”

“I did. I changed. I want someone else. Andre doesn't even try to get down and dirty when we make out. It's kind of a turn-off.”

“What?! Your relationship is barely two weeks old! So what, you’re just going to dump him for a new guy because he's been respectful about sex or something?”

“No, I’m not dumping him. He’s still the hottest thing that happened this term and I need to keep him until he’s old news, when that’s done I’ll let him go, I guess.”

“Jesus! Can you even listen to yourself, Siobhan? Andre Rios is a human being, not a thing you can discard because he’s the hottest thing that happened this term. What is wrong with you?”

She frowned and gave me a side glance. “Nothing is wrong with me. I’m too young to get tied down too soon. I don’t know why you’re acting so surprised, you know I don’t keep boys for too long.”

“Boys, Siobhan, are not toys and Andre Rios is not a toy for you to discard when you feel like it.”

“Which is why I will keep holding on to him until Eva loses interest or Adeline stops staring at him.” She gave me another side eye. “Why are you so defensive anyway? I thought you hated him, you tried to warn me away from him if I recall.”

I did that but only because I was worried for her and very jealous that even though I met him first he went straight for her. “I did try to do that but guess what? I still played a role in getting you two together, wasn’t that what you want? And this new guy, when did you meet him? Does he know you have a boyfriend?”

“Easy on the questions Mom,” she joked. “Yes, he knows I have a boyfriend but he’s playing hard to get.”

“Siobhan…you know what? Do what you want but you are not recruiting me to get this boy for you. You’re on your own here.”

“Yeah, I wasn’t going to ask for your help. This is one boy I can get on my own.”

“Good but when trouble comes knocking in the name of Andre or his sister, you better not come running to me for help.”

“Ugh his sister, I can’t deal with her,” she cringed. “She just stares and stares and sometimes I think she’s out to get me.”

“Oh, you noticed too?” I asked glad for the change in the conversation.

“Of course I do. She’s weird.” Siobhan narrowed her eyes at me. “But she’s your friend, isn’t she? Maybe you can tell her to stop being so weird and maybe she can have some friends.”

I laughed. “Well I tried to make friends with her but she is not making it easy. Maybe she’s just antisocial, you know?”

Siobhan shrugged. “I don’t care, I don’t like her. Anyways enough about me, what about you and Aaron? I thought you didn’t want the whole Head boy Head girl thing? What changed?”

“I thought I would give us a chance. He said he liked me, I was shocked and impressed because you know how hard it is for me to get a date who hasn’t already gone through you first to get to me.”

“Gone through me?” Siobhan laughed. “Interesting words there. So you’ll settle for Aaron and his arrogant ass? You deserve better.”

I frowned. “I thought you would be happy for me. Come on you wanted this for me, you said he wasn’t bad and I have seen that he isn’t.”

“Yup he isn’t…sometimes. Leave him, Bibi, you deserve someone better than him.”

“Like who?” I asked trying hard not to roll my eyes.

She looked away. “I don’t know, I’m sure you’ll find someone but Aaron isn’t that person. I don’t trust him, he looks like he’s going to play you. Have you stopped to wonder why the sudden turnaround in his character? He used to be a jerk! Now he is cooking for you, spending nights with you, and promising you shit?” she laid a hand on my arm. “Look, you are my best friend, my sister, I would hate for your young fragile heart to get broken. You’re not as old in this game as I am and not as tough. When I say I don’t feel right about Aaron I mean it. But if you think you like him,” she shrugged, “I guess there’s nothing I can say but you should have a chat with him, a real chat without the lust in your eyes, and see things for yourself.”