The Jacket Story [One-Shot]

THOMAS' POV

I've known her since my frosh year. How can I not? DLSU's athletic program is so small. I see her during school events, around the OSD office, at the gym and along the corridors. Normal lang. Hi, hello. Some of my friends told me she had a crush on me during my rookie year. But I've just shrugged it off. I'm sure it doesnt mean anything extra special. If rumors were true, she doesnt even swing my way. I, for one, idolize her. Ibang klaseng work ethic. I believe ganon lang din yung tingin nya.

But we've never really gotten close. Even nung time na she's super close with my teammate, Babes. We just dont hang with the same crowd. We're just.. Too different.

Until..

"Hey. Okay lang ba?" Nagulat ako. She approached me. I just finished practicing some hoops. It was late. 9pm? Classes got cancelled today kasi baha. Plus it's a Friday. I'm not expecting anybody to be here.

"Huh?"

"Tapos ka na ba? Okay lang ba if makigamit ako ng gym?" I just nodded. Shocked parin ako. What is she doing here? At this hour? I saw her walking to the court trying to set up the net. Being the gentleman that I am, I tried helping her.

"Thanks."

"No prob." Then silence. Medyo awkward. Kaming dalawa na nga lang dito, di pa ba kami mag uusap?

"Uhmm.. What are you doing here? Late na ah." She raised her eyebrows in question. Mali ba ung question ko? Did I sound repremanding?

"Practice." Ang short naman nya sumagot. Baka she doesnt like to talk so I kept quiet nalang. Almost finished narin naman ung net. I can leave na in a bit. Nakakahiya.

Then tumawa nalang sya bigla. Subtle lang naman. "Medyo awkward." She said. Hahaha. Ramdam din pala nya.

I laughed too. "Medyo nga."

"Wala kasi magawa sa dorm. Boring. Nakita ko may ilaw pa dito sa 7th kaya naisip ko nalang magpractice saglit." Tapos na ung net! Do I leave na? She started warming up. So I went to the bleachers to start packing up my things.

By the time I was done, she's spiking na.. Trying to target a specific part of the court. I must say she's amazing. Idol talaga. I noticed paubos na ung balls from her rack. Should I help?

What the hell. Might as well. So I started picking up the balls.

"Uy!" She stopped then approached me. "Wag na oy! Nakakahiya! Go lang. Kaya ko na yan."

"No! No! Okay lang. Practice ka lang dyan! I dont mind. Umuulan parin naman sa labas."

"Hay nako. Sige ka. Mapapagod ka dyan." Ay nako, this girl.

"Okay lang. Just go practice." She huffed lang at my answer then continued practicing.  Watching her really amazes me. Grabe. Walang pagod. Spike after spike.

I saw her targeting corners of the court right down the line. Hit after hit it was in. And then suddenly I noticed palakas ng palakas ung hits nya. Like she was getting frustrated. Until BOOM!

"Ow!" I got hit sa back. Masakit ah!

"Ohmygod! Sorry sorry!" She rushed to me. Then started going mother like. "Sorry talaga Thomas! Saan tumama? Sorry talaga!! Masakit ba?"

I laughed at her. "Okay lang! Whoever man yang iniisip mo when you hit that ball, mukhang malaki ang galit mo!"

"Hahaha. Wala naman in particular. Medyo nafufrus..."