FAKING IT (JhoBea)

Game. Set. Matchy Matchy

B E A

This is it. Now or never.

This is our last chance if we still want a shot to get our third championship. No room for mistakes, now.

Fortunately, we bested La Salle in the 5th set. Mostly because of Ate Aly.

Yes! We huddled and exchanged niceties with the players in green.

Jhoana came running to me and engulfed me in a hug.

"Nice game, beh!" She slipped her arms around my waist. "Ganda ng quick mo kanina."

"Tsk. Naman." I shrugged. "Crunch time na eh."

We were suddenly faced with the La Salle players as they headed to the dugout. I saw Kianna talking to her teammate and waved at her to get her attention. I wanted to tease her that we won today and goad her into buying me lunch next week.

"Kianna!" I called.

She didn't hear me so I started walking towards her.

"Huy. San ka pupunta?" Jho asked.

The La Salle players are now passing us. I looked at Kianna and started walking at her direction.

"I'm gonna find Kianna. She owes me lunch on Thursday." I gleefully said.

She suddenly grabbed the hem of my jersey, pushed me, and started running away from the green shirts. I was too surprised to object so I let her push me as I took one last look at Kianna.

"What are you doing?" I asked her incredulously.

Am I imagining this or is she pouting?

"Hanap na kasi tayo." She refused to look at me.

"Jho." I stopped. "What's wrong?"

"Wala."

"Jhoana." I grabbed her hand. "Ano nga."

She sighed and looked down.

"I thought mag la-lunch tayo on Thursday." She said in a small voice.

"Aww. Beh." I smiled widely. "You are too cute."

She smacked my face. And Jhoana has a really hard hit.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Ayoko na nga makipag lunch sa iyo." She stuck out her tongue.

I hugged her and someone took our picture.

Afterwards, she pulled me towards my father's direction.

"Congrats, girls!" My dad hugged Jho.

I just stared at them both in disbelief and amusement. My parents really love my best friend.

"Dugout na tayo, girls!" Ate Amy called.

"We gotta go. See you at home!" I kissed my dad good bye.

. . . .

Hours after the match, we were still at the arena, doing interviews. I like the arena like this; quiet, dark, and empty. It's the exact opposite from its usual state.

Jho and I were doing interviews and I love that she kept holding my hand and playing with it.

"Oh ikaw, ano namang masasabi mo sa performance ko?" Jho jokingly said.

I felt giddy. I love it when she's clingy like this.

"Magaling naman talaga iyan si Jho, idol ko iyan eh." I told the interviewer.