Dying Embers

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Seven: Tahan na

"Rain, could you grab the medical kits from the clinic? I'm still checking what else we might need," Heather asked as I approached the school van. She's one of the student officers in charge today. I nodded quickly and made my way to the clinic.

Ngayong araw na mismo ang City Meet, and we were heading to North Eastern University, where it would be held. I hadn't heard anything from Chance since... well, I'd almost gotten used to not expecting any messages or calls. Ever since the last time I tried reaching out, there hadn't been a single word from him.

After picking up the medical kits from the clinic, I hurried back to where the van was parked.

"I think we're all set," Heather announced to the rest of the team when I returned. She turned to me as I approached.

"Oh, the medical kits are here. Thanks, Rainy." She took the bags from me. "Justin, can you stash these inside?" she called to him.

"I'm the president, Heather. Shouldn't I be the one giving the orders here, not the other way around?" Justin said, pretending to protest, but he took the kits and placed them safely in the van anyway.

"Shut up, Justin," Heather muttered, but he just chuckled.

"Is NEU far from here?" I asked Heather.

"Nah, it's about a 30-minute drive," she replied.

"An hour if there's traffic," Justin chimed in with a laugh.

"Don't butt into the conversation. Just organize the stuff inside—we're going to be late for the program!" Heather said, clearly annoyed.

"Whew, it's barely 7 AM, and Heather's already fuming like boiling water," Nicko teased from the back.

"Shut up, Nicko."

"Tss."

Nicko draped an arm around my shoulders, teasingly nudging me as he said, "Bakit hindi mo gayahin 'tong si Arce? She's so chill."

I gave him a light jab in the side. "Don't add more fuel to the fire, Nicks."

"Come on, guys, don't team up on her," Justin chimed in with a grin. "Maybe she's just having one of those days... you know, the time of the month?"

"Justin!" Heather exclaimed, her eyes wide with mock disbelief.

Laughter bubbled up among us, cutting through the tension.

Heather was the dedicated secretary of the Student Council, while Justin held the title of president, with Nicko as the vice president.

"Yeah, yeah. 'Wag mo ng sungitan ang president natin. He's been doing his job since yesterday." Tawa ni Nicko kay Heather.

Astang magsasalita ulit si Heather, pero dumating ang isa sa mga head teachers.

"What's going on here? Ready na ba lahat? We're going in five."

"Yes, sir. I've already checked things out. We're good to go." Si Heather ang nagsalita.

The head teacher nodded. Habang sumasakay kami sa school van, hindi ko maiwasan ang kabahan at ma-excite.

Pagdating namin sa NEU, puno na ng tunog ng drums at sigawan ang paligid, mukhang nagsimula na ang program. Tumingin ako sa bintana at kinabahan sa mga makukulay na eksena sa harap ko. Ang mga estudyante at players mula sa iba't ibang schools, lahat naka-suot ng kani-kanilang jerseys, some are cheering.

"Look who's here—the defending champions," Nicko pointed out from inside the car, clearly impressed.

"Whoa. They've got some serious presence," someone agreed.