Selena's POV
"See you later," Stan said after he sent me to my room.
"Thank you, Stanley," I said, beaming at him even if this was the first time I didn't want to spend time with him after class because of our bet that he won.
"I will discuss with you our future plans," he added before he turned his heels and left me standing in front of my classroom.
I watched my best friend's descending figure with a heavy heart; there was a part of me that wished to help him accomplish his scheme, but the other part of me wanted to beg him to stop his plan.
But a bet is a bet; besides, I want to do it for myself; I love his brother, and I want to confess my real feelings to Skyler and find out how he feels for me; it would be a win-win situation for me.
If Skyler had me as his girlfriend, I would tell Stanley everything, and I am sure he would understand why I couldn't break his brother's heart.
I knew Stanley would be shocked at first, but he would surely be happy for me, and he would understand that I was falling in love with his elder brother.
Stan had been dying to know who is my long-time crush and I would always tell him some random boy's
name that would lead him to believe the boy I mentioned didn't exist.
I knew Stan loved and adored Skyler, and he was so proud of him; if only Sky didn't break Dayana's heart, I am sure my best friend still looked up to his brother.
He felt betrayed by Skyler, but Stan didn't show his brother that he hated him; he played the role of an obedient younger brother. Only yesterday, I understood how deep his hatred was towards Sky; after he told me about the conditions of our bet.
"Miss Castroni, aren't you going to attend my class?" I heard our Math teacher's voice behind me, and I realized I had spaced out for a long time.
"I am sorry, Mr. Espino," I responded as I made my way to our classroom.
Our classmates were still talking even though our teacher had arrived, they only fell silent when Mr. Espino announced we would have a long quiz, and I felt worried since I couldn't study my lesson last night because I was busy thinking about Skyler until I fell asleep.
"I know I would find you here," Stan declared as he sat beside me in my favorite spot inside the library. I asked him to lower his voice since I didn't want the librarian to ask us to leave
"Where could I be? You know this is the only place safe for me," I responded by writing in my notebook since I didn't want to say something and catch the librarian's attention. Stanley took the pen from me and wrote his reply next to mine.
"Can we go to the cafeteria? It is time for snacks, and I am starving." I couldn't stop smiling as I read his beautiful penmanship. I nodded, and he helped me put my things back in my bag.
"Everyone is excited for the second game of the finals, but you were at the library busy answering your assignments; you can answer them at home. Do you know the other term for an assignment? It is homework since it is supposed to be done at home." He complained after we got out of the library.
"Do I need to remind you why do I need to do my homework in the library? First, we don't have household staff to do all the chores at home." I replied.
"Secondly, I wasn't born rich that I have the luxury to waste my time with unimportant things like going to the mall," I added, and he chuckled.
"Don't worry, we will not go to the mall after school," he replied.
"You can go with your friends, Stanley. I don't want them to hate me for taking most of your time," I stated.
"I love spending my time with you, Selena, even if most of the time you will reprimand me, but I love it since I don't have a mother to remind me what should be the things I need to do in my life and the don'ts," he replied, and his words melted my heart.
Their mother died when they were still in grade school, I haven't met their mom, but it felt like I had known her since Stanley couldn't stop himself from telling me all about her.
"You really think I am that old to be your mom?" I asked, pretending to be upset with him.
"Come on, I know you were not on the honor list, but you are smart, Selena; I don't need to elaborate on what I meant." He responded, and I fell silent until we reached the cafeteria.
One of the perks of being his best friend is having free meals and snacks. I always wanted to pay for my food, but we would only end up fighting each other if I insisted, so I always let him pay, making his friends tease him that I was his girlfriend.
Stanley would only shrug his shoulders, and I didn't feel awkward since I knew who was in his heart.
He ordered a chicken sandwich for me and a slice of pizza for himself.
"Can we go to the plantation this weekend?" He asked, and my face fell.
"I am sorry, I can't," I responded.
I had to decline since I got so many chores at home, even if visiting their coconut plantation in the south part of Santa Clara was one of my favorites. It was one hour and a half drive from Santa Clara's capital.
They got a beautiful manor at the center of the coconut plantation, and I loved coming with Stanley to the plantation during holidays. I could tell he was the only one interested in the farm. I seldom heard Skyler visit the area since he was more of a city-type guy.
