The pressure is on today. There's a huge game with the top school for the women's interschool summer basketball league. We have the home court, and it's the final game... We lost the previous game because of me... We were down by one, and missed both free throws during the last minute of the game...
*Flashback*
Score:
77 - St. Catherine Academy of Malina
78 - Aneteo de Malina
Time Remaining: 00:53
It was the first time that my dad came to watch the game, and this may be the worst game I've ever played in my entire life... I've always wanted my dad to watch my games. But now that he's here... I'm performing at my worst ever... I just wanted my dad to notice me... But now... He noticed me at my worst possible state.
The enemy team got the rebound and scored a lay up which increased their lead to three with under 42 seconds remaining.
77 - SCAM
80 - AdM
Coach then called a timeout then benched me for the rest of the game. We lost the game.
*end of flashback*
But Now, we're playing home court. My dad is watching and I have to make him proud. I want to stand out and make him proud! But as much as I wanted to, I'm performing even worse than before...
I wanted to cry and vent out my anger. I tried using those emotions to help me throughout the second half of the game but it made things worse. 5 minutes left on the clock and the coach decided to bench me for the rest of the game. I can't blame him. I've been playing poorly throughout the game and only making 3 out of 15 shots.
The score was SCAM(Us) 58 - AdM(opponents) 71
I didn't bother staying at the bench for the whole game. I held back my tears and immediately went to the locker room and cried while I packed my things up. After I cleaned and dried myself up, I changed my upper garment to our P.E. school shirt, which had a royal blue neck and cuffs. After that, I wore my favorite plain white hoodie. I made sure that I didn't leave anything behind, before leaving the gym.
Checklist
✓ used up clothes in a plastic bag inside the backpack
✓ Towel
✓ Wallet
✓ Phone
✓ Basketball 🏀
After reassuring myself that I got all that I needed to bring with me, I left the school gym. On my way out of the St. Cathy sports center, I felt really stressed. So I took out a pack of salted and sweetened wasabi chips out of my backpack, and ate a few chips.
I walked for a bit to find a comfortable place or spot to sit at. I did an Asian squat with my back leaning towards the wall. I felt a huge relief just by eating a few chips of my favorite snack. I suddenly felt bored and uneasy, and so I checked the time on my phone. It was already 2:50PM in the afternoon. I don't really have anything else to do today.
My plans on helping the team win the game, celebrate with the team and with my dad right after(hopefully), after showing off how good I am to my dad were crushed. The whole basketball summer season... Ruined... Because of me...
With all the disappointment I felt, I couldn't help but lower my head and tear up again...
"I don't want to go home yet... I wish I could spend some more time with someone... who I cherish a lot... At least for the whole afternoon...", I said in a sad and low tone, out of frustration.
After I said those words, I began to notice the smell and taste of rain in the air. I quickly stood up, and opened up my bag - to get the umbrella I have inside it. But as I was taking out the umbrella I have, the plastic bag I had in my hand slipped. I panicked for a bit, since littering is a huge offence in our country. I wanted to grab it back as soon as possible... But a huge gush of wind pushed it away from me.
*Gush of wind*
What followed then... were a series of unexpected events... Events of such... That will forever change my life...
The plastic bag that flew away from my hand, was stopped by some guy's face at the sidewalk by the intersection. The plastic bag even held on to his face... I kind of felt bad, but I couldn't help but laugh.
What's even more surprising... Was that the guy did not even bother taking off the plastic bag from his face... Things went from bad to worse for the guy... The sidewalk/road that we were in had a downward slope that connects to the main intersection of the town. That being said... I forgot that I brought my basketball with me. So it was rolling down as soon as I stood and went for the plastic bag.
Unfortunately for the guy, as he took a 180° degree turn to walk away, he timely stepped on my basketball. He fell down face first. I felt so sorry and concerned. Helping him became my first priority. I quickly ran towards him and gently dragged him towards a spot where the rain couldn't touch us.
I immediately removed the plastic bag from his face. And to my surprise... It's... Anthony... Anthony De Guzman... The sense of urgency became far greater than ever before. I immediately shouted for somebody to call 911 for an emergency.
To be continued
YOU ARE READING
My Rom-Com Story Can't Be That Bad... Right?
RomanceThe series follows Anthony Ray De Guzman, a close-minded realist, seeking a normal happy life at school; as much as he wishes to live such a life, fragments of his pasts can't seem to stop to linger on and stir him up to pieces.
