clumsy, small steps and where it would take us

12

Their senior year became too hectic for them. Leading the team for their last UAAP stint in the junior division, the three boys didn't have time to hang out. They were also garnering a lot of attention in the show business world. The three signed a contract with their parents, becoming endorsers of a well-known sports drink in the country.

They first saw each other in a while when they discovered they were taking the same entrance exam date in Ateneo. They decided to go together to the exam site (with Maddie's father taking them there.) and went home together. The boys couldn't help but notice Bea being restless.

"Hey," Thirdy nudged, offering his bag of chips. "Are you okay?"

Fifteen seconds, Thirdy counted. It took Bea 15 seconds before she looked at him, smiled, and nodded. "Just tired," She mumbled.

Noticing that her head kept bobbing, Thirdy gently took Bea's head and laid her on his shoulder. He heard her sigh in relief. "Thank you," She said with a low whisper.

He didn't bother answering. With Bea falling asleep on his shoulder, Thirdy entered the dreamland. He didn't notice Maddie, Isaac, and Anton exchanging glances before closing his eyes.

Thirdy was the last person to get off before Bea. He used the other door to get out of the car because it looked like Bea was too tired to move. Before he could completely get off, Bea pulled his hand back. He turned and saw her looking at him with her tired eyes.

"See you."

Thirdy smiled, caressing her hand with his thumb. He nodded before letting go and getting out of the car.

He didn't have the chance to say goodbye to Maddie as her father drove after he thanked him. His eyes didn't miss Maddie looking down, her shoulders shaking as they passed his house. Thirdy wasn't able to give it a thought when he saw his mom with a broad smile, asking how his exam went. Good, he says. But he saw a worried look on her face. He stood in front of her, a hand on her arms, and asked him why.

Was this what he wanted? He asked himself. He was not sure. All he knew was he wanted to make his dad proud, and if being in Ateneo and becoming a good player was what it took, he would do it. He would do anything for his family. He wanted to tell his mother, but something inside him was holding him back. Something in his insides was screaming that he shouldn't suggest that. Thirdy couldn't think after seeing his father's car stop before their gates.

All his worries vanished when his father got out of the car with a smile, heading toward him. How was the exam? His father asked.

"It was great!" he answered excitedly.

The man nodded, patted his back, and went inside.

Thirdy was already happy with that. At least once, he made his dad smile.

(That night, Thirdy held onto one brochure containing all of that school's programs. His application form was already filled out. He even had the money for the application fee. He carefully placed it on his study table before he went to bed and got some rest.

He would be filing that tomorrow, squeezing it in his free time when his dad won't be home.)

...

Thirdy was pedaling his bicycle, heading home after a long practice with his dad's team. His dad has been training him as the final four matches are near, and their team leads the scoreboards. There were talks that Thirdy was likely to be the tournament's MVP already. His father has been training him vigorously since taking the Ateneo entrance exam. He also took an entrance exam at this other university last week without his father knowing. (His mother was able to sneak him out of the house that early, telling their dad that he and his friends were also practicing. Anton and Isaac were not around their place at that time either.)