Blue Neighbourhood

Chapter Twelve

Gasoline

Mario woke up just in time Bright left for his morning run. The exam has finally ended and winter break was just three days away. It's Saturday and he would be spending the day practising for the prelims that would start in five days. The wind was getting colder and he already struggled just to get off his bed and started his routine. He couldn't slack off anymore now that this was the last time he would play with his captain. His feet and right hand were healed, thanks to his mother, and was completely ready for the game. His mind wandered back to the unread messages and calls he sent for Jane these past three days. He's thinking of showing up in front of her house or school, but he didn't want to make her uncomfortable. He didn't contact Win either because he might be busy because of his club outing. But he couldn't help to miss a mere sight of Win. He focused himself back to the routine, to dragged his legs further till his chest burned.

He found the apartment empty, a post it on the fridge informed him that Mario needed to go earlier and didn't have time to make breakfast. Bright didn't mind, he could grab something on his way to school. It's seven twenty when he finally reached the bus station, waiting along with other students, mostly from science program. He didn't speak much to his teammates that day during the break, but none of them bother to ask, they simply thought that maybe Bright was tired. It was later when the clock struck five and he finished the evening practice, his teammates saw him initiated conversation with the coach about his healed wound. Bright was likeable, talented but down to earth, and everybody on the team pretty much envied him in a good way. But everybody could also notice how Bright was easily influenced by his mood, how the boy sometimes looked like he's about to burst anytime and maybe that's why they didn't poke Bright with personal matters. Except for the captain of course, who sometimes joked around Bright freely as to tease him about Jane. And it poked Bright's wound deeper because he could only fake a smile to respond it.

"Stay healthy. We need all of the member ready for the game" It's seven thirty by the time he stepped out the shower to find that he's the last person there. He heard someone bid goodbye five minutes ago, probably one of the first year. Mario would be home late and he's thinking of taking out Chinese food tonight. And that's when he didn't see the girl standing there, looking straight at him. It took him one deep breath to realised that she's the very same girl he had been trying to meet. She's beautiful, as always, as she has always been.

"Jane.."

The girl smiled softly, her round eyes creased into crescents. "I decided that I want to meet you" the words were gently spoken but his chest hurt. "Let's get something to eat" she chirped.

It felt like his lips were sealed with silence and he couldn't even think of what to say. It's kind of funny when he's the one that insisted to meet her and yet he has not spoken any words except to mutter a low 'yes'. They were walking side by side among the crowd of Saturday night. She's still wearing her uniform, hair tied into low ponytail. "I'm glad you're still there" she spoke as they shifted to avoid a group of kids passing by. "You always stay late to practice alone"

"Chinese food for the hungry player?" she pointed at the shop across the road. She remembered that he liked to eat meat bun and dumpling after practice. Back then there's a Chinese restaurant near their junior high, and it became a habit that Bright never realized. Bright let her choose the seat, near the window, and she ordered two trays of dumpling and meat buns, also red bean buns for herself.

"You like this seat" she tapped her fingers on the table. Bright stiffened, unsure of what to say. He indeed liked the seat next to the window, not because he liked looking outside, it's because he liked to feel the cold surface of the glass window. He liked to press his calloused palm on the glass as he waited for the food. She once thought the habit was weird, but quickly found it as one of the things that made a Vachirawit Chivaaree different and special.