Half A Heart Without You (Down Bad Series #1)

Chapter 6

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Noris

It's been a week since Eloee promised he'd call me, but up until now—wala pa rin! Muntik na akong pumunta sa phone repair shop, thinking my phone might be broken and unable to receive calls or texts. That night, after our conversation, I waited and waited for his call. Kasi sabi siya, tatawag siya. Liar. Now, everything just feels so dull. 

"Noris, watch out!" 

It was too late to dodge—the ball slammed right into my face. 

"Fuck!" I groaned. The pain hit me immediately.  I kept my eyes shut, bent over, clutching my nose. When I felt something wet and sticky, I already knew it was blood. Everyone started crowding around me.

"Get him to the Clinic!" Narinig ko ang boses ni Coach na sumigaw.

"Hala, I'm sorry! Tinawag po kita, pero hindi mo ata narinig. Sorry ulit..."

"No, it’s my fault. Don’t worry," I muttered, keeping my voice steady. It was my fault, anyway. We were practicing for the upcoming inter-department match for sports day, but here I was—useless and distracted. All because of Eloee. I swear, may gayuma 'yung dinala niyang food sa condo ko.

"Coach, ako na po sasama sa clinic!" Leo volunteered. He placed a steadying hand on my shoulder, guiding me out. I kept my head down, pinching the bridge of my nose to stop the bleeding. 

"Sige, mabuti. Balagtas, mag-uusap tayo mamaya!" Coach's voice carried a warning. I was doomed. 

"Yes, Coach. Sorry po," I said meekly. 

"Sama rin po ako, Coach. Ako nakatama e." A voice chimed in—probably the guy who hit me. I didn’t know who he was, but he sounded new. I didn’t bother looking back and just kept walking with Leo, though I could feel the guy trailing behind us. 

"Ahm... Noris," he said, jogging slightly to catch up. "Sorry ulit. I swear, hindi ko sinasadya. Masakit ba?" 

I couldn’t help but laugh softly at his tone—he seemed genuinely worried. 

"Okay lang siya, bro," Leo cut in before I could answer. "Hindi naman 'to ang unang beses na dumugo ilong niya sa laro e." For once, Leo wasn’t running his mouth, and that was a miracle in itself. 

I glanced at the guy—his face looked familiar. He's on the team. I’m just terrible with names. 

"Anong pangalan mo ulit?" I asked, curious. Was it Peter? Patrick?

He looked at me, stunned for a moment, mouth slightly open. Then he quickly composed himself before answering.

"Ah... Patrice po!" masigla niyang sabi, his energy is almost palpable. Wow, hyper ah. He was fair-skinned, his complexion glowing like someone who rarely spent long hours under the sun. His build was lean but toned, sakto lang—hindi payat pero hindi rin kasing-massive ko. Mas malaki ako sa kaniya, both in height and frame, which made him seem even more youthful.

"Okay, Patrice," I stopped walking and turned to face him directly. His youthful energy was almost infectious, but I had to address his concern. "It's not your fault. Wala talaga ako sa sarili kanina. I should be the one saying sorry kasi bilang captain, dapat ako ang pinaka-attentive. So don’t worry." I smiled at him and lightly ruffled his hair, watching as his eyes widened slightly in surprise. The gesture felt natural; I now remembered he was one of the second-years who stood out during tryouts—maligalig. 

"S-salamat po..." mahina niyang sabi, his earlier enthusiasm now replaced with a quiet humility. 

"Wow, iba talaga kutis ng mapuputi 'no, tignan mo si Patrice, pulang-pula," Leo quipped. Can't relate. I've been moreno since birth.