Hye! I am back! Thank  you for the readers who took time to stop by, read, vote and comment. I know that you are counted by my fingers but they are enough for me to keep on writing. Thank you again.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own EENE and never ever will.

Chapter 28: Guilty Pleasure

Chapter Summary: He would try his best to...

The whistle blew from coach's mouth, signaling that the game was just two minutes to end the game. We ran out of time outs, both teams. It was just a friendly match but we took the game seriously. I looked at the scoreboard. It was 75-74, in favor of the other team. The referee signaled us to position at the corner of the opponent's court, ball was in his hands. He tossed it to the players and whistled.

The game resumed.

The other team got another score as the game continued. We were already panting as my team scored another. We only got thirty seconds to finish the game. The other team was two point ahead. It was a close match but it wasn't over yet. I eyed the ball that our opponent was dribbling until one of my teammates stole it and dribbling it to the other side of the court. All of us went down and I shouted to my teammate to pass it to me. He looked at me for a couple of seconds before he faked a move to shoot the ball from where he was standing. He changed the direction of the ball and passed it to me instead. I didn't miss the opportunity and concentrated before the three-point line. I jumped and threw the ball before the player who was guarding me could steal it. It felt hours as we waited for the ball reached the hook.

Then the bell buzzed, signaling the game was over, with my team winning the game.

Our team and the other students who were supporting our side cheered as I scored for the last seconds.

I also raised my fist in the air glad of the victory I did for my teammates. Soon after, I received slaps and headlocks from the other players even the opponents of that day.

"You nailed it again this time, Allexander," The player who gave me a headlock who was also the same height as I am, dug his other fist on my head, "It's not even the buzzer beater."

I grinned at him, "Not close enough." It was true, I specialized of blocking a three pointer before the player could shoot that range. Shooting within that range was actually a bonus because of my height and accuracy. It wasn't bragging or anything, the situation was just giving me that.

The rest congratulated me as well as our coach. He gave us a few pointers before finally dismissing us. I immediately looked to the fence when my grin a while ago became wider. For the second time, Double D came to watch my game. It was a friendly match but it was enough for me to see him supporting my games. As soon as he saw me walking towards him, he gave me his toothy-gap smile.

"That was absolutely amazing, Allex," He said standing up as I approached him, "I knew you could do it."

"I know right!" The grin I had didn't leave my face. He returned my cheerfulness and I was glad that he did. He had been through a lot and making this guy happy was what I'd plan to do, "I'll just change and we'll go."

"That's alright, Allex. I am on my way to my dorm. I just wanted to see you after the game," He shrugged and smiled at the same time, "To congratulate you."

"No, you stay where you are." I commanded, pointing the ground from where he was standing.

"It's okay--"

"Double D." I warned.

"But--"

"Stay."

Double D sighed as he plopped down on the bench, "Fine. I'll wait for you here."

I smirked this time as I walked backwards, "And don't move a muscle."

"Oh, for goodness sake, Allex!" He said shockingly, "Turn around and walk properly!"

I laughed before turning around. Shaking my head, I walked-run on my way to the locker room. Usually, I took a shower but having Double D waiting for me, I had to skip it and change to clean clothes. I wouldn't take a risk of leaving my friend alone, after what happened a few days ago.

And that served my purpose.

I just left him like, what, for five minutes. The fastest change I'd ever did and I already saw him being made fun of some guys who were supporters of our team. Supporters or not, no one dared to harass my friend like that. I quickly made my way to them when I saw one of the guys pushed him rudely.

"Hey! Cut that out!" I called placing myself between them, "What's the matter with you guys? Why are you picking my friend like that?"

"Umm, Allex, I don't think that's necessary to--"

"How can you spend time with the," A girl interrupted his words and looked at him disgustingly, "likes of him? It's bad for your image you know."

"Yeah, I knew that this nerd here just had something up on his sleeve," The guy who pushed him glared at him this time, "Can't believe that he hid himself for so long. It was bad enough for the football team, don't bring your disease in the basketball team too."

My eyebrow twitched when I heard that. Even without looking, I knew that Double D was hurt. I pushed him gently so I could face the so-called supporters of my team.

"Double D doesn't have a disease. If anyone who has, it could be the two of you." I glared at them making them flinch when they heard the firmness of my voice. People knew my voice as a cheerful one. I'd known as a go-lucky person but I wouldn't be today, "If you don't have anything to do, you should find one because we do." I grabbed Double D's hand and pulled him away from the bench and out of the court.

"I hate to say this but they are actually right," He said after a few minutes of walking on our way to his dorm, "This could ruin your image, now that I am out and all."

"Screw my image!" I snapped, surprising the both of us, "Your safety is important to me." There was no way I'd exchange my friend's safety from my stupid image or reputation. I'd learned my lesson and I'd never going to repeat the past.

Protecting Double D was some sort of my redemption. I'd do anything to keep him safe.

"Allex!"

His loud voice brought me back from my reverie. I realized that we arrived in front of his building without me noticing it. I took a deep breath and turned around and faced him.

"I have safely delivered you to your humble lair, monseur," I asked cheerily and bowed for the sake of it, "Is there anything you need before I retire for the night, sir?"

Double D chuckled due to my antics before he played by it, bowing at me, "Why, thank you sir knight, for escorting me tonight," He grinned as he looked at me, "You may retire to your deep slumber now."

We stared at each other for a couple of minutes before bursting into laughter. He walked closer to his door and grabbed his doorknob. Looking at me, he gave me a tiny smile after recovering from the laughter.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Allex."

