Bubble Gum Kisses
CHAPTER 62

Kapittel 62

Vanessa

"But hey, at least you got new shoes," the cheerleader in the clique said, grabbing the box resting on my lap. "And they're Clarks. Pretty ones too," she continued and proceeded to scrutinize them.

What she said was true, they were pretty. So pretty that I might not handle seeing them getting a single speck of grime and dirt. I should have them stored on a pedestal and clean them every day or something. Then maybe make it my family heirloom. Gosh... they were just too pretty to be touched, retained immaculate if possible.

"I thought after-school activities are prohibited?" I asked, attempting to change the topic.

We were sitting on the field's bleachers of the football field. It had already been past school time and were advised to go home. That was my plan as well, however, Georgia invited us to watch her practice. I agreed since I had been replaceing people to confide in, while Asher didn't mind since he was spending his leisure time playing his guitar as usual.

Georgia, clad in her cheerleading uniform, did a side stretch. Her feet dug into the verdant grass as she leaned on one side. Like the feelings I had when reflecting on Asher's dedication to his masterful playing, I got envious of Georgia's fit body. Her chest had fair size and so was her waist, but what got me was her flat stomach and small waist. Not to mention her toned arms and legs. Mine were close to becoming flabby. That gorgeous body was a payoff with her investment in working out and cheerleading. I do joggings sometimes, but I have never done it regularly, especially on weekdays. I couldn't see myself awake at 4:30 AM for a jog and going to school afterward with lots of energy.

"It's not that it's prohibited for us. It's for the teachers and coaches. As for us students, they're only encouraged. It's up to us students if we follow or not," she answered my question without a hint of pause.

"I see."

"What? Don't tell me you've been religiously following what the announcements said." She squinted her eyes at me like she was threatening me not to tell her that I have been indeed following what the announcements said. My silence made Asher mumble to himself, slightly chuckling that his loud strums couldn't conceal: "You really are a fool."

"You!" I smacked him in the arm while Georgia was back to being a laughing mess, consequently stopping her supposed warm-up.

"Hey, break's over," a girl with shin platinum hair clad in the same uniform as Georgia suddenly showed up behind her, tapping the latter on the shoulder.

"Okay." My friend nodded in response. "I'll be right behind you."

"No need, the others are coming over to this side." The teammate shook her head and pointed behind her, I looked over behind them and saw her teammates coming over while stretching their arms. "My friends can watch us, right?" Georgia asked, pointing at us.

"Yeah," she paused. I scowled when I noticed she was giving me pompous head-to-toe. "Sure," she said like she had just spitted something corrosive.

"Oh. Hi, Asher," she offered a small wave to the guy beside me before going off.

"I didn't know you were the famous type," I stated in surprise while watching Georgia stretch her arms above his head. Gosh, I love her figure and form. Should I start working out regularly as well?

"Please, he performed in the Christmas Talent show last semester, and believe me, all the girls swooned. He even briefly got viral on social media," Georgia informed like it was late news. "Also, don't mind Stacy. She has a thing for Drew." "She got rejected by the guy recently too. I heard she was bragging about them being a thing, turned out it wasn't true."

"Wow, you're the gossipmonger type too." At this point, I was no longer surprised by the quirks this guy held. If ever news breaks out that he's a royal descendant, it wouldn't be new to me.

Asher only shrugged. "Perks of hanging out almost anywhere."

"Right." I nodded, looking at him while leaning on my forearms put together. My elbows resting on the shoebox.

I glanced at the field and saw that Georgia was running to her teammates who were doing a group warm-up. In an attempt to appease the sudden boredom invading my system, I played with my tresses as I watched them. I heard that their team had been the reigning champion in interschool competitions for almost a decade straight, even making it to nationals most of the time. I could see it in the insane level of commitment though. I wish I had that as well.

However, despite the effort and focus invested, some of the members weren't as attentive as most and waved to Asher and then giggle once he waved back. There were others bold enough to request him to serenade them, but he effortlessly rejected them by joking that he didn't bring his speakers.

