Less of Me, More of You

Chapter 3

Year 2018, 2nd Year High School

▶️:Daydreamin' - Ariana grande

Why - Bazzi

Jema sighed. She's currently sitting under the tree, reading the history book she borrowed from their library to review what she missed in earlier discussions.

Last year was tough for her. She joined a team with rookie players like her and together, they tested each others' strengths. Some even gave up. They said it was hard to juggle their responsibility as an athlete while maintaining their academic performance. Well, totoo naman.

But for Jema it was a challenge she's always ready to face. Kasi para sa kaniya, laban iyon para sa pangarap niya sa sarili niya at para sa pamilya niya.

Looking back, ang dami rin niyang pagsubok na naranasan. After ng training kasama si Coach Ramil, lumaban muna siya sa isang tournament kasama ang ibang rookie players.

Unfortunately, they lost.

But, they learned.

And here comes the plot twist.

After their loss, just like what Jema expected, they offered her to be part of their team. Coach Ramil encouraged her to say yes, saying it was an opportunity for her to continuously improve. And she ended up saying yes to them. She ended up being part of the six aces' dynasty.

Naalala niya after niya na mag-agree na sumali sa kanila, muntik talaga siyang i-spike-an ni Kyla sa mukha. Pero hindi niya ginawa kasi isa rin siya sa na-recruit at nakuhang rookie player. Both of them said yes but with different reasons.

Kyla wanted more opportunities for her to open. She wanted offers to come in the future so she decided to join them.

While Jema? Well, she had the same reason with her naman. Pero, may iba pang rason.

Si Ella.

Si Ella de Jesus na nalaman niyang third year high school na pala last year at panghuling taon niya na ngayon, silang anim actually. Late niya na nalaman kasi nga ang sabi ni Kyla, second year palang sila.

Sinarado niya ang librong hawak nang bigla na namang sumagi sa utak niya si Ella. Bigla na naman kasing bumilis ang tibok ng puso niya.

She caressed her stomach. It's them again. It's the butterflies bothering her again. Jema thought these butterflies in her stomach is caused by none other than Ella de Jesus.

Jema decided to get up. Ngayong iniisip niya na si Ella, wala na namang pumapasok sa isip niya kundi siya. Kaya naman pinagpagan niya ang pantalong suot dahil nakaupo lang siya sa damuhan. Kinuha niya na ang iba pa niyang gamit at naglakad papunta sa gymnasium kung saan sila magpa-practice.

It's already 12 in the afternoon. Her class ended earlier kaya mas maaga siya kaysa sa iba pa niyang mga kasama sa practice.

After putting her things on the bench, she removed her sweater. Underneath is her favorite jersey with a Galanza printed on its back. She also wore her pads to protect herself from bruises.

While doing all those things, she didn't notice a pair of eyes that had been observing her ever since she entered the gymnasium.

Si Ella.

Ella noticed how Jema seemed so preoccupied that she didn't notice her presence. Pero after knowing her for a year, she observed how Jema always zoned out kapag mag-isa lang siya.

Ella chuckled silently. Nakita niya kasing binaba ni Jema ang mga gamit niya halos sa tabi lang ng mga gamit ni Ella. Pero hindi pa rin niya napapansin na may iba siyang kasama ngayon.