Just friends? Pfft. Yeah, right.

Chapter 6

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Chapter 6

I laughed as Dan cracked a joke. We were seated at the canteen with a few other classmates. We had all finished our classes. A few were discussing where to head for lunch. Some were just lingering, enjoying the little time they had to idle before having to rush off somewhere. Some were pouring over books. Others were giggling and joking around. Like me.

“He couldn’t figure who he was,” Dan said, grinning. He had been telling us of a game he played with his class during free period.

Dee sat beside him, laughing. Dan looked down at us. He was sitting on the table. I was seated on the bench. A few classmates were standing around. Our laughter was attracting attention and i saw some students throwing us curious looks. Chloe and Josh had their arms around each other and laughing privately. Shana flicked her soft hair as she threw her head back to laugh. Feeling my phone vibrate, i took it out.

I’m on the bus back. Dave.

Great! I’ll wait for you. Jo.

I smiled as i placed my phone back into my pocket. It was Friday and Dave was on his way back to school. I was going to wait for him in school and when he arrives, i will greet him at the gate. I could imagine all the things i wanted to tell him. Most were mundane but, he had been always the one i dumped everything on. I smiled to myself and listened to Dan’s funny story.

“Do the face again,” Lisa urged, laughing.

Dan contorted and twisted his face. He was supposed to look shocked. The way he exaggerated it made everyone burst into laughter. He was the joker of the whole cohort. Since secondary 1, Dan knew how to make a whole class laugh. He could even make the whole school laugh. Most of the times, we laughed at him not with him. He was never bothered with the difference.

M y phone vibrated again.

Reaching in 5. Dave.

I tapped Dee’s shoulder and showed her the message. She smiled and nodded. She was also excited for Dave’s return. We wanted to know how the game went. It was not like we did not know. We just wanted to hear the stories from him.

During lunch yesterday, the whole canteen had watched our school team score and win. The whole canteen had jumped with joy. We cheered until our principal had to calm us down. There was a screen in the canteen that showed us the last game, the one that determined the winner. I had held my breath as i watched. The whole school erupted into cheers as the host announced our victory.

Dave had run to his team mates, enveloping them in a hug. They patted each other’s back and rubbed one another heads. They laughed and punched fists into the air. I had thought Dave would be the one scoring the winning goal. But, it was Jeff. I watched him dribble and run, sweat trickling. When he scored, there was an expression of pure happiness and triumph.

A commotion at the gate caught our attention. Running out of the canteen, i watched as the basketball team filed out of the bus. Their faces were bright and happy. The school band welcomed them while the principal shook their hands as they stepped off, one by one, out of the bus. I saw Dave alight with a duffel bag and look around.

I grinned as i watch him scan the crowd. Dee pointed to Dave and started walking towards him. i followed her.

“Dave,” she called, smiling.

He turned to us and a huge grin spread across his face. He walked towards us, big steps covering the distance easily. Dee reached him first and i saw her congratulate him, hands behind her back. She smiled at him as i caught up. Immediately, he dropped his duffel bag when i reached him. Opening his arms, he enveloped me in a hug. I was shocked at his very warm greeting then slowly relaxed and wrapped my arms around him. i was aware that Dee was watching us. Clearly, i was not the only shocked one.