Hey Pretty People 🎀,

I am back with chapter 4 of ‘KAYA: THE SECOND VICTIM OF THE DEVIL’.

Note: (As this is my first novel and English isn't my first language, please excuse any grammatical errors and feel free to point them out. I chose to make this story accessible to everyone because it holds a special place in my heart. Thank you for giving it a chance; I hope it leaves a lasting impression.)

Okay okay, no more rambling😗—I'll stop now. Enjoy the chapter!

HAPPY READING.

Now, the hard nut to crack was telling Laura. I haven’t told her about him yet, I just need to make sure he’s a good person before telling her that I like him.

Also… I think I’m just shy because this is the first time I’m experiencing these feelings in real life instead of in romantic books and movies.

Or, I am an idiot.

I once felt something close to it though, years ago, when I was little kid, but this one? It’s much more dreamy, deep, maddening.

I didn’t even notice when Laura started walking beside me until she intentionally pushed me a bit.

“Hmm… It seems that Thomas boy isn’t bad,” Laura said calmly, as if she hadn’t just dropped a bomb on me.

My eyes went wide as I snapped my head toward her.

How does she know?

“When did you come?” I blurted out, shocked that I hadn’t noticed her.

“Jesus! I’ve been walking with you for the past twenty minutes. You already completed one lap on the field; I joined you on the second one.”

I kept looking at her, confused and equally curious.

“What? Did you really think you could hide something from me? I may not be your mother, but I know you better than you know yourself. And I know that right now, all that’s on your mind is Thomas, that pretty boy.” Laura ended her statement with a smirk, which I knew very well was a teasing smirk.

I looked down, feeling shy but also somewhat relieved that I didn’t need to say anything.

“AWW…No need to feel shy, sweetie, we are way past that. Who would believe that this girl who gets shy with just the mention of his name, watches those kinds of movies like they are educational documentaries on life and reads those kinds of books with a straight face like they are textbooks. You know, the context of them are much more deep, intense , kind of dar— too dark for a sunshine like you.”

I looked back at her again, silently requesting her to stop.

“But Miss Gil—”

“Oh, oh, oh! You better not spoil my mood by mentioning that annoying, irritating, half-dead, arrogant Zombie.” She finished in one breath.

“I will stand between you two and Miss Gilmore. I will make heaven and earth collide for you. Let’s see how she becomes the bone in the kebab of your love story. Relax and focus on getting pretty boy first,” she added quickly.

“By the way, she smiled at him, called him 'dear,' and spoke to him in a loving manner.”

Laura’s left eyebrow shot up in suspicion. I quickly nodded my head in a ‘yes.’

“He is her nephew.”

“Soo… what? If he’s good and we want him, no, you want him, we’ll get him for you! Let him be her nephew or even her son.”

“What if she finds out?” That was my real fear.

“What else? Both of you will get a taste of rustication with some teenage sacrifice for love melodrama.” She replied with a straight face.

My throat dried up.

No, I couldn’t afford that.

“Ahh, I was joking, silly! Don’t worry. Let her find out if she can, before it’s too late.”

“Okk.” My short reply wasn’t completely worry-free, but I wasn’t too stressed either—Laura was with me. I knew she would save me from any problem anytime.

“Let’s go to the classroom now; three minutes are left.”

I was careful for the rest of the classes, as I couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. Laura had promised me, and that meant she would keep her promise, no matter what happened.

If she said she would help me get close to him—oh, apologies, he has a name: Thomas. I prefer Mr. Daydream though.

I saw students leaving the classroom as soon as the bell echoed through the hall.

I heard the girl sitting behind me telling her friend, “Remi has a match today. I am so excited!”

Match? Her boyfriend was on the basketball team, that means he will be here. I will be able to see him play. Hot, sweaty basketball match. Fantastic.

I didn’t know it would be this hard to find a seat close to the court. It was way too crowded for someone like me who loved nature, music, and books. But it was fine; if it was for him, it was worth it.

Laura and I were rooting for Team Dragons because, from what I saw that day was his jersey belonged to Team Dragons. He should have been on Team Knights; the word knight suited him. But anyway, let’s see how well he plays. Even if they lose, I will still be on his side and cheer for him.

A few minutes passed, and it was time for the players' arrival. One by one, were coming out, but my eyes were searching for only one of them. And then I found him. He looked fresh; his hair was perfectly styled even without any gel.

And that charm! I had seen so many supermodels and actors in magazines and on TV, but I never thought a boy could look this beautiful, —until him. It’s like a therapy to my eyes.

I focused on the game. The match began, and both teams were playing well, to be honest. The entire sports field was filled with energy, buzzing with cheers and laughter.

I concentrated on the court. He had a subtle smile that told me he was loving every single second of it, moving with such skill. Watching him dribble the ball was like watching a dance.

As the minutes passed, the excitement grew. Every time our team scored, the crowd went wild, and I joined in, shouting,

“Go!” The girl whose boyfriend was also playing screamed his name along with her friends to show their support. I wish i could cheer his name too, but I couldn’t do that.

When he made a three-pointer, everyone jumped up in joy.

As the game continued, I got lost in the cheers and the thrill of it all. But with the score tied and only seconds left, the tension was intense. I held my breath as he dribbled down the court. The clock was ticking.

He passed the ball, and it flew through the air—time seemed to slow down.

Swish! The ball went through the hoop, and the crowd exploded with joy. I jumped up, my heart racing.

Team Knights - 50 | Team Dragons - 52.

Victory!

Everyone started celebrating the winning team’s triumph. As the players rejoiced, I saw Thomas enjoying the moment too. But then his eyes fell on me, he was smiling. I felt my cheeks turn red as my smile vanished and my breath got stuck at my throat.

