Chasing Home Plate

#CHP12

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"One more!" she said, I let Aenna take a pictures of us. She often posts our photos each year, celebrating our friendship.

I'm really glad to have her by my side; she's been a wonderful friend.

Yet, the idea of me and Mine being friends makes me feel conflicted. It doesn't sit well with me. It's strange because she's not my type and I initially didn't care about her at all. But suddenly, I found myself drawn to her quirky plans, cheerful voice, approachable personality, and warm presence.

We've become quite close, but she's still difficult to understand for me. She has a lot of eccentric behaviors and lines that catch me off guard. Occasionally, she’ll act out a scene from a movie I haven’t seen, leaving me thoroughly confused.

"Miel, Tita's talking to you." I glanced over to see Ada and Mom at breakfast―a rare occasion for us, as I can count the times we’ve shared a meal on my two hands.

"You've been absentminded, anak. Is something bothering you?"

There is something, but I don't usually share these thoughts with them. Maybe I would with my grandparents. I more comfortable with them.

Now, I miss them more.

"Nothing, Mom. I’m almost done. I'll leave right after this." They looked at me, puzzled, but I wasn’t in the mood for chit-chat. I decided to politely excuse myself.

Ada went with me to campus. She chattered throughout the ride, but I wasn’t really listening. I just hoped she didn’t notice. She'd be greatly offended, I'm not in the mood to woo her at this state of my mind.

"I'll visit the field later. Cheer up, Ami! I hate that look on your face." I nodded. I drove into the parking lot, instinctively scanning for her car, but it wasn't there.

Seriously, Miel?

"Kuya Miel!" Orin called out, approaching me while half-running.

"Why?"

"Elery's coming here with her sister, Finoula, is it?"

I was just thinking about her, and now she's about to show up.

"Why?" I asked, a bit confused.

Orin laughed with a questioning look for my response. "It's all about her sister. She's a sports writer." He said, implying that it was an enough explanation.

That seemed like a good reason. But I didn't understand why I was feeling so anticipatory. Maybe I do understand but I am trying to avoid it to prevent incoming trouble. Because, honestly, this situation is starting to feel overwhelming to me.

"Tama na pagpapabango, Juno! Amoy lupa ka pa rin naman kasi gugulong ka mamaya sa field!" Declan said, as we see Juno spraying a whole bottle of perfume on himself in our dugout. The smell was overpowering, it's hurting our nose.

"Palibhasa sanay kang mabaho." I was only listening to them while changing into my uniform.

"Elery's coming here, though she was always here not until recently. But that doesn’t change the fact that it's not for you!" Everyone agreed with Orin. I felt Juno's intense gaze boring hole at the back of my head.

"Tangina nito, patay na patay kay Elery!" Dante said. "Pero understandable naman, si Elery Torrecampo 'yon e. Kaso pre, rejected ka na 'di ba?"

Juno’s expression was hard to read, emotionless. "I'm taking my chance. Who knows? She might change her mind."

Declan looked disgusted. "Damn. You're hopeless!"

Dante put an arm around Declan's shoulder. "Says the one who begged my boy?" We all laughed, aware of the history.

Juno.

I'm also thinking about him because once I acknowledge these growing feelings, it'll affect both of us and definitely the team. I can't let this situation ruin us. He might seem hostile and unprofessional sometimes to me, but I can sense it’s nothing serious. He’s been a good teammate ever since.

I’ve already addressed this.

I’ve cleared my mind.

I know what I should do.

Well, I guess?

But subconsciously, I expected her to be here for me. Yet here she is, talking with the guy who's head over heels for her, and I find myself feeling annoyed. I’ve never been this way before; a simple conversation shouldn’t make my blood boil.

What am I being petty about?

It’s not like me.

They seemed engrossed in their conversation, not noticing the ball flying toward them.

The motherfucking Juno who was trained to catch a ball was oblivious to his surroundings.

I quickly pulled Mine away from the ball's path. She seemed so unaware of her surroundings too. I think Juno noticed but couldn’t react in time, likely because he was distracted by his crush.

That thought irritated me even more.

"You're too close to the line. Move back a bit." I shot Juno a look, trying to convey my frustration through my eyes.

You idiot.

You could’ve caught that. Do you want to be removed from the roster?

I saw him gulp nervously, looking uneasy. I knew he understood me.

I felt like I was starting to appear different to her, so I decided to keep my distance. I didn’t interact much with her because I needed to solve this puzzle in my mind.

But the same image keeps appearing.

I’ve really messed up.

I was just trying to focus on batting to divert my attention. I liked the increase in my body temperature; it was invigorating. I didn’t want to stop because it would disrupt my concentration.

Then she showed up.

"You're distracting."

The irritation resurfaced without my permission. She’s incredibly stubborn. But it quickly faded when Mine sat beside me and started putting a bandage on my hand. I hadn’t even noticed they were sore until now.

I watched her work, not wanting to make her uncomfortable, but my mind was a mess. My gaze kept returning to her.

She’s so confusing, yet I still want to be involved. I like her randomness.

I don’t know how she does it, but it feels like circumstances are playing into her hands. The tables have turned. It's all in her favor now.

"You're staring too much. It’s okay to admit you’re falling for me," she said with a soft chuckle.

"You're so good at confusing me," I replied.

f l w r s a u s a g e