Time's Cruel Twist: A Second Chance Amidst the Ruins

"The date will be three years later from today's date, June 12th at 12 P.M."

A collective gasp filled the air as excitement surged through the group. "So wherever we will be, whatever we will be doing, we'll meet at all costs leaving everything behind?" Seth asked, his voice barely containing his enthusiasm.

"Yes," Amaya replied, her eyes shining with determination.

"Even if we're in the middle of our own marriage?" Fred asked, his voice tinged with excitement.

Amaya laughed softly, "Yes but I don't think any of us would marry that soon."

"Even if we're in the middle of a tournament or at someone's funeral?" Elli asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Yes, even if we're in the middle of something really really important. We'll leave everything and meet at the flora resort. Doesn't matter what conditions we're in, rich, poor, healthy, unhealthy, sad, happy, all matters is meeting each other face to face." Amaya declared, her voice filled with passion. She stretched her hand forward, palm facing up. "Who is in?" she asked, her gaze sweeping across her friends.

Without hesitation, Sophia placed her hand on top of Amaya's, her smile mirroring her friend's enthusiasm. "I'm in."

"Hell yeah." Fred added his hand to the pile, his voice filled with excitement.

"Always say yes for fun!" Elli exclaimed, placing her hand on top of Fred's.

"What is special about the date?" Seth asked, his curiosity piqued.

Amaya blinked her eyes in confusion, a playful smile gracing her lips. "Nothing, just a random date. Three girls, I choose three years later, double of three is six which is June and double of six is twelve. Who cares what date. We'll make a random date our memorable day!"

"At least put some thought into the date, idiot." Seth teased, placing his hand on top of Elli's.

"Everyone is okay with a date, right? We will never change the dates I'm telling you." Amaya warned, her voice filled with mock seriousness before placing her other hand on top of Seth's.

"Yeah, randomness is best!" Everyone shouted in unison, their hands raised high in the air, their laughter mingling with the sound of their voices.

*Ting*

"Here we go, Little Angel! Here we go!"

*Clap clap*

"Dedicated, motivated, we will not be underrated. We will have victory!"

*Clap clap*

"Victory! Victory! We'll have victory!"

*Clap clap*

"Captain! Give me that paper! We need to show our power too! Everyone, be ready!" Somiya shouted, standing from the seat, she took the paper from school captain.

"Dedicated to domination, we're the Mystic football nation!" Somiya and Demi shouted from top of their lungs.

*Clap clap*

"Dedicated to domination, we're the Mystic football nation!"

*Clap clap*

"Glory! Glory! Mystic! Glory!"

*Clap clap*

"When our players hit the ground, the other team is going down!" Little Angel School's students screamed, shaking the stadium with their feets.

"When our players hit the ground, the other team is going down!" As the Little Angel School's students finished their chants, Fred made a first goal.

"Goal!!!" Everyone screamed. Somiya and Demi hugged and screamed with everyone. "Zeya! We'll be in a first row!" Demi shouted, running to first row with Somiya.

"We scored a goal! We're on a roll, we're going to win this game!"

"He's Fred! He's our man! Fred! Fred!"

"Aren't you going to chant?"

*Badum*

The world around me faded into silence as Amaya's whisper reached my ears. Turning my head, I was met with her captivating eyes. Her face was so close to mine that I could feel her warm breath on my lips.

My heart pounded in my chest like a bullet train as I lowered my gaze to her beautiful lips. I could feel my throat growing parched with every passing second. Seeing her swallow while staring at me with those mischievous eyes of hers, I found myself doing the same. What the hell is going on!?

As if she realised I was staring at her beautiful Rosey wet lips which wasn't true, she raised my chin with her cold tip of index finger sending shivers down my spine, her eyes shining with mischief, she smirked and asked, "Can I seat on your lap?"

Huh?

"There aren't any seats available, and you're the only one sitting while others are standing or jumping—"

"Amaya, you can sit on mine." I heard an irritating voice, like nails on a chalkboard, screeching through my ears. It was as if a banshee had been summoned from the depths of hell to torment my very soul. It made me want to rip my own ears off... well her mouth too. "Here..." She picked up her jacket, sat on the seat, and patted her lap.

