It's two months into the first semester but it's that time of the school-year, and Jane just made the cut. She's now playing for the Women's basketball team of the Natural Science Division for the school's annual Intramurals and afterwhich, the Inter-school Biology Schools Basketball - Women's Division.
"Congratulations, girl!" Mara, her best friend greeted but with a hint of hesitation.
"Thanks!", Jane answered. "I knew I said I wanted to live a lowkey student life in college but I must admit I can't resist playing ball."
Back in High School, Jane aced everything, from sports, talent, academics and school politics. Now that she's in college, she promised herself that she'll focus on academics because she really wants to become a doctor, plus she has a family to win. Her family has been pushing her to take up nursing instead because they wanted her to follow her cousin to the US, and it's a clear fact that to become a nurse is the easiest ticket. Plus, between a doctor in the Philippines and a nurse in the US, the latter pays better. But Jane, being a visionary and a dreamer, she pushed to take up Human Biology instead as preparatory for Medicine.
Upon hearing the news of her being chosen for the team, she couldn't help but be glad and worried at the same time, worried that she might not be able to juggle them together. College is different from High School. But she thought, if she has done it in the past, I can still do it this time.
"But I heard practice is tomorrow, that's Saturday. That's our NSTP (National Service Training Program) class", Mara added looking worried. Being Jane's best friend, she knew what is at stake.
"I think they know some of us, freshmen, have NSTP class. They'll never schedule the practice at the same time", Jane argued scanning the list tacked on the cork board, trying to find the schedule of the practice to convince herself that she made the right decision. "Besides, NSTP is NSTP. It's not like a Microbiology class nor a Chemistry class".
Women's Basketball Team Practice Schedule - Saturdays, 5 to 9pm
"See, I told you. It won't be a problem."
**********
NSTP class ended a bit early for the freshmen. A small chunk of students are already at the gym. Some are waiting for the cheerdance practice and some for the basketball and volleyball practice.
The Intramurals is one of the most awaited event in the campus. The college has 6 Divisions and each division will be competing against each other in the 3 major events, Basketball, Volleyball and Cheerdance Competition. In order to facilitate fairness, the Student Council scheduled the use of the gym. This first week was given to the Natural Science division where Human Biology belongs to.
Jane and Mara sat at the top of the bleachers. She convinced Mara to accompany her, though the latter never signed up for any of the major events. She just needed company because although she knows how to mingle, Jane tends to shy out at first encounters.
"You're lucky you have a famous best friend like me," Mara boasted. Indeed, she was because unlike Jane, Mara was too much of an extrovert. She easily makes friends even at first meet. Jane responded by just jokingly rolling her eyes.
"Okay, so you're here for practice and nothing else," Mara reminded Jane teasingly but with an older sister tone, while looking at the girls taking their spots for the cheerdance practice. Mara had to remind Jane because there was one more thing which Jane aced, and it was to capture hearts. Back in high school, she gets the best of both worlds, she dated hot and famous guys as well as gorgeous and prominent girls, but it was girls she was more into.
"Oh cut the crap, Mara!" They both laughed as Jane hurriedly went down the bleacher for the basketball practice. "By the way, this practice will take 3 hours, if you want to go somewhere else while waiting, I'll just follow. I promise I'll drive you home in exchange for waiting for me".
"Whatever!" Mara answered waving a hand in the air.
**********
Hey, I'm at the mall. Meet me at the McDonald's entrance when you're done. Jane read a text message from Mara.
Two hours have passed, they just paused for a water break. Jane was lining up along with the others at the fountain. The fountain flowed with cold, thirst-quenching water and her flask needed a refill. She was looking around trying to find a familiar face, and she found Julien, her butch classmate. "Hey, are you playing basketball? Are we in the same team? I didn't see you there," Jane called out.
"Unfortunately, I didn't make it. Turns out they have a height requirement."
"So sorry about that though. What are you doing here anyway?"
"I'm just waiting for my girlfriend. She's practicing cheerdance." Julien replied, pointing to the stage where the cheerdancers are practicing.
Jane's eyes wandered to the stage, scanning. Nothing interesting, she thought. NatSci is a division of nerds anyway. She was reminded of Mara's reminder before she went down for practice.
8 o'clock came quickly. It was already dark outside and the gym operator decided to turn off the lights. The gym was filled with loud complains. The operator went out of his room and announced in a loud voice, "Time is up, kids! All of you go home now!"
Their coach decided to call it a day.
Mara, we're done. I'm coming over. Jane messaged her best friend.
As soon as she finished changing from practice clothes to street clothes, Jane left the gym and passed by the open ground. She saw Julien, still waiting, and cried out to her, "Aren't you going home yet? It's 8pm. School's about to close."
Julien just gave an I-don't-know sign. Jane waved goodbye and continued her pace, heading to the corridor which connects to the gate where she was parked. Her old Toyota Corolla car was parked beside a store. It was already closed, and it was dark because of the roof that was trailing over the side walk pavement.
As soon as she opened the car door, she squinted her eyes to look at the store, and was startled to see two girls, one was crying, while the other one was puffing a cigarette. One was wearing a tank top and skin-tight shorts, while the one with the cigarette was just in a plain white shirt semi-tucked into her jeans. She couldn't see clearly because it was too dark but from what the other was wearing, she knew she was from the cheer dance.
