Checkmated by the Queen (Athlete Series # 4)

Chapter Seventeen

TW: This chapter talks about rape and harassment.

Chapter Seventeen 

Confession 

I have no place to go. Ayaw kong umuwi o manatili rito sa eskwelahan. Narinig ko ang pagtawag nina Bailey at Hayden ngunit nagdire-diretso na lang ako. Hinahawi ang bawat taong nakaharang sa hallway. 

"Friendship over na ba kayo?"

"Kawawa naman si Andriette."

"Mas kawawa si Savina."

"Sira na yata ang Alpha, kasalanan ni Andriette 'yan," nakayukong dumaraan ako nang may humigit ng aking kamay palayo roon.

"Sage?" Gulat kong tanong nang ibinaba ang hood ng kaniyang suot na jacket.

"Ako nga," ngumiti siya at binigyan ako ng isang bar ng tsokolate.

"Bakit may—"

"Baka magtatanong ka na naman kung anong gagawin mo riyan, siyempre kakainin mo," pagputol niya sa sinasabi ko.

"Bakit mo ako binigyan nito? Para saan?" Kuryosong tanong ko ulit.

"Kailangan pa ba ng malalim na dahilan? Pampagaan lang ng loob mo, nakita ko kasi lahat kanina," I was touched by his kindness. So that's why he pulled me from them, to cheer me up. 

"Gala tayo," ani ko.

"Mamaya pagkatapos ng klase niyo. May pasok ka pa, oh. Sayang ang araw na hindi mo papasukan," tugon niya. Tumingin ako sa aking relo at naaalalang may klase nga pala ako. Dahil siguro sa mabigat na pakiramdam ko'y nawala sa isip ko na may klase pa nga pala ako.

"Sage, salamat," sinserong pagpapasalamat ko. Nginitian niya lamang ako bilang tugon bago ako bumalik sa klasroom. Pagbalik ko ay hindi na ako nagsayang ng oras para makipag-usap. Maski sina Bailey at Hayden ay hinayaan na lang muna ako. Tinapos ko ang buong klase na hindi nakikipag-usap sa kahit na sino. Ni tingnan ang iba ay hindi ko nagawa pa.

"Ri, may practice raw," wika ni Ruby nang makita ako sa hallway.

"Ngayon na?" Tinanguan niya ako at sinabing sumunod na lamang sa klasroom kung saan kami nagsasanay. Hindi ko alam ang numero ni Sage at hindi ko rin siya mahanap kaya nagtungo na lang ako sa pagdarausan ng ensayo namin. I told myself that it's okay not to talk with them, not because I hate them, but because I know that they need time too. 

I sat on the chair beside the door, chairs are in U-style so players play in the middle. I was waiting patiently for my turn to play, but the coach told me to train one of my co-players.

"Nice to meet you," he formally said. In front of me is a guy with big glasses on, maybe a nerd? Or someone that has blurry vision?

"I am not a nerd, if that's… uhm… what you think," he added. Was I mean? 

"Sorry, initial reaction," I said shyly.

"It's okay, I'm Lucho by the way, uhm… need ko pa raw ng enhancement sa paglalaro. That's what coach uhm… said," I noticed him being shy and stuttering. Is he nervous? 

"By any chance uhm… do I intimidate you?" I spoke the last phrase almost in a whisper. He suddenly looked around and began tapping his shoes on the floor. 

"I'll take that as a yes, please take a sit and we'll start your enhancements," inilahad ko ang aking kamay upang makipagkamay at senyasan siya na maupo na.

"If you're playing the black piece, you can use the Benko gambit since it's for the black perspective, only if you're willing to take the risk. You can use Alekhine's defense too, you might win if your opponent makes too many moves for the pawns," I said and made sure to teach him very well.