Empty

~Burdened Jared~

Slater's P.O.V.

The Basketball team members are gathered now in the court, this is a court of one of our classmate which also owns a hotel with a basketball and soccer courts. So far almost all of my team members are here except for the oldest person and the assistant team leader Jared.

"Why are you so late man?" I looked at my left and saw our team mates greeting Jared as he was carrying a bag like it's full of stones, other members helped him as they settled the bag on the bench with a loud noise.

"Did you do something to Irene? She was really worried yesterday" I looked at Jared and back at the bag which makes out other team mates confused and concerned.

"Worried about what? Woah, what did you bring inside your bag? It's quite heavy" One of our team mates chatter as I saw some hot packs being pulled out from the bag, Irene must've bought them again knowing that my body is still aching for a while.

"It's not 'quite heavy', it is really heavy!" Jared exagerrated, he should exersice then if it's that 'heavy' for him. Medical supplies are very much almost light as a feather.

"Irene bought all that medical supplies for you don't you know? She even made me carry this just because she thinks you're going to get injured now!" He added, like a mad man searching for danger.

"Wow, I'm impressed. A girl like Irene can definitely be a girlfriend material" I was standing in the middle of the court as I remained silent and questioning myself, is she my girlfriend or am I still courting her?

"You have a great catch Captain, she's quite a charm" She is a charm but if you're in my position, you can't even think about praising her god given beauty and kidness when I'm still troubled by our label.

"Don't talk about my sister like that" Jared glared at our classmate who immediately apologized. He stride steps towards me as he held my collar.

"Tell me right now, are you her boyfriend now?"

"Who knows?" I raised my shoulder not knowing what to answer him, Jared almost looked like he wanted to punch me with my reaction but I seriously can't tell.

"I'm asking you seriously Slater" He tightened his hold on my collar as out team mates began to get quite alarmed.

"I don't know, I'm not even sure if she's just pranking you right now or is this really real"

"Captain, someone's calling your phone" My classmate gave my phone to me as I walked towards them who is still sitting on the bench, Jared immediately stood up beside me once he hears the mention 'girlfriend'

"An express call from the girlfriend?" Vincent, Jade's boyfriend chuckled as he already prepared himself to practice his shooting. I looked at my phone and saw letters spelling Irene's name as my phone kept on ringing and vibrating on my hand.

"We're still not done talking" Jared uttered as he answered the call, I cleared my throat and placed it against my ear. Jared on the other hand pressed his ear on my phone like a psycopath who wants to eavesdrop on other's calls.

"Slater? Are you busy later?" Irene's sweet voice melted in my ear as I heard a hint of confusion and nervousness in her tone, I could also hear some weird chuckling and laughing sounds which means she's eaither with her sisters or friends.

"Busy later? Well, I don't have anything to do so I think I'm not, why?" Jared pulled away as I sat on the very end of the bench and motioned him to wait so I can hear Irene better.

"Can we both meet up? I need to tell you something and it's something kinda crazy" Irene doesn't sound like a person who will suddenly tell that, either something is bothering her or she wants to tell me something she can't tell over the phone.

"Sure, I'll just inform your brother beside me who's also eavesdropping"  Jared looked at me with an 'I will kill you' sign but looked like a lost puppy when Irene and I resumed talking.

"See you later, I'll message you the location" I nod my head with a smile as if Irene could see me, I dropped the call not knowing if I should say 'goodbye' with an awkward tone or say 'see you' which can really make Jared crazy beside me or the word 'L'. I don't even know what's happening now, it seems like I've lost my sanity thinking of this.

"So?" Jared looked at me curriously, sometimes I doubt that he's older than me. He looks young and childish also, I stood up from the bench and walked towards Vincent as I also practiced my shooting skills.

"Do 12 laps, let's talk later" I ordered everyone as Jared shooked his head but followed my order also, while everyone is busy changing positions I remained in one spot and started to think what possible things Irene could tell me.