Priana's POV
As we stepped deeper into the woods, a hidden basketball court revealed itself. It was surrounded by dense, haunting trees, lit by a few dim flickering lights. The atmosphere was eerie, but the Elites didn't seem to care.
"Stay here," Oscar said, releasing my hand.
They started playing immediately, their movements fast and aggressive. I stood by the sideline, clutching my arms. Honestly, the surrounding darkness was terrifying. Who on earth plays basketball in a place like this? I wondered. Their choices were as twisted as their personalities.
Suddenly, Lian walked over and stood beside me, huffing from the game.
"Are you done playing?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
Lian looked around cautiously, then leaned in. "Can you help me with something?"
"What kind of help?"
"Look, you have to promise not to tell anyone," he muttered, his voice low. "If this gets out, my reputation is trashed."
"Okay, okay. I won't tell," I promised, suppressed a smile.
"Where did you learn to fight like that?" he asked, his eyes filled with genuine curiosity.
I froze for a second. Truth be told, I never learned fighting from anyone. It was just my survival instinct kicking in. But I couldn't tell him that. I needed to keep my 'aura' intact.
"I learned from a very powerful master," I said, my voice dropping to a mysterious whisper.
"What's his name? Where does he live?"
"It's... complicated. I'm not sure you could handle the truth."
"What do you mean by that?" Lian snapped, his ego bruised.
"I spent a hundred days in deep meditation and grueling training to master those moves," I lied through my teeth. "I had to give up everything—my favorite things, even food. I lived on almost nothing."
Lian's eyes widened. "What? How is that even possible?"
I suppressed a laugh, keeping a straight face. "I told you, it's not for everyone. And I didn't learn it here. I went all the way to Japan."
"So, who is this master?"
"His name is Master Kenjiro Sato," I blurted out the first name that came to mind. "But he doesn't teach anymore. He's retired."
"That doesn't matter," Lian said, stepping closer. "You're here. You can teach me."
Me? Teaching him? I don't even know what I'm doing! I panicked internally, but outwardly, I remained calm.
"Fine," I said, tilting my head. "But what's in it for me?"
"If you truly teach me, I'll give you whatever you want," Lian promised. "Seriously."
"Really? But you just said you couldn't sacrifice your comforts. Training is hard, Lian."
"Is there a shortcut?" he asked desperately.
"Well... there is a shortcut," I teased. "But it still requires some sacrifice."
"Deal," he said, before running back to the court.
As soon as he was out of earshot, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I bit my lip to keep from bursting into laughter. He actually believed my story about the hundred-day penance in Japan!
The 'Elite' Lian was now officially my student. This was going to be fun.
"Priana, why are you just standing there? Come play with us!" Marco called out, spinning the ball on his finger.
"No, thanks," I said, backing away. "I have no idea how to play basketball."
"That's not an option," Rafael smirked, his eyes glinting. "Consider this a test. You have to play."
Reluctantly, I stepped onto the court. The seven of them stood before me like a wall of giants. I was one, and they were a team of seven.
"If you manage to get the ball into the hoop just once, you win," Anrio said, stepping forward with a devilish grin. "But if you lose... there will be a punishment."
"This is unfair!" I protested. "I'm alone, and there are seven of you. How am I supposed to win?"
"You're full of surprises, Priana. Why would this be any different?" Diego teased.
"I'm telling you, I don't know how to play!"
"I think you can do it," Oscar whispered, his gaze intense. Warren nodded beside him. "He's right. You have it in you."
Anrio held the ball, his smirk widening. "Then let the game begin."
I gritted my teeth. "Fine. If you're so desperate to play, then let's go."
The game was a nightmare. They were so much taller than me, passing the ball over my head like I wasn't even there. I lunged and jumped, trying to snatch the ball, but they were too fast, effortlessly scoring point after point.
Eventually, the ball landed in Anrio's hands. I rushed toward him, determined to steal it. But just as I reached for the ball, Rafael accidentally bumped into Anrio from behind.
The impact sent Anrio crashing down—right on top of me.
Time froze.
My breath hitched as his lips brushed against mine. My heart hammered against my ribs so hard it felt like it would burst. Heat rushed to my face, turning my cheeks a deep crimson. For a long, agonizing second, our eyes locked, and the rest of the world vanished.
The silence was broken by the others hooting and whistling. "Whoaaaa!"
We both snapped back to reality. I shoved Anrio off me with all my strength and scrambled to my feet. Anrio stood up, rubbing his chest, looking genuinely stunned.
"What are your hands made of, woman?" he hissed, though he looked flustered. "Where do you get this much strength? That actually hurt!"
The others were laughing, but my eyes caught Oscar. He was staring at us with an expression so cold and dark it sent a shiver of pure terror down my spine.
I couldn't take it anymore. I turned and bolted toward the SUV. I threw open the back door and huddled in the farthest corner.
The others piled in. Lian sat next to me, a playful smirk on his face. "Why didn't you sit in the front?"
I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling him to be quiet. "I can't sit there," I hissed.
"Is it because of your first kiss?" he teased, laughing.
I landed a hard punch on his arm. "Ow! Anrio was right," he groaned, rubbing his arm. "Your hands feel like they're made of stone."
The ride back was suffocatingly quiet. No one said a word. When we finally reached the school, I didn't wait. As the car stopped, I jumped out. Anrio started to say something, but I didn't listen. I ran toward my hostel as fast as I could, leaving the seven of them behind.
I finally reached the safety of my hostel, my heart still racing from the adrenaline of the day. As I climbed the stairs, panting, a hand suddenly shot out from the shadows, gripping my wrist.
In a heartbeat, I was pulled back, my back slamming against the cold wall. I looked up, and my blood turned to ice.
Anrio.
His eyes were burning with an intensity that made my breath hitch in my throat. My hands and feet felt numb with a mix of fear and... something else.
"What... what are you doing here?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Without answering, he reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face. His touch was feather-light, sending a shockwave of electricity straight to my soul.
"Didn't you like the kiss earlier?" he murmured, his voice a low, dangerous vibration.
"Anrio, stop it," I gasped, trying to push him away. "Leave me alone. Just go!"
"I didn't come here to leave you alone," he countered, his expression darkening. "Back at the court, that wasn't intentional. But this... this is entirely my choice."
He moved closer, his hand pressing gently against the wall beside my head, trapping me. I tried to wriggle away, but he was immovable.
"You talk too much," he whispered, his thumb grazing my lip, silencing me. "Can't you just be quiet for once?"
I tried to fight him, but my body felt betrayed by my own heart. As his face drew nearer, I could feel the heat radiating from him. My pulse was thundering in my ears. Just as his lips were about to meet mine, he paused, his gaze boring into my soul.
Then, he did it. He kissed me—softly at first, then with a hunger that made my head spin. I struggled for a second, my mind screaming at me to run, but then I melted. The world around us seemed to vanish, leaving only the taste of him.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor. Reality crashed back into me. I shoved him away with all my might and scrambled up the stairs, not daring to look back.
I reached the top and risked a glance. He was still there, standing in the dim light, a mysterious, satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
My mind was a chaotic storm. What just happened? Why did I let him kiss me?