Chapter 10: The Other Side
"Ander, you are not going to believe this," Christian said in a hushed voice on Tuesday afternoon.
Ander looked up from the chemistry class notes he was studying on his Surface Book. "What is it?"
Christian rubbed the back of his neck as he read the text he had just received on his phone. "Next challenge: Meet at Vicalvaro Lake this Saturday at 2pm. Sprint, cliff jump and swim. First one to reach the lakeshore wins. Challenge is only between Matteo and Ander."
Since they were at the school library, Ander resorted to cursing under his breath. "Are you serious? They still want to continue with this stupid game?"
"Looks like it, my friend."
"Who sent you the text anyway?"
"Kate."
Ander couldn't help raising an eyebrow. "She has your number?"
Christian smiled smugly. "She couldn't resist the old Christian charm. We exchanged numbers at Club54 after the drinking challenge was over and all of you were out cold."
"And I thought you were loyal to Carla," Ander remarked with a slight smile.
"There's plenty of me to go around, bro," Christian replied without missing a beat.
"Yeah, well, just be careful with these San Patricio people. You never know what their agenda is. They could just be using you," Ander warned, as thoughts of Reina suddenly emerged.
Was he being used by Reina? Was that what last Sunday was about? Did she go home with him just to carry out some elaborate plan that was part of the challenge this coming Saturday?
Ander couldn't figure it out. Couldn't figure her out. And he couldn't figure out why he would even want to...
"What's the whole rivalry thing with San Patricio about anyway?" Christian asked, bringing Ander's focus back to their conversation. "How did it start?"
Ander shrugged. "It was just a dumb football match that took place two years ago. I wasn't there but I heard that it was the finals and San Patricio was leading by one goal, until one of their players received a red card. San Patricio argued and fought hard against the referee's decision, which only led to another San Patricio player being red-carded. There was a penalty kick for Las Encinas and we scored on that penalty kick.
"Then with San Patricio down by two players, we managed to net one more goal later and that won us the game."
"Damn!" Christian proclaimed, forgetting to keep his voice low.
"SHH." A female classmate who was sitting nearby shot Christian an annoyed look.
"Sorry," Christian whispered to her before turning back to Ander. "No wonder San Patricio is still mad after all these years. They must've thought that victory was in their hands, before the whole double red card thing happened."
"Yeah. And it didn't help that they later found out that the referee was the uncle of one of the students at Las Encinas. So there might have been some favoritism going on during the game. I think San Patricio asked for a rematch but the request was rejected."
"That must've been intense." Christian let out a chuckle. "And now everything got dragged up again because you couldn't keep your hands off of a San Patricio girl – who happens to be the girlfriend of the current football team's captain."
If you only knew just how much my hands was on her on Sunday night.
"The thing with Reina was just unlucky. And I don't even care about football," Ander said with a sigh.
"Who's saying you care about football?" Lu quipped, appearing at the table with Guzmán.
"Hey, Lu. Hey, Guzmán. We were just talking about the football match with San Patricio that made us rival schools," Ander explained, frowning, as Lu and Guzmán took seats opposite him and Christian.
"Yeah, and now Matteo and gang have issued us a second challenge," Christian announced. He proceeded to fill Lu and Guzmán in on the details of the challenge.
"They're out of their fucking minds," Lu stated, dramatically lifting up a finger to punctuate her point.
"SHHHH." The same female schoolmate showed her annoyance to Lu this time.
"Oh shut up, Fabiana," Lu snarled. "We're in the middle of a very important discussion here."
"Lu, we're at the library," Guzmán reminded her gently. "She has the right to shush us."
"Fine, I'll lower my voice a tiny bit," Lu relented, placing a possessive hand on Guzmán's leg.
Christian hissed at Ander, "Reina reminds me of Lu. Don't you think they both act alike?"
"I heard that," Lu said with a death glare at Christian. "Don't you ever compare me with that bitch. She's trash. And I'm a diamond, darling."
Guzmán shared an amused grin with Ander. They both agreed with Christian, of course, but knew better than to say anything to aggravate Lu.
"We need to think about our strategy for this Saturday," Guzmán swiftly changed the topic. His face grew serious. "The challenge... Ander, you could get hurt if you're not careful. Do we even know how high the cliff will be?"
"Why are we even entertaining this challenge in the first place?" Lu questioned. Her perfectly plucked eyebrows pulled into a frown. "If that stupid San Patricio ringleader wants to risk his life with this, he can go ahead."
"It's tough," Christian said. "We already started with the drinking challenge last weekend. It'll be hard for Ander to back down now."
"Maybe I should just let Matteo throw that ten punches at me. Get it over and done with," Ander muttered. "I'm tired of this."
