Chapter 23 Earth Challenge

Kyrie just watched Prince Turuki walk away until he disappeared from her sight. I approached her and tapped her on the shoulder so she was surprised and turned to me.

“Yani,” she said in shock.

“Let's go. The challenge is over,” I told her with a smile.

“Oh uhh right,” we walked in together.

Everyone is already down here.

“Kyrie!” said Femme as she approached us. ”Kyrie, are you okay?” she asked immediately.

“Okay? Of course. Why not?” Kyrie replied.

“Like hello girl…” said Jessy. ”…your second challenge is photography and we all know that is your deepest secret so how can you be okay?”

Suddenly her forehead furrowed when Jessy said that. ”Oh that. If Yani hadn't just shouted earlier, I would have broken all the cameras on the table,” Kyrie said irritably.

“Ah haha. You really are Kyrie,” Femme nervously chuckled.

“And then that Prince Turuki even took a picture of me! If he wasn't a prince, I would have broken his camera right in front of him!” she said angrily but she also bowed. ”... besides he said something that I only heard once,” she whispered to herself but because I was next to her, I heard her. I smiled. She’s like having mood swings.

“What's that?” Femme asked.

“Nothing. I just said that out of all the princes, he is the most annoying,” she replied and climbed up first.

We followed and when we sat down, the winners were announced, and Kyrie was only in third place.

“Pssh. What I answered back there was really good,” Kyrie complained.

“It's okay. At least you are in the top 3,” said Femme.

“Yeah. You still won,” said Donna.

Kyrie smiled. ”Thanks guys,” but suddenly her forehead wrinkled again. ”It is the fault of that windy prince. He already has the guts to take pictures without asking permission, and now he doesn't know how to grade.”

“Wow hah girl. That’s really insulting, and we’re talking about a prince here. You’re just angry because you just didn't break his camera,” Jessy said.

“That's the point! I just let this one slide because he is a prince! Eish!” full of irritation, Kyrie said.

“Don’t make it obvious that you regretted it because if you gave in to your anger you will make a scene in no time. But in fairness hah, what you said back there was really deep. Stop pretending that you really hate us,” Jessy said while elbowing Kyrie.

“Just a moment hah guys. I think it looks like the one in the picture that I took is a ghost because she’s just a wind (Note: Jessy is an air girl),” Kyrie jokes.

Jessy's smile disappeared. ”Hmpf. You’re so bitter. You are really annoying whenever you tease,” she stood up at once and walked away.

“Wow she’s so sensitive,” Kyrie said. ”Hey that was just a joke! I was just teasing you! We are really friends!” she shouted.

“Crazy! I am the next challenger!” Jessy shouted back.

“Ah okay. I said that,” said Kyrie.

“Goodluck Jessy! You can do it!” Femme shouted.

When Jessy and all the players arrived on the field,

“Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Let's proceed to this year's Earth Challenge...” said Prince Edmondo and everyone applauded. ”Looks like our challengers are ready so without further ado, let the challenge begin!”

When we saw the grounds, there was a net for badminton or lawn tennis and then there were tables for table tennis. ”The instructions are simple. Players will only play 3 specific sports namely badminton, lawn tennis and table tennis. Not everyone is going to play all the sports because this is a single elimination tournament and there's only one sport in each round so once you lose in the first round, you are out of the first challenge. Your opponents will be posted on that big screen,” while pointing to a large TV.

“So before we start, are there any questions?”

Jessy raised her hand. ”Yes?”

Everyone looked at her. ”So technically there is only one winner for this challenge?” Jessy asked.

Prince Edmondo smiled at her. ”Good question bella senyora ('beautiful lady' in Italian). I think I cannot answer you that for now but who knows maybe after the challenge, yes?”

The players looked at each other in his answer with mixed wonder.

“So, since there are no more questions, let the first Earth Challenge BEGIN!”

The player's pictures were scrambled on the big screen and it suddenly stopped to display who was going to fight each other. They took their places and the sports game started.

We just focused on Jessy's game. Whenever she scores,

“Yehey! Let's go Jessy!” Femme shouted.

