Saudade (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER TWO

The next day at school.

Everything were just the same. I was still an awkward new girl who was on the way toward the biology class. I only had five minutes before it started. Layla told me that the classroom was located on the same level as my homeroom, and I need to jog upstairs and turn right.

Yet, before I could reach the staircase, I heard squeaky noises behind a wooden double-door. I didn't know exactly what room it was, but I was really curious to find out. I carefully opened the door and peek over, then slowly took a step forward, and there, I found a large gymnasium with a group of boy wearing jerseys.

The basketball game was on. I awkwardly stood in the corner to watch the game, until something stole my attention.

Someone amongst them just caught my attention.

It was him.

He ran across the court whilst the opponents made any efforts to block his way. He bounced the ball once and flashed through every single of them. And when he almost reach inside the circle line on the left side of the court, he hopped and threw the ball until it broke through the ring.

That remained everyone to cheer in victory.

"Yeah, nice shot, dude!"

"We did it!"

I grinned, almost squeal in excitement. I have no idea why'd I do that, but watching how joyful they were, made me feel the same.

The coach blew his whistle and commanded the boys to get change. At the moment they moved towards the locker room, I drifted my attention back to him, just to find out that he was staring at me, too.

He smiled, as if he wanted to say 'hi' to me. I was too shy to glance back at him and I would feel my cheeks slightly heated up. Hence, I decided to leave the gymnasium instead of staying there any longer. I wasn't going to say if it was the wrong decision, so that I quickened my pace toward the classroom before the bell ring.

"Where have you been?" asked Layla as I took a seat beside her.

"Gymnasium," I said.

Layla was about to ask what-are-you-doing-in-the-gymnasium, but she immediately changed her sitting position when Mr. Gillbert—the biology teacher—walked in.

***

"I'll get the drinks. You go find a seat."

Layla and I headed over the cafetaria for lunch break. The place is quite crowd of students and gossips flew everywhere. And because all tables in the indoor area were full, I decided to walk outside and find a seat under the sun. There was an empty table near the center of the cafetaria. I was about to step over until a clique of girls walked past me and took the seats.

"You shouldn't try to sit there. Populars only."

I turned my head in surprise. It was Layla, with one of her hands holding a plastic cup of soda, and the other holding her own tray. She handed out the cup to me as I followed her toward a table in the corner.

"They're mean, you know? I'm not saying all of them, but most of them," Layla continued as she took a seat before me. I didn't know what to response, but she looked upset.

I ate my meal as my eyes explored the area. People were enjoying their lunch as laughter filled the atmosphere. Having a bunch of friend might be a great option to spend times in High School. Once I quoted these words from another book I had read; Good friends are hard to find, but easy to loose. And whenever we need them, good friends would be there for us.