This or That?

ix

Mikha's POV

The shrill beep of my alarm jolted me awake, the harsh light of my phone screen blinding my eyes. I groaned and rolled over, checking the time. 7:30 AM. My heart pounded in my chest. The game was at 9, and we were supposed to leave at 8. Panic surged through me as I scrambled out of bed and threw on the first clothes I could find.

"Fuck! Fuck!" I cursed, readying my things. Mom reminded me last night to prepare na but I didn't listen. 

I raced downstairs, my stomach churning with dread. My team was counting on me, and I was going to let them down. 

"Mommy!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty house. Only to find out they weren't here anymore. 

I opened my phone only to see messages from our Coach and some of my teammates. I also checked Stacey and I's thread but she's probably still asleep. Surprisingly, Aiah has a message 10 minutes ago. 

Aiah: Good luck for today, Captain!  <3

I smiled. Bakit ba ang aga magising ng babaeng ito? I am not complaining, though. Her message is enough for me to get going today. 

"Who messaged? Si Ate o si Girlfriend?"  My friends, Colet and Gwen burst through the door with smiling faces.

"We're late, bakit hindi pa kayo sumabay sa shuttle?" I asked.

"We waited for you, fucker! Mas maangas kasi kotse mo kesa sa shuttle natin eh." Colet simply answered. They were wearing our varsity jacket and an asics sweat pants. Bitbit nilang dalawa ang kanilang mga duffel bags.  

"My car's not here, nasa casa." I replied. Their faces as panicked as mine. "We have to get to the court, no matter what," I declared, my voice firm.

"But how?" Gwen asked, her eyebrows furrowed. "We don't know how to ride a jeepney. Pasundo kaya tayo sa cousin mo?"

"Bro, she's busy making papansin to her beauty queen crush." I replied.