“Whooh! You're great Jessy!” Donna shouted.

If she did not score,

“It's okay Jessy!” Femme shouted.

“You can still do it!” Donna shouted.

They were the only two shouting while we were here just watching and jumping if she won a round. Good for them that they don't run out of voices.

The first challenge is over and can you guess the champion of the first challenge? Of course it’s Jessy.

“So, it looks like we have our champion,” said Prince Edmondo. ”…but we still need players for the second challenge so for the good news, for all the players that made it in the semi-finals, you are all qualified to participate in the second challenge.”

The other players were surprised and the participants in the semi-finals were happy. “Okay. Five minute break.”

We immediately met Jessy on below and gave her a towel.

“You're great Jessy!” compliment Femme.

“Thank you guys. What Hera said is true. The whole venue can hear your shouts. And it is more inspiring to play,” said Jessy.

“Of course it is,” Donna said.

“Okay players. 1 minute left.”

“Oops looks like it's about to start,” she said as she stood up. ”All right guys. Thanks for the water and towel. I’ll be going.”

“Ah wait Jessy,” I called.

She stopped and turned to me. “Oh why Yani?”

“It’s enough that you’re the champion in the first challenge. Win or lose in the second challenge, it's okay,” and smiled at her at the same time.

“Oh wow. I was surprised by what you said girl,” said Jessy. ”Of course. I will always remember that,” as she ran back to the field.

We also immediately climbed into the bleachers, sat down and looked at the grounds. There is the stage again. What could be Prince Edmondo's second challenge?

“So for our second challenge, we will have… a fashion show…”

After he said that, we looked at each other again. ”Players will fix their own face and pick their own clothes and don't worry, hundreds of clothes are provided at the back of the stage and so as the make-up you will all be using if you need to. There are 3 rounds and in each round there is a certain category I will say for you to choose what kind of clothes you will wear. I'll give you 5 minutes after each round to change and prepare yourself. Just 5 minutes, nothing more nothing less.”

There was only an awkward silence in the team. Donna just sighed and broke the silence. ”Why is that it’s as if they intentionally meant that their second challenges are the weaknesses of each of us?” Donna asked.

“Fate seems to be playing tricks on us,” said Femme.

“First Hera, dancing then Kyrie, photography then now Jessy, fashion show. So does that mean that the next challenges are like that as well?” said Flare.

We stopped at our places when Flare said that. ”Is that so Yani?” Donna asked. ”Flare has a point.”

“I think I seem to notice that too but we can't say yet. Who knows, this might just be a coincidence and it will be different in the other challenges,” I said.

“But still, doesn't it seem like you have the advantage to prepare for it because you guys already have an idea?” Kyrie said.

“Yes. We can also change the player for that,” said Donna.

“What about it?” Callie said coldly.

We were surprised when she said that and looked at each other and the awkward silence mediated again.

“So for the first round we will have a winter outfit,” said Prince Edmondo. ”5 minutes to choose and change will start in 3… 2… 1… Go!”

“Uhh ahem Callie,” Flare cleared her throat. “Our weaknesses are the second challenges so it just means we will lose,” she said sarcastically.

“What now if we lose? What will we gain if we win?” Callie asked.

“Wait a minute,” Flare said a little annoyed. ”So what are you saying, we are here just to lose?”

“That's not my point,” Callie replied. ”Have you forgotten Yani's repeated reminders to us every time we play?”

None of them answered after she asked that. Not only them, but also me and just looked at Callie.

“She always reminds us that whether we win or lose, the important thing is that we learned something in the game and enjoyed it, right?” said Callie and we were still speechless.

“You Hera,” she once looked at Hera that surprised her. ”Did you learn anything from the Water Challenge earlier or at least even enjoy it?”

“Uhm yes. I learned something,” replied Hera. She didn't just ‘learn’ Callie. If you only knew.

“How about you Kyrie? Have you learned anything at all?” Callie asked Kyrie.

“Nothing,” Kyrie answered immediately while avoiding looking at us.

