Game Plan (COMPLETE)

21

I didn't even realize how long I had been just sitting there, staring blankly at nothing.

I tried my best not to slam my fists against the steering wheel, but I couldn't loosen the tightening grip I had on it.

Did I just... lose her?

I closed my eyes and leaned my head back against the seat, cursing myself over and over.

Ang tanga.

What have I done?

I lost count of how many deep breaths I took before I finally mustered the strength to drive away from IRRI.

No matter how wide the road was, it didn't matter anymore. I was driving faster than I should—the speed that she always warned me not to do.

What's the point of keeping the promises she asked for when she already walked away?

She left, huh.

The white lines on the road blurred into one long stretch. I couldn't even make out the figures of the buildings and trees I passed by. And these tears... they made it even harder to see.

What happened?

What did I do?

"Huy, itago mo iyan. Si Coach oh." Marcus whispered, and Yago instantly put his e-cigarette in his pockets. "Coach! Mag-start na daw po."

They talked with Coach Quinn, while I disciper this... girl that was standing a few feet away. She's kind of familiar...

Side profile pa lang niya, I can already tell that she's a sight. Side profile pa lang pati ang nakita ko kasi tinalikuran niya kaagad kami. Ayaw niya man lang bang makita kami?

I was already thinking of ways to approach her later... But I didn't expect fate would hand me the chance this fast—when she apparently forgot her shin guards.

This was the Governor's Cup. Mas mahigpit dito ang referees.

"Tsk," Coach Quinn muttered in disappointment.

Kawawa naman, baka mapagalitan pa ng tatay niya.

"I have an extra, Coach," I butted in.

And that was when she finally looked at me.

Side profile pa lang ay ang lakas na ng tama sa akin—paano pa ngayon na nakaharap na siya?

Shin guards lang pala ang katapat ng attention niya eh.

Then she scanned me from head to toe first. Minsan lang ako ma-conscious, pero ngayon... damn.

"Simula kailan ka pa nagkaroon ng extra shin guard?" Yago whispered as we climbed the bleachers.

"Simula ngayon," I replied, extending my hand. "Magpahiram ka, gago."

Of course I didn't have an extra—si Yago lang palagi ang mayroon.

I pulled out my own shin guards from my duffel bag. It had my teammates' signatures and a cross drawn on it for good luck.

I was searching for her again among the crowd when, finally, I found her standing by the sidelines. They were wearing white and black jerseys, accented with red and yellow. Ang ganda, bagay sa kanila.

I walked over. She was busy looking around, maybe searching for someone.

"Hey," I greeted, trying not to sound nervous. "Uh, here."

"Thank you. Ibabalik ko na lang mamaya," she said casually.

'Dapat lang.' Iyan siguro ang magiging sagot ko kung ibang tao ang humiram.