Rule #3: Changing The Rules

[8]

The night that I confessed to Prince haunted me in my sleep for days.

My mind was occupied the whole time, thinking about it. That last thing he said, really did hurt me. Alam ko namang wala akong pag-asa. Oo, tanggap ko na yon. But he didn't have to hurt me like that. He didn't have to rub it on my face, that he's in love with my best friend!

"Emma!"

I managed to return to my senses quickly before hitting the ball back to the court. Inalog ko ang ulo ko at pinukpok iyon. I inhaled deeply and exhaled, returning myself to the game.

Coach whistled and asked us to gather. Sumabunot ako sa buhok at inalis ang tali non. I caught some guys looking at me from the bleachers. Dinala kase kami ni Coach sa ibang training center kaya may mga lalaki na galing sa ibang school. The other court consists of basketball players.

Ang isa ay kumaway sa akin. I don't know them and I don't plan on knowing them at all. Binalik ko nalang ang atensyon sa huddle, dahil wala ako sa mood ngayon.

"Good job, team! Dahil dyan, early dismissal na kayo ngayon..." ani Coach.

"Thanks, Coach!" hagikgik ni Bea, teammate namin.

Pabalik na sana ako sa bleachers para kunin ang gamit ko nung tapikin ni Coach ang balikat ko. Hinarap ko siya at hinintay ang sasabihin. Bakas sa mukha niya ang pagkadismaya.

"You're graduating, Emma. Maayos ka naman palagi, pero ano nangyari ngayon?" his voice had a hint of disappointment.

I sighed.

"This is nothing, Coach. I'm just thinking of something... my debut is in a few months from now and I'm handling a lot of stuff, since malapit na rin ang graduation."

Tumango si Coach.

"Alright. Just make sure to get your head focused on the game, next week. Last play mo na 'to para sa St. Maria's. I already had you referred to Brierwell, kaya hindi na rin problema ang paglipat mo."

I smiled. "Thank you, Coach! Don't worry. I'll be good, next week!"

Tinapik lang ako ni Coach sa balikat bago naglakad palabas. I went to our bleachers and rested tiredly there. Tinatamad pa ako tumayo, kaya humiga ako. These days, I just can't get myself back to the game. Ang daming gumugulo sa akin.

"Ano sabi ni Coach?" Kiara asked, sipping from her hydroflask.

Tinapunan ko siya ng tingin.

"Nothing. Just something about my sloppiness." I said and grabbed my water jug.

I heard someone scoff. At sino pa nga ba ang gagawa non?

"Akala mo kase kung sino ka magaling. Ayan tuloy, napagalitan ni Coach!" halakhak ni Gersha, kasama ang mga kaibigan niya.

Kiara rolled her eyes. Poppy glared at them. Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin dahil wala ako sa mood. I'll only stress myself. Girls like her don't deserve my attention.

"Oh, saan ka pupunta?" she held my arm to stop me.

Mabilis kong inalis iyon at dire-diretsong lumabas. I hear her calling my name again, but I didn't look back. Baka masampal ko lang siya, kaya hindi na ako nag-abala pa.

Pagod na ako at mabigat pa ang bag kaya tumambay muna sa isang bench. I saw a guy wearing basketball shorts and a white t-shirt, silently eating his ice cream. Napalingon siya nung ilapag ko ang bag ko sa tabi niya. I sat beside him and rested my head on my duffel bag.

My muscles feel sore and my limbs feel weak and numb. Nilabas ko ang cellphone ko para matawagan na si Manong. Gusto ko nalang humiga at matulog. This day was too exhausting.