She tried to ignore, because in the first place she dreaded first impressions and first contact, but she couldn't help it. Her concern most especially is that it's dark. So she motioned to the two girls and tried to start a conversation.
Tapping the shoulder of the one holding a cigarette whose back is turned to her, "Hey, I'm sorry to interrupt. Are you both okay? It's kind of dark and this is not a good place to stay." She started with concern in her voice.
The girl with the cigarette gave a quick glance. Jane could see her eyes despite the darkness that surround them, and in front of her were what could be the most mysterious eyes she has ever seen. They were inviting yet stern.
"I'm sorry, what?" The girl responded in an authoritative manner.
"I was just concerned and it's kind of dark."
"Oh, we'll be back inside in a while." The mystery-eyed girl blurted out. Jane could sense the seriousness in her tone, she knew it was not her place but she was concerned.
"Okay. But if you don't mind, I'll keep you company for a while until you get inside. Just pretend I'm not here. I'll be by the car. And you won't even notice that I'm here. I'll leave as soon as you get inside."
"Suit yourself." The girl coldly replied.
Jane went to her car, opened the driver's side again, and slid inside. She was just several feet away from the store. She couldn't hear what they were talking about but she knew the girl crying was in trouble. The girl with the cigarette finally threw the cigarette butt.
She watched as the two girls came out of the dark. The street light finally revealed what was kept in the dark. Jane finally saw how the light touched the mysterious girl's face and emphasized her mysterious eyes. The girl's eyes met hers but of course, the girl could only see her reflection from Jane's side window.
But from Jane's point of view, it looked like they were looking at each other. Her eyes were hypnotizing. The girl, watching her reflection, straightened her shirt. She had silky skin, slender body and really nice curves.
Jane's eyes were following them. She saw Julien by the gate, looking like she's expecting someone. The two girls approached Julien and what Jane saw disturbed her. One of them just slapped Julien out of her wits. She can't identify who but she knew it was a hard blow.
Jane was both confused and shocked, and with that, she sped off. Well, that's not my problem anymore.
While driving to where Mara was, Jane can't help but wonder if Julien was okay. What could she have done? Who were those girls? If they are from the practice, they must be from the same division. But why haven't I seen them before?
Her mind trailed to the girl who met her eyes through the tinted window. Did she see me under these tinted hollow? What if she noticed? But... what's her name?
A few more moments of thoughts and glaring music from her old car stereo, she found the McDonald's entrance and rang Mara's phone. Soon after, Mara came running with several bags in her hand.
"Wow! I didn't know I was that long, you did too much shopping?"
"I need to look good for the Interschool event, dummy! I'm growing bored with the guys at the campus."
They both laughed. Mara has a boyfriend but she loves dressing up for the attention. Jane understood and did not judge her. That's what friends are for after all.
Jane then started her old 2012 Toyota Corolla, and drove home.
On the road, Mara couldn't help but wonder at how her best friend has gone awkwardly silent, so she punched her right arm. "What gives?"
"What?" Jane answered startled.
"You've been silent since you picked me up. What buzz did you get? Spill!"
Jane did not know exactly what's keeping her thoughts trailing. Was it the sight of Julien getting slapped? Or was it how she wondered if the mysterious girl saw her through the window?
"I f*cking saw Julien get slapped!" She decided with a different kind of story.
"What? By whom?" Julien was no friend of theirs, she was merely a classmate. But Mara could remember how condescending Julien was over her friend during their first week of classes. That wasn't the first time they met since they already had their two-day freshmen orientation before the official start of classes.
During the orientation, a lovely senior from Biology course, did the pep-talk and had been obviously focusing her attention on Jane, trying to get her attention. Anyone can tell, she was having a crush on Jane. Turns out, Julien had a crush on the senior too, and she felt intimidated.
So when the official start of classes started, Julien had been sarcastically nice to Jane, complimenting Jane but laughing under it. This time, they both couldn't believe how tables have turned.
Jane tried to control bursting out in laughter because though she felt vindicated by what she saw, she is innately and sincerely kind. She felt a little guilt if she laughed at other's setback. Mara, was not, and as if on cue, she started boisterously laughing. Jane still tried to control her laughter and told Mara to calm down, until she couldn't control it and started laughing herself.
As soon as they both calmed down, "Seriously though, by whom?" Mara continued wiping a tear from her eye which fell involuntarily from too much laughing.
"I don't know who that girl was but from what I observed, I think she is from the cheerdance squad. And yes, before you ask, she's from the same division. We've never seen her before so imagine my surprise. I'm guessing she's her girlfriend because before all that sh*t happened, I was asking her why she was there. I thought she was also playing, but she told me she was there for her girlfriend. So that could've been her. Poor Julien..."
"Well, for the way she treated you since the start of classes, I say, good for her!" Mara laughed and then continued, "I can't wait for Monday!"
I can't wait for Monday too. Jane thought but meaning a different thing. She still can't take her mind off of those eyes that stared in front of her through the window, and she can't understand how it made her feel.