**One**
**RHEA’S POV-**
The campus bell suddenly rang as I was walking on the path, and from my position, I saw Sir Villaflor come out of our classroom. He was our first subject instructor in the morning, and for sure, he was done teaching our section.
As I noticed, both of us were walking on the same path. Normally, I would do ninja moves to dodge him, but in this situation, I didn't pull out anything, considering that his gaze was stinging on my face. My plain, flat face card, yet surely he had another lecture up his sleeve.
"Good morning, Sir," I greeted just as I stood in front of him, curving a small, awkward smile on my face.
The corner of his lips lifted. "If you always come in at this time, Ms. Castino, you better add another irregular class to your schedule for next year." A casual response from Sir; his eyes weren't even fixated on mine.
Another smile flashed on my face, but it didn't even reach my eyes. "I'll make sure to be on time next time."
Sir nodded in response and proceeded to walk. After he had distanced himself from my hearing, I headed to my classroom.
As soon as I swung the door open, the image of our major subject instructor, Sir Jeff, appeared, standing in front of the class. He was discussing something while my thoughts wandered, wondering why he came earlier. He wasn't supposed to be here until the afternoon.
"Castino," my surname echoed in the room after Sir called me out, turning the heads of the entire class toward me. "I thought you were going to play Dota all day."
"That’s my plan, sir. Unfortunately, I just remembered that I wasn't allowed to be absent today," my mouth moved on its own before my brain could filter the words.
Half of his lips curved. "Well, thank you." His words sounded more like a threat than gratitude as he shifted his gaze to the whole class. “Class dismissed. And Castino, Narcilla, and Cadenas will stay.”
And just like that, the room went empty, leaving only the people that Sir Jeff mentioned. Andrei Narcilla, who sat in the front with a headset while listening to music; Marlyn Navarro, our lesbian classmate who didn't talk much, sitting in front, two seats from Andrei; Sir Jeff, who made himself busy at the instructor's table, attention focused on his box-sized laptop; and I, Rhea Castino, who chose to sit at the very back of the class.
"Are we still waiting for someone, Sir?" Andrei sounded impatient when he asked Sir.
"Yes, Narcilla. Soon the people from other sections will be here," Sir replied, eyes still focused on his laptop.
A few minutes later, I heard the door open. Three men and a lesbian entered. They all sat next to each other in the second row from the front.
Sir noticed their arrival yet didn't give them a single glance. "Where's Gonzaga?" he asked as soon as they sat.
"He is still in the room, sir," replied the lesbian who had just arrived.
Just a nod, and he continued to focus on whatever had kept him busy on his laptop.
And here we were in the most annoying part: waiting for someone. A few boring minutes passed, and I was starting to get impatient.
Before I could completely lose my patience, the door opened again, and several men entered, one after the other, until the classroom was gradually filling up, leaving the only seat next to me empty.
The sound of people filling the room stole Sir’s attention from his laptop. Once they were all settled, he stood and started filling the room with his deep, resonant voice, discussing the upcoming DOTA Tournament, which we all knew would be held tomorrow afternoon.
He mentioned tournament mechanics, other little details, and reminders, ending the meeting with a final note: the winner tomorrow would compete in the by-school tournament.
All the students left the room, and I was the last one to leave. When I came out, I saw Sir Jeff outside talking to a young man. My sight ignored their presence, and my feet chose to sprint past them, not a slightest hint of curiosity.
"Castino, come closer first," Sir called out just as a glimpse of me appeared in his gaze, passing behind the guy he was talking with.
Now, I regret choosing that route.
My steps began to slow as I approached them, and this guy's glare on me was getting on my nerves, scanning me from head to toe like a laser scanner.
"She is Rhea Castino. The pride of section C-2. She's good too," Sir introduced me to the guy with a smug smile. "If you need anything, just come to her."
He never took his eyes off me; they even became sharper, pricking holes in my skin.
Eyeing that guy with a raised brow, I said, "Assistance doesn't seem needed for him, Sir."
"Complaints, and I would be glad to add another irregular subject for you next year.” It seemed to be a joke after seeing his smirk, but it didn't sound like one.
And before he could hear my objection, he was already on his way to leaving us.
"Are you really good?" the young man asked doubtfully.
"I have nothing to prove to you," I responded in an irritated tone. "And don't talk as if we're close." I turned my back on him and walked away.
"Not really, but I don't need to be close to challenge you to a game," the young man answered and followed me.
"Will you treat me?" I asked while still walking.
"If I lose, I'll pay for your time, but if you lose, you'll give me your number," he challenged me with a mischievous smile.
I stopped walking and turned to him. "Where are we going to play?"
================================
I gave an intense game to Mr. Arrogant. We played at the nearest internet café from school. That's where I often play.
It's just that I didn't expect what happened. The Sentinel lost, and the Scourge won. I guess today wasn't my day.
“Unbelievable,” I grumbled as the scoreboard flashed on the screen. He was only two points ahead of me.
I didn't wait for the game to return to the lobby. When I saw the score, I immediately stood up and quietly went to the counter to pay. He immediately followed me when he saw me standing. We paid almost at the same time and then left the net café.
"Hold it…." He scrambled to catch up, flipping his phone open. "Your number."
Rattling it off without bothering if my voice was loud enough to be heard, my eyes fixated on the street ahead.
However, I could see his fingers swiftly flying over the screen of his phone from the smallest corner of my eyes, and judging by his silence, he saved it properly.
"Ceejay Gonzaga, by the way," hearing him mention his name froze my foot, and I slowly turned my gaze to him.
A small smile formed on my face that I hadn't realized. "Nice meeting you." Finally, I had the strength to break the chills wrapped around my foot and continued to walk.
"Wait, you haven't said your name yet," he shouted, leaving him standing and piercing a glare at my back.
"You didn't ask," I shouted back without looking at him.
You were a total idiot as always. Sir Jeff just mentioned it earlier. Or has having my phone number broken some of your brain cells?