"See you." I returned the smile at him before he opened the door and went in. I waited until he closed the door before leaving the hallway and went on my way to my own dorm.

xxx

The next couple of days were seemed the same routine. I would escort Double D to his dorm back and forth due to my insistence. His best friends tagged along when they had the time. Mostly they did just to grab free food from him. Much to my surprise alone, Kevin would tag along too. As long as Ed and Eddy didn't go with us.

With our group, Double D felt like the important person. Well, he was being protected by his friends. Ours. He didn't want us to do it but I insisted. Even the bullies were keeping a low profile for now, the others didn't. I had to make sure that I'd do this thing right.

I was walking on my way to the gym when I saw Nat bugging Raven at something I couldn't hear. Judging from the latter's expression, I knew he was annoyed by the former. It wasn't a surprise to see the two of them bicker. If I knew, it was Nat's way of showing how affectionate he was to his boyfriend. Seeing the two felt a slight pang of jealousy inside my chest. I guessed I missed having them around.

When I hadn't hurt my best friend in the first place...

My initial plan of going to the gym was replaced of going to the rooftop. It was lunchtime so students were mostly at the cafeteria. I didn't feel like eating so I decided to do something productive, hence, my going to the rooftop instead of the gym. I reached the rooftop without anyone stopping me. Double D was with his best friends so I felt at ease of leaving them alone for a while. The Eds wanted to spend time for themselves so I'd give them that.

For the meantime.

I stood in front of the railing and looked down. Just as expected, the whole campus was almost isolated with some students going to who knew where. Sighing, I yanked for the earplugs and wear them. Holding my ipod that was connected to it, I chose a song from my playlist and started listening to it.

'How can I decide what's right
When you're clouding up my mind?
I can't win your losing fight
All the time...'

I never realized when I was singing along with Hailey's voice until I started bobbing my head and tapping my fingers to my hip and foot to the ground.

'How did we get here?
When I used to know you so well?...'

I didn't really care about singing since I was on the rooftop and probably alone. It felt nice listening to the song and I'd never sang for so long. A movement from my side not far from me caught my attention and made me stop from singing. My eyes widened when I realized that I wasn't alone in the area anymore. Staring straight to me was Raven, he had this smirk that I'd never seen from him for such a long time. I found myself blushing and looked away.

He had caught me singing.

"You still have it."

"H-have what?" I asked him as I pressed the pause button of my ipod.

"The talent."

I was taken aback when I heard that from him. We both knew what he was talking about. He was actually the reason why I liked singing but I doubt I was any good like him, "I am not talented."

"Sure, you are," He answered as he walked on his way towards me, "You were influenced by me." I never had the chance to say anything because of that. It felt so nice that Raven started talking to me again. I had this feeling that he was slowly starting of forgiving me. Judging from his expressions, he was happy with Nat.

"What?" He asked suddenly.

"What what?" I asked back.

"You are staring at me."

I found myself blushing once again. I turned around and faced the railings once again. My arms were placed on top of the bar as I looked down.

"I am just happy that you are still with Nat."

"You were also staring at us."

I turned to him, "Y-you saw that?" I returned my vision back below, not wanting to see his reaction. I knew that I was still blushing so I didn't dare to look at him. There were players running in the oval and I found them interesting to watch. I'd never been this awkward towards him. Maybe because he hadn't completely forgiven me of what I did to him.

"Rave?" I called hesitantly. He didn't answer sensing my uncertainty but I could see from the corner of my eyes that he was looking my way. Taking a deep breath, I asked him what was been bugging me ever since, "Are you... okay now?"

I waited for his answer but it never came. When I realized that he wasn't going to answer me, I mustered enough courage to look his way. He was looking far as if his presence was not with me at the moment. His eyes were shadowed of cold. From that moment, I knew that he was thinking really hard.

"I am getting there," He said after giving much thought about it. His answer made me smile, "But I am not there yet."

My smile dropped when I heard him, "Oh." I wondered about how long would it take before he could forgive me. We remained silent after that. We didn't actually know what to talk about. Rave was never the expressive type. I was but regarding his impressions to me since I came back, I highly doubted that he would appreciate it.

I was still trying to get on his good side.

My thoughts were cut when I noticed him moving away from the railing. He placed his hands in his pockets as he started to walk but not without saying something;

"I have to go. He's probably looking for me."

He didn't wait for my reply as he continued walking away from me. It was always like that. Rave leaving me. I was always the one left behind. Always the one looking at his back. Always the one at the end. But I didn't want to be like that anymore. I had to follow him even he would leave still. I took a step forward.

"I miss my best friend!" I called before I stopped myself. He stopped walking but he didn't turn around to look my way. Every second felt like a torture for me. The silence around us was deafening.

"Go to him. He's with the others."

I frowned trying to understand what he was saying then it hit me, "I mean my first best friend."

He remained still and silent. The wind thought that it was the best time to blow. It surrounded us in a calming yet awkward way.

"He'll be missed still." He continued walking away making me look down. I thought for a long time. I knew from that very moment. He was not ready to forgive me but I was willing to wait. For now talking to him would be enough.

It would be more than enough.

Done! How was this chapter? I brought Allex back. What do you think? Tell me your thoughts please... Domo.

BTW, most POVs that I am using are mostly Double D and then Kevin. Aside from them, I will not really tell the other POVs until the end of the chapter. It is confusing at first but you'll get to guess in the middle right? Right? Thankies...

I do not own the song used in this chapter. Capiche?!!!

Next Chapter: Bright Star