It was no doubt that May woke up with a big smile on her face the next day after her brief encounter with Drew at the elevator. She had honestly pondered why telling Drew she loved him had given her such a relaxing effect, but she thought maybe it was because hearing Drew say the words back to her that made her felt this blissful.

It was a wonderful thing to have someone love you back.

"What a fine weather!" May exclaimed happily while stretching her hand wide as she, Brendan, and Drew walked out from the lobby. People who heard her glanced up to the sky before staring at the three teenagers strangely. The sky was dark as ink and not even a tinge of blue existed in it. It wasn't hard to predict that it was going to rain.

"You sure have a bad sense of weather, May." Drew somewhat sighed. May stuck her tongue out childishly.

"Whatever." May turned to Brendan, "Let's practice!"

"But May, maybe Drew is right..." Brendan sheepishly informed, gesturing up to the gloomy sky, "See, the sky is dark."

The brunette sighed, "Hmph. You two are no fun. So, what now? Breakfast, then?"

"Fine by me," Drew shrugged.

"Okay, let's go!"


Somehow, the breakfast went well without any arguments, just a slightly awkward tenseness on Brendan's part. May obviously didn't notice it, since she was talking and rambling all the time, with her gleeful smile etched on her face. Drew stayed silent, only speaking when the waitress asked him what to order. May mainly talked to Brendan since Drew didn't make the effort to be a part of the conversation. In spite of that, Brendan would occasionally glance to Drew to see Drew's reaction. The green-haired guy didn't seem to show any negative expressions, though he also didn't show any positive ones either.

Just after their breakfast, May went to get her all-you-can-fill ice cream dessert on a special twelve-flavored ice cream machine. Drew briefly warned her about her eating habit before she went (which she ignored).

"May is kind of cute, isn't she?" Brendan muttered, smiling. Drew's eyes remained expressionless, although he was quite caught off guard by Brendan's statement.

"Not even close." Drew spoke up, his eyes not staring at Brendan.

Somehow, Brendan felt Drew would answer this way, so, rather than asking about why Drew didn't find May cute, he directly asked, "May has told me about your fake relationship."

Drew's insides clenched. It never occurred to him that it would feel so distressing to hear the words 'fake relationship'. Yes, they really were in this fake relationship, but to be told that they were onlyfeigning was painful. May was true, it was a big burden to hold.

"You know, she talked about you so much. When she did, I felt jealous." Brendan admitted with a slight grin, "I felt like you were more important than I am to her. But when she told me she was only pretending to be his girlfriend to chase away your fans, I was...delighted, maybe? I don't know. Previously I thought you her boyfriend, from how much she talked about you. The moment when she told me the truth, all my worries were gone. Maybe I was too scared of being replaced, you know, we're friends since we were small children. If I were to lose a childhood friend as important as May, I would be devastated."

Brendan's little assertion hit Drew. Don't tell me Brendan really has feelings for May?

"But then, I saw the anger in your eyes when I get close to May. So, Drew, do you like May?... Is it okay for me to pursue May?" Brendan stared at Drew with his rubies, red as fire. Drew stared back, his mind in chaos. What should he say?

Last night's encounter flashed back into Drew's mind. They both had finally managed to say those three awaited words to each other, but it was not more than that. So, that raised a question; where do they stand? Were they a couple already? Did last night's words mean they actually had a real status?

Drew's lips pursed. It wasn't like he doubted her, instead, he doubted himself. Was he the one who took everything too deep? I love you. It could mean love as in friends, right?

He could just admit he minded if Brendan was going to woo May, but May loved freedom. She disliked of people trying to tie her down or plan her ways. Despite that she was a coordinator, she detested of being coordinated by someone, she always claimed it was her life, therefore she would be the one to make decisions. So if he were to object of Brendan pursuit of May, wouldn't May get mad? Should he be that selfish?

"Hey! What are you two talking about?" May's voice broke the air. Both boys jumped slightly from her sudden appearance. They were so engrossed in their 'talk' that they didn't notice May approaching them.

"Nothing important." Drew quickly said, his eyes darting to Brendan and then to May.

May's sunshine smile faltered, and a suspicious expression overtook her features. "Hm?" she eyed both of them, "So you refuse to tell me what you guys are talking about in your bonding time?"

Drew snorted, while Brendan grinned slightly at May in an awkward manner. The girl didn't seem fine with their uncooperativeness, though.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

"It's a boy thing, May." Brendan said, "You wouldn't find it interesting."

May scoffed childishly. What was it anyway? If it's a boy thing, it would probably be about sports. Or... Could it be that they were talking about...porn? Nah, nah. It's so gross! They wouldn't be like that.

