like real people do

iv

True to his word, Ryan got his grades up. Soccer was his primary motivation, and the season rolling around helped in his academics. He was in a better mood, which made studying much more manageable than when he was rebelling against (what seemed to be) the whole world.

Life went on for their little family of three as Will was again out of the country. That "normal" for them was him halfway across the world was a testament of how absent he was. Sure, the kids longed for their father—although only Valerie was vocal about it—but if it were family and love they needed, there was plenty of that in their community.

Safe to say, they were doing okay.

On the other hand, Aga decided on taking the teaching job for the 3-unit course in the University his friend worked at, which meant Tuesday afternoons were dedicated to driving a few towns over and drilling knowledge into college students' brains. He enjoyed it; thus, he was glad Plainsboro High was willing to adjust to the arrangement.

His schedule was filling up quickly, and coming from his busy life in Chicago, the busyness was something that comforted him. Still, it was different in many ways, and his doubts about moving were quickly replaced with the relief of making the right decision. Because here, it wasn't all work.

True to his initial thoughts, he became a regular in Plató. And no, it wasn't all because of Leanna. His weekly brunches with Ben continued, and given how warm the people of Plainsboro were, it wasn't difficult for him to find people to dine and make conversation with.

The first time he came in and was supposed to eat alone, the local knitting club (aka the elderly women of Plainsboro) made room for him at their table, gushing about how much of a gentleman he was (they'd heard stories). Another day, Ben introduced him to his friends from high school (which meant they were also Leanna's friends from high school). He'd also see Maddie there often, the woman poking fun at him with a small smirk and cryptic teases regarding his feelings for Leanna (nobody but them understood). And, of course, Valerie was there on occasion, too. The little girl would say hi to him before running off to her mom or to some other nook of the restaurant, talking the room off.

Plató was the town's hotspot, and because he frequented the restaurant, it didn't take him long to build meaningful relationships.

Another thing he added on this rapidly filling-up schedule was the attendance to all of Plainsboro High soccer team's home games—even some away games when he was free. And it wasn't just that he watched, but every game, without fail, they sat beside each other (sometimes with Maddie and/or Valerie in the mix, but always, always them).

That was an activity in itself.

They kept a safe distance, and their interactions remained respectful. It was so unassuming that nobody in town—a town that thrived on gossip—gave it a second thought. Leanna enjoyed the company; he wasn't very knowledgeable on soccer (which meant he never mansplained) but was interested enough to listen and learn from her rambles. Their ease in each other's presence was evident, and they'd playfully argue on trivial things. The most prominent one being the argument on football vs. soccer.

"If you say football, that's a different game na," she pouted, her brows furrowing as he couldn't get the point.

"But it makes more sense na football," he teased, knowing full well that she'd be annoyed at his argument. "Think about it, football, foot, you kick the ball with your feet."

"It's not only their feet that they use, though! There are headers, and chest receives nga diba, and even your thighs naman are different from feet," she refuted.

He laughed, "eh yung American football nga the ball is in your arms pa. At least in football—"

"Soccer!" She cute him off.