Letters of Past Summer Nights (Old Summer Trilogy #2)

22

SEVEN

"Congratulations, Captain!" 

My teammates rushed toward me, cheering and wrapping me in hugs just as I was drinking water. Muntik na kaming matumba sa sahig. I quickly raised the bottle to avoid spilling it. We had just won Nationals, and my final spike had sealed the victory. Everyone was cheering so loud. 

This was my last year in junior high, and winning felt like the perfect send-off before I transferred schools. We had to make it count, and we actually did. I felt so proud, but I didn't show it on my face.

"Seven, ang galing-galing mo!" Some of my female schoolmates approached me and complimented me, but I just nodded and barely acknowledged them.

I'd never been interested in anyone. My entire life revolved around volleyball, and nothing else seemed worth my attention. While Lai and Nat often talked about their "crushes," I always felt like the odd one out. Whenever the topic came up, I'd zone out, my mind filled with thoughts of spikes and serves. 

Sometimes, I even wondered if there was something wrong with me. I knew what attraction looked like because I'd seen it in movies, but I never felt it myself. Even after transferring to Heinrich International School for Senior High, where I met so many new people, none of them sparked any interest in me.

A lot of people already tried.

"Seven, I really like you..."

My hands rested in my pockets as I stood across from the girl in her neat Heinrich uniform, a sharp contrast to my sweaty sports attire. She had asked to meet me during my training break, so I was still wearing my volleyball jersey, athletic shorts, and elbow and knee supports.

I didn't know what to say. I was not like Lyonelle, who already had a script memorized in his head. I felt bad looking at her shaking hands as she handed me a paper bag with chocolates. 

"Uh... Thanks." Inabot ko na lang iyong paper bag mula sa kamay niya. What will I do with this? Should I just give it to Nat? I was trying to avoid sweets. 

"I'm not asking you to date me! I... I'm just wondering if you could give me a chance..." Hindi na siya makatingin sa akin.

I kept my eyes on her, silently wondering what expression I was wearing. Did I look bored? I hoped not. I didn't want to come across as disrespectful. The truth was, I simply didn't know how to react, even though I'd been in this situation more times than I could count.

Fine. I'll just use Lai's words. 

"Sorry, I want to focus on my competition," I told her in the softest tone possible. 

She told me it was okay and then ran away, covering her face in embarrassment. I was left there with the paper bag in my hand. I sighed and walked back to the volleyball court, putting the paper bag inside my duffel bag. 

"Seven!" I looked at Nat who was running toward me after my training. Kakatapos lang namin at mukhang tapos na rin siya sa training niya sa debate. "Uwi ka na? Kain tayo!"

"I have to eat dinner with my family," tanggi ko kaagad. I reached into my bag for the chocolates, but then I hesitated, thinking about Nat's debate partner, Yori. He might get the wrong idea and feel jealous, so I decided against giving her the chocolates. The last time I saw him at their restaurant, when I went there with Nat, he seemed wary of me, his eyes following me the entire time. We hadn't even been introduced yet. 

When I got home, I dropped my bag in my room and headed to the living room to tidy up the coffee table. Tinabi ko sa kanya-kanyang lagayan ang mga gamit doon. Afterward, I went to the kitchen to return the dry dishes to the cabinet and neatly arrange the utensils in the drawer.