Clenching my fists and jaw, I fought the urge to rip her hair out. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my boiling blood. Relax, Zeya. Relax. Control your emotions-

"Thank you so much, dear, but it's okay. You can enjoy the game." I heard Amaya's voice, a soft and sweet melody that made me want to punch her cute and not-so-innocent face.

"Hah!" I scoffed rather loudly, to my own surprise. But who cares? If she can call a stranger "dear," then why can't I scoff loudly?

"Zeya?" Amaya called out, her voice dripping with feigned innocence.

"What!?" Amaya flinched and stood up straight in fear. Her heart pounded in her chest as she placed her hand over it and exclaimed, "You scared me!"

I glared at Amaya, my eyes blazing with anger. Better than to engage with her I turned my attention back to the match, my gaze fixed on the players. I could see Amaya whispering something in the ear of the same annoying girl, her lips curled into a smirk. Why is everyone playing so poorly!? I could feel my blood boiling.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the girl give up her seat for Amaya.

"Zeya," she called softly, her voice laced with concern. I remained silent, my heart still pounding in my chest.

"Why are you angry at me?" she whispered into my ear, her breath warm against my skin. My heart skipped a beat as I shrugged my shoulders and tried to distance myself from her. But she closed the gap again, her eyes pleading for an answer.

"Zeya, what happened?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Am I being unreasonable? I lowered my gaze, guilt washing over me.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, my voice barely above a whisper. "I was feeling tired. I shouldn't have shouted at you."

I forced a smile and turned my attention back to the football match. But I could feel her stare burning into me–

"Eek!" I gasped, my eyes widening in shock. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at Amaya, my heart racing a mile a minute. Wait! Wait! Wait! I felt her cold hand slide under my t-shirt, touching my bare skin.

"Amaya!" I exclaimed, grabbing her hand and raising my eyebrows in disbelief.

She smirked playfully and pulled me into her embrace.

"Goal!!"

The whole stadium erupted in a thunderous roar, the students jumping to their feet and shouting as if someone had scored a hat-trick.

"Don't you want to see who made a goal?" Amaya asked, her voice barely a whisper. Her eyes locked with mine, and she gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

My hand rested on her chest, I could feel her heart racing as fast as mine. She was as nervous as I was, but as we stared into each other's eyes, the turmoil in our hearts subsided.

You've torn my heart to shreds, yet it still beats only for you. Why?

Amaya's one hand on my waist, another on my face, she gently rubbed my cheek. Ama, if I tell you about our future, what'll you do?

"Zeya.."

Say Amaya, if you were the one who traveled back in time, would you have let our paths cross?

"If you stare at me like that, I might-" You regretted meeting me, didn't you?

"Z-Zeya, I'm so sorry!" She panicked all of a sudden, her voice trembling.

Why are you apologizing? Why are you worried now?

Oh, I didn't realize tears were streaming down my face.

She cupped my face in her two palms, her eyes filled with guilt and desperation. She wiped my tears away with her thumbs, her touch gentle but hesitant. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart. I didn't know you hated my touch that much. I'm really sorry. Please, don't cry." She murmured in a panic, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ama, it's not that I hate it, but I'm afraid it'll become my habit again.

I turned my face to the side and wiped my tears myself, my hands shaking. I stood up while she still sat on the chair, staring at her hands, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Zeya-"

"Ama!" Sophia shouted, interrupting Amaya. Elli and Sophia made their ways towards us, and I wiped my tears while Amaya stood up from the seat.

"Oh, how fast." Amaya said, her voice slightly hoarse. She still smiled at her friends, but her eyes flickered towards me briefly, a hint of sadness in their depths.

Somiya and Demi also came beside me, confusion on their faces seeing Amaya standing beside me.

"Oh, you guys are also here. Wanna go with us to have a little fun with-" Sophia glared at Elli, making Somiya and Demi confused. As if Elli understood Sophia's gaze, she smiled dismissively. "Ahem! Just joking guys. Ama, let's go to the restroom." Elli hugged Amaya and pulled her away, with Sophia following behind.

Somiya's brow furrowed into a deep frown as she watched Sophia's behaviour. "What is wrong with this girl?" she muttered under her breath. "I seriously despise her with every fibre of my being." Somiya's teeth gritted together, her jaw clenching in anger. I can understand Somiya's intense anger, but I can also understand the underlying reason why they were hesitant to allow us to accompany them. After all, Amaya's friends aren't only popular kids of School but… bullies too.