Ciara's POV
Just as time with our cute session with Shan, Uncle Derek appeared, carrying the supper he had ordered for us.
"It's here. Have a good time with your dinner, kids," he placed down all the food we wanted and leans closer to me, "Enjoy your date," he whispered to me after.

My Uncle bolted before I could even hit him. When Shan noticed my gloomy look, he burst out laughing, "What's that expression on your face, best friend? HAHAHAHAHAHA. What did he say to you?"
 
"It's nothing," I said as I gathered up the utensils, "he simply enjoys teasing me."
He simply shook his head me a tray of my favorite dishes. We're just eating our meal, and I can't help but stare at him. I'm still captivated by this guy.
When he looked at me, I pretended to be preoccupied with my food and avoided looking at him.
 

 
 
"Do you remember with our poems from Arts Appreciation?" When he spoke, I fixed my gaze on him.
 

 
 
"Yeah, but why?"
He chewed his food and responded, "Nothing, I simply recall because you seem to love a man then, don't you?" he said after swallowing his food.
 
"Is that all there is to it? It's nothing; I simply copied the poem so that I might pass it on to the class," I didn't want him to know the truth, I excused myself. Before I was ready for him to discover the truth but I became timid again.
I guess I'll always be his best friend.
 
 
 
"I don't think you're telling the truth. Ciara, I know you too well," If you knew me, you'd know what I am feeling for you.
 
 
 
"If you know me, You know who I love because you know who I am," I added as I continued to eat.
He just answered, "All right, I'll know that soon," and I groaned because I didn't think the guy I love was that numb.
We considered returning home after eating dinner, but first, we stopped by the park in our neighborhood. I took a seat on a bench, and Shan sat next to me.
"Am I about to lose my best friend, Ciara?" I wondered as I heard him mention my name.
 
 
 
"What do you mean?" I asked, perplexed. What exactly does he mean? As far as I recall, the two of us are fine.
With a shake of his head, he said, "It's all right. That's just a bunch of wacky questions."
I stared at him and stroked his face, encouraging him to look at me as well, and I could see the sadness in his eyes, "I'm aware that you have a problem. I have noticed you before. What exactly is going on?"
I noticed his tears streaming down his eyes, but he quickly wiped them away, "There's nothing. Sorry for the inconvenience. I realized that we don't get along very well anymore, and I'm afraid I'll lose my best friend."
I'm not sure why, but hugging him brought tears to my eyes. After all, Shan is the only reason my eyes teared up. It's all about happiness, "I won't let you go. I'll always be your best friend. ven if we're not together all the time, I will continue to love you, as my best friend."
He returned my hug with a nod. I felt so special right now, and I realized that even if he had a girlfriend, he makes me feel important to him.
I'm content with what we have today, even if it's only a best friend.
x x x x x x x
Everything returned to normal after our dinner last three nights ago, but that was fine with me because we had the opportunity to talk with Shan about everything. It's been so difficult for me to readjust these past few weeks that my best friend has lost time for me, but I'm relieved now that I know he cares as much for me as he does for his girlfriend.
I'm now at the gymnasium with Patricia today because Patrick is trying out for the URIAN Volleyball Team for the forthcoming URIAN Day and Sports Fest. The Sports Fest will be held soon as well, and I am looking forward to it although I do not participate in sports and was chosen as a pianist in a band in the Accountancy Program.
Patricia and Patrick are the only ones who know I auditioned yesterday. I haven't informed Shan yet, which would surprise him because he had no idea I had musical talent. Isn't that strange? We've been best friends for as long as I can remember, but he had no idea I was also a musician.
I'm too shy to play in front of all, so he only knows that I can sing. My priority at the audition should be on singing, but because there were so many students who auditioned for it though, there is no spot for me. Fortunately, the pianist is entirely unoccupied and they haven't seen a participant yet, so I seize the opportunity.
Patrick, on the other hand, is a volleyball player, so I'm confident he'll ace the tryouts. Patricia, on the other hand, is uninterested in sports, but I know she prefers darts and archery, both of which are not offered at our current school, unlike at Agusan High.
I looked around hoping to see Shan, but I think they're in the Main Building, at the school's mini-court. There were other cheerleaders around, and I noticed Julie, but I didn't approach her because we weren't particularly close.
We just watched Patrick play, and I can confidently declare that he is a volleyball expert. Minutes have passed, and I'm feeling the necessity to use the restroom.
We got up from our seats after I requested Patricia to accompany me to the restroom.
We just talked and joked as we walked to the restroom because it was a little far from the court and we had to use the senior high department's facilities.
We each went into our cubicle, and I was about to finish when I happened to notice that some females had also arrived, and if my memory serves me correctly, they were a group of senior high students.
I was going to leave the cubicle as I heard them conversing, "What's up, Julie? How's Shan doing? Isn't that your boyfriend?" I heard a girl ask, and I pretended to be fascinated. These are some cheerleading kids.
"Yes, why? Is there anything wrong with that?"
 
