Chapter 20

CAMILA

"ARE WE GOING TO THE NATIONAL LIBRARY THE NEXT DAY?" I polled my three lovely pals.

"Are you talking about the local quiz bee?" Naomi inquired.

"Yeah," I replied. We've arrived at the school grounds and are stretching in preparation for cheerleading practice, which will begin shortly.

"Isn't that tomorrow? Time certainly flies. The cheerleading competition will take place next month," Olivia stated that she, too, was stretching.

"Yeah. But I'm really looking forward to the competition. I am confident that we will prevail. We're putting in a lot of effort, you know. And our new routines are fantastic," Stella stated.

"You girls gave a great pep talk. Come on, let's go. Practice will begin immediately," Miss Peyton cut us off before we could respond to Stella's words.

"Let's win this," Olivia said. We exchanged smiles as we took our places in the line.

They have yet to respond to my inquiry. I'll inquire again later.

~*~

THE PRACTICE WAS OVER, and we were exhausted as we took showers.

"Girls, you haven't answered my question yet," I exclaimed.

We're in the shower right now. Down there, the stall was only visible from our vantage point. However, because the stalls are so close together, we can see each other's bodies. But we don't mind. My friends' bodies are amazing, but I don't think about sexual things when I see their private parts.

Unbeknownst to them, I may be gay. I'm not sure now, but I realized this when Zoey and I reconnected. I'm not sure if these feelings result from my longing for her after we've been apart for years. Back then, I was a moron. I allowed my parents to manipulate me, and as a result, I lost my best friends.

I re-establish a friendship with Zoey after years of bullying her. Zoey is a beautiful and genuine person. She forgives me and accepts me as a friend despite what I did.

But over the last few days, I've been having these not-so-friendly thoughts. Yes, I am now friends with Nova and Aubrey as well. They're all beautiful and fabulous, but every time I see Zoey, the simple, nerdy, gorgeous, and mysterious Zoey, my heart skips a beat.

I felt compelled to hug and kiss her whenever we were nearby. Worst of all, I have wet dreams about her. That's when I realized I had a thing for my friend. We had only recently reconnected as friends, and I had this inappropriate thought in my head. I just... I'm not sure. Zoey is appealing to me. That's all I know.

"Cam?"

Someone is calling my name, but I can't get Zoey's expression out of my head. I imagined her washing my back and touching my body.

"Cam? Camila?!" Stella yelled in my ear, and I fell back into a trance.

"Huh? What, I'm sorry?" I perplexedly inquired of the girl who had been shouting in my ear. When I turned around, Olivia and Naomi were staring at me strangely. Did I get caught?

"You're having a daydream. What on earth were you thinking?" Stella made fun of me.

"What? No! I was only... bathing!" With a defensive tone, I said, "My God." They will grill me if I do not correctly answer their questions. "You still haven't answered my question," I changed the subject.

"Yes, we did. You are not the one who is listening, "Olivia stated.

"Oh. Sorry. I was completely exhausted." They didn't seem convinced, so I didn't say anything else. Less talk, more minor blunders. "Are we going to the National Library tomorrow?"

"Yes. We didn't have an option because the quiz bee team representatives were from our class. Miss Peyton stated that she would check our attendance, and those who attend will receive a bonus grade as well as a quiz exemption," Naomi stated.

"I don't want to go, but I could take advantage of Miss Peyton's bonus and quiz exemption. I'm having trouble with one of her subjects," Stella remarked.

We had finished showering and were now sitting on our towels. We're on our way to our lockers to get dressed.

"Right. I don't want to go, but we have to show our support because we're on the cheering squad. Allow us to contribute our knowledge to the Quiz Bee Team. It's for the school, after all," I stated. I'm attempting to persuade them that I was only obligated to go. But the truth is that I wanted to root for Zoey.

"Ugh! I don't want to root for Zoey, but she excels in the classroom. And, yes, I will have to make sacrifices for the sake of the school's reputation and my grades, "Stella said as she was getting dressed. She sounded dissatisfied.