"Hey!" I was startled when another of Georgia's teammates showed up, her seemingly Barbie-inspired light makeup was right on my face.

"Uh... hi?" The reply was painfully awkward, but that was all I could do out of surprise. She looked bubbly and cute with her cutesy makeup and hair parted in two, tied up into high pigtails tied by fluffy hair ties that resembled their uniform color.

"Pick out a lot," she said. Gosh, even her voice was goddamned bubbly. It was exuberant, the pitch was a bit high with some inflections that matched her enthusiastic energy. She'd make an excellent morning announcer that'd annoy the groggy students.

I stared at her. She was stretching her arms, holding out a box bigger than the one on my lap. It was plain white, obviously covered by cartolina. It had "drawing lot" scribbled on the front in printed letters.

"I'm sorry?" I requested her to repeat what she just said. I might have dumbed down since it was hard for me to process whatever she said.

"Pick out a lot," she repeated, her bubbly expression never leaving her face. She was the complete opposite of the one earlier. That one was a snub, this one reminded me of a golden retriever.

"What's this for?" I asked, looking at the lot, a plain paper in the hue of crimson. It had nothing on it, all plain and empty.

"I don't know. I heard it's a little fun made by the student council. The winners are gonna be announced in the assembly after prelims," she explained before leaning over. She approached, covering her mouth on one side like she was about to tell a deep, dark secret. "I heard the prize is big," she proceeded by whispering.

"Oh, okay." I nodded, putting the lot in my bag. What are the chances, right?

"You too, Asher!" she turned to my seatmate excitedly, offering the box with doubled-no, quadrupled enthusiasm.

"Here, goes nothing..." the dark-haired mumbled under his breath like a tedious chore was to be done. He put his hand inside and wiggled his arm, causing the box to shake slightly. "There's no charge for this one, right?" he asked in a playful

tone.

"What? No, of course not!" she shook her head immediately, putting up her defenses. "How could you ask me that kind of question, Asher~"

"Because the last time I got something from you, you charged me 10 dollars."

"Yes, because it's a kiss!" A what?!

"You tricked me into thinking they were for free."

"Hehe..." She released a light giggle, her cheeks turning bright red. "I'd give you another one for free next time."

I gawked at the two in bewilderment. They were looking at each other's eyes with a gaze I was so familiar with. They were obviously attracted to each other. But that wasn't the dilemma. Were they lowkey flirting or was the 10-dollar-charged kiss true?!

"Oh my gosh, they're here!" A loud squeal cut me off from scrutinizing the two further.

I turned my head and saw that the female cheerleaders were now huddling in one spot, squealing, and cheesing. The males meanwhile, were sulking on one side, whispering to each other and giving off nasty glares. I looked at the direction the girls were looking at and my eyes widened.

The familiar faces of the guys who sit with me at lunch, effortlessly walking towards our direction with their long, bulky legs. Of course, they were led by the almighty Friso who was combing his raven mane above to the back of his head. He looked unexpectedly good when sporting their team's uniform. Lazarus was following behind him, along with others whom I'd recognized as his closest friends.

"Let's do some stretches before doing a drill," he announced, his hands on his waist and turning to his team. They all complied and started stretching in one big circle, but not before replying, "Yes, captain!" to him in unison. "Hey..." he called for the attention of the cheerleading team and walked over to their spot.

I could sense the excitement from the girls seeing how they huddled closer to him when they all formed a small group, seeming to make a discussion. It didn't take them long to pull away, and he flashed them a smile before going to his teammates, leaving the girls in a hot mess.

"Let's move, team!" I heard the platinum snob from earlier ordered, and they all moved to another side of the field with the Barbie-like girl skipping behind them. The males groaned and rolled their eyes and followed the girls. "Should we move?" I asked Asher who was now tuning his guitar, "They're moving to the other side."

** **

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