Aurora Borealis

Chapter 20 - Lock Horns

>> • LAUREN • <<

"Quite bold of you to not run away with your tail between your legs."

That was the first thing that greeted me by the time that I came back on the court. It was followed by a flying ball that almost pushed me out of the door because of the enormous force inserted when it's thrown to me.

Nagdahilan pa ako kay Mom na may kailangan akong tapusin sa university at aabutin ako ng dilim. Fortunately, she allowed me to do so.

"What now? Are you just going to stare at me?" asar na tanong ni Captain. Naroroon siya sa isa sa mga bench, nakadekwatro at nakaakbay ang mga braso sa iba pang bakanteng upuan.

Tumayo na siya at hinubad ang suot niyang jacket. Doon ko na nakita ang nakapaloob na kulay basil na jersey; the official jersey of the university.

"By the way, are you willing to make a bet?" nakangising tanong nito sa 'kin.

"What kind of bet?" I questioned. My expression remained stoic as there seems to be something suspicious that's about to happen.

Her eyes rolled upwards as her index finger tapped on her cheek. A vile grin was unzipped on her lips as she walked towards the ring.

"How about this? If you lose, you'll give up your scholarship and will transfer to another university." The gleams in her eyes flashed the brightest as she declared.

"And if I win?"

"You can decide once you've won. That is, if you win."

"I accept —"

"Akala ko ba may gagawin kang school works?"

What I met when I glanced at the door was his questioning stares. His hands were shoved in his pockets as he squirmed upon finding me here at the court.

Nabitiwan ko ang bola at dali-daling lumapit sa kaniya, "Anong ginagawa mo rito? Nagmessage na ako sa 'yo na huwag mo muna akong sunduin 'di ba?"

"Yeah. But I would never know if you came home safely unless I'll see for myself." umiwas siya ng tingin.

"Hey Juliet, are you going to risk or not?" The captain intervened, her feet stomping heavily on the wooden, varnished floor.

I held both of Baldo's shoulders as I tapped it. "I appreciate your concern, but there's something that I need to settle with."

Tinanggal ko ang suot kong jacket at ipinahawak 'yon sa kaniya bago ako tumakbo pabalik sa court. Since he's here, I guess I need to show off.

First, I'll collect as much data that I need—

Wha..

What did just happened?

Siya ang nakakuha ng bola sa jumpball, ngunit hindi siya tumakbo. Nang lingunin ko siya ay naabutan ko itong nakatayo pa rin malapit sa midcourt line ngunit wala na sa kamay niya ang bola.

At that same moment, the echoing gush of the ball as it went through the hoop was heard.

She stuck her tongue out and pulled down her lower right eye socket with her index finger. "Three points."