Terrible Things | Club Series #1

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 — Sick

The spandex, knee pads, long socks, tight pony tail and a jersey, that's all I need to succeed. Whenever I get to swing my arms to smash the white soft ball, or an amazing dig that surprises everyone is something I cannot explain.

The endless training, the sweaty days, the painful muscle cramps, all were worth it. Ava— our team spiker, swing her arms and stretched hand to connect the white ball, and successfully landed it to the other side of the court.

The crowd went roaring as I inhaled a deep breath before shouting and claiming our victory.

"Alright!" sabay naming sigaw. We want to play another game with a strong team from other school, that's why we are all fired up at the last minute, and we won.

Agad akong napalingon sa dalawa kong kaibigan na nasa bench na tutok na tutok sa laro kanina. I waved my hands at them, and they came to me. I hugged them immediately as the banner made of paper crumpled.

"Akala ko talo na naman." Cian exclaimed as we got off from the hug. Nagkibit-balikat ako at mas lalong nagtatalon-talon. The colorful confetti were dropping at the floor, sinasalo ko ang iba sa mga palad ko.

"Lakas ng depensa natin." Niko tapped my head, nakasimangot kong inalis iyon sa ulo at sinapak siya nang kaunti

"Talo ka sa pustahan natin, libre mo 'ko mamaya."

"Oo na.

"Good."

"Calista!" Captain Lea, Ava, and my other teammates went for me.

"Cap!"

"You did a good job there."

"We did a great job, Cap."

I am very happy. For all the loses streak, finally, we got our first win.

"Celebration mamaya. Kina Lev tayo, tutal gustong-gusto niya namang magkalat sa bahay nila."

"Sure, game ako diyan."

Nagpaalam ako sa kanila at kinuha na ang duffel bag ko. I went for the bathroom to change quickly, pagkalabas ko ay naghihintay sila Niko at Cian sa akin. We planned to eat, medyo nagugutom narin ako.

We won at the prelims so we need to give our best to go to the final tournament. That's our goal. We've lost many opportunities, and we don't want to lose another so we trained a lot.

I've been playing this sport since I was a kid, as far as I can remember I started as a regular player when I was in 4th grade. Papa and I used to play together, pero naging abala siya sa business namin hanggang sa hindi na kami muling nakapaglaro.

"Cian!" nabalik ako sa huwisyo. Cian and Niko looked at me with worried eyes.

My brows furrowed. "Okay lang kayo?"

"Okay ka lang ba? Mukhang pagod ka na 'ata? Umuwi nalang kaya tayo para makapagpahinga ka, tapos order nalang tayo ng food." Cian suggested.

Nag-aalala rin ang mukha ni Niko na nasa gilid ko. He's supporting my back with his hands to prevent me from falling.

"Nahihilo ako."

"We really need to go home." sabi ni Niko.

Inalalayan niya ako hanggang makasakay kami ng taxi papuntang bahay.

I fell asleep, siguro sa pagod. Nagising na lang ako sa malambot na kama. May tubig at gamot na nakapatong sa bedside table ko. I checked myself. Nag-aapoy ako sa lagnat. Parang mababasag ang ulo ko sa sakit.