Change of Heart

Chapter 37

Erica

 I knew I struck a deal with the devil when I let myself insist that I should see Tristan despite my body clearly telling me that I would rather rest it at home. But I knew that this was a big game for him and I wanted to show him my support.

I could see Dr. Simon’s handsome face grimacing at me in disapproval, but he didn’t need to know where I’ll be and besides, I will try to be really careful.

Before I would leave, I opened my bottle of meds to gobble in a few of beta-blockers for prevention. But they were already empty. I made a mental note to drop by the pharmacy later but first, I must go wish Tristan luck.

I wasn’t able to make it in time for the jump ball. I arrived when there was about four minutes left of the first quarter. There weren’t any available seats anymore, so I stood behind the last seat of the topbox, still getting quite a good view of the game.

Tristan scored wilfully. He was really good at basketball as what everyone hyped him to be. Whenever he received the ball, the whole coliseum would tremble and cheered in excitement. I beamed at him proudly. But there was a slight predicament with his game. Whenever Seth crosses the ball over to their side and calls a play, Tristan had the tendency to move against it and I could sense Seth’s frustration from where I was standing. Tristan kept holding out his hands to Seth, demanding the ball from his hands and when Seth gave in to Tristan and passed to him ball, the game becomes utterly predictable with Tristan going on isolation, almost forgetting that he had four other teammates. One Tristan drive caused a turnover that made the opponent score a sharp three.

I studied Tristan’s opponent, #16 Hortaleza. He was playing forward, but they let him take the ball up to their side. He called the play instead of the point guard. I watched Hortaleza gracefully rotate the ball around his teammates until it landed on an open man’s hands. This was the reason why the Med Team couldn’t blow out a lead even with Tristan scoring immaculately. The Engineering Team always found a way to score. Their advantage is that they’re offense is very versatile and unpredictable. And from the way Tristan is playing, he’ll be gassed before crunch time.

“Pass the ball, ballhog!” I heard one of the audience scream.

I reached for my phone inside my small handbag and texted Tristan. I needed to talk some sense into this guy. He has a coach to do that, but I knew that he listened to me better.

Hi, MVP! Great game, btw! But be careful with #16. He seems deadly. Can I meet you later by your locker at halftime? :D

 

When Tristan was subbed a few minutes before the second quarter ended, I descended towards the basement, heading for the locker rooms. A student marshal who wore a tag with a bold ‘SECURITY’ was manning the entrance towards the basement. He held out a hand to me and shook his head. “Players allowed only.”

“Oh,” was all that I was able to mutter. Before I could come up with an excuse or a lie, which I would be terrible at, Jo appeared behind the marshal and smiled to him. “She’s okay. She’s with me.”

Jo was also wearing a tag with ‘SECURITY’, which allowed her easy access to the restricted basement.

“I thought you couldn’t come.” Jo said.