Chapter 11

MAT‘s POV:

I didn’t expect to remember her.

Not her name.

Not her smile.

Not the way she looked at someone.

But I did.

And that was the problem.

Because I barely knew her.

—

When I first met Patricia Dela Cruz, I thought she was intimidating.

Everyone knew her.

The star player of Raven University’s women’s basketball team.

The girl who was always serious.

The girl who looked like she had everything figured out.

But after spending more time around her…

I realized something.

She wasn’t cold.

She was just careful.

She didn’t let people get too close.

Except for one person.

—

Katherine Reyes.

I didn’t even know who she was at first.

I just knew one thing.

Every time her name appeared on Pat’s phone…

Pat changed.

The serious expression disappeared.

The walls disappeared.

She smiled.

A real smile.

And honestly?

I got curious.

Because I wanted to know.

Who was the person who could make Patricia Dela Cruz forget she was supposed to be the serious one?

—

“So…”

I asked one day after training.

Pat looked at me.

“What?”

“Kat.”

Her expression immediately changed.

“What about her?”

I shrugged.

“Who is she?”

Pat looked confused.

“My friend.”

I laughed.

“That’s it?”

She frowned.

“What do you mean?”

I looked at her.

“I don’t know.”

I smiled.

“You talk about her like she’s not just a friend.”

—

Pat rolled her eyes.

“You’re overthinking.”

Maybe I was.

But I wasn’t wrong.

Not completely.

—

The first time I met Kat…

I understood.

Actually…

I understood too quickly.

She wasn’t what I expected.

I expected someone intimidating.

Someone who would match Pat’s serious personality.

Instead…

She was warm.

Funny.

A little stubborn.

And the way she looked at Pat…

Made me wonder.

Because nobody looked at someone like that unless they cared.

—

“Hi.”

She smiled.

“Hi.”

Simple.

Normal.

But something about her stayed.

Maybe it was the way she immediately asked:

“Did Pat eat?”

I laughed.

“You know that’s the first thing everyone asks her.”

She looked confused.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

She smiled.

“Good.”

And for some reason…

That smile stayed in my mind.

—

After that day…

I started asking Pat about her.

A lot.

Probably too much.

“How long have you known Kat?”

Pat looked at me suspiciously.

“Why?”

I shrugged.

“Just asking.”

“Since we were kids.”

I nodded.

“Childhood friend?”

“Yeah.”

I looked at her.

“That’s a long time.”

“It is.”

She smiled slightly.

And I noticed.

She smiled differently when talking about Kat.

—

“So what is she like?”

Pat looked at me.

“What?”

“Kat.”

Another confused look.

“Why are you asking so much?”

I laughed.

“Can I not be curious?”

She narrowed her eyes.

“Mat.”

“What?”

“Why?”

I didn’t answer.

Because the truth sounded ridiculous.

Because how do you explain liking someone you barely know?

Someone you only met once?

Someone you couldn’t stop thinking about?

—

The truth was…

I liked her.

And I knew it was stupid.

Because I didn’t know her.

Not really.

But sometimes feelings don’t wait until you have permission.

Sometimes they just happen.

—

“She’s annoying.”

Pat said.

I laughed.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“But you love her.”

Pat stopped.

I immediately realized what I said.

Not love.

Not exactly.

At least…

Not the kind I meant.

She looked at me.

“What?”

I cleared my throat.

“Like… as a friend.”

She continued staring.

Then laughed.

“You’re weird.”

Maybe.

But I wasn’t wrong.

—

The more I talked to Pat…

The more I learned about Kat.

Her favorite things.

Her habits.

The way she worried too much.

The way she cared.

And somehow…

I started liking someone I barely knew even more.

—

“Does she have someone?”

I asked casually.

Pat looked at me.

“Why?”

“Just answer.”

She shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

She frowned.

“Why would I know?”

I laughed.

Because that was the first time I saw Pat unsure about something involving Kat.

Interesting.

—

A few weeks passed.

Pat and I became friends.

Not because of Kat.

Not only because of basketball.

But because we understood each other.

We were both athletes.

Both carrying pressure.

Both trying to become better.

She became someone I could talk to.

Someone I trusted.

And maybe that’s why I kept asking.

Because Pat was my way to know Kat.

—

One afternoon, after practice, I asked again.

“So…”

Pat sighed.

“Again?”

I smiled.

“Again.”

“Mat.”

“What?”

“Why are you so interested in Kat?”

I stayed quiet.

Because this time…

I couldn’t joke my way out.

I looked away.

Then admitted:

“Because I like her.”

Silence.

Pat looked at me.

“What?”

I shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

I laughed quietly.

“Sounds crazy, right?”

She didn’t answer.

Because she knew.

—

And maybe that was the beginning.

Not of a love story.

Not yet.

But of a problem.

Because while Patricia Dela Cruz was slowly becoming my friend…

Katherine Reyes was becoming something else.

Something I didn’t expect.

Something I couldn’t ignore.

And I had no idea…

That the girl I fell for…

Was the same girl who had been holding someone else’s heart for years.

✦ Author’s Note ✦

👀

Okay…

Before everyone starts throwing tomatoes at me…

Yes.

It’s Mat.

And yes…

He noticed Kat. 😭

BUT WAIT.

Don’t judge him too quickly.

Because unlike you readers who already know Pat and Kat’s whole history…

Mat only saw one thing:

A girl who made Patricia Dela Cruz smile differently.

And then he met her.

And unfortunately for him…

Love at first sight happened. 🤷‍♀️

Meanwhile, Pat and Kat are still busy playing:

“She’s just my best friend.”

“He’s just my friend.”

SURE.

We believe you. 😭

Anyway…

Welcome to the chaos, Matthew Villanueva.

Good luck entering a story that started years before you arrived. 🤭

– tatine ♡