The Brighter Side of Things

Chapter 20

I never thought my reconciliation with Kuya Six would bring us much closer and more open with each other. I just wished I could say the same for me and Lexi. Because we still hadn't talked.

"North," I called in a low voice as I sidled up with him on the way to the gym to see the list of the intramural groupings. "Do you happen to know what team Lexi picked?"

"No. She had been grumpy lately. I don't want to risk talking to her because she might bite my head off," he said matter-of-factly.

I had to laugh at that. My best friend did have a short temper.

"You're still not talking?" he asked and I shook my head as we entered the gym that bustled with activity.

There were four boards on one side and the members of the Athletics Club flocked each one to check which team they had been placed. For the sake of fairness, only those in the Athletics team didn't participate in the draw lots for the upcoming Intramurals. As had always been the practice, the moderator and the assistant moderators distributed the members equally into four teams—Red, Yellow, Blue and Green. This would eliminate any one-sided advantage when it came to sports competitions that would commence come opening day and will continue until the end of school year. Once all students from middle high to senior high had drawn lots, each team would handle recruitment of players to complete their rosters.

"Ate Seven!" Jade met me halfway with a big frown. "We're not teammates."

"I haven't seen the list yet. Which team are you in?" I asked.

"Red," she muttered. "Zero's in Blue." Her eyes glinted when she turned to North. "Switch with me, Kuya."

"What? No way!" he brushed her off and headed to the boards and I tailed him. "We're teammates," North declared with a grin. I followed his line of sight to confirm what he just said. Under the header of 'Yellow', my name was first in the list. Followed by his.

I shook my head realizing there was really no chance of getting away from this obnoxious guy from the Big City. Well, good thing was that didn't find him annoying anymore. I guess I had developed tolerance.

"And it looks like you'll have to talk with my cousin soon," he declared and I frowned, not getting what he meant.

My eyes scanned the rest of the athletes' names and eventually spotted Alexandra Alonzo in the same board. And my heart leapt with joy. After sixth grade, we had never been in the same class. Not even the same team for intramurals. How great would it be that we're playing for the same team this year?

But how should I approach her was a question that boggled me as we were herded into new groupings.

Where I found myself seated beside Lexi. "H-Hey," I greeted her, my face turned to the front pretending to pay attention to what the moderator assigned to us was saying because they were voting on the Yellow Team's Captain. I didn't bother listening knowing that they would choose a male athlete for that.

"Hey," she returned giving me a brief nod.

I wanted to tell her I missed her. I wanted to hug her. I wanted to share with her what happened between me and Kuya Six. But I didn't know how to start the conversation. I realized, it was our first fight too.

"Congratulations, by the way," she faced me then with a genuine smile and I was too surprised to react that she turned to face front again. "With finding another female basketball player."

Still scrambling for words, I only managed to mumble, "Uhm, thanks."

"I would have volunteered to be part of it too, if I didn't sign up for volleyball," she said next.

To this, I smiled remembering that she did use to play basketball first before shifting to volley. "Well, we could always use an extra player during practice. If you're not doing anything in your team, that is."

Lexi turned to me, now with a full smile. "Okay. Tell me when."

"Sure. While we're at it, can I join Yellow Team's volleyball group for the intramurals?"

She laughed. "You know I'd love that." Then, a shadow of doubt passed through her face. "But you don't have to force yourself, Seven. You were right. I've been shoving all-things volleyball down your throat when you clearly didn't want it. I'm sorry."

I reached out to her hand and she clasped it tightly. "And I'm sorry, for hurting you, too. But you were also right, Lexi."

"About what?"

"That I shouldn't be a one-trick pony. I mean, there are a lot of things I could do with my height. I should use that to my advantage, right? So maybe, this time around, you could teach me how to be an effective middle blocker?"

Lexi narrowed her eyes at me, not believing what I just said.

"I kid you not," I reassured her. "L said volleyball taught him how to jump high for the rebound. Maybe I could do the same," I grinned.

"If you say so," she said, accepting my offer. "Practice would be rigorous and you know that."

"I could handle that," I shrugged smugly and we linked our arms together. "I missed you, Lexi."

"I missed you, too, Seven."

We laughed when everyone in our group burst into an applause. When we both faced the moderator, North was there, his jaw set grimly. I had expected this.

He raised his hand, silencing the crowd and the moderator nodded at him to go on with his acceptance speech.

"Do I have a say on who will be Yellow team's muse?" he asked.

I didn't like the sound of that.

"Depends on the decision of the whole Yellow team," the moderator stated because as part of the intramurals tradition, there was also an election for those nominated for the muse. "Why?" she asked, curious, just like the rest of us.

"I'll only accept this Team Captain-ship if the muse is Felicity Ventura."