Aurora Borealis

Chapter 30 - Fall Prey

>> • LAUREN • <<

"G-Give it your best shot, Lauren."

I beamed a smile at him, making him avert his gaze. "Of course, I will. By the way, would you be watching there?"

"Who knows? Maybe yes, or maybe no." he hesitantly replied. "Wait a minute. Why are you concerned more about my presence over your game?"

"Wag kang assuming. Nando'n din yung iba kong manliligaw." saad ko sa kaniya. "I don't mind if-"

Bigla niyang ipinarada ang kaniyang motorsiklo sa parking space at hinatak ako papasok sa arena. Now he's getting too motivated to watch the game.

"I thought you're still not sure about coming-"

"I changed my mind. I'll be here."

"Miss Lauren! Hintay!"

I heard Baldo tutted as he heard that familiar voice.

Tumakbo papalapit sa 'min si Spencer na kabababa lamang sa sasakyan niya. Like me, he's also wearing a uniform jacket. His slingbag is dangling over his shoulder and he's wearing a pair of socks in his slippers.

"You had a game, too?"

Tumango siya. "Too bad that I won't be able to watch your game. Our game takes place at the same time as yours. But that also depends if we'll be able to finish the game earlier. Baka makahabol pa 'ko kung nagkataon."

"That won't happen if our game will finish immediately before yours. I might be able to watch you there otherwise." biro ko.

He let out a chuckle, "You might not enjoy the game if it was finished quickly."

"Yeah."

Baldo's fist is trembling uncontrollably. I can feel it in as it slides unintentionally on mine.

"By the way, Miss Lauren." pahabol pa ni Spencer. "If you'd like, me and the boys will be playing on the baranggay court next week. You should play with us then, knowing that you love baranggay courts."

The exhilaration in me grew stronger upon his invitation. In the past, my father used to have a match with Spencer's dad in a baranggay court. He would casually bring me in as a way of bonding with him. Spencer also joins with his dad that's why we also played some basketball matches, usually one-on-one.

"I also knew that." Baldo chimed in, squinting his eyes. He's not even trying his best to hide his cynic expression.

"Sure. Why not? That would be a good workout."

"Nice. Then it's settled. I'll follow you up with the details soon. For now, I need to go ahead or else the coach will scold me." aniya at nauna nang umalis.

"Your eyes are too sparkly."

Hinarap ko si Baldo na mukhang wala na sa wisyo. "Why not? It's a rare occasion where I'll get to play basketball with others in baranggay courts. I think it's better than having a bunch of kids refuse to play ball with me there because I'm a girl and they think I'm not competent enough."

Playing in baranggay courts may not be that much of a big deal since I got to play in arenas, but being there spells a completely different feeling compared to when I'm here; enjoyment without pressure.