The Days That Count

34. The Day Of Heartache

JORDAN'S POV

Days pass in me trying to study and get back at the top. I even volunteered for a data science webinar professor Gilbert recommended, being genuinely interested in it and trying to improve the C plus I got last time. It's because Heavenly encouraged me that day and I kept remembering her words, how Yvonne or anyone else shouldn't stop me from reaching my goals. It's true. I've always been like that, nonchalant and uncaring when it comes to life's turbulences, always on a direct path to my goals. Something must have smitten me lately making me turn drastically, but I'm getting back on it.

When it comes to Heavenly, we kept seeing each other occasionally at our friends' hangouts or when Aliyah and Baek-Hyun organized to meet at one of our places. It happened four or five times during these past ten days but none of us ever spoke directly to the other about what happened. It's for the best. I mean, when I think of everything going wrong between us, I can't help but wish it doesn't even start, against the fact that I could not stop thinking about the kiss and the feel of her in my arms. As I studied, sometimes I found myself wandering back to that moment. It made me shiver. My whole body responded to the bare thought of her. I kept hitting myself in the head, trying to stop thinking. None of the cold showers helped either. I kept thinking about her like a madman walking down the heating desert, looking for a mere glass of water to survive.

It's mid May already. I get invited to recreational basketball by the guys from my college. I join them every time I can and this day, the weather seemed especially good to play some basketball. The Sun is shining and the sky is clear. Four in the afternoon. It's a warm spring day. The jersey on my chest keeps bouncing as I make a run for the ball, stealing it from the other guy.

"Way to go, Parker!", Isaac, a guy from my computer architecture class yells.

I show him where to position himself as I guard the ball. Everyone takes their ground. I throw the ball to Connor and run in the center. He gives it to Isaac but Isaac is blocked by this tall guy. I raise my arm to signal for him and he gives me the ball, with which I pass the opponent and slam dunk. Everyone cheers and I wipe my sweaty face with the jersey.

Connor jumps on me and wraps an arm around my neck, "You're killing it man! "

"Hey, Parker, " Zed speaks to me, "Good game. By the way, that girl you hang out with is watching you. "

He gestures towards the park bench near the court where Heavenly sits patiently, looking at me. I blink trying to realize if it is reality. She's wearing jeans and a green hoodie. Her hair is tied in a high pony tail. Why does everything look good on her? Wait, does she need something from me?

"Okay. Wait just a second, " I tell them and jog over to her.

Heavenly is holding a small notebook and a pen, writing something down. I stand next to her, "What are you doing?"

"Writing down your weaknesses in case I ever get to compete with you in basketball, " she closes the notebook.

"Let me see, " I take the note. It's your brown notebook made of old paper. I can almost imagine her mom giving it to her since he gets one occasionally at work. Well, used to get. I have one of these she gave me in middle school at home.

I raise a brow at her when I read it, "Has bad hair? Wears a wrinkled jersey? "

"Well, you played really good today... and I had to put something on the list, " she shyly glances away.