We just stared at her and when she noticed it she let out a sigh. ”Yes. I will admit I have learned something. But for what I’ve really learned, that’s a secret of mine to keep. I also enjoyed it because I met Uppa—”

“Pfft…” Flare suppressed a laugh so we all looked at her. She cleared her throat. ”Sorry.”

“There. Do you understand now?” Callie said. ”So can you just watch from now on and keep quiet while they play? You always have something to say whenever the second challenge is mentioned,” she said irritably.

There was a build-up of silence between us.

Femme suddenly applauded so the silence was broken. ”Wow! You're great Callie,” Femme said happily. ”I learned so much from what you said. You're right. Whether we win or lose, our real goal is to have fun and learn something in the game, not about the prize. Even with trials like this, we can still do something.”

“And what is that?” Kyrie asked.

“Something like this,” she went to the edge and put her two hands next to her mouth and shouted. ”JESSY, you can do it! Even if you are weak in fashion, win or lose, you're still the champion!”

They just smiled. ”Of course that’s Femme,” Kyrie smiled.

“Me too,” Donna said and shouted. ”You’re not unfashionable JESSY! People just have different tastes from your taste so no matter what you wear, you still win because you are good at sports! Go Jessy!”

“I just told myself that they are annoying but it's fun like this,” said Flare.

“Yeah right. You said so,” said Kyrie.

“Uhm Callie. You are great. I’m sure they will be enticed by their challenge,” Hera said to Callie.

“... mm,” she muttered while nodding.

I just smiled. It’s very fortunate for me that I recruited Callie. Think about it, even if she speaks directly, she can reverse their thinking. And even if she only speaks once, it always makes sense. I salute you Callie.

I wasn’t expecting that the second challenges match the weaknesses of my teammates today. Life is really surprising.

Okay back to the challenge. Good thing it’s Jessy's turn. She’s wearing simple clothes. I'm not good at describing clothes so please forgive me if you can't 'visualize' what I'm saying.

In the first round, since they have to wear winter, she is wearing a blue jacket with a white shirt, brown shorts, black leggings and brown boots with a few heel and a scarf.

In the second round, casual wear so she wore a long sleeves striped shirt topped with blue shorts with straps wearing sandals that were probably only an inch tall. Her long gray hair was tied up.

And for the third round, shocking guys. It’s formal wear so she’s wearing a long dress that I think is maroon and it’s tight to her waist so I can see her curves and then the length of the dress is reaching up to her ankle and with a cut on the side of it. She is also wearing heels with an increase in height about half an inch and her hair is tied into a bun with little extensions.

Only now have I seen her this beautiful. A beauty like a model. Femme and Donna applauded for her beauty.

“Woah, she’s beautiful. It’s just her excuse that she has no sense of fashion,” commented Kyrie.

“Yeah. It’s a good thing we put her in this challenge,” I said.

Jessy walked down the runway but...

... what will happen if you wear heels and then you are not used to it? Yes. She tripped so now she’s lying on the stage. The spectators laughed but us here, we don’t know what to do.

“They are so bad,” said Femme.

“Oh yeah. She doesn't know how to walk in high heels,” Kyrie said in realization

“I think what I said earlier was wrong,” I said.

“Seriously guys we need to get to her on stage now. She may be crying,” Donna said worriedly.

“Uhm w-we can't Donna. Jessy will be disqualified,” said Hera.

“Then what are we going to do!?” Donna panicked.

The audience was still laughing and Jessy tried to stand up but this was the reason why the dress was torn on her waist so the laughter got louder. I got up immediately and was about to go down to the stage but immediately someone grabbed my shoulder so I stopped and turned around.

“Callie, this is not the time for—”

“Don't interfere with them,” Callie interjected. I was surprised by what she said so I immediately looked at the stage and was surprised. Wait...

Prince Edmondo came and took off his coat and immediately covered the part of Jessy's torn dress.

“Can you stand up?” he asked as he offered his hand to Jessy.

Jessy raised her head with her eyes wet because she was crying but Prince Edmondo was stunned by her face and I don't know why.

A few seconds passed as they just stared at each other when, “Uhm... I-I...” Jessy stammered.