"A-ah hmm... Sure." I'm at a loss for words. I was hoping they wouldn't leave to freely cheer Zoey the next day. "Anyway, let's just drive there in my car. We are excused from class to cheer for them, so we have no choice but to go."

"All right," they said in unison.

We finished getting dressed and went home after a few minutes.

~*~

OLIVIA

"SHE'S ALREADY SLEEPING," I thought to myself as I noticed Zoey's back, who is now lying on her bed. "She needs to be drained." I went to the living room after gently closing her room door.

I sat down on the couch and turned on the television. I'll watch anything on Netflix as long as I'm not tired.

We had another long practice earlier, and we finished at nine o'clock in the evening. We won't have practice tomorrow because we'll be cheering on the quiz bowl team. The local inter-school quiz bee competition is tomorrow.

I was going to call Zoey and check on her, but I think she's exhausted as well. She'll need her energy and the sound of my voice tomorrow.

I missed spending time with her. But I don't want to be in pain, especially since she has an important event tomorrow. I'm sure she'll make amends after the competition. I can hardly wait!" But for the time being, I'll just have to sit and wait... Hmm..." I was conversing with myself. Don't be surprised, either. That's something I'm prone to doing. "Oh! Money Heist is back for a new season! Oh, my goodness! Allow me to watch this instead." I eagerly began playing the series I had been anticipating for so long. I became too preoccupied, and I didn't realize the release of the new season.

I sat down on the couch and made myself at home. I enjoyed each episode because I didn't realize it was already three a. m. I couldn't take my eyes off it, but I was getting sleepy, so I had to pause it and watch it again later.

Zoey will be irritated if I watch it without her. She enjoys that series, and we have previously watched it together. I'll simply apologize to her if she catches me, and we can watch it again whenever she's available.

I was exhausted, and the couch was inviting. As a result, I didn't realize I was sleeping on the couch.

~*~

"THE FIRST ROUND has concluded, and our quiz bee team will move on to the next round!" Miss Peyton cheerfully informed us. We were ecstatically clapping. "They need our help more than ever, so let us cheer them on when they get the correct answers. Are you sure? "She enthusiastically continued.

"Yes, ma'am!" we exclaimed all at once.

We followed Miss Peyton's instructions. So far, Zoey's team is performing admirably. I am aware of some of the answers to the question, and we, the audience, are attempting to respond. But there were a lot of difficult questions as well. And I'm so impressed with Zoey's team that they could find the answers to those questions. So far, they have not responded to any errors!

My classmates are getting excited significantly since Zoey's team has advanced to the third round. I never doubted Zoey's team's ability to win. However, their opponent for the third round was also flawless. Like Zoey's, the other three schools that advanced to the third round have not given any incorrect answers thus far.

We couldn't contain our excitement after the third round, and we shouted and cheered even louder for Zoey's team because they would advance to the final round. Last year, they competed against our old foe, the Valentine High quiz bee team.

A five-minute break was given to the students. It was used by Zoey's team to discuss and possibly discuss their strategy. I was getting nervous, but I was praying quietly. I am not religious, but I do believe in God. And I gratefully acknowledge His omnipotent guidance.

After the five-minute break, the quiz bee team returned to their seats.

"Clover, go! ZoHarLey, go!" Nova yelled out, "Who's on my back?"

"Zoey, you're doing great! You're absolutely stunning!" Aubrey, too, screamed.

Aubrey, what the hell are you talking about? Is she making a come-out? She's a real daredevil! Argh. She annoys me!

That drew the three's attention, and Zoey turned to face us. My heart felt as if it had been struck by lightning when she smiled! What's the source of my distress? What did it serve? Maybe I'm just worried about her.

Zoey, you're doing great! You are capable of completing the task. In my head, I clapped for her.

"ZoHarLey, go!" Camila, one of my seatmates, yelled. She even got to her feet and raised her fists. We were staring at her, perplexed. What makes her think she'd do something like this? I've never seen her cheer for her prey before.

Stella and Naomi, two of my best friends, shared my expression.

