Here's the next chap. [hr] [b]Chapter 26.1[/b] Franz arrived home and saw the gift. Sam had forgotten to bring it with her. He noticed Will’s things on the couch so he immediately hid the gift and kept it in his room. It’s a necklace by the way. “Hey Bro!” Franz called Will. “Can I talk to you?” [i]He’s about to tell me that he’s Sam’s boyfriend now[/i]. Will thought. “Sure, what about?” “About Sam…” Bingo. “You want her to be your girlfriend right?” “Yes…” [i]but I’m nothing compared to you. Drei does not approve of me. You always make her happy. I’ve hurt her a couple of times. I’ve given her pain[/i]. “…but you deserve her.” “You’re…you’re giving up?” [i]Why? After I have accepted defeat…you’ll just give up?[/i] “I had enough already!” Will had raised his voice. “It’s affecting my athletic status…” “But that’s not a reason!” “I said I already had enough of this! You deserve her…you really deserve her.” “I was wrong about you Will.” Franz looked disappointed. “It was so foolish of me to think that you can take care of her…that you can make her happy…I was wrong…it never crossed my mind that you’re the type of person who’d easily give up.” “Why can’t you just be happy? After all, you already have her. Besides, she’s happy when you’re around. Her brother always scolds her when I’m with her. I’m not good enough for her.” “Is that what you really want, huh Will?” Franz had already shown anger. “You love her! And she’s happier when you’re around!” “Don’t make me as an excuse Will…I'll never allow you to use me as a reason for your cowardice.” “I’m going back home. I can’t live with you around anymore…” Will picked up his things on the couch, heading to the front door. “So, you ---“ “Don’t even try to hold me back!” Will looked back. “I hate to admit it…but I can’t stand being your brother anymore…” “Will!” Franz shouted, and got hold of his shoulder. “Just…just take care of her.” Will ran towards the gate, and probably back to his home. Will had given up. Again. Franz doesn’t know how to explain everything to Sam. He felt guilty. It was his idea to make Will compete with him. To show Will that he’ll never give up Sam. Although he still loves her, it is a known fact to him that he can never replace Will in Sam’s heart. * * * It is only a week before the semestral break. Sam was curious why Will hadn’t come to class after the Finals Week. They took examinations at different schedules; she hadn’t bumped into him at school. She was worried; she wanted to see him. “Kuya…is Will still a player of the Lions?” Sam asked his brother one morning. “Yes…why ask?” “I…I’m just…well, nothing.” Sam just smiled at Drei. “There’s something. Tell me why you’re looking for him? Don’t tell me he’s already your boyfriend?” “No kuya! I’m not yet his girlfriend…I was just wondering ---“ “Not yet?? You mean you have plans?” “Well…I…why can’t you just accept him kuya?” “Why? That’s because I don’t trust him. He wanted to be the captain that’s why he wanted to be close to you.” “But…but he told me…” Sam’s chest felt heavy. “He told me he loves me…” “He loves you?” Drei shook his head. “Then how come he’s avoiding you?” “Because you don’t want him!” “Is that what you think the reason is? I would just like to tell you Sam, he already accepted being the captain for next year.” “But that has nothing to do with me!” “Want to know our agreement?” “As if I will believe you.” “I’m not asking you to…anyway, I don’t need to explain things to you.” “Whatever!” Sam stood up and headed to her room. Franz, yes! Franz! He sure knows where Will is! She decided to ask Franz the following day. Franz told Sam everything. He told him the confrontation that happened between them the night that they had dinner at home. “I'll look for a chance to talk to him. Everytime I come to their house, he’s always out. I even tried to look for him at the restaurant. Whenever I see him somewhere, he’ll just run…he’s intentionally avoiding me.” “It seems that we really are never meant for each other.” “But…don’t lose hope Sam. Just…just wait for the right time.” “I have waited for him since the day I felt that he is the one for me.” “I still believe he’s the one for you.” “I’m tired. I’m tired of hoping…I just wanted to be loved. I just want to feel his love for me.” “I’m sorry Sam. I shouldn’t have come up with the idea in the first place.” “It’s okay…don’t put the blame on yourself…it’s his own decision. He chose basketball, instead of me.” “What?” Franz can’t believe what he had heard. “Maybe…maybe he has his own reasons.” “I don’t care anymore…” Sam looked straight into his eyes. “Tell me Franz, don’t you love me anymore?” Sam can’t believe what she had said. It’s as if those words automatically came out of her mouth. Like they were waiting for a perfect time to be said. “I…I still do.” He was about to cry. He breathed deeply. “But I know, and I have already accepted that Will is in your heart.” Then he faked a smile. “Then…can we…” There seemed to be a lot of courage in Sam. “Can we give it a try?” Franz couldn’t believe what he had heard. Is this real? He really can’t tell. He just stood there, petrified. Internalizing what Sam had said. “See if it’ll work out…” Sam’s gaze moved from his eyes, and then looked down. To Franz, Sam sounded uncertain. “Are…are you sure about that Sam?” Sam looked up again. She wanted to tell him straight. To show him that she’s not trying to joke around. “YES.” Franz smiled at Sam and hugged her tight. He can’t believe it. He had given up on her, yet she had given him a chance. She might have loved Will more than him. But he’s glad that he had the chance to be with her. He may not be the most loved person as of this moment, he may not be the one who can occupy a big space in her heart, but he is glad. Glad that the person he loves so much is trying to accept him. “Don’t…don’t expect much though…” “I know…I know Sam. I can wait for the right time, for you to truly love me.”