Chapter 8
Pier 39
After 3 years, Monarch Football Team once again get back to back championship titles into the University.
“I thought we’re going to end up as first place after having the title of champion last year.”
“What happened back there Gav?”
I gave him a glimpse wondering why he did that just the same question with them.
Gavin looks at Axel before sipping into his beer
“I just want to protect the ball, it’s our last chance and Axel had two guards a while ago. He cannot shoot it that instant, that's why I play with the ball first.”
“Does he have one? Oh… well we won and that’s what matters.”
“I thought it’s because your ex girlfriend is currently dating Axel… but I know you two are both professionals.”
“Dating?”
“You don’t know?” Then Gavin gives Axel an eyeing question.
Axel just smiles at the crowd before speaking and brushing his own hair.
“We’re not dating, I wish we are but not yet as of this moment.”
“Why? Gavin has a girlfriend, it’s not like you stole Rainne from him.” And everyone laughs
The annoyance in Gavin’s face is very obvious but he is holding back.
“Don’t you know manners? When someone is not here, it’s not a good thing to talk in their backs.”
“Ohhhhhhh. Chill Gav..Are you mad at us? C’mon.”
“I think I had enough, I still need to see someone.” Axel stood up trying to excuse himself.
“It’s too soon dude… We’re just starting the party.”
“Me too.. I need to see my friends.”
“Next time dude… I really need to go now.” Then Axel headed outside while Gavin was following him.
When they are both outside the bar, there are lots of girls who want to try to hit on them but they are both ignoring the girls.
“Are you meeting Rainne?”
Axel suddenly stops from walking and takes a deep breath.
“No… it’s just my excuse.”
“Are you not going to celebrate with her?”
“Why do I feel jealousy here?”
“No...Why would I? I am just asking… Whatever… I’ll go ahead.”
“We’re not yet dating but I’m not giving up on her.”
“I’m not stopping you.”
Gavin’s POV
A lot of people are still wondering why Rainne and I suddenly ended our relationship after so many years of being together. But the question is, are we really in a relationship before? I doubt that myself.
Hearing rumors about Axel being around her is what I want but I didn’t expect to be affected. I am happy… I am because finally I can say that she is now genuinely happy.
About my Dad, he still doesn't like what happened between me and Rainne but since Henderson did not pull out their investment, he doesn’t focus on me too much. He just let me do the things that I want to do, and same with Eleona. I will be moving to New York with Uncle Jin after summer break and starting with the Prosecution District. He always reminds me how good I am as a person and how I will become a good prosecutor even without his help.
Since it’s our last year in the University, everyone is busy looking for their jobs or having their internship. Lorrie and I have been busy for our Bar exam, she’s always been my study buddy.
“Are you sure you don’t want to apply in New York?” I ask Lorrie who is busy reading her materials.
“It’s too far for me, besides I want to pass the bar first.”
“I see but if ever you change your mind just tell me.”
“Gavin?”
“Hmmm?”
“I cannot accept any help from Henderson, I can do this on my own.”
I realize it late, stupid of me. “Sorry, I forgot.”
“It’s fine. Anyway, do you have any plans tonight?”
“I’ll go home tonight, El wants me to go home.”
“Is that so?” She smiled at me “Okay..”
“Why?”
“Nothing.. I am just thinking if we can have dinner together.”
“Maybe next time..I’ll just get drinks, what do you want?”
“Apple juice”
“Copy on that.” I walk straight to the counter to give my order. “One lychee and Apple juice…”
“Is that all, Sir?”
“Oh.. for the apple juice no less ice please.” Then I handed my card, after swiping it she returned it to me together with the receipt.
“Okay Sir. Your order will be delivered to your table, thank you.”
I headed back to our table and Lorrie is now with Blake and Seth.
“Yo!” Blake greet me
“What brought you two here?” I sit next to Blake and Seth.
“We miss Lorrie… “ Seth put his hand over Lorrie’s shoulder and I just shook my head.
“Your boyfriend didn’t even feel jealous.” Lorrie removes Seth’s arm before crossing his arms.
“Here’s your order, one lychee juice and one apple juice with less ice.”
I put the apple juice in front of Lorrie and there’s a questionable reaction in her face.
“Less ice?”
“What? You’re not allowed to have too much ice in your drinks.” Blake tapped my shoulder.
Lorrie smiled at me before sipping her juice.
“I’ll change your….”
“It’s fine.. I actually don’t like drinks that have too much ice.”
“Lorrie?”
She gathered all her things before standing “I forgot that Lindsay wants to talk to me about something. I’ll text you once I’m home, bye guys.” She make sure to walk fast
When it’s just the three of us, I see how disappointed Blake’s face is.
“What’s that dude?”
“I didn’t mean to, I used to buy drinks for….”
