Everyone in school thought that Kane and Vino were already dating.

It seemed like it, but Vino told us that Kane wasn't his girlfriend yet. But he had been more open about her feelings for her, and Kane seemed to be enjoying Vino's company. Sometimes they even spend time alone together, which was usually in the library whenever Kane writes an article.

We just got back to our classroom from the science laboratory. I noticed that Miguel was sitting beside Kane, and Vino was sitting on my chair.

"What is wrong love birds?" Brian asked beside me.

Kane just shrugged in response. I sat on the vacant chair between Vino and Miguel while Brian sat next to Bianca behind Kane.

After our fifth period, Vino hurriedly walked out of the room right after our teacher left. Everyone was still packing their things. I looked at Kane's direction and saw her hastily putting her things in her bag. When she slung her bag in her shoulder, she looked at the empty chair where Vino sat earlier.

I pointed to the door. She nodded and ran out of the room.

I didn't know why Vino suddenly acted cold towards Kane. He was still okay during our earlier classes. Maybe he was feeling sick.

After a few days, Vino seemed to be back to his normal self again. He started talking to us in his usual cheerful manner. He goofed around too and he sat beside Kane again in most of our classes, but as I observed them, they didn't talk to each other. Or at least they didn't talk to each other the way they normally do. I could feel something was going on and it wasn't right.

Kane and her group mates were reporting about the mechanical properties of solids for our physics class. As expected, they had a well-organized visual aide and their flow of presentation was well thought-out too.

I hated it when our classmates who didn't like Kane's competitiveness, become group mates with her especially for class reporting and projects. They pretended to be nice to her because they knew they would get high grades. Kane was their ticket for an A+. Kane, on the other hand, didn't mind if some of our classmates pretended to be nice to her. She was more concerned of getting a good grade than to care about how they act towards her.

Kane began with the chapter introduction. She was now discussing about the elastic behavoir of solids. I looked over at Vino, who was sititng behind Kane's chair, and I could see him paying full attention to Kane. His textbook was closed, and his notebook was still in his bag. He wasn't taking down any notes. He was just listening attentively at her.

He still looked at her the way he usually did.

It was the weekend.

I parked my bike by the sidewalk outside of Brian's house. He was already outside when I arrived, sitting on the tiled steps leading to their gate's entrance. I sat next to him and watched the other teens pass by on their bikes. A girl with wavy hair glanced at us and smiled. I glanced at Brian and saw him smiling too.

"Is that?"

"Yeah." He nooded. "She's hot isn't she?"

I nodded. "Are you?"

"No. You know I don't want to date anyone from around the neighbourhood."

Of course. He had his rules about dating.

"By the way, what's going on with Vino? I heard some junior talking about him and Lanie," I asked. "Do you know anything about it?"

If something was going on with Vino, Brian probably knew about it. Even though we were in one circle, among Miguel, Brian, and me, Brian was the closest to Vino. Or maybe, Brian was just the male counterpart of Lily.

They always know what's going on with everyone.

"Well...I hate to say it but yes."

"So it's true?"

"Yeah."

Brian confirmed that Vino had been talking to Lanie, a junior student. He said that Lanie had the biggest crush on Vino, and she was the one who had been very persistent on talking to Vino and asking him to go out. Most of us knew about her having a crush on Vino, but I wasn't expecting her to make a move, especially when everyone at school knew about Vino and Kane.

"Why would Vino entertain her? He loves Kane," I said irritably.

I no longer liked Kane like I used to, but I was furious at Vino. She was my best friend, and he made a promise. I badly wanted to beat the living daylights out of him.

"I know and I don't know why. I'm still trying to get him to tell me the truth," Brian replied.

I was in the cafeteria with Bianca and Lily. The usual chatters and laughter filled the crowded cafeteria. Kane refused to eat lunch and I had no idea why. Miguel, Vino, and Brian said that they would just catch up with us. They had to go see Coach Reyes. I didn't know why he wanted to talk with the players because the interschool sports fest was over. In fact, Eastview had won a back-to-back championship.

"So, we heard something. Do you want to tell us anything about it?" Lily asked me, accusingly, as we lined up to order our lunch.

I could only think of one thing. "Is it about Vino?"

"So it's true?!" Bianca asked.

I never had the chance to answer the question because Lily immediately pulled me and Bianca out of the cafeteria.

I guess we wouldn't be having lunch?

"Kane needs to know this," Lily said in a stern voice.

They both ran back to our classroom, and I trailed behind them. I wanted to stop them but there was no stopping a girl with a mission. They burst into the room; we saw Kane sitting on her chair, organizing her stuff in her bag.

"Kane have you heard the rumors?" Bianca asked.

If Bianca and Lily had heard it, she probably had heard it too. Maybe that was why she didn't want to eat lunch.

"What? That Brian has a new girl?" she said jokingly.

Kane didn't know yet, and I had to see her face as we deliver the bad news.

"No, Vino has," Bianca said without hesitation.

Great, Bianca. Thanks for dropping the bomb so soon.

Kane was stunned. It took her several seconds before responding.

"What?!" she asked, not bothering to hide her surprise.

"Apparently, rumors have been spreading that Vino and Lanie were seen together last Saturday night," Lily explained.

Kane looked up at me for confirmation. Damn, I didn't want to be the one to tell her the truth. I just nodded instead.

"So it's true? You knew about this?" she asked.

Why do I feel like I'm the one to be blamed?

I just nodded again.

"How long has it been going on?" she asked. I could see her trying to keep herself from crying.

"One or two weeks. I'm not really sure," I answered.

Kane covered her face and her body started shaking. This was the worst feeling ever—seeing her cry. I knew I already convinced myself that I no longer love Kane. But I still cared for her, deeply, and it would remain that way because she was still my best friend, and I didn't want her to get hurt. I didn't want to see her cry.

Lily and Bianca sat beside her and stroked her back, pacifying her. I dashed out of the classroom and started looking for Vino.

We're finally in their last year of high school. This is also the second the last chapter of Jeff's story.

We reached the part wherein Kane finds out about Lanie and Vino but now we know how Jeff felt that day. Can you guess what happened after Jeff dashed out of the room? We'll find out what will happen next in a few days. :)

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Thank you for sticking around with me and Jeff. :) Stay safe!