May glanced at both guys with suspicion.

Or would they?

Geez, it gave May goosebumps just even thinking about it. May shook her head slightly, as if to physically shake the thought out of her head.

"May, are you okay?" Brendan asked in concern when he saw May's actions.

"U-uh, I'm fine," May stammered, quietly cursing herself for overreacting. Brendan just stared at her in response, wondering what's gotten into her.


As expected, May and Drew passed through the preliminary round and were waiting for the battle round to start. Soledad was in the contest as well, though she didn't stay long with them. It disappointed May a little, though, because she wanted to introduce Soledad to Brendan.

Brendan had just left the audience seat to congratulate them. He'd love to inquire about his question to Drew earlier, but with May there, it was nearly impossible to do it.

On the other hand, Drew's impression about Brendan was 'that kid already made his move'. Seeing how Brendan always staying by May's side, he almost felt like he was a third-wheel in some couple's outing (though he thought it actually was Brendan who was being the third wheel). Drew mainly kept to himself all the time, being his usual calm and composed self even though his mind was in a wreck.

"Hey, do you guys want a drink?" May asked when they approached a vending machine.

"Yeah, I'll have-"

"I know," May interrupted, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Pepsi, right?"

"Hey, you remembered!" Brendan chimed with a grin.

"How could I forget?" she replied with an equal toothy grin. "How about you, Drew?"

"Nah."

"Fine." May shrugged. Drew had never been a fan of soft drinks anyway. After she got hers and Brendan's drinks, the cycle continued, Brendan and May walking side by side, and Drew slightly on the back.

Sure, Drew was unhappy at this sight, but oh well. Promise is a promise.


May was lucky she made it to the quarter finals without having to face neither Drew nor Soledad. Although in the final battle, she had to battle Soledad because Drew had lost to Soledad in the quarter finals. Disappointingly, May had lost by a somewhat small margin.

Nevertheless, May had shown a good sportsmanship and (finally) was able to introduce Soledad to Brendan. The four of them had dinner together, and obviously, Soledad noticed Drew was a bit off. Despite the fact that she didn't ask about it, she somehow had a hunch about the reason.

Certainly, Drew knew that Soledad knew. She was like his sister. And truth to be told, it was Soledad who discovered he had feelings for May. Yes, as strange as it sounded, Soledad was the one who informed Drew that maybe he had taken a liking to that clumsy coordinator. But being Drew, of course he denied that at first. It crushed his ego to have someone know him more than himself. But then after a few months of consideration, he thought maybe Soledad was right. (Most of the time he denied the fact, though.)

But Soledad knew him more than that and thus she saw through all his denials. However, she never pressured him or tease him like any other girls would do. Neither did she gossip about that to the whole world. She knew Drew had his own way to settle things so she let him be.

And just like any other time, Soledad knew his worries was about May and Brendan. There was never any other girl who could affect him more than May. Soledad knew she couldn't help much, but she showed her concern by saying "Drew, whatever it is, it's going to be okay" when May and Brendan were not within hearing distance.

It was now half past ten at night, and Drew was still wide awake in his room. It had been like this these days, staying awake thinking about various things. Now, now, it wasn't like he purposely stayed awake just to mull over those stupid problems, but his eyes can't seem to close without images of May and Brendan flashing in his mind.

That night was graver than the other nights, though. There was a feeling inside him that prevented him to sleep, constantly wailing that if he ever fell asleep, he'd lose something important. The feeling gnawed on his chest, even though he tried very hard to ignore it.

But at last, he gave up and sat on his bed, his hands holding his head as if it was in great pain. Well, if it wasn't physical pain, it pained emotionally.

I'm feeling uneasy, how come? That Brendan is honest. He's her childhood friend. He isn't Harley, so he won't dare to harm May. But, why do I feel weird? Is it because he wants to pursue May? I shouldn't feel like this, after all, I promised May I won't get jealous over Brendan.

Drew ruffled his hair and let out a groan. But it wouldn't hurt if I drop by to see May, would it?

He got up from the bed and put on his shoes. Was he right to disturb her sleep by just asking if she's asleep?

Drew halted. No, he was traversing her privacy. He couldn't do that.

The green-eyed coordinator let out another groan. This was not supposed to be this hard. He'd just pass by her room and ask her if she's asleep. And maybe... take her out for a walk? Yep, that would be okay.

Brendan sprung up from his bed with determination. This is the last chance, anyway. He would be leaving soon, and they would part ways. God knows if they were going to meet soon, since both May and Brendan was busy. Willing himself to be brave, he made her way to May's room.