Prince Edmondo returned to reality because of that. ”Oh uhh does your foot hurts or—”

He didn't finish what he was going to say because Jessy just took his offered hand and stood up.

“Thank you,” Jessy sincerely said.

“Oh uhm no problem. Is your foot okay? Can you walk?” he asked worriedly.

“Uhm I'm fine, your highness. I can still walk,” Jessy turned around but because she was not good at lying, her foot was already hurt so she almost fell down again but it was good that Prince Edmondo was still there so he caught Jessy immediately.

“You still can't,” Prince Edmondo carried her at the same time, bridal style. ”Let me carry you—”

“No no no,” Jessy panicked. ”Wa-Wait your highness. I-I'm fine really.”

“No you're not,” Prince Edmondo replied immediately. ”Just let me carry you back inside,” he smiled at the same time. Jessy wasn’t able to speak back and just avoided looking at him.

When they finally entered the backstage, there was a build-up of silence on the venue. You will not hear a single voice. But who wouldn't fall speechless in that scene? It's just so.... SWEEEET!

Soon, Prince Edmondo came out of the curtain and took the mike. ”Sorry ladies and gentlemen for the wait. Since she is the last one, let me compute for the top 3 winners for this challenge,” said Prince Edmondo.

The surroundings remained quiet. We looked at each other.

“So what do you guys say about going down to Jessy on the backstage?” I offered.

“Nice idea Yani,” Kyrie replied.

As we went down, we heard the winners and unfortunately, Jessy was not in the top three.

“So that's all for today. Thank you for participating,” said Prince Edmondo.

When we got to the back stage, she was sitting on a chair still wearing the dress and there were 'air' nurses treating her foot.

“Oh hi guys!” she greeted us happily. Okay? Am I the only one that’s expecting that she will show a different expression right now?

“Is she okay?” Kyrie whispered to Flare.

“Does she look okay?” Flare replied irritably.

“I said that.”

After they treated Jessy's foot, the nurses also left and Jessy happily waved at them.

“Guys they said my foot is not that bad and just a little walk it will return to normal later,” was her happy news and stood up. ”See?”

“Okay? Uhm it looks okay,” Donna replied in surprise and just looked at us full of wonder at what Jessy is doing.

“I know right. I really have long hair, (A/N: ‘And haba ng buhok ko’ it’s an expression we say in the Philippines boasting how good we are)” she flipped her hair at the same time. “Oh right, let me just change my clothes.” Jessy walked away with great joy and when she disappeared from our sight, we just stood here full of astonishment.

“Is it just me or does that woman have gone crazy?” Kyrie asked.

“It's not just you,” Flare replied.

“Uhm actually I expect her to be sad now,” said Femme.

“It's not just you Femme,” Donna said.

“Why is she so happy even though something embarrassing happened to her earlier?” Femme asked. Yes that is surprising. It’s like she has mood swings.

She returned with a change of clothes and was still smiling. ”So guys let’s go back to the bleachers,” at the same time she walked away. We followed her even though we were still wondering about her actions.

Do you know what is happening to her? She’s even skipping while walking. It looks like me too, I think she went crazy.

“What happened? Did she hit her head on the floor when she fell earlier?” Kyrie whispered to us.

“Wow hah. You’re a sadist,” I replied.

“What if Yani that’s really what happened?” Donna panicked. ”What if she really hit her head and then she went crazy and then—”

Toink! Kyrie hit Donna’s head. ”Calm down, you’re overreacting. You are even more sadistic than me,” said Kyrie.

Jessy stopped and faced us. ”Who is a sadist?” she asked innocently.

Kyrie, Flare and Donna just gave her a blank face so I spoke up.

“Ah no one. They are just joking—”

“You! You are the sadist!” irritated, Kyrie interrupted. ”Okay I gave up. I can no longer cope with your madness. What happened to you?! Did your head really hit the floor earlier?”

“Huh?”

“Hey, don't give me an innocent face because I'm serious about it,” Kyrie continued. ”If I won’t be able to hold back myself—”

“Wait wait. Just a moment girl. What are you saying? Does it look like my head hit the floor?” Jessy asked.

