Shan's POV
I stood in front of the gate, a safe distance away from Ciara. Their relationship with their parents appears to be excellent. I'm glad her wish to reconcile with her parents was ultimately fulfilled.
I'm not sure, but I'm not happy. I'm not pleased with what's going on between the two of us, especially when I'm not sure who to believe.

I love Julie, but I also love Ciara, who is like a sister to me. I felt bad because I felt like I had duped her and damaged her by accusing her of something I didn't know about.
Am I doing the right thing? After all, she is right in claiming that I knew her from the beginning. I'd known her since we were kids, and I should've known better. However, it would be unjust if I didn't believe my girlfriend.
"Hey, dude!" someone exclaims. Eric, one of my close friends in senior high school and a member of the basketball team, caught my attention.
"Hey there, bro! How are you doing? No classes?" I joked as I hugged him and smacked his arm.
He nodded and looked around as if he was seeking someone, "Weird. Right now, you're not with Ciara. Do you and your girlfriend have a date planned?"
"No, they're busy right now, so I'm on my own," I said, nodding.

"Let's eat lunch together if you wish. I'm going to the cafeteria at school."
 
"All right, so I don't appear to be miserable," I replied as we entered the College Building Main and proceeded straight to the School Cafeteria.
Eric had placed our order, and I was seeking a seat in the cafeteria's garden.

After waiting ten minutes, I saw him come out of the grocery store holding two trays of food so I rose and helped him hoist a tray of food
"Thank you for the treat, dude," I said as we sat at the table I had chosen, "It's embarrassing for you, but I have money to buy it."
"Oh, please don't be," Eric said, "How is Mr. John Anderson doing? I miss him as a coach!"
 