The days passed in a blur, and it was Saturday morning when I heard a loud knocking on the main door of our one-story house; our beautiful home was provided to us by Stanley's father.
"What are you doing here, Stanley?" I asked as I combed my hair with my fingers.
I felt a little conscious since I looked like a mess while he looked so hot and handsome, and I could tell Stanley was fresh from the shower.
"Is that a proper way to greet your best friend?" He asked.
"Good morning, Stan," I replied as I opened the door wide, and he was following behind me, and I could smell his cologne.
"I already asked permission from your dad," he declared, and I ceased walking and turned around to face him, and we almost collided with each other.
"About what?" I asked.
"We are going to the plantation; how could you not remember, Selena?" He asked, and I furrowed my forehead as I looked at him.
"I told you I am not coming with you," I replied, and I could see he was trying to win me by using his charm on me by looking at me with his puppy eyes.
"Please, Selena, I miss the plantation, we can have a picnic at the plains, and we can chase butterflies and dragonflies, and at night we can collect fireflies," he said.
"We are no longer kids, Stanley," I answered, feeling irritated that he came to our house, and now that he had told me about the picnic, I couldn't stop myself from wanting to go with him.
"I know, but I could tell you are dying to come with me and chase those butterflies on the fields," he responded.
"You can bring your books, and we will study together," he said, and I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I am sorry, Stan, it is still a no," I replied, and his face fell.
"It would be a waste of time, and it must be perfect since, for the first time, my brother offered himself to come with us after I told him last night that we would be going to the plantation today." He declared, and my eyes and ears suddenly became active, and I could feel my face blush, and I felt so excited to come with Stanley knowing Skyler would be with us.
"What? No way!" I exclaimed, and he grinned at me.
"I told you, he likes you, Selena; I guess now that he is almost leaving for college, he wanted to have some good memories with you, and I could say this is the best opportunity for us to start our plans before the inter-school league finals would end." He replied.
"I already asked one of the housekeepers to help your sister with the household chores so we can leave early." He added.
I was out of words because I didn't want to insist I didn't want to come because the truth is; I was dying to spend another time with his brother.
I quickly bathed while Stanley had a friendly conversation with my father over coffee. It took me a while to look for a casual dress to wear that would please Skyler.
I knew I was crazy for believing that Skyler liked me, but there was nothing to lose; I needed to look pretty in Sky's eyes.
I get my overnight bag and put on some clothes, underwear, toiletries, and shoes. It was funny that I was trying to look so beautiful for Skyler.
Stan carried my bag to his car, and we climbed into his car after saying goodbye to my father and sister on the front porch, and I felt guilty I told my sister she couldn't come with us.
"Just try to act normal, fake all you can, flirt with him as long as you promise me you will never fall for my brother," Stanley said, and I laughed.
"Come on, don't be hilarious, Stan. I don't find your brother attractive at all." I lied, and his grin widened.
"Good, always remember, you are doing this for me, and I am thankful you are my best friend. We all need to be careful; I know my brother's charm, Selena, don't be fooled by him; now the challenge is officially begun." He said with a wide grin.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw Skyler waiting for us in front of their mansion, and he was only wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt.
His sunglasses were on his head, and I felt horrified when he walked toward the driver's seat of his pickup truck.
"Don't tell me your brother would be driving us?" I asked, and my best friend nodded his head as he pulled over his car near Sky's truck.
"You have to relax, Selena; I will be sitting at the back," he said before he quickly got out of his car.
"Good morning, Selene," Skyler greeted me with a beautiful smile on his handsome face as he looked at me in the eyes.
"Good morning," I replied softly as I held my breath, realizing how can I control my heart from beating so fast, knowing I would be sitting beside Skyler the entire ride.
I am enjoying every moment of it, and I can't stop myself from stealing glances at him as we traverse the road going to the plantation. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach as I realized it would be an exciting day for us.
I couldn't wait to know Skyler more as I tried to set aside Stanley's scheme. I leaned my back on the backrest of my seat with a beautiful smile on my face as I could feel the euphoria of having Sky sitting beside me; he looked hotter as he held the steering wheel of the vehicle as drove in silence with a beautiful smile on his face.