“Oh, no,” Kyrie answered full of sarcasm. ”You look so crazy and fun right now knowing you just stumbled and were embarrassed a while ago. It seems like nothing happened earlier.”

“Oh that…” she suddenly looked in the other direction while smiling with great joy and she suddenly blushed and jumped as if she’s getting excited. We were surprised by her reaction and wondered while Kyrie,

“Stop me!” while she is pulling her sleeves on her shoulders. ”I will punch this woman! I think we need to shake her brain!”

“Just calm down. I'll take care of it,” said Flare. ”Jessy, just tell us why you are like that if you don't want to be burned.” What Flare said seemed even more frightening.

“Eeii because well uhm it’s because… what happened earlier when… eeeiii,” she said like a girl who has fallen in love.

I was right. Flare is scary. She just really wanted to burn Jessy in anger. It's good that we were able to hold her. “I can hit this woman!” she said in anger.

“Guys just calm down,” I said to calm them down. ”Jessy can you do that later whatever it is—”

“Ah yes by the way. Yani, sorry,” she said suddenly. We stopped for a moment at what she showed.

“Sorry for what?” I wondered.

“I failed. I was not even in the top three,” Jessy apologized. I was a little surprised but I also smiled and tapped her on the shoulder.

“That's okay,” I said. ”I told you that win or lose, it’s enough that you’re the champion earlier in the first challenge.”

She smiled. ”Thanks.”

“Of course. You were even beautiful in every round a while ago so maybe it’s just your excuse when you said you have no sense of fashion.”

“What no,” Jessy replied. ”Earlier, don’t you know I was panicking in the dressing room and I don’t know what I was going to wear but there was someone to assist us and then the one who assisted me was the one who chose the clothes for me to wear so I just said yes every time she recommend something because it was time pressured. I didn't even notice that the heels were high in the last round so that's why, I tripped… but…”

That's when her excitement returned.

“There she is again. Yani, tell me when to hit her,” Kyrie said angrily.

“Eeeii oh come on girl…” Jessy said. ”…didn't you see what happened earlier when Prince Edmondo helped me?! Kyaahh! Oh my gash!”

Kyrie just raised her eyebrow at her.

“Then he even used his coat just to cover the torn part of the dress, then he even helped me stand up and then he was not satisfied yet because… HE CARRIED ME! Bridal style girls!! Kyaaahhh! You know he’s like… well technically he is really a prince so he’s like a  Prince Charming but I think the best description is… for he’s my KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR! Eeiiii!”

It amazes me how she’s really romantically excited right now. Kyrie let out a sigh. ”So all along, that's all she's crazy about,” she said.

“I should have burned her first,” Flare joked seriously.

“Oh come on guys, let's just let her be,” Donna said. ”In fact, what happened to them is really exciting… eeii,” and she also said that in excitement.

“Even you too?” Kyrie said.

“I know right Donna! He is really handsome!” Jessy said.

“Yes! You two are good for each other!” and they both got excited. There, she already has an ally.

“Really?!”

“Tss. I’m out of here,” irritated Flare said and quickly walked away.

“But that is far from impossible because he’s like the sky, while I belong to earth…” said Jessy. ”…I mean it’s the other way around, he’s the earth while I belong to the sky like literally guys so I can no longer hope. Maybe he’s just really my knight in shining armor today and he will leave while riding on his horse.”

“Oh right. But who knows, maybe you were meant to be together,” said Donna.

“Oh, that's not going to happen girl. Besides, I like someone else who is also handsome and that I know I can reach him.”

“Is that so? Who is that? “

“Long story but later I will tell you.”

“Pssh. Flirty,” Kyrie whispered.

“What's that?” Jessy asked.

“Nothing,” Kyrie fake a smile at the same time. ”I said let's go. Let's go back to the bleachers,” and rolled her eyes at her.

If you don't know yet, I can't say Jessy is flirty but let's just say she is a very romantic person because well you have seen why but…

I don’t believe that heaven and earth are the distance between them. Yes I am also a romantic person and I know what I saw earlier. Even if you think you are far from each other, nothing is impossible when you are destined to be together.