Game Plan (COMPLETE)

04

"Hey." Ven greeted me when he arrived. Oddly, I was still. Though I was quick to regain my composure. I was seated at the ground, putting my cleats on. "Bakit wala ka kahapon?"

Now he's tracking my absences? 

"I had a meeting at school." I answered truthfully. All the class presidents were required to attend in order to finalize some things for the graduation ball. Iyon na lang kasi ang problema because everything about the retreat is already settled–it will happen in a retreat house in Tagaytay.

"Where's Coach?" He asked.

"He's on his way." Galing kasi ako sa school ulit kanina at dito na ako dumeretso.

I saw that he nodded while he was getting his cleats out of his bag. Walang shoe compartment 'yung bag niya, so he uses a plastic zip lock bag. And his bag is a gym bag with a sling on it, while mine is a spacious black backpack.

I blinked then I stood up to get a ball from the equipment bag. I shouldn't be minding what he does and what he has.

I was juggling the ball, extremely focused and trying the around the world, when someone clapped two times. I put the ball down and looked straight. Ven was standing far, but we were facing one another.

I took that as a signal to take four steps back. I did a run up then kicked the ball. It curved but landed in the exact direction to where Ven was standing. He trapped it flawlessly.

He did the same, but I noticed that he only took three steps. When he kicked the ball, it also curved and landed to where I was. I guess we both have accuracy.

We did that back and forth, but once in a while, one of us would have errors. And I believe that is fine.

A whistle made us stop. I didn't even notice that my dad arrived.

We did the usual warm-up, and then it was time for jogging. Nagulat ako nang tumabi ulit sa akin si Ven. I stared at him because of that.

"What?" He asked.

"I thought you told me to remind you not to be my partner." I was trying to conceal the smug look on my face. "Sa jogging." I copied the way he paused and said it the last time, mocking him.

He was pursing his lips, trying not to smile. "I figured that it's great to challenge myself."

I shrugged. Siguraduhin niya lang na hindi siya pupulikatin ngayon.

After the practice, they invited me to go with them to Lotus. It was just near the UPLB gate, but they brought their cars and parked it near Vega. Kahit galing lang kaming training, inakyat namin hanggang sa taas ng building para makarating sa Lotus.

I was the first one to order. Sinadya ko na rin para makaupo ako kaagad. Napagod din ako sa training session today because not only did we do a lot of drills, we also planned and executed some plays.

I think dad is making the wrong decision to let me play with them because that requires me knowing about their game plan, which I could use in the future against them.

I was a little surprised when Ven sat beside me. Wala pang ibang tao sa table namin, there are many vacant seats, yet he sat beside me.

I said that I should stop assuming things, but it's hard not to. I realized that ever since I met this guy.

A few days passed, and it's just a cycle. During mornings, I would go to school to deal with remaining tasks. Around 5 in the afternoon, when we are dismissed, I would go to UPLB to train.

The day before the tournament at Aboitiz Pitch, we only had a light session. Only a few drills, mostly just light workouts. We can't risk being injured the day before the match.