Almost Feels Like Always (COMPLETED)

HUDSON (TEN)

I GULPED the Gatorade Blake has handed me. I checked my phone for a text message and saw none. I sighed. Autumn wasn't replying to my texts. I'm feeling a bit sad about it.

"You looked like shit, pare. Are you sure you're playing?"

I glared at Dane. "Fuck off."

He took off his shirt and changed in to our football uniform. "No, seriously. Halatang wala ka sa kondisyon mag-laro."

"Kulang lang sa sex 'yan." Komento naman ni Flynn.

Sabay na natawa si Dane at Blake. "That idiot has been celibate since she and Autumn got close."

I held up my middle finger at Blake. "I had sex last night. Remember the Brazilian bombshell from Valk? Well, I took her home."

Humalakhak si Blake. "Hindi ka lang celibate, sinungaling ka pa! You're such a fucking terrible liar, Ventura. Don't us. Si Collin ang kasama no'n kagabi."

Fine. I've been celibate. So what?

Tinapik ako sa balikat ni Dane. "Dude, listen here..." He sat beside me like a Dad who's about to talk his son out of teenage boy issues. "Being loyal to a person who doesn't even appreciate you is plain stupidity. You've been rejecting all the good stuffs God bestowing upon you because of Autumn, na kung hindi busy sa panloloko 'yung boyfriend niya eh saka ka lang naalala."

I know. Autumn doesn't see me no matter what I do. It's always Reese for her. I know that too well and it hurt like a motherfucker. And hearing it from other people made the pain a hundred times worse. But what can I do? Masaya na ako sa kaunting oras na naibibigay niya. Masaya na ako na mapansin niya kahit sa mga pagtataray lang niya. Masaya na ako na maging second option niya. At least, may lugar pa rin ako sa buhay niya, 'di ba? 

Dammit. I felt so low...but I'm contented.

"C'mon, pare! Hindi pang-friendzone 'yung ganitong itsura natin!" Dane added which the boys approved of.

"Anong zone pala?" I decided to ride with Dane so I wouldn't look too affected.

The moron wriggled his brows. "Kamazone."

"Gago!" Umiiling na natawa ako. "You're such a whore."

"Ano? What do you expect? Girlfriendzone? Hell. No girl is hot enough for us to deserve the girlfriend title."

Binato siya ng bimpo ni Flynn. "Puta, pare. Testosterone overdose ka na."

"You're saying that kasi in love ka na kay Harriet! Well, she's hot enough. Maybe she deserves the title."

"Back the fuck off."

Mabilis na inangat ni Dane ang dalawang palad bilang tanda ng pagsuko. Nailing na lang kami. I checked my phone again. There's still no text from her.

"Dude, don't expect Autumn to come here. Championship rin ngayon nila Reese. She's definitely going there to watch and cheer for him."

Mariin akong napapikit sa sinabi ni Blake. So, that's why. Dinaan ko na lang sa buntong hininga ang naramdaman kong paninikip ng dibdib. Wala talaga. I could part the ocean for her and I'll still come in second. Fuck.

"Tama na 'yan! May tatlong season pa, H. Hindi lang Autumn. Let's go! Magsisimula na ang game!"

Wala akong nagawa kundi ibalik ang phone sa duffel bag at sumunod na sa team ko. I was mental-blocked throughout the game. Hindi ako nakapaglaro ng maayos. We still beat our adversary though. We won the championship title.

The school prepared a party for the varsities and individual campus athletes that compete for this school year's intercollegiate sports competition. Sumaglit lang kami dahil nag-handa rin ang coach namin sa bahay nila at doon namin mas gustong mag-celebrate.