Aurora Borealis

Chapter 5 - Odds Against Odds II

>> • LAUREN • <<

"Go, boys!"

"Lauren! Lauren! Laurel- ay mali! Ehem! Lauren!"

Napahawak ako sa aking mga tuhod habang hinahabol ang aking hininga. They're starting to make the match like a fouling game.

Napatingin ako sa electronic scoreboard. The score is tallied into 25-19. Habang nagtatagal na hinahayaan ko silang mahawakan ang bola ay lalo lamang silang namimihasa na paulit-ulit akong bigyan ng foul penalty.

"Is it supposed to be your homecourt advantage? What's happening?" nang-aasar na bulong ni Elliot saka ako nilampasan upang kuhanin kay West ang bola.

I took up a huge breath and closed my eyes. After split-second moments of silence I forcefully opened my eyelids.

Right. This is my hunting ground.

No prey shall pass and make it out alive.

"Pass-"

Agad akong yumuko sa ilalim ng naka-unat na braso ni Elliot at maingat na tinapik ang bola palayo sa kaniya. Pumihit ako sa mismong kinatatayuan ko at mula roon ay hinagis ko ang bola patungo sa aking ring.

Everything turned in a slow motion, even my breathing's restrained while my mouth gaped open in awe.

My body moved on it's own even before I got the chance to think.

Silence stormed in by the time the ball went inside the net. It's like the only thing resounding around aside is the solid sound of the ball bouncing as soon as it hit the floor.

No one dared to move as the buzzer rang; sign that the third quarter closes and finally leads up to the final one.

"AAAAHHHHHHHH! THAT'S OUR LAUREN!"

"YEAH, LAUREN! KILL THEM ALL!"

"HEY! THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SPORTY GAME! NOT A MURDER SPREE!"

"SHUT UP, TOHRU! LAUREN! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!"

Agad ding natahimik ang audience nang umalingawngaw sa paligid ang tila ba napakabigat na pagtalbog ng bola.

"We need to get serious, boys. This girl really needs to learn her lesson." may ngiting-asong wika ni Elliot sa kabila ng pag-usbong ng mga ugat sa kaniyang noo.

I decided to ignore his remarks. Ika nga ni Wendy, mainam na makinig, ngunit piliin ang dapat pakinggan.

I looked past them and decided to stare at the ring.

For some reason, my body starts to feel abrupt changes. My palms are dripping with sweat but it's shivering cold. I also tried countless deep breaths but my heart can't stay down and calm. There's nothing to fear but I can feel my knees rattling so bad that I feel like they're gonna collapse at any moment.

I can say this is different from series of my previous nervous breakdowns.

Saktong pagpito ni West ay nagsimula na silang tumakbo.

I know they're gonna be aware that I'll steal the ball since I've done it a lot throughout the game. I need a change of plans.

Before I could formulate a plan, I knew it's too late when I saw #10 jumping on the ring with the ball on his grip.

It's going there.

Is it really too late?

Am I overthinking things?