"Did I really?"
Rain burst into laughter after Rose told him about what happened. It was 1 day after the accident. Both Rose didn't have a game 2 days straight, but Devon has a game so Rose and Rain are alone in the hospital.
"Why are you laughing? Stupid." Rose rolled his eyes.
"Aw, worried?" Rain winked, "Too bad I didn't win."
"Of course I was worried!" Rose admitted, embarrassed.
"Aww," Rain blew a flying kiss and laughed, "What did she say?" Rain's expression changed.
"I ignored calls from her," Rose said.
"Omg! How bold of you to ignore my mom's calls finding me," Rain gasped, laughing after.
"Not like I wanted to talk to her," Rose said, sighing, "Please stop laughing and rest yourself instead."
"Nah," Rain stuck his tongue out, "Where's Ziel?"
"Ziel? Dalziel? Why are you still finding him?"
"He's gone... right?" Rain asked.
"He is," Rose said, "He hurt you, multiple times, right?"
Rain nodded, "But I'm okay now, shut up. Doesn't your boyfriend have a game today?"
"Yeah... but I need to stay here with you," Rose mumbled.
Rain laughed, "I would love it if you went to Devon's game, but I really don't want to be alone right now. Sorry, Devon."
"It's okay," Rose said, "I'm sure he understands."
"Of course! It's Devon, of course, he does." Rain smiled, "Now tell me honestly."
"What?" Rose looked at Rain.
"Do you like Devon, Rose?" Rain asked, smiling.
Rose's face then flushed, "What are you saying? We're best friends."
"I noticed it from the very beginning. You don't need to deny it anymore." Rain giggled, "I want to smack your head so you can finally make up your mind and stop running away."
"You wouldn't dare," Rose laughed.
"Yeah," Rain smiled, "Stop running away, Rose."
"Mhm, I'll stop. I love Devon, Rain. I really do."
-
"I'm so nervous!" Houda said, tapping his thigh with his fingers.
"Don't be nervous," Aiden patted his back.
"Rain, your shoelace," Kade knelt in front of Rose and tied his shoelace, "Be careful, hm?"
"Yes, Kade." Rose smiled.
Kade blushed, sitting beside Rose, "Do you have any plans tomorrow?"
"Saturday? I... don't think so, why?" Rose looked at him.
"I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go out and eat some breakfast tomorrow?" Kade scratched the back of his head.
"Sure, Kade," Rose smiled.
"Ah! Really?" Kade looked at Rose.
"Of course." Rose smiled again.
"Okay, guys. Let's warm-up!" Thorn shouted.
"Mhm!"
The game against Ridgeville then started, leaving everyone tensed.
-
"We..."
Everyone screamed and cheered once the ball dropped.
"Oh my gosh..."
Everyone was still a shock. No one moved, no one even dared to look around.
"We won!" Houda screamed and everyone was back to their senses. "We actually won!"
"We did..." Arwen looked at Houda.
"Guys! We won!" Aerin screamed, approaching the 7 players in the court, including Rose.
"Rose!" Rose turned to look at Kade, "We won!" Kade smiled and approached Rose, hugging him.
"We won," Rose hugged him back. Everyone eventually joined the hug and cheered.
They won.
Rather than celebrating his win, Rose was searching for Devon. Then he saw him, amongst the crowd, smiling. He was raising a hand, waving at Rose.
"Hold on guys!"
Rose left from the circle of hugs, running to Devon.
"We won, Dev!" Rose hugged him tight once he reached the crowd.
"I'm so proud of you," Devon hugged Rose back.
"You saw that? You saw my set right?" Rose looked at him.
"Mhm, I did. I even got it recorded for Rain to see," Devon smiled widely, "You did amazing."
Rose was struck. He blushed a million pink shades, "T-thank you," He said, slowly separating from the hug.
"Hey, congratulations Rose!" Ice patted Rose's head.
"Thank you, Ice." Rose smiled at him.
"We won yesterday as well. Don't you think we should celebrate?" Ice smiled.
"I'll invite my team," Rose said.
"Sure!"
-
"Yay!" Aerin snapped a picture and everyone cheered.
"Congratulations, Pumas!" They all said in unison.
"No drinking, kids." Their coach said, laughing after. The coaches and teachers who joined were on the other table, while the students who joined were in another one.
"Here, Rose." Kade put meat on Rose's plate, "You should eat more meat."
"Ah...I-"
"Here, Rose. You can have my vegetables." Devon smiled, sliding the bowl of vegetables in front of Rose.
"T-thank you," Rose said to both Kade and Devon, who seemed to have a staring contest.
Rose started eating in the middle of the uncomfortable atmosphere.
"The food is so good!" Den smiled.
"Mhm," Yuwen nodded.
"Thank you for the treat, Ice!" Aerin winked at him.
"Oh well..." Ice laughed.
-
"Bye-bye Rose and Devon!" Ice waved.
Everyone was on their way home, Rose and Devon were on their way home. Supposedly, Rose was supposed to go home early. But he couldn't let the opportunity to celebrate with his friends pass. He even ignored multiple calls and texts his mother sent.
"I'm okay, Dev. I can go home myself." Rose smiled.
"She'll hurt you," Devon said, holding Rose's hand as they walked.
"D-Dev," Rose blushed, feeling the warmth in Devon's hands.
"I'm going with you," Devon said, looking at Rose straight in the eye, "I won't let her hurt you again."
Rose's cheeks heated up more, so he just ended up nodding.
They then reached Rose's home. Rose was sweating cold sweat. He was scared, but at the same time, he felt at ease with Devon with him.
"Mom, I'm home," Rose said, but no one replied.
Rose called her again, and still no response.
Rose checked around the house and she was nowhere to be found. He then checked his phone and looked at the texts.
Roselle: I'm going out for 2 days. I'm not coming home tonight.
Roselle: Are you home?
Roselle: Did you get home?
Roselle: Figure out your food for a few days. I left money on the counter.
Rose breathed in relief, "Phew."
"What's up?" Devon approached him.
"Mom said she's not coming home for 2 days," Rose said, smiling.
"That's good." Devon said, "Do you want to report her, Rose?" Devon asked.
"A-ah... well..." Rose looked down. He could never report his mother.
"It's okay." Devon hugged him, "It's okay." He repeated.
"I... lo-"
He felt the tiredness come over him, leaving him asleep. He failed to say it again.
to be continued...