"Dad is fine. They're busy again for the forthcoming divisional meet," I replied as I chewed my food. "Siargao will host the Division Meet."
"That's fantastic! Did you join today's sports festival with Basketball?" I nodded when he asked.
I'll never give up my basketball career, and the various benefits of being a basketball player, aside from the scholarship, continue to take me places, such as hiring.
"Captain, what happened?" He asked. Since we were in high school, he has addressed me as Captain, "Is there a problem between you and Ciara?"
I let out a sigh "I'm not sure who I'm going to believe, dude. You know, I already have a girlfriend, and they didn't get along very well. They fight until they have to fight physically."
"I assume you trusted your girlfriend rather than your best friend?"
I just closed my eyes and stared at him, "I'm not sure. I considered talking to Ciara and confronted her, but I know deep down that Ciara will never be able to do so."
Eric only grinned, "Captain, keep this in mind. Ciara, you've known her longer than your girlfriend."
I recall what Ciara said to me last night. Maybe Julie misinterpreted Ciara because I've never seen her furious over the years. I've known her to be tough, but she's not one to insult people.
"Captain, I also thought that you and Ciara ended up when I found out that you already have a girlfriend. Isn't she the woman you used to love?"
I let out a sigh, "I thought she was the one for me, but I had the same feeling about Julie. Maybe I love Ciara as a friend, or better still, as my best friend. I love both of them and consider them to be very important to me."
He just shrugged and carried on with his meal. On the other hand, I've previously considered it because I'm at a loss for what to do. To be honest, I'm confused by my feelings.
I've loved Ciara since we were kids, and I thought my feelings for her had grown stronger until Julie entered the picture. Like Ciara, I fell in love with her and cared for her.
I'm still figuring out how to make my love bigger than how I loved my best friend, which is why I spend less time with her. When Julie is busy, I was grateful because I got to spend time with my best friend.
However, I came to a realization. I just don’t love Ciara as a friend. In reality, I've been madly in love with her since the beginning, and my feelings for her haven't changed.
I'm simply too hesitant to confess what I'm feeling because I'm worried about being rejected, but now that Patrick is involved, I'm even more afraid of losing her.
"Thank you, dude, and you helped me open my eyes to reality," I said to Eric.
I called Julie right after lunch since I knew exactly what I was going to do. I'm going to end my relationship with her. I'm no longer fooling myself.
I waited as the phone rang and not until she answered it, "Hello?"
Because the phone was answered by a man, I checked the caller ID to see if the number I dialed was correct. This is odd because this is her phone number.
"Who is this? I need to speak with Julie," I spoke something, and I heard the guy call out her name.
"Sorry, my girlfriend is busy. She is taking a bath, but you are free to say whatever you need."
When I heard what he said, I was taken aback. That means Ciara was right about last night when she stated, "Oh, ah. Simply inform her that Coach is on the lookout for her at the gym."
I instantly hung up the phone and shut my eyes. I can't believe she had cheated on me. 
So, everything Ciara said all along was true.
I should've realized this earlier so I wouldn't have let the hurtful words go.
I made a major mistake. My best friend was hurt. I've just hurt the woman I love.
Right after class, I immediately ran out of our classroom to finish everything between Julie and me. I knew that I had plans with Ciara, but this is important and I know that it is good for Ciara and me.
"Shan! Wait!" I heard Ciara call out my name when I was about to go downstairs so I turned at her, "I thought we were going to talk somewhere? Now, what? You're leaving again? Don't tell me that it's about Julie again,“ I can feel the annoyance in her voice but I deserved it anyway. In all that I did and said to her, she was probably very angry and annoyed with me and especially with Julie.
I approached her and scratched my neck, "Yeah, I need to find her but it's not what you think," I said and held her hand. Just as I thought, I feel like electricity flowing through my system again every time I hold her hands, "I have to do something first but it's only a matter of time. You go there first and I'll follow."
She sighed, "As usual but fine, go ahead. Just please, hurry up because I still have to do something after this," she said and I nodded.
I don’t know but I just hugged him tightly. All I know is that I cannot lose her. She has been my best friend ever since and I was so blind to not realize that she was the woman my heart had always been beating for.
After the hug, I kissed her on the forehead, "Be careful and I'll follow you there. Please, wait for me."
I left the school and immediately went to the parking lot to get in my car. Even before I left I took my phone out of the bag and searched for Julie's contact number to call.
In just a few seconds she answered immediately, "Hello, baby?"
"Hey, where are you right now?" I said and started the engine of my car, "Can I see you? I need to tell you something."
"Oh, I'm just at home. Mom is just cooking for dinner. Are you going to have dinner here?"
"No. Just, wait for me," I said and I hung up. I don't want to waste on something that isn't valuable.
I started to drive off and I was still annoyed because there were so many one-way roads and I still had to turn around on the other roads just to get to the Main Highway. Julie's house is also a bit far from the school because their mansion is located in San Vicente, Butuan.
I don't know Julie very well but her mother is known to everyone because she was from Butuan City before she moved to Davao City when she was in college until she married a man from Davao City.
Julie's grandfather used to be a Principal and as far as I know, she also became the Head Cheerleader at Agusan High. Couldn't be my mom who knew Julie's mom? I remember that mom had told me that she was also a cheerleader at Agusan High back then but only as a substitute.
Seems weird really because there seems to be a connection that I don’t understand. I know that my mom was originally from Davao so Grandpa and Grandma have been going home to Davao since I was young and sometimes we just visit there during Holidays or Christmas. 
Is it just a funny coincidence that it's weird that they also came from Davao and there's a chance that my mom knows Julie's mother?
I didn't realize it and I arrived at their big mansion. I’ve only been here twice but I haven’t seen Julie’s mother yet.
I got out of my car and saw my ex-girlfriend waiting at their gate, "Baby!"
"Hey, I need to tell you something," I said and took a deep breath, "I appreciate that you're so thoughtful of me as my girlfriend but I think it doesn't work for us."
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"I'm sorry but it doesn't work out. I love you, Julie but I think I love you as my sister. I tried and I thought you were the one for me," I said and I still held her hands but she pulled away it's just me.
She laughed bitterly and smiled, "It's about Ciara, right? I knew that girl would try to steal you. What did she tell you?!"
"She didn't tell me anything, okay? I'm guilty because I defended you and I lost my best friend because of you," I said and sighed, "but I realized that I don't want to. I don't want to be unfair to you. "
"Fine, it's your loss," she said and rolled her eyes, "I hate you, Shan!" she screamed and left me outside.
I don't want to be in a relationship with a cheater. I respect her and I do still love her but as my sister. I don't know but I still feel that way about her.
I got in my car and left where I was. I went straight to Uncle Derek's restaurant and saw from inside that Ciara was waiting for me. I sighed before getting out of my car.
When I got in I saw Ciara's very pretty face annoyed facing me, "Shan! What took you so long. Do you know I'm so hungry?!"
I laughed at her conduct. I regretted that I fought with her. I do miss her so much. These past few weeks we haven't been together much with my best friend but maybe it's because of me too.
"Best, just chill. Come on and let's order foods," I said and dragged her to our seat. I feel like she is already very hungry. I still know this when she's hungry because she's been cranky.