“For Rainne?” Seth gives me a smirk
“I just...I don’t know.”
“If you still care for Rainne until now, why did you let her call off the engagement?” Seth ask me
“There are things that cannot be easily explained.”
“Then explain it to us, we are willing to listen.”
“Besides, think about Lorrie, will you? She’s been by your side despite all the hurt that you caused her.”
“Can we not talk about that here? Let’s go to my place…”
Since we don’t have class already, I just invited them to our house in Belmont where Eleona prepared a dinner for me as her congratulatory present for winning the football game.
Our house is just a few blocks away from Henderson and that is one of the reasons why I don’t want to stay in Forks.
“So.. so what else can we help you?” Seth asks El who is busy doing her stuff in the kitchen.
“Not much.. You just relax wherever you want and I will just call you if the dinner’s ready.”
“Okay then.. Let’s play Tekken in your room Gav.” Seth ran in Gavin’s room
“If you need any help just call us, okay?”
Then both Blake and I headed to my room, where we brought some beer too.
It’s me and Seth who are playing the first round of tekken while Blake is just playing on his phone while waiting to see who will be the loser.
“Okay… as you promise we’re going to talk here.” Seth started while focusing on the game.
“Were playing”
“I can manage..now tell us.”
“What’s going on, Gav?” Blake ask
I put down the joy stick and sit on my bed before grabbing my beer.
“I cannot do two things at the same time.”
“Fine..” Seth turns off the tv before sitting next to Blake. “Now spill it.”
“What do you want to know?” I ask
“Why are you pushing Rainne away? Because obviously, you love her.”
“And what about Lorrie?”
I took a deep breathe before looking at them “I don’t want her to get hurt”
“What?” They both ask in unison
“Obviously, you hurt her so many times already.” Blake says bluntly
“Rainne has…. She has congenital disease.”
“What?” They both looked puzzled
“But we thought it’s just astma?” Seth ask
I shake my head “She has congenital disease and her cardiologist is my Dad..”
“Okay.. we got that part that your Dad is her cardiologist but why kept it?”
“I don’t know either.. All I know is that Aunt Jen doesn't want to let anyone know about Rainne’s condition….”
“I don’t see the point.. If Uncle Jin will run into politics, Rainne’s condition has nothing to do with it. “ Blake is trying to process and analyze everything.
“Okay.. so connection of that why you don’t want to hurt Rainne?” Seth asked, looking impatient and didn’t understand anything.
“Since Rainne loves me and I love her too, my Dad...used the opportunity to get what he wants. He….. use our engagement to have an access to what Henderson has and since he knows that I love Rainne so much, he always threatens me that Rainne’s life is in his hands. That is why I am not allowed to love her, I am not allowed to care for her because if I do? My Dad will just use her again against me.”
“My god… I have no idea that…..” Seth didn’t continue what he was supposed to say when Blake gave him an elbow.
“That my Dad is an awful person? You are right, he is and I hate him for wanting the things that are not his.”
“Gavin… Why not just tell Rainne everything? I know she will understand”
“And put my Dad on a pedestal? I cannot do that.. It’s better for me to get hurt in the process than to let anyone I love get hurt.”
“But the engagement is already off, what about the expansion?”
“It’s still on the go.. That is why Dad didn’t push me that much.”
“Wow...I don’t know what to say.” Seth still cannot believe what he hears
“So it’s okay for you to let Axel have Rainne?” Blake ask
“Axel is better than me, he can make Rainne happy.”
“Dude.. you are way better than that English guy.” Seth whines, since he really doesn't like Axel from the very start.
“Are you sure, you are just going to let Axel have Rainne? Rainne is your first love and Rainne loves you.”
“It’s better this way.”
“But he is a complete stranger.. Have you ever thought about that? If he is rich and wants to pursue Medicine why here? Why not in London where the top school is located? He’s a good football player too...he can be a huge star in London, so why here?”
All of sudden, I come to think about that too. Why of all places in the USA, he ended up here in Forks?
“Maybe he has his reason.”
“Like? He’s too suspicious for me.. I don’t think it’s a good idea to let him have Rainne. Fight for her, Gavin!” Blake smiles at me then suddenly we heard a knock
“Dinner is ready…” It’s El from outside
“You have our words.” Seth says while Blake just nod
We went out and went straight to the dining area and to my surprise Rainne was there with Eleona.
“Rainne…….” Blake ran into her and hugged her.
The two of them are close since Blake really likes Rainne.
“HI Blake.. It’s been a while.”
“Right..but..”
“I invited her..I mean, we are all still friends. Is that okay, Gav?”
I smile and nod at El without giving Rainne any glimpse.
“C’mon.. Let’s have our dinner now.”
