My Little Sun

2: My Seatmate is a Pitcher

I woke up late for the first time but, instead of rushing, I literally took my time walking from home to school. Ha. I've never been so lazy before. I'm not even sick.

While walking, someone poked me at my side and as I was trained to counter any pickpockets, my body moved on its own and did a chokehold.

"Sa---sandali---Tree!" 

Ha? Wha---Aelia?!  Agad ko siyang binitawan.

She fell on her knees and cough. "Ha~ grabe yun! Akala ko nasa track and field ka?" 

"Ahh... I was trained in martial arts." She's still coughing. "Anong ginagawa mo dito? Suspended ka di ba?" 

She laughed. "Hahaha. Oo nga eh. At dahil hindi ako makakapasok ng school ngayon, magpapractice nalang ako. May game kasi kami bukas. Teka, manonood ka ba?" 

"Bukas? May pasok pa sa umaga at may training ako sa hapon." 

"Ah...okay lang yun. Sa susunod na laro namin invite ulit kita." 

"Bakit ako? Pwede mo namang yayain yung iba. Busy din naman ako at hindi ako mahilig sa baseball."

Again, I'm expecting her to be sad or a little bit annoyed but she's not. Instead, she pointed her finger at me and smiled. "I'm gonna make your heartthrob!" And she walked away, bringing her bag, which a little bit bigger than her.

What the heck is she talking about?

The next day. After our training, I went home, took a shower, and ate snacks.

I wanted to take a nap but I can't sleep. My body's looking for a run, so I did. I passed by the baseball field and saw  Aelia looking so tired standing on the pitcher's mound. My feet suddenly stopped running. I sat on the grass and decided to watch the game.

I don't know about baseball but base on the scores shown on the board, their opponent is leading with 2 points.

The catcher called for a short time out and went to Aelia. I'm guessing that he's telling her to rest and change the pitcher. She has a smile on her face. One that reflects determination...or maybe just her stubbornness.

So this is the pitcher, Aelia. Ibang-iba siya sa loob ng field.

The catcher went back to his box.

[Play!] 

The batter's confident grin faded when the ball went into the catcher's glove.

[Strike!] 

Aelia pitch again.

[Strike two!] 

In her 3rd pitch, the batter was able to hit the ball but not far enough for a home-run.

Now the scores are tied. 

Another batter came in and his team was cheering for him as if he's their last chance to win the game. Aelia on the other hand was holding her right arm.

Okay lang ba siya? Bakit di na lang nila palitan yung pitcher? Halata namang nahihirapan na siya. These emotions are new to me. I never felt worried and annoyed at the same time.

[Play!] 

She pitched again.

[Strike!] 

[Strike two!] 

[Strike three! Batter out!]

Her team was declared the winner but Aelia was not able to hear it. She fainted on the mound.

That moment, my heart did not throb, it stopped.

The next day, she attended the class with an arm cast.

She can still smile, huh? I thought as I look at her.

The teacher came in and started the lecture. Aelia got her notebook and tried to copy notes with her left hand. She's obviously having a hard time. Ahh~ what the heck.

I got her notebook and wrote her a message. [Don't try so hard. Makinig ka nalang sa lecture, pahihiramin na lang kita ng notes.] 

" Whaaa~ "  She looked at me with her sparkling eyes. Wala bang ni katiting na hiya ang babaeng to? Pinapahalata talagang masaya siya.

Hah. I smiled. Wait---what?!

She passed a small note saying [You're even more handsome when you smile, Tree! Keep it up.] 

I glared at her and crumpled the paper again. 

She just chuckled on her seat.

Tch. What's with her?