Camila's actions sparked outrage among the other students, who are now rooting for ZoHarLey.

But the three of us, Naomi, Stella, and me, couldn't believe what Camila had done. We, on the other hand, quietly applauded. When it was time for the quiz bee team to compete using their knowledge, we came to a halt.

"Why did you do that?" Stella asked Camila, and I overheard her ask.

"What are you talking about?" Camila expressed her thoughts.

Stella said, "Never mind."

I'm not sure what's happening, but the quiz bee was getting heated, so it wasn't the best time to discuss what Camila had just done. There are no incorrect responses from either team. However, it was also a test of abruptness, and Zoey's team is gaining ground.

However, the opposing team overtakes them in terms of points. Valentine High pressed the buzzer quickly because it was a deciding question.

My heart was racing at an alarming rate. I couldn't even look at the Quiz Bee Team, so I closed my eyes and prayed silently that Valentine High's answer was incorrect.

"Wrong!" I was relieved when I heard what the conductor said. I looked at Zoey with my eyes open. I swear I saw a smirk on her face. "Clover High is the target of a robbery. Now, with the question... listen carefully..." The conductor then asked the question again.

Zoey gave the correct answer after three seconds!

"Clover High School has been crowned the winner of the local inter-school quiz bee competition yet again! Congratulations! You will be the National Quiz Bee competitors' representatives! Have a great day!" remarked the conductor.

We were yelling and cheering like crazy. That was a lot of action. The award ceremony took place, and I couldn't be happier to see Zoey receive it.

I informed Uncle Zaldy and Mom right away about what had occurred. I'm sure they'll flood Zoey's inbox with messages of congratulations and love later.

Following the presentation of the medals, the three representatives approached our seats and thanked us for raising their medals.

I fought back the tears. I know Zoey can do it in my heart, and they will win because I believe in her. And it's not the first time this has happened, but every time she enters the competition, I can't help but cry. I'm overjoyed and proud of myself. Zoey is my name!

"Zoey, you have earned it! I'd like to get married!" Aubrey yelled at the top of her lungs. I stared at her, not realizing I was doing so.

"What the hell are you talking about, Aubrey?" Nova laughed and nudged Aubrey slightly.

If I were Nova, I wouldn't just nudge the girl; I'd punch her in the face as well.

Aubrey may have noticed that I was staring at her, so she lowered her gaze to mine.

"Nova, why are Camila and Olivia staring at me as if they're about to kill me?" Aubrey inquired of her seatmate, staring at Camila and me with puzzlement.

"I'm not sure what you're asking. Perhaps your saliva rained down on the girls while you were screaming," According to Nova.

"Oh. I apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you. Good day," Aubrey said this while making a peace sign with her fingers.

"Let's go, Aubrey; Zoey is ready." Nova walked away from us, carrying Aubrey. But, before they go too far, Aubrey said to Nova.

"Nova, I'm going to ask Zoey out." That is exactly what she stated.

"Are you really sure she'll say yes?" Aubrey was the one who asked Nova.

Because they had left, I didn't hear what Aubrey had to say. I can't believe Aubrey's plans for Zoey. My rage is intensifying.

"So Aubrey was a homosexual? What about Zoey? I'm not surprised, to be honest. However, I mistook Nova and Zoey for a couple. Girls, what are your thoughts?" Stella expressed her opinion.

"Stell, love is the same as it always has been. That is what they prefer. That's okay," Naomi expressed her thoughts.

"That I am aware of, but who are you? Are you going to defend them right now?" Stella retorted with a retort of her own.

Naomi responded, "No."

"Tss. Unbelievable. And, you two, why aren't you reacting? "She gave us a snarl.

"Let's get out of here. I'm not feeling well," Camila stood up and said. I kept up with her. Naomi followed Stella, and I'm not sure why she was so enraged.

I, too, was enraged. Stella, on the other hand, is a different story. I'm furious with Aubrey and the nonsense she was spewing from her not-so-sweet mouth.

Zoey? Is she your girlfriend? That is complete nonsense!