The dinner was a bit awkward for me since it looks like Rainne is just okay despite what happened to us. She laughs and acts so natural in front of everyone, which hurts me.
She can now act casual to me as if she doesn’t have any feelings for me at all and from time to time she checks her phone.
We decided to have a camping trip at the back of our house, I can say that El prepared all of this.
All of them are having their drinks around the bonfire and because Rainne is not allowed to drink any alcohol, I prepared her own drinks.
“Here” I handed her a freshly squeezed orange juice that had less ice before sitting next to her.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you for coming, I know that El asks you too much for coming here.”
“It’s fine…. Actually I came here because I really want to talk to you.”
"Ha..?"
“I am sorry if it took me too long to realize that we are not meant to be…”
“Rainne?” She smiles, a smile that is sad but genuine
“I read a book… that day when I called off the engagement.” I was just waiting for the things that she is going to say.
“I am sorry if I became so inconsiderate towards your feelings ………...because I thought we’re on the same page………. I love you so much that I locked you…………... I thought our memories together are already enough to call it love but it’s not, I became selfish and I narrowed the chance for both of us to grow……………….. I realized it too late that we ended up hurting each other just for me to realize it………………... I am sorry for being too selfish.”
I noticed that there were tears forming in her eyes but she kept on holding it, if only you knew how much I wanted to stay by your side.
“And I want to tell you that, I am doing fine. You don’t have to worry about me anymore, besides I actually want to tell you this first because …….. I still consider you as my friend…….. I will give Axel a chance, I just don’t know when but I am sure that I love him too. Maybe not the way I used to love you but I know I love him.”
I fake a smile at her before nodding “You deserve to be happy.. Axel is a good person and I know that he really loves you.”
"Well…"
“Hey… What’s going on here?” Seth sit next to me before laughing
“Nothing much..” Rainne says while trying to stand up but she out-balances herself and falls on me.
“Are you okay?” I ask while holding her tight.
Then suddenly our eyes met, I can see the sudden awkward feeling when she tries to pull herself from me and then I let her go.
“Are you okay, Rainne?” Blake asked who ran fast when he saw Rainne fall on me.
“Yah.. I’m okay.” She walks fast to the bonfire and sits in front of it with El.
“What’s that?” Blake asks, joining me and Seth.
“I can sense a defeat here…”
“What?” I looked at Seth who was throwing a stone on the river.
“You cannot guard your heart…and it’s a defeat.” He laughs and Blke gives him a pat on his head. “Hey.”
“It’s obvious that you cannot contain your feelings for her… You see how he held Rainne a while ago?” Seth asks Blake “And the way he looks at Rainne that makes everything so awkward.” And he laughs again
“Okay.. Keep on plotting a story. She told me, she’s going to give Axel a chance and that she loves him.”
“Seriously?” Blake ask while facing him with full of confusion
“Impossible… She loves you since you were what? 13? It’s impossible for her to move on that easily.” Seth is shaking his head in disapprovement
“Whether it’s true or not.. I’m happy that she finally started a life without me.”
“Are you really happy?” Blake asks, he has this serious face in him and also Seth who looks pissed.
“Don’t answer.. Enough of lies.” Seth stood up and offered his hand to me and Blake “If you cannot take it anymore and you feel like all your plans are backfiring on you… just let us know.”
He pulled us both and we three ended up laughing.
I feel at ease that my two best friends already know what I truly feel and that they understand me, maybe not 100% but they chose to trust me.
All I need to do now is to keep my distance from her.. I don’t want any of my plans to fire back at me.
We are now all in the same place by the bonfire, under the sky full of stars and our late night talks that we used to do when we were young.
“So El, what’s your plan after graduation?” Rainne asks while sipping her hot chocolate
“I’ll go to NYU as planned.”
“Wow.. You are surely following your dreams.”
“I know you too, Seth..that’s why you are going to work in your Law Firm, right?”
“I’m still thinking.. You know me...I can afford not to work.”
And we all laugh in his statement..Well, Seth is really from a rich family. His Dad is the Mayor of Grand Forks and her Mom is one of the well known Doctors in the MMH.
“Don’t give me that look, Rainne. I just don’t want to rush things… especially that we are still young and soon to be freshly graduates.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“He’s just being defensive…” Blake laugh at Seth and Rainne too
“What about you, Rainne? When are you going to start your residency?” El ask
“Maybe a month after our graduation… Besides, Kaiden will still be in Hawaii at that time.”
“So? Axel will still be here right?” Seth asks that sends awkwardness
“He will go back to London.”
“For good? What about you then?” Seth asks again without realizing that everyone is uncomfortable talking about Axel.
“I think you better go home now Rainne.. It’s getting late and I’m sure Nanny Rose is waiting for you..”
“Right right.. “ El agrees with me
“Yah… Blake can you take me home?” She asks while fixing herself.
