Drew paused for a moment, but continued walking as I stared at the guy. Anthony.
I smiled at him faintly, and his expression changed from concerned to suspicious.
Luckily, we didn't encounter anyone until we reached the infirmary.
Except for Anthony though. I sighed at the thought.
Drew left me to the nurse but before he went out of the door, he gestured that I call him after. I
just nodded.
~
I limped my day away.
Thanks to the earthquake drill. To Carl. To the rock. And most especially, my clumsiness.
I was closing my locker when my phone rang.
"Hello?"
"Jazz wants to hang out this afternoon. She says she'll come over here now." Jonathan said.
"I can't. I need to rest my sprained ankle," I said apologetically.
"Oh. Where are you now? Need company?" He offered.
"No, no. I'm fine. Wait for Jazz and just tell her what happened."
He thanked me and hung up.
"Hey Drei!" Kris was suddenly beside me.
"Hi Kris," I smiled.
"What happened?" he asked, noticing my bandaged ankle.
"Oh I just tripped over something. But I feel better than I look," I assured him.
Then Kristine suddenly appeared.
"Drei, are you okay?" she asked, concerned.
Again, I told her that I was fine.
"Good. Are you heading home now?"
"Uhh yea."
"Kris, why don't you stay with Drei until she gets fetched?" she said, with that teasing look in her eyes again.
Before I could refuse, Kris said, "Come on Drei. Practice is delayed, so I have time to spare."
Kristine winked at me and said an unusually happy "Bye!" to us.
~
Chapter 13
"Come on Drei! We're late for the game!" Jazz tugged my arm as Jonathan and I fetched her in the parking the following afternoon.
"Okay okay," I called after her, limping.
"Don't you think you should rest that for a while Drei? That might get worse," Jonathan had his arm around my waist as we walked.
"I think I can handle it. I survived class today, didn't I? We're just watching a game, I'm not playing," I chuckled.
"Whatever you say. I'm genie for your wish," he winked, quoting my favorite song.
"I'm genie for you boy," I countered.
~
We were about to enter the crowded gym when my phone rang. Jonathan let go of me as I
answered it.
"Hello?"
"I think I know who wrote the notes, Drei." Drew's voice over the phone was serious.
I was listening intently."Who?"
Silence. "I think I should tell you personally. Where are you?"
"Outside the gym. I'll wait for you here."
"Okay, I'm coming." He hung up.
"Drew?" Jonathan asked.
"Yea. You two better go ahead. Little Jazz here is so giddy," I pinched her nose.
"Ow! I am not!" She denied.
Jonathan rolled his eyes and pulled his cousin inside the gym.
"We'll be on the same spot!" Jonathan called out.
I nodded.
~
Drew arrived in no time. I forgot long his strides were.
"It's Kris's," Drew said as we settled on a corner.
"What? I thought it's just either Anthony or Carl? How did Kris get involved in this secret admirer thingy?"
"That was what I was thinking when I compared the writings."
"I think you should be careful, Drei. Your mom has risked so much just to get you safe after all that's happened. You should be vigilant at all times," he said.
I nodded.
"How did you compare them anyway?"
"I borrowed some of their examinations from other teachers."
"Are you allowed to do that?" I asked, confused.
"Well, I am. As long as they don't know I borrowed them," Drew tried his best not to sound guilty. "And they wouldn't know, right?" he looked at me connivingly.
I just stared at him.
"You mean you would actually divulge our secret---?" Drew stopped when someone suddenly
rounded the corner hurriedly. For the second time this week, Anthony saw Drew and me in an
awkward situation.
I think Anthony heard the last three words of Drew's sentence since he walked away in a rush
without even acknowledging us.
"I think he heard---"
"He's late for the game that's why he didn't talk to us," I said, convincing myself more than Drew.
We were silent for a few moments then I spoke up.
"Are you sure it's Kris's?"
He nodded.
Silence again.
"Have you spoken to Anthony about yesterday?" Drew asked in concern.
I shook my head.
"Then you should."
I stared at him in disbelief. "I thought you liked playing with him?"
"I do. But I still want you to end up with him too."
I was taken aback by what he said.
"Now go win his heart before anybody else does," he pushed me gently.
"Ow!" I pretended that his push hurt my ankle.
"Sorry Drei!"
"Gotcha!" I flicked his nose.
Then I turned and limped toward the entrance of the gym.
"I'll let this pass, young lady!" he called after me. I just waved at him, without looking back.
When I entered the gym, the people were crowded terribly on the way. I squeezed past them
and I saw the familiar fans of Anthony, Kris and Carl on the seats. But I had to admit, Anthony
had the most fans.
I saw Jonathan and Jazz seated beside Kristine behind the bench of the team. But this time,
there was no empty seat for me.
Jonathan got his phone and messaged me: Sorry Drei, the people started gathering around us
and they wouldn't move.
It's okay, I'll just stand here.
The whole game? It's just second quarter.
I'm fine, Jonathan.
I saw he was worried but I opted to focus on the game instead.
The team was ahead with three points. I saw how serious Anthony was everytime he entered
the court. The expression only made him look more attractive, much to the fans' delight.
Everytime he made a shot, they would scream at the top of their lungs.
Then the second quarter ended with the team enjoying a twelve-point lead.
The players went to the dug-out but Anthony talked to Kristine before leaving the court. I saw
Jonathan point to my direction and Anthony's gaze followed.
I made a small wave, aware that his fans were looking at him intently. He smiled and returned
the wave. He took a step toward my direction. With his eyes still on mine, I gestured that he
should go to the dug-out instead