C L A I R E

I heard the car horn outside and I just smiled. I'm currently here in my room, fixing my clothes. It's casual but I managed to wear skinny jeans and a red chiffon blouse. Of course, I wanted it to be simple so I paired it with black wedges.

Sam couldn't contain her excitement when she looked outside the window. As soon as she approached me, she quickly took hold of my shoulders and grinned like a Cheshire cat.

"Come on Claire, they're here!" Sam shouted as I fixed my hair since I already had makeup on. We're quite lucky since the boys decided to give us time to prepare.

In all honesty, I was shocked when we received a message from Benedict that there was still a victory party to attend. My aunt agreed earlier that I join the Victory Party as long as I was with Sam.

However, she requested that she should know right away who will give us a ride there and take us back. So, Ethan has to introduce himself.

We immediately heard the doorbell so my aunt opened it. Sam and I were just behind the gate — waiting for them to greet Aunt Mich.

As soon as they got out of the car, they both fixed their gazes at us before seeing my aunt, who was waiting and even looked like she was studying them.

"Good day, Ms...?" Benedict was the one who decided to greet my aunt but then trailed off once he realized that he doesn't know my aunt's name. 

We couldn't help but stifle a laugh as Aunt Mich gave him a look, trying to look really strict to see how Benedict would react.

"Ms. Michelle Andrada. Claire's aunt," she replied before looking up and down at what Benedict and Ethan wore. She didn't really question them more so this is a good sign for us.

But I still wonder why.

They were just wearing casual. Not too classy, considering that it was a celebration for the players and it was mostly about the victory in the match. Ethan was wearing a red V-neck shirt and blue jeans. In his hands was a black bracelet made of beads and he wore black combat boots. 

Benedict wore a blue polo shirt, black jeans, and brown chekich shoes. In his left hand was a KP898 Isidore stainless steel watch that complimented his suit. 

Sam and I couldn't help to fight the urge to curve our lips into a smile when we heard a 'be careful' from Aunt Mich. She didn't even argue and decided to let us go, which was very rare to happen. We just smiled at her and said goodbye.

Actually, the party was supposed to be for players and coaches only. But since the other players brought their girlfriends and Sam and I was for these two, the players let us be with them as well.

We got in Ethan's car and left. Looking back at our house, I saw Aunt Mich enter, looking a bit dazed. I guess she wondered if what she did was really right. 

The car ride was silent. No one was talking and Ethan wasn't even looking or trying to start a conversation. Usually, Benedict was the one who speaks but he was silent as well. He was just looking at his phone and his headphones were on his ears, music blasting loud.  

A few hours passed, we finally arrived at a resort where the Victory Party was being held. To be exact, at the Sofitel Hotel. 

Ethan parked the car and we got out altogether. They parked the car and we got out altogether. We could see the lights with different colors hanging on the poolside and then there was a big banner with 'Victory!' at the top. 

I could also see the food prepared on a long table on the side.

"Come on, guys! The food is already calling us," Sam told us once she noticed the meals that were displayed in the pool area and suddenly dragged Benedict immediately to get a serving.

I just laughed at Sam's reaction as she dragged Benedict inside. Actually, I wasn't much the kind of a party girl so I was still trying to blend in.

Before I could instantly follow them, I suddenly felt Ethan's hand on my palm as he looked at me. My eyes went back and I could immediately see the joy and love in his eyes as our eyes met each other.

A few minutes later, none of us moved. All I could hear was the loud ringing of the speakers and the shouting of the people in the pool.

"So, shall we just stand here or follow them? I mean, maybe Sam has been waiting for us for a while, "I replied while Ethan still didn't let go of my hand.

When he realized what I said, he suddenly blushed and at the same time removed his hand from me. I just smiled at him as a reply and walked where Benedict and Sam were while he followed behind me. A few meters away, I immediately saw them both eating cake.

Benedict held the spoon and tried to feed Sam. Sam accepted it, ate the cake, and smiled. But, when Sam had put some cake on her own spoon, Benedict closed his eyes — only to know that Sam ate hers and didn't notice him waiting.

When she did, she laughed and went to give him another piece while he pouted. The two of them are meant to be together once you see them in the distance. There was no denying it.

I didn't really notice that Ethan parted ways and decided to talk to one of his teammates on the side. So, I was about to approach Sam and Benedict, only to be startled when someone bumped into me hard. 

I thought that the person would keep on walking but I was surprised that she spared a glance. No, let me correct that. She turned to me and glared right through my soul.

"Next time, watch where you're going. Try not to bump into a lot of people. You have two eyes, use them, " she spat at me and left. If you can imagine, she looked like she'd kill me if she had a knife. 

She was classy though, that's all I could say. 

However, she seems familiar to me. She was wearing an above-the-knee black dress. Her hair is braided. Not the twin braids but the side bun braid. The braid looks like a flower but with pearls attached to it. That's her hairstyle.

She also doesn't look old. She looks like she's just my age. I just ignored her though and continued walking. When I got to Benedict, Sam suddenly asked me.

"Who was that woman?" Sam asked me protectively as Benedict frowned once he saw a glimpse of the girl.

"I wasn't sure. We just bumped into each other." As soon as I said this, Benedict decided to interfere with our chat.

"Did you recognize her voice? Does she have someone with her?" He wasn't looking at us so I was guessing that he was trying to look for the girl who bumped into me. Sam, on the other hand, wasn't pleased. 

"No, not really. But her voice...did seem familiar." Finally, I noticed one person missing. Ethan wasn't here. Sam probably noticed too since she questioned it and Benedict only gave me a shrug. I guess he doesn't know where his best friend was as well.  

Suddenly, I could hear a familiar voice calling out my name.