“What if we make a bet, Dev? You get close to her until she falls in love with you, but then you have to leave her once she does. I’m sure you won’t have a problem with my bet, right? You wouldn’t refuse if you really don’t have feelings for her!” Rena challenged Devan.
“Ren, what the heck is wrong with you? Why would you challenge Devan to a bet like that? Have you lost your mind?” Rendra protested, unhappy with the challenge Rena had given Devan.
Rena laughed softly. “Why not? I just want to know whether Devan, the school idol, can really fall in love with the country girl here. Remember, his popularity will be on the line if he ends up liking her. It’ll be so humiliating!” Rena retorted.
“But this isn’t the way to do it, Ren. Even if Devan likes Davina, that’s not really any of your business. You can’t just control someone else’s feelings. Don’t take your revenge on another girl just because Devan rejected you. We don’t like this attitude of yours, Rena.” Rendra stepped closer, trying to make Rena see reason.
“Whatever. I don’t need your comments, Rend. I’m doing this for our crew, too. I just don’t want Devan to humiliate us!” Rena shot back.
“Are you done talking?” Devan asked, cutting off the argument between Rena and Rendra.
Devan looked at Rena with his devilish smile. “So that’s what you want, Ren? Fine, I accept your challenge, but after this, don’t ever bother us again. I don’t want any pests getting in the way of my friendship with Rendra and Arjuna. Honestly, I’m disappointed by how childish you’re being!” Devan continued, accepting Rena’s challenge.
“Dev, are you seriously accepting her crazy challenge? Don’t you realize you’ll hurt her later?” Arjuna asked, patting Devan on the shoulder.
“I’m sure this will keep her from bothering me again!” Devan replied confidently.
Rena smiled slyly at Devan’s answer. However, without them realizing it, Rena also had no intention of letting Devan get close to Davina.
Davina sat silently at her desk, staring blankly ahead. Her heart churned as she thought about the bet between Devan and Rena to get close to her.
‘Should I just stay away from them? Why am I so freaked out about ending up dating that guy, especially when that girl clearly hates me?’ Davina thought.
Meanwhile, the twin duo simply watched Davina sitting there in silence. The two exchanged glances, silently asking what was wrong with their friend.
“Davina, what’s wrong?” Amira asked, patting Davina on the shoulder.
“Yeah, Vin. You’ve been staring into space this whole time like a hedgehog with a lot on its mind. Wait, can hedgehogs even have a lot on their minds?” Amina joked.
Smack! Amira slapped Amina’s arm. “Amina, I’m serious! Don’t make me lose my temper again. My blood’s already turned blue—don’t let it turn red too!” Amira grumbled, glaring.
“Jeez, Mir, I am being serious. What’s wrong with that? Since you’re my sister, stop being so sensitive all the time, or you’ll never get married!” Amina shot back, sticking out her tongue.
Amira rolled her eyes lazily. “Married, married—whatever! You should get married first so you can collect a ton of envelopes and let me use the money for online shopping. I’ve got my eye on a designer bag!” Amira finished casually.
“Yeah, right! I’m the one getting married, and you’re the one who gets to enjoy it?” Amina retorted, refusing to lose.
Davina, whose thoughts were already in turmoil, suddenly slammed her hand on the desk, startling the twins.
“Fake address, don’t miss me!” Amina shouted, throwing both hands into the air in reflex.
“Davina, you scared me!” Amina cried, rubbing her chest.
“Can the two of you be quiet! If you keep making all that pointless noise, I’ll hang you from the guava tree!” Davina said, glaring at them.
The twins grimaced at Davina’s threat. “Peace, Vina. Don’t be so mean, or none of the guys at school will fall in love with you!” the twins said together.
Davina pouted. “You two are giving me such a massive headache!”
“Sorry, sorry. We were doing it on purpose. What’s wrong with you, Vina? You’re unusually touchy today.” Amina stared at Davina, blinking as if teasing the girl.
“Nothing. I’m just not in the mood to do anything!” Davina replied.
The twins both went, “Oh.” At that moment, someone set a drink down in front of Davina. Davina and the twins looked up and gaped when they saw Devan standing before them.
“This is for you, Davina!” Devan said with a smile.
“What is it?” Davina asked, furrowing her brow.
“A drink for you—ice lumut. Someone was selling it in the cafeteria earlier. I knew you hadn’t gone to the cafeteria, right?” Devan replied, still smiling and showing off his handsome face.
Devan pulled up a chair and sat across from them, while his friends sat not far away, casually watching him because of his bet with Rena.
“What are you doing sitting here? Aren’t all your friends over there?” Davina asked, jutting her chin toward Devan’s three friends.
Devan glanced over briefly. “Am I not allowed to sit here? I just want to be close to you. If you don’t mind, that is!” Devan answered.
“No one minds. Go ahead and sit. Amina and I will head out for a bit!” Amira exclaimed excitedly.
“Hey, what are you doing, Mir? Where are you going? Stay here. Don’t run away!” Davina snapped, glaring at her.
Amira grimaced. “So I won’t interrupt you while you’re flirting with him!” Amira whispered.
“Ugh, what are you even talking about?” Davina pouted. But without realizing it, the corners of her lips lifted into a faint smile.
“Sorry if I’m disturbing you, but I just wanted to give you this. I hope you’ll accept it!” Devan said, diverting their attention.
Davina fell silent as she stared at the drink. A strange feeling stirred inside her, one she couldn’t understand. What was happening to her?