valdez/lazaro

slow burn (part 1)

a little something i wrote bc why not.

you wonder when you got this famous.

you wonder when it got this, this overwhelming.

you look around the arena and all eyes are on you. the screams, the yells, the cheers. You take it all in; try to absorb it before you break under the small amount of anxiety that was threatening to take over.

alyssa had just scored the winning point on your championship game versus la salle and the whole arena shakes with the screams of the ateneo crowd. ella takes the time to hug you quickly before moving on to your other team mates while you are left frozen, staring blankly at the bleachers, trying to remember what you've done to deserve all these people and their praises.

they're not really cheering for you, not entirely; they were here for alyssa, for the girl who carried the name of ateneo on her shoulders. the girl who was the only reason you got to the championship in the first place.

alyssa glances at you, just briefly; quick enough to flash you a smile and a thumbs up. it was almost funny how small that gesture seemed in their current situation. it was like alyssa had just won a game of street volleyball and not the UAAP volleyball league.

you smile and flash her a thumbs up back, alyssa's smile burning into your memory as you snap yourself back into reality and celebrate with your friends.

***

alyssa sits next to you on the steps of eliazo as the championship party dies down. she smelled of alcohol and you chuckle because alyssa valdez and drinking is not a combination you are familiar with.

"what's wrong den? may problema ka ba?"

you shake your head and flash alyssa a smile that doesn't reach your eyes. she frowns. she's always been able to read you.

"nothing, just thinking."

"about?" she pushes. if this were any other person, you would be annoyed but it's alyssa and it doesn't feel at all like she's trying to get you to admit something.

"i don't know. i just, i don't like the attention anymore you know? the crowd, they get overwhelming sometimes." it's the first time you ever verbally admit it. alyssa places her hand on your back as she sips on her smirnoff.

"i'm there with you. always. just flash me a sign if you start to feel bad."

you lean your head against her shoulder, wondering what you've done to deserve her friendship.

***

ella barges into your dorm, a little bit tipsy and a little bit too loud.

"hey champ! bat ang bilis mo nawala kanina?" she asks as she lays down with you on the bed and engulfs you in a hug, despite the fact that you were clearly comfortable and watching netflix on your phone.

"tired." is all you say as she continues to hug you tighter.

"not buying it lazaro." she slurs and it takes all of you not to push her off the bed.

*****

you hate tune up games.

they make no sense because one, you're literally playing for no reason and two, you're literally playing for no reason.