Unfixed

The first time I met Bark was inside a volleyball court. Her being a captain on the opposing team we were then playing against. I was from a different school and I thought I'd always belong there but one day, my parents happened. And then Bark happened. She lost against us. Magaling siyang maglaro but her team dragged her down. I heard she quitted from the varsity team because of that loss, which was her first. Apparently she made it clear she's not in for losing.

The second time was today, in my Science class with her. I made an impression first before her, and some people reminded me I crossed a line, her line. She was fuming they said. I confirmed when she walked past me while intentionally hitting my shoulder. That was rude. But the drama could wait until 3 strikes. So I let it go.

Then later at lunch, I wrongly sat at her place in the cafeteria. She was mad again. Her eyes could prick me if I had said a word. So, I stood up. Left and sulk at a bench near the cafeteria, where my 3 new found friends rescued me from my miserable first day.

"Eat up Ina, no one's going to bother you na. Let Bark be. She's just territorial." Lian said, pushing my plate nearer me emphasizing my need to eat. Pero nawawalam na akong gana talaga. It's enough to just stare at them. They seem having fun.

"Aciel, just tell her something so she'd forget the first day Bark trauma," Cielo said.

"Oh, sorry. I was rude, masyadong nag space out sa book. Yeah, just try to space a little lalo na pag si Bark. She has a temper, territorial they said but she could be nice naman. But most of the time she's not," he chuckled a bit. I guess he wanted to make his statement a little lighter.

Aciel was the only guy in the group. The trio, I find odd were all wearing glasses and has sulky mood with them. Temperament but subtle. I like the combination so I felt I could try to be friends with them. And I did.

I tried, as much as possible to stay off Bark's radar. Sit 3 tables away from here, walk three paces behind her, and recite after she first did. It wasn't so hard to be the 'big guy' in this whole situation. And I think, she lost interest in my existence after I continued doing this. But I thought wrong.

"Hey congrats on joining the volley team." Aciel approached me noong palabas na ako sa room.

"Oh thanks, kakasali ko lang, you've heard agad."

"Plenty of mouths inside the campus. Especially since most are eyeing at you." He leaned a bit that quietly took me off guard. And whispered, "Bark is shaking," the gave me a boyish chuckle.

"Ano ka ba. Bark doesn't know me na. Plus diba she quitted the team already and I think that's why I was not hesitant to join." He just shrugged and gave off his  grin then patted my head, just because he is tall.

"Yeah, I'd have to go, take care Nanna."

"Bye," I said settling my bag then made a decision to go to bathroom to change for my gym training.

After I did so, my heart skipped a bit when Bark was standing right on my way after I opened the door to my cubicle. She was crossed armed and giving me the bored look.

"You never learn, do you?" I had no idea what she was pertaining about. So I made no effort to answer and just gave her my full eye attention. I didn't want to seem scared, cause truly, I wasn't. I was surprised but not really scared.

"And now you've became mute." Her one side lip rose. " You see, this school's volley team is trash. They were trash only I gave them victories. Then after they lost me for fucking letting me lose to your team. They won gold medals of 0 wins in interschool matches. You can't play this team. You never will."