“I’ll take you home..Blake help El clean okay? And Seth you too..” I am giving him a “We’ll talk later” look.
“Let’s go…” I started to walk inside the house and decided to wait for her in front.
“Thanks for tonight.. I can say that, I miss you guys.” Rainne gave El, Seth and Blake a hug.
“Thanks for coming, Rainne. It means so much!”
“No worries.. Bye guys!”
“Take care..” They all says in unison
When Rainne is already ready, he opens the passenger door for her. The short ride was silent, the kind of silence that can make you deaf. When they are in front of the Henderson’s residence, Gavin steps on the gas and drives to the exclusive park inside the village.
“What are we doing here, Gav?” Rainne ask who looks confused and afraid
He rest his head on the steering wheel and take a deep breath
“Are you alright?” She ask again
“I just want to say that ……. “ I cannot say it.. Damn it! Why did I even bring her here.?
“Gavin?” She holds my arm and I sniff that causes her to pull it away.
“Why are you allowing him to just go back to London after making you fall for him? Are you stupid?”
“What?”
“You never change even a bit. “ I was about to step on the gas when she started to unbuckle her seatbelt and I stopped her. “I’ll send you home.”
“If you’re just going to insult me.. Then no thanks.”
“My god Rainne… I hate you so much, you know that?”
“I know.. I know it, you don’t need to remind me.”
“Sorry for bringing you here.” I step on the gas and make a fast drive. I cannot be with her alone like this, I don’t know if I can control myself.
As we reached their place, she immediately ran inside without even looking at me. I know, I hurt her feelings again just because I hate that jerk will just leave her.
Who am I to be mad if I did worse than that? Who am I fooling here? But I need to talk to him, he can’t just leave Rainne like that.
When I reach home, all of them are in the living area waiting for me while playing uno cards.
“What took you so long? Her house is just a few blocks away.” Blake says while throwing his card
“I ran into someone.”
“What’s with the face dude?” Seth asks and El is looking at my face too.
“What?” I asks
“You look like you got dumped by a girl.” Blake says while laughing
“Funny...you two going to stay the night?”
“Obviously….Not. I have an early class tomorrow.” Blake says “We are just waiting for you and now that you're here, we better go.”
“Okay..thanks for coming again.”
“Sure...Bye El.” El both give them a hug and I just give them a fist bump.
When it’s just El and I, she keeps on asking if what I and Rainne talked about during the bonfire. I just said that, we just give each other closure.
I decided to drive to my penthouse even if it’s already late at night. Staying at that house gave me a headache.
I went to the roof top to continue drinking since I think I still need more to drink to numb my feelings.
Sterling down on one of the benches, I heard a voice probably talking to someone.
I don’t mind listening but his voice is a bit loud because he seems mad.
“What do you mean by that? Don’t ever tell Mom.. I’ll be home after graduation, so just wait for me…. … This has nothing to do with you.. . I know.. You don’t need to remind me of that. . . Why not just look after my brother? I’ll do my business here. . . I tell you, don’t you dare.”
When I look at the person who’s walking towards the fence, he suddenly becomes familiar.
“Axel?” He looks at me and there’s a worried expression in his face.
“Gavin.. What..What are you doing here?” He looks startled and nervous.. WHy?
“As you see, I am drinking..You looked nervous. .Is there something that I didn’t suppose to hear?” I stood up and got another can of beer before throwing it at him.
“Nothing.. Whether you heard something, I don’t think you even understand what we’re talking about. .”
“Yah right. . But based on your temper a while ago, it seems like you are fighting. Is that your girlfriend in London?”
He laughs at me before opening the beer and siping some of it. “I thought you’ve done some research about me? How come that you missed that part that I don’t have any girlfriend?”
I laugh at him too and give him a smirk “Why are you pursuing Rainne?”
“Because I liked her at first and then I fell in love with her.. As simple as that.”
“Really? That part I believed is true, no doubt. But how come that you’re pursuing her and then you’re going back to London? What? LDR?”
“Does that concern you so much?”
“Of course.. Because Rainne is weak, she cannot be hurt.”
“Coming from the guy who always hurt Rainne and who always broke her trust.. Don’t worry, I love Rainne and I will do anything for her, if that thing is to stay here, then I will.”
He walks towards the direction of the elevator but I grab his arm
“You better not hurt her..” He pulled his arm and went inside the elevator.
When he's not in my sight anymore I lay down on the floor and look at the sky.
His right, who am I to ask him that? Of all people I don’t have the right to ask anyone about her. But who is he talking to? Why is he mad and raising his voice? This is the first time I heard him talk like that. What is her keeping?
Damn it! I know he loves Rainne but what Blake and Seth told me bothers me a lot. Why here? WhyWhat here in Forks of all places?