"I'm not going to let anyone touch that gorgeous face of yours, Ander," Lu told him protectively. "There has to be some other way."
"Why don't we go and check out the place first?" Christian suggested. "It's possible that it won't be as dangerous as we're imagining it to be."
"That's actually a good idea," Guzmán said with obvious reluctance about agreeing with Christian. "But you're not coming with us. We can handle this on our own. This isn't your school, Christian, so it's not your battle to fight."
"Don't be an idiot, Guzmán," Christian shot back with surprising firmness. "Look, I'm in communication with Kate, one of the San Patricio girls. I can try digging up more information for Ander – who is my friend, and that's who I'm helping. Not you. Not Lu."
Ander gave Christian a grateful smile. In fact, he was thankful for the support of all of his friends, even though this was entirely his own mess to deal with.
And hopefully Christian was right. Maybe Vicalvaro Lake wouldn't be as dangerous as they had thought.
"Okay, we're fucked," Christian breathed, shaking his head.
Ander was inclined to agree as he stood on the edge of the cliff and looked down – way, way down – at the deep blue waters of Vicalvaro Lake.
"It's not that bad," Lu said with evident hesitance in her voice. "Ander, you can easily make the jump.. right?"
"Sure. I'm just not sure if I would survive the jump," Ander quipped, squinting his eyes in the blazing Tuesday afternoon sun.
"Well, I don't see how the San Patricio guy is going to have it easy either with this challenge," Guzmán commented as he placed a hand on Ander's shoulder and shuddered when he peeked at the drop.
"It's a death wish for sure," Christian agreed.
"This is stupid. Can't you text your little girlfriend and ask her for a new challenge or something?" Lu demanded from Christian in a bossy tone.
"As awesome of a person as I am, I don't think I have that kind of pull with Kate..." Christian protested, shrugging helplessly.
"Maybe there's a trick or a shortcut that they know about and we don't?" Guzmán theorized. "They wouldn't propose something like this without being confident of carrying it out successfully."
"I suppose I can try asking Kate..." Christian said with more than a slight doubt in his voice.
Ander exhaled loudly to no one in particular. There was someone else they could try asking – or rather, he could.
But would she even respond?
Well, there was only one way to find out.
Ander slid his phone out from his pants pocket and began typing a text message.
Ander: Reina, the challenge this Saturday at Vicalvaro Lake. It's insane. Do you know anything that would help prevent my imminent death or severe body injuries?
After sending the message, Ander pocketed his phone. He focused again on his surroundings. The tall fir trees and cool highlands air actually made for a peaceful environment to hang out in – if Ander was in any other situation. Not in this one though.
It looked like he was out of luck this time.
Ander felt his phone buzz. He quickly retrieved it and checked the screen. There was a reply, which he responded to immediately.
Reina: Dramatic, much?
Reina: And even if I did know anything, why should I help you? I'm with the other side, in case you forgot
Ander: Come on. I thought we were.. well, something more than rivals, after last weekend
Reina: You're wrong then. We'll always be rivals and nothing more
Reina: And did you ask for my number just so you could try to gain info from me? Lame!
Ander: ... Of course not. Why would you even think that?
Reina: Let's be real, Ander. We're both caught in a game and we have to play whether we like it or not
Ander: Fine. I'm pulling out from the challenge and ending this whole damn thing now. Tell Matteo he can come over and beat me up whenever
Reina: No way! Don't you dare. Please don't be a party pooper, Ander
Reina: Okay fine. I suppose I can tell you one little thing...
Reina: When you jump, aim for the right side, closer to the shrubs. The water is calmer there and less shallow. Oh, and jump with your feet first. Look up pencil dive if you need to
Ander: And that will guarantee I come out of the challenge alive?
Reina: Yup
Ander: How do I know you're not just tricking me?
Reina: You don't. Take it or leave it
Ander: Thanks.. I think
Reina: Best of luck. May the best man win this Saturday
Ander: I have a feeling you're not referring to me
Reina: No comment ;) Bye, Ander
"Dude, quit staring at your phone and start worrying about the fate of your life this Saturday!"
Christian's chiding words jolted Ander. He looked up and was met with three pairs of concerned-looking eyes.
"Christian. Lu. Guzmán," Ander addressed his friends, sucking in his right cheek as he thought about the tips that Reina had shared – and this was assuming she wasn't playing him.
He continued, "I know you're all worried about me, but.. I think I'm going to do fine this Saturday. Let's go check out the trail and then the lake below."
"Wow, where did this new confidence come from?" Lu inquired curiously as she linked her arm with Ander's and they started walking toward the trail in question.
A tiny smile tugged at one corner of Ander's lips. "I guess you could say it's from the most unlikely place. But I have a good feeling about it."