But he looked away soon.

“Kaya? Are you okay?” Laura nudged me as I stood there, frozen and red.

“It’s…hot.” I replied somehow.

“Darling, be clear—tell me HE, is hott!” Laura smirked.

“Shut up.”

“Ouch! Now you want me to be quiet? I’m hurt, because the ‘shut up’ came from the one who was mentally undressing my poor ‘pretty boy’ with her eyes in broad daylight.” With that, she dramatically placed her hand on her chest.

My cheeks turned hotter.

Typical Laura Rivers. But did she just call him my pretty boy ?

I glared at her. I will surely take my revenge on her when the time is right.

“Ow Pretty boy is leaving the court! Let’s go!” Holding my hand, Laura rushed out of the crowd, as if this whole thing was her issue when it was really mine. She was running fast—too fast, which felt unsafe. At that speed, accidents could happen—

“Ouch!” I screamed as my foot snagged and I fell knee-first onto the courtside—Nooo.

But in that microsecond of impact, I have already pushed myself up and was staggering forward.

God, why didn’t I wear pajamas today?’

Doesn’t matter.

Even if I had, I’m pretty sure they would have torn at the knees, leaving me with some free, fashionable pajamas by now. But most importantly, I fell again in front of the whole school. What’s wrong with me? Why am I so determined to tarnish my own image? And not to mention my beautiful fate, my dear best friend didn’t even notice me falling.

How could she? She was busy running marathon.

“Did you even notice I fell you goddamn Train?!”

But who’s listening to whom?

She took a microsecond to brush off the dirt from my knees, which felt more like a slap, and said, “I’ll treat you later. You have to talk to him.” Then she resumed her marathon at her earlier speed.

The sprint ended as we rushed to him like a bullet train and stopped in front of him. She literally pushed me forward, just like how wealthy mother-in-laws throw their poor daughters-in-law out of their houses like a piece of trash.

He was talking with his teammates when he turned to us fully, curiosity visible in his green eyes.

I looked at Laura. She gave me a ‘then what are you here for?’ look and stepped forward.

“Hi, I’m Laura.” She extended her hand, which he took after thinking for half a minute.

“Thomas,” he said, but his eyes were on me, as if wanting a reaction.

“Remember how your basketball hit her and she faceplanted the ground?” she said with expressions, as if it was a picnic memory.

“Ah, about that, we—” he started, a guilty look on his face.

“You said you would treat her if she wanted. She was badly hurt, and there’s a half-inch swollen spot right here,” she complained to god knows who, pointing to a specific spot on my head.

Note: This was something entirely imaginary that happened in my friend’s imagination.

“Now give her the treat. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Thomas. See you again soon.” She finished in one breath and left, leaving both of us kind of bewildered.

We watched her practically running away from us. I looked back up at him.

“So, you want a treat?” he asked, raising his eyebrows and bowing his head slightly.

Why, why, why did I feel like saying yes would stain my self-respect or high prestige?

Should I think about it more?

No, even if i regret, I would do it later. Now, let’s focus on him.

I nodded.

His face softened. “Okay, will ice cream be okay?”

I nodded again, and he nodded too, "Hmm.”

He looked at his teammates, most of whom had gone to their changing rooms by now. “Follow me,” he said.

He asked, “Which flavor?”

I stared at him, dumfounded. Which flavor for what? Is he this bold and direct?

Idiot, he’s asking about ice cream flavor.

Oh, right—ice cream. Of course ice-cream. Ice-cream’s flavour is what he was asking about.

I need to keep myself a bit away from my books so I don’t go into unnecessary thoughts.

“Chocolate? Vanilla? Mango?”

I looked down, knitting my brows together in thought, then looked back up at him to speak.

“Something blue? Blueberries?” he suddenly asked, glancing at my shoes and hair clips.

I nodded instantly.

A man who notices.

He smiled at my quick response. Damn that smile! That smile is gonna be the end of me. Why does he smile so much?

He went into the canteen and came back with two ice creams—one purple and one vanilla.

Vanilla. So that’s his favourite flavor. Noted.

Perks of studying at a school like Rye Valley. Small but rich and beyond the ordinary.

“Couldn't find the exact one, I think this is similar. Let’s walk.” I took the ice cream from him and started walking with him, the boy I think I have a huge crush on.

Two minutes passed as the awkward silence stretched between us. Surprisingly, I felt a sense of peace in that silence. Finally, he spoke.

“So, do you still feel pain in your head?”

I shook my head to indicate 'no.' It felt strange that I was still nervous talking in front of him.

What a shame! I couldn't let him hear my sweet voice. And there was him, still using sing language because he thought I was mute.

Was I acting mute because my brain was hypnotized by his comment?

Or was he just answering his own questions too quickly for me to form my responses? I am so dumb. Ugh. I took a deep breath. I need to talk to him to get his details.

“What’s with all this?”

I looked at him, confused.

“I mean, what’s with the blue vibes everywhere? Do you like blue?”

Blue. Finally something in my cliche.

“I love blue!” I sweetly exclaimed, my eyes lighting up at the mention of my favorite color. The barrier around my voice was finally broken.

“I know people say and believe blue represents sadness, sorrow, but that’s not fair to blue. But it deserves more right? Blue is water, blue is sky, blue is space, blue is peace—” I paused to gauge his reaction.

Oh, I could tell the poor boy was shocked. His eyebrows were furrowed, eyes wide, a mix of astonishment and perhaps a bit of amusement too.

“You…you can speak?”

To be continued…

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