"May?" he called, knocking on the door lightly. After a few seconds, May opened the door. Brendan could tell it by her messy hair and a pillow on her grip, that May was already asleep before he woke her.

"Bren?" May's croaky voice asked, "What's the matter?"

Brendan grinned, "May I come in? I need to talk to you about something."

"At this time? What could it be?" May thought while nodding. Brendan made his way in and sat on a chair by the bed.

"I'm sorry for disrupting your sleep," he smiled.

Meanwhile, Drew was strutting down the hallway, heading to May's room when he noticed the door to May's room was open. Horror washed over him. Wide eyed, he tried to diminish all negative images of May being in danger. He desperately hoped May was fine. Lecturing about her forgetting to close the door was by any means better than having her in danger.

Silently, Drew approached the room. His hands reached to push the door. However, he stopped when he saw Brendan inside her room. What's that guy doing in her room?

He tilted his head to peek inside. It seemed like May was awake and was listening to Brendan. Inwardly Drew thanked the Gods that May was fine. Though, on the other hand, he was wondering if Brendan was going to confess.

"That's why, May. I came to tell you something." Brendan spoke.

"Don't worry, Brendan. We'll see each other again, I'm sure." May assured, smiling, "It isn't like we're going to die, so you've still got time to tell me whatever you want to tell me."

Brendan shrugged, "But we don't know our fate, right? Tomorrow is not promised, everyone may die in any second. I might also die in next fifteen minutes, who knows?"

"Hey, don't talk like that!" May pouted.

"You know, you look cute when you're like that."

Drew saw May's face got redder and unconsciously, his fists balled.

"Really?" May grinned, "Uhm, anyway, what is it?"

"Well..."

"Cut the crap, Brendan! Just spit it out!" Drew thought, still standing by the door. Well, really, don't have to possess a genius brain to assume what Brendan was going to say.

"Don't tell me, you're going to tell me that you have some kind of serious illness?" May's face somewhat paled.

"No, that's not it!" Brendan quickly corrected, "It's... not that."

"Gosh, what a relief. So, what is it?" May questioned again. Brendan's eyes darted downwards.

"We will be friends forever, right?" Brendan uttered.

May chuckled, "You're silly, Brendan! Of course we will!"

"No matter what happens, we will." She continued, smiling brightly.

Brendan's eyes averted up, staring into May's navy blue eyes. "I'm glad then. Because I was going to tell you that I... I love you." He muttered, "If I'm willing to give up my research, will you travel with me? Just the two of us."

"B-Brendan?" she was stuck in astonishment. Now what should she say? She had such special feelings toward Brendan. Heck, she never even knew Brendan liked her.

Drew froze. He was really going to say that, as Drew had already guessed. No wonder he was feeling uneasy. This was the reason.

"I have told Drew about this, and I think he didn't object. So... Will you?" Brendan asked, his eyes holding countless hopes. "I'll ask him if you don't want to say-"

"Drew agreed to that?" May voiced out, somewhat astonished.

Damn, when the hell did I agree to that?! I didn't even give my answer. Did he really think my silence means consent? Sh*t!

"Umm, well, more or less," Brendan said, "He didn't say no, so... What do you think, May? I really wish we could be together."

May felt her breath growing faster. This was not right. Why didn't Drew tell her that? Why did Drew agree? Did he not like her anymore? Did he find her a nuisance to be with? Wasn't he the one who insisted on travelling with her?

Everything was not making sense. She needed space. She needed time to think. It was all so sudden.

"May?"

Drew's body went stiff. He wanted to interrupt and beat Brendan out of his wits, but he can't. There was something inside of him that held him back. There was a powerful force that told him to silently stay and see what May wanted.

But, May should be with him! They had even confessed their feelings. Was that not enough to claim May as his?

"Bren, I... The thing is..." May tried to grasp her words, "Honestly, the idea of travelling with you is...wonderful. I'd love to travel with you—"

"Drew? What are you doing here in this hour?" Nurse Joy asked suddenly, shocking him. The nurse glanced at her wristwatch, "It's 10.57 PM already, do you have a problem?"

Damn!

Drew's fists tightened more. He was listening so intently to Brendan and May that he didn't notice Nurse Joy was walking in the hallway. Now what?

Nurse Joy's voice caused both May and Brendan to immediately look at the door. And there they saw Drew right in front of the door, with a hurtful look on his face.

"No." Drew replied, trying to maintain his composure. Drew then scampered away from the hallway swiftly. Nurse Joy, who didn't know what mistake she just did, shrugged after seeing the green-haired coordinator running out like he was in a hurry.

"I wonder if he desperately needs the toilet or something," Nurse Joy mused with a shrug.


I apologize for the mistakes. Didn't proofread it.