Traversing with the Infinity (Sun Rays #1)

Chapter 7

We Are by One Ok Rock

Chapter 7

One thing I've learned is that it feels good to be around people. The kind of good where you walk into a hallway and faces light up because they know you. That familiar noise, that easy laughter, it makes me feel like I'm someone hard to forget. I love that. I really do. It's comforting to know I belong somewhere, that I can make people smile just by being me.

But maybe that's all it will ever be. Just friendships. Just connections that don't go too deep.

Because as much as I enjoy being surrounded by people, I've never really believed in love. Not the kind that ruins and not the kind my parents had as they started beautifully and ended in pieces. I saw what love did to them, how it made strangers out of two people who once swore forever. And since then, I promised myself I would never let it happen to me.

Sometimes I wonder if people like me who laugh too loud and care too much are just good at hiding the things they no longer believe in.

Baka nga hanggang dito lang talaga ako, parang isang paro-paro, as if fluttering around everyone, yet never landing long enough to fall.

"HU-MA-NIS-TA! HU-MA-NIS-TA!"

Parang isang kurap ko lang ang mga pangyayari at nagsimula na agad ang Intramurals. Pasok sa try-out sina Jester at Davin na volleyball ang sinalihan. Magka-team pa talaga silang dalawa. Magkakahalo naman ng grade level ang bawat team kaya kahit papaano ay patas ang laban.

We were currently watching at the covered gymnasium. Sa kabilang court ang basketball kaya madaming space sa lugar na 'to. Marami nang estudyante ang nandito, kasama na ako at sina Rhyolite at Jedidah. May hawak pa kaming banner pang-suporta para sa dalawa kong kaibigan na tukmol.

"Ambrocio for back row attack!"

Halos magtatatalon kami nang maka-score sila, hindi ko mapigilang humiyaw-hiyaw. Aba, kahit mahilig manggago ang mga 'yon ay mayroon naman silang ibubuga pagdating sa mga ganitong kompetisyon. Pumuntos na naman ang team nila, halos sunod-sunod na dahil namumuro na si Jester.

"A great save from the libero!" muling komento ng nasa mikropono na ang tinutukoy ay si Davin.

We boasted in cheers and screams when he caught the ball, even from a distance, using his foot to kick it back. He's really fast and quick to react whenever the ball will land at his direction. Gan'yan dapat! Hindi 'yong puro pasaway lang ang ginagawa niya. May use naman ang pagiging malikot niya, 'no.

Tumingin sa gawi namin si Jester at nag-money sign pa siya sa amin. Kumindat pa nga ang loko, akala mo naman ka-appeal-appeal. Pero hindi 'yon para sa akin o kay Jedidah, kay Rhyolite lang.

"Napaka-feeling niya!" singhal ni Rhyolite habang nakahalukipkip kaya tinawanan namin siya.

"Wooh! Ah! Wooh! Ah! Road to Area Meet! Wooh!" sabay-sabay namin na cheer ng iba pang students na sinusuportahan ang team nina Jester at Davin. "ROAD TO AREA MEET!"

Mainit talaga ang labanan dahil competitive ang mga players. They fought tooth and nail, pushing the match to five thrilling sets. Halos mamaos na kami sa kasisigaw nang manalo ang team nila.

As I stepped off the court, I checked the schedule on my phone. 2 PM pa ang badminton. Gusto ko nang manood sa laban! Ang sabi pa naman sa akin ni Jayscen sa akin ay double ang sinalihan niya. Ka-partner niya 'yong isa niyang kaibigan sa classroom nila.

And guess what? The Battle of the Bands is tonight at 7 PM. Medyo kabado ako pero nawawala rin kapag nalilibang akong nanonood. Ready na ang mga tutugtugin namin na kanta. Tatlong banda ang magpeperform mamaya: Kanluran, Caelus, at Alliac.