I was walking outside of our school when I heard the bell rang. Is this really it? I said to myself as I went inside our school. There were lots of girls looking at me as I walked towards my room to meet my class. Hey Dan! I looked around and saw my friend Al smiling and waving. Sup bro! I walked in the direction of his seat. How's your summer? He asked. It was good we did the same thing as last year. I replied. So what are your expectations for this school year? A follow up question came from him. My expectations? Expect the unexpected! I replied with a grin smile and a chuckle. He stopped asking questions and turned me around. Whoah! That's the only word I said when I saw Les walking through the door. Bro? I heard Al's voice as he looked at me and then closed my mouth. The flies might enter in your mouth! He said while laughing. Les is one of my classmates for three years now but I haven't talked to her at all except when we have group projects and I'm in her group. A couple of years ago she was wearing an eyeglass and a brace and a braided hair and I couldn't deny that she really caught my attention since then.
Days had passed and there was a big flood came, big flood of school works! What's worse? We have a partner project in our social studies and Les was my
partner! I don't have a choice now but to talk to her even though it'll be difficult for me. I went to her house to help her in our project. She was explaining things and she might be thinking that I'm so focused but she didn't know I was focused in her angelic face. When suddenly, Hey! She poked me and giggled. Are you listening? She asked. You know what Dan you're a smart guy but you lacked in focus. I know. I answered with a simple grin. We were talking to each other and sharing our own stories and talked about our families. I've never seen your mom, where is she? She interrogated. You really want to know my story huh. I said with a smile. She's working overseas for almost a decade that's why. I added. We didn't notice the time and it was already dark outside as we finished our project. Hope we'll have a good mark! I said. Yeah. Les replied back. Few days later our teacher made an announcement. Please sit beside your partner. Mr. Dawang requested. I was really impressed with your projects especially for these ten partners. As a reward for your hard work and as promised these twenty individuals will be exempted in our next exam. One, two, three, four. I was counting on my mind then eight partners were already called. Two more or nothing. Out of nervousness she didn't notice that she's already holding my hand. Ninth partner was called and still not us. I could really tell that she's tensed because she held my hand so tight. Only one left and without further ado Dan and Les will be exempted to the test. Mr. Dawang said with a smile. She was so glad and unexpectedly she hugged me. My eyes were wide open that time because the girl I like hugged me. Uhhm, Les? I tapped her back because the whole class was looking to us. Oh, sorry! She said. No it's fine, I replied. Congratulations! You may now go back to your seats. As our teacher ended his announcement. My friends teased me that I was blushing that time when Les hugged me, I just laughed at them because I can't deny that. That day was so memorable for me.
One day came and changed everything. I was standing in the hallway with both of my hands are in my pocket when one of our teachers walked towards me. Dance practice starts today, our teacher said. Yes, sir! I heard a cute voice came from my back. I turned around and I saw Les, I didn't notice that she was there because a lot of things are running through my mind. I was so surprised because Les will be in the same club with me. We saw each other in practice but we barely talk due to we have different type of dance that we have to learn. I thought it will be the good chance to be close to her but I was wrong. Why? Because I don't have any guts to approach her and that turned everything around. I was too slow. Someone is already in the place where I should be.
It really sucks to see the girl you like with somebody else! I said strongly to Al as we talked about Les and the guy. It's okay bro! He said. But.. I wasn't able to finish what I was about to say. You know what bro let's just focus on our practice. He added. Al and I represent our school in our respective sports he plays for the basketball team and I play for the volleyball team. The inter schools competition championship is just in the corner so we really need to focus on our game. We were in the middle of our practice when I saw Les go out of our classroom and she probably saw me looking at her because she's also looking at me. She's crying but I don't know why, I wanted to go after her however I can't. Today is the big day, one more game left before the season ends. I was walking to the locker room when I saw Les and the guy talking I want to eavesdrop but I chose not to. You need to focus Dan! I said to myself in front of a mirror in the locker room. I heard the final buzzer it means Al's game is already done. I ran to the court and look for my friend. I saw him holding a trophy which means they won! Congrats bro! I said. Thanks! Do your best bro so we can double celebrate later. He said as he tapped my shoulder. Of course! I replied. It's game time. I listened to some music to loosen myself as our team warms up. Today is the day guys! Let's do our best, this is our house so we show them what we got. Coach motivates us with those kind of words that start us to fire within. The game was so tight. Forcing both team to play beyond our limits. We were down two sets to one and we're in the closing point. The opposing team will serve and our team was up, one more point and we are going to the fifth and final set. The whole gym were so quiet as he served, the ball is up he hits and the ball hits the net! The whole crowd gone wild, what a game to end a season. Fifth set is up fifteen more points in a winner takes all game. I felt nervous and happy at the same time. Nervous because this might be the last time I represent this school in a competition. Why? The only answer that I have is I might leave the country anytime after this school year once my papers are good. Happy because win or lose I am so proud to represent our school, making best memories and having brothers together through ups and downs. Fate was not of our side in the first part of the set, it was very exhausting some of our players are having cramps because we fought so hard. Those type of problems fired up our spirits, mind over matter like what they said. Little by little we're catching up and in the last part of the final set we tied the game thirteen a piece, it was our ball and I was serving. I was very nervous because of the pressure that this game have, the only thing in my mind was to put the ball on the other side of the court. I threw the ball of and hit. The ball was in the air and I can see that the ball is low. It hits the net on our side. I closed my eyes because I thought I committed an error in a crunch time I heard the crowds heavy breathing. I didn't look on what happened after I served. I can't hear anything aside from the whistle. We lost because of me, that was on my mind. When suddenly I felt something, my teammates jumped to me. What happened? I said. It went on the other side Dan! My coach said. I looked around and saw the crowd wild again. Now the pressure is on the other side, they can't commit silly errors now but they did. I served the ball and the ref blew his whistle, they just did a rotation error and it cost a lot. One last serve for my last year? I should make this count. The other team took a time. I saw Les in the stands with his "boyfriend" Drew. I saw that she's sad but I don't know why but who cares I have a game to win. Before I served I saw Les heading out of the gym crying. It pissed me off to be honest but like what I've said I have a game to win so I focus on the game and think about it later. I saw a guy on the other side of the court grinning at me. He might be trying to intimidate me but he won't win this time. I aimed the ball exactly to him. The ball was going exactly to his arms I thought he will receive it clearly but it went out after the ball touches him. We won! We're jumping around in the court celebrating a very memorable game of my life. After the awarding I ran out of the gym to find Les but when I saw her Drew was already there but left after she refused to talk. I was about to talk to her but a large crowd went to me congratulating me and our team I tried to look if she's still there but she left.
