BEHIND THE CROWD

CHAPTER 6

I was on my way to our school for our early tune-up game which I knew yesterday through chat from coach that our opponent will be the Easton Mary Hill University, they rank 4th last season.

They were good at their floor defense and as I heard, their libero were the best libero last conference. Given that information, it was a good news and bad news for us. It was good because as we do this tune-up game, we can scout them but on the other hand it was also bad as I know that their libero will be our spikers' kryptonite which will reflect on how I distribute the ball.

Beyond those reason this was indeed an important match for us given the fact that they are also our opponent later this night, I don't know what conflict happen because it was supposed to be earlier for the tune-up game to happen but I heard that they pushed to rescheduled it at the same day of the match as requested by the Easton. I was having a huge doubt about this schedule conflict but I respect the decision of both institution.

At last, I arrived at our school and as I was heading to the parking lot. I creased my eyebrows at a commotion.

Ang daming taong nakaabang malapit sa parking lot, they have banners and they are shouting to whom I don't know but I am curious to know. Anong meron?

Dala ko ngayon ang aking sasakyan, di kagaya kahapon. Matapos kong ma-park ang aking kotse sa tabi ay siya ring pagdating ng isang bus. It was huge and it looks expensive, it was color green with the logo of their school, I guess they're also early or I think I am just late.

Bumaba ako sa kotse ko at kaagad na binitbit ang training bag at tumbler ko. I walk with no emotion on my face, madadaanan ko ang mga tumpok ng mga kapwa ko estudyante kaya kahit ayoko man ay wala akong magagawa dahil ito lang ang natatanging daraanan.

Nang papalapit na ako sa pwesto nila ay kaagad silang umingay kaya napataas ang kilay ko at kaagad na nilingon ang likod ko which their noise make sense, lumabas na kasi ang mga sakay ng van. They are wearing their green jersey with their school printed at the front and their name and number at the back.

I made an eye contact on their libero which I think na kanina pa nakatingin sa akin, I just gave her a cold gaze which gains sarcastic smile from her na hindi ko naman pinansin at kaagad na bumaling sa unahan upang makapunta na sa gym.

But to my surprise, ang inaakala kong ang kabilang grupo lang ang pinunta ng mga estudyante dito ay nagkamali ako.

"Hala ka tehhh, si Shanella!!!"

"Ang ganda talaga pre!!!!"

"Akala ko ba Easton inaantay natin?! Parang hinihila niya na ako!!!"

"Pinapamukha niya sa ating balingbing tayo!!!"

"Ito na nga Shanella, hindi na susupport sa iba!"

Sari-saring hiyawan ang narinig ko sa kanila na alam kong tungkol sa akin kaya napailing nalang ako.

I don't give a damn if sumuporta sila sa ibang school dahil nasa kanila naman iyon kung sinong gugustuhin nila, it's their choice to idolize whom they want and it was totally fine for me.

They were loud when I arrive at their position, they keep on greeting me good luck and shouting for my name which I simply replied through a nod.

I was thankful that they are not that hysterical one and they respect my space kaya nakalampas ako sa kanila nang walang sino mang humawak sa akin. I'm glad that students here pay attention to respect and I admire this institution for that.