Over & Back

Chapter 01

2 weeks earlier.

Just after practice, we are currently taking a shower in the school's locker room and talking about gossip again.

"Sky can't really get carried away either, because there are so many things that can be flirted with even his adviser."  Ben said crisply.

I came closer from him while wiping my hair with a towel.  "Tell me about it."  I nodded and sat near him and my two other group mates who were patiently standing in front.

"It's the same with the cheerleaders, they said they saw the naughty Sky leave the room with Mr. Hererra."

"How did you know they did something?"  I asked wonderingly.

"Where did you find a gay man leaving the room at seven o'clock at night?"  He asked.

"The whores are still hugging each other, shameless people. I thought it was a Catholic school? Why did they let those plagues enter." 

We were surprised when Corin suddenly closed his locker loudly.  He showed us a serious face.

"Don't believe the gossip of those cheerleaders, your focus is on how to win this year's provincial game. Don't do useless things that do nothing but accuse someone who knows nothing  ."  He punched the locker before quickly entering the bathroom.

The four of us stared at what we witnessed.

"Wow, I think the Captain is angry."

"They probably had a fight with Mara, she's always hot-headed, that was yesterday."

"Or maybe he's just pre-pressured in the preparation for the provincial game, you know. He's trying to grab that MVP medal this year. Or maybe it's because of what happened earlier, remember he got angry with you because you seem to be drying up in the  game."  I hint to them.

"This is Jessie."  Ben's blame.

"Oh, why do you blame me."

"Who invited me to the party last night?"

"Why, did I force you?"

I screamed in annoyance.  "Shut up! It's your fault. Corin forbade us to drink until the end of the game. You know he was careful because last year you almost broke a bone in an accident caused by your vice.  "

They just kept quiet and separated from each other.  After a few minutes, Corin came out of the bathroom and quickly got dressed.  Our other companions were not there, they had already left the room.

I approached him.  "Don't worry, I've already talked to them. They're just drunk so they're dry during practice."

"It's ok, sorry for whooping out. I just feel really bad, I need a rest."  He took his duffel bag and put the clothes he was going to wash inside.

"Are you leaving?"  We have two more subjects before going home in the afternoon.

"No, I will excuse myself after the math class."  He replied.

I just nodded.  Doesn't he know that today is Ben's birthday, he must be tired.  I'll just tell Ben later that he can't go anymore.

"Let's eat first, my treat."  He nodded then we went to the canteen together.  We still have a few minutes before the first afternoon class.

"So, how are you and Mara doing?"

He lowered the spoon and looked at me.  "We broke up last weekend."  His tone is casual.

"What? I thought you two spent last night together, then where are you then? Your mom said you were at Mara's."  He returned to eating.

He chew gently and respond with a bow.  "I'm with someone else."

What!?  Is this real?  What happened to team Marin?  I thought they were forever.

"With the girl I didn't know?"

"We're just a friend. There's no need to be figgy about it. Unless he became a care-taker in my love life?"

What does it say?

"You're right, that's your love life but I'm your best-friend. Isn't that enough for you to tell me your problem, you're not always like that, the temper."  I says.

I can't help it, he's been around for a while now.  This is the first time he is taking like that in me.  It's like I'm careless in his eyes.  I always wondered before, why is he changing?

"I lost my apatite, I was the first in the room."  He suddenly left the table and never looked back.

The whole class just passed by without us shaking hands, he then left after.

"Oh, why are our faces sour, huh? What's wrong?"  Ben.

He was in my same class in the last subject, if not I would probably go crazy.

While the teacher was not there, I first moved to the chair next to her.  "Oh why?"

"About Corin."

"What about him? You're going to my birthday party, aren't you?"  I can't compare how excited his smile was.

"That's the problem, he won't go. He said he feels bad, he made an excuse earlier to go home early."

"What!, is he still angry about earlier?"

"Maybe so, and then didn't he forbid us to drink. Maybe that's why he won't come."  I don't know how to cover him.

"This is the first time he skipped my birthday. Is he that angry with me? Even my sister expected him to be there. How can I explain that to Mara?"

I patted his shoulder.  "Don't worry, I will find a way for him to go."

Our conversation didn't last long because our teacher who was conceived by his mother in the ampalaya with a big crater has arrived.

"Ok, class. Get one whole sheet of paper and write a 500 words worth of reflection about the movie I tasked you to watch yesterday."  Strongly mentioned by Mrs.  King

I looked at Ben, like me we had no idea what kind of movie we were watching.  It seems like the one I watched last night was different.