"So? How about you Dwight? Is he nothing for you?" I was perplexed by what I was hearing, I became even more intrigued and curious. Dwight?
 
 
 
"He is also my boyfriend. Do you have any objections to that?"
When I heard that, my eyes widened. I knew it was Julie because I recognized her voice.
 
 
 
"You're not changing, Julianna."
I could hear her sigh, "It is, however, somewhat inconvenient. Shan is openly acknowledging his best friend."
 
 
 
"Like what?"
"It's as though he's so regretful that he no longer has time for her, and so on. He was so happy that the two of them went on a date the day before yesterday. Like, duh? It's quite annoying! He seemed to be more interested in her than in me! Dwight and I, on the other hand, have plans so let's go."
Patricia and I exited our cubicles as they left, and I could see the horror on her face.
 
 
 
"Did I hear it correctly?" she inquired.
 
 
 
"Perhaps I could hear what she was saying as well," I responded, enraged. How did she do this to my best friend? That woman is very shameless to deceive Shan. Why didn't I realize that from the start? I wish I had forewarned Shan about that monster! Sacrificing how I feel is a waste of my time.
 
"Should we inform Shan?" Patricia had asked.
I sighed as I stared at her, for even I didn't know. What if he doesn't think I'm telling the truth? What if Shan gets upset at me?
 
 
 
"Patty, I'm not sure. I'm worried," I said something and considered the options, but I felt he should just know the truth. I don't want him to be harmed because he is my best friend.
People may perceive me differently, believing I simply took advantage of the chance because of my feelings for him.
She took my hands in hers, "I understand you're terrified of anything, but he's your friend. Not only a friend but a best friend. Sorry for his loss if he can't accept it," I smiled at her.
 
 
 
"Okay, that's all It is. I'll inform him as quickly as possible."
We returned to the gymnasium right away to find that the tryouts had ended and Patrick was waiting for us. We went up to him and said, "Pat, hello! What's the status of the game?"
 
 
 
“Of course, I got in! What happened to you two? I assumed you'd keep an eye on me." He queried us.
Patricia and I exchanged glances to determine if we should tell him what we had witnessed. He also took notice of our appearances, "What's up with that face? Do you two have a secret that you won't tell me about?"
 
 
 
"We have a secret," I said to Patrick, who was waiting for our response. "It's about Shan's girlfriend."
His eyes expanded, as if he was interested in the day's gossip, "What exactly is it? Please share it with me."
 
 
 
"Not here, we need somewhere private. Perhaps someone will hear us," Patricia speculated, instantly following up with, "I know! What if we go to our house? That's a bit specific."
 
 
 
"Yeah! That's an excellent suggestion. Let's go because we don't have a class."
We left the gymnasium and crossed the overpass to the Main Building, where Patrick's motorcycle was parked. As we turned right towards the stairs, my heart rate spiked as I heard his voice.
 
 
 
"Ciara! Wait!" It's Shan! Patricia and I were scared because Shan shouldn't know where we were going and he couldn't join us.
 We can't inform him right now because we don't have enough proof that Julie is cheating on him.
I swung around and pretended to smile, "Hey, Shan. What exactly do you need?" I asked, trying not to let on that I was nervous.
He smiled, "We have no class, right? What are your plans for the rest of the day?" He asked.
 
 
 
"It's just going somewhere," I think of something as an excuse. "We also watched Patrick's volleyball tryouts."
 
 
 
"Good," he said, "You haven't even informed me you were watching."
 
 
"I may be thinking you were occupied earlier. Where are you going now?" I just asked, "You don't have a date with Julie?" I asked even though I knew her so-called girlfriend was quite busy.
He shook his head, "I'm not sure. She just texted me to say that she's busy today, so I'm on my own for the time being."
Julie is most likely with Dwight, her rumored boyfriend. I've never heard of someone named Dwight, or perhaps I'm simply uninterested in the people at school.
 
 
 
"Okay. Go ahead and I know you're busy," we were about to go when he still came along him.
 
 
 
"Don't you want to be with me?" he asked, looking at me. "I don't have anything to do."
 
 
 
"Of course I want to be with you, but -"
 
 
"We merely need to go somewhere, and it'll be just the three of us. Sorry, bro, but I understand you're swamped," Patrick spoke out and wrapped his arm around me. "So, we better get going, shall we?" before we left in front of him,
I looked at him and I noticed Shan's face lit up with surprise at what had transpired.
I felt bad since I knew all he wanted to do was bond with us or me. I'm too familiar with Shan; he's the sweetest man in the world, but when he's upset, he'll be displeased, and I don't want him to get mad at me, but I don't have a choice.