“Do you like her, Devan?” Arjuna asked again, studying him closely.
Devan devoured his fries while sneaking a glance at him. His smile was so wide that it seemed there was something different about the usually cold guy.
“Like her? I don’t think so—not yet. But I’m pretty interested in getting closer to her,” Devan replied meaningfully.
Arjuna and Rendra exchanged another look. “What do you mean? Are you planning to make a move on her?” Rendra asked.
“Who’s making a move?” Rena suddenly chimed in as she entered the house, making all three of them turn toward her.
Rena walked over to them, her face full of curiosity. “Why’d you all go quiet? What are you talking about? Devan, who are you trying to get close to?” Rena pressed.
“No one!” Devan lied.
“Don’t lie, Devan. I’ve noticed something’s different about you. Tell me the truth!” Rena demanded.
“What’s with you, Ren? You have no right to demand that I tell you anything!” Devan shot back angrily.
Rena snorted softly. She was sure something had just happened while she was away. “Devan!”
Devan merely shrugged. He chose to get up from his seat.
“Why have you changed toward me, Devan? What’s wrong with you?” Rena asked, grabbing his arm.
“Changed how? That’s just how you feel, Rena!” Devan dodged.
“No! You really did change after we came to that school. What made you change? Is there some girl you’ve fallen for?” Rena pressed, making Devan even more irritated.
“Why are you here, Ren? It’s already late afternoon. You should be home!” Devan said, changing the subject.
“Don’t change the subject, Devan! Answer me. Prove me right if you like someone!” Rena stubbornly clung to her theory.
“What are you even talking about, Ren? You’re making less and less sense!” Devan retorted as he left the room. He was sick of Rena’s nagging and her meddling in his business.
Rena pouted angrily. She glanced at her two friends, who were still eating without being bothered by her arrival. As usual, the tomboyish girl came and went from that house as if there were no boundaries between them.
As the days passed, Rena paid closer attention to Devan’s behavior toward one of the students at Merpati School. She realized Devan was deliberately trying to get that girl’s attention, which was why he kept picking on Davina. Yes, Devan was deliberately causing trouble for Davina—something he had never done to any other girl. Usually, Devan acted indifferent and aloof, even cold, toward girls. But he was different with Davina. It was as if Devan was deliberately trying to cause problems for her.
Rena felt a knot forming in her heart. Did Devan really have feelings for that girl behind her back?
“Looks like you’re getting closer to that girl, Dev?” Rena teased pointedly.
“Who?” Devan asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about.
Rena pouted at Devan’s feigned innocence. “You don’t have to keep hiding it from me, Dev. I know you’re deliberately picking a fight with that class president, right? You like her, so you’re deliberately trying to get her attention.”
Devan chuckled softly. “You’re something else, Ren. But even so, it’s none of your business, is it?”
Rena snorted. “Stop beating around the bush, Dev. I don’t like you trying to get that girl’s attention! I like you, so please be considerate of my feelings!” she said, finally confessing what was in her heart.
Devan glanced at Rena for a moment. “I can’t return your feelings, Ren. You should just forget about me! Besides, whether I like her or not is none of your business! I hate it when people meddle in my feelings! And I have no intention of liking the girl you’re talking about!” Devan shot back, emphasizing every word.
“Then prove that you don’t intend to like that girl. I know you’re planning to get close to her, but you’re hesitating because, deep down, you like me and keep hiding behind our friendship. I’m not being conceited—that’s honestly how I feel about you, Devan!” Rena exclaimed.
“Jeez, Ren, what are you talking about? You’re rambling! We’re friends, so don’t let some fleeting feelings or puppy love mess up our friendship!” Rendra scolded.
Rena turned toward Rendra. “I’m just saying it like it is. What’s wrong with that? Besides, what even is puppy love? Devan’s the one acting all high and mighty by rejecting me over and over!” Rena grumbled.
Devan let out a quiet sigh. “What do you want, Ren?” he finally asked, giving in.
Meanwhile, Davina was walking behind the school. Her ears caught pieces of a conversation that left her baffled.
“What’s going on with them? Sounds like they’re arguing!” Davina muttered as she moved closer.
“What do you want, Rena?” A boy’s voice rang out, making Davina search even harder for its source.
“That sounds like Devan and his friends. I wonder what’s going on,” Davina thought curiously.
“Why am I even getting curious about their business? Seriously, Davina, why do you care what they’re up to? Ugh, forget it. I should just leave!” she scolded herself, realizing how stupid it was to snoop on the argument between those high school kids.
“What if we make a bet? Get close to her, then dump her once she falls in love with you. I’m sure that if you don’t like Davina, you’ll accept my bet, Devan!”
Davina gaped when she heard her name mentioned.
“What the heck is this? Why are they dragging my name into some bet?” Davina thought, clenching her hands. She sighed softly while glaring at them in irritation.
“Stay calm, Davina, stay calm. Let’s hear what they want. But if they try anything with me, they’d better watch out. I’ll teach them a lesson they won’t forget!” she continued inwardly.
Davina left the spot. At least now she knew what they had been talking about. If she really was going to become the subject of their bet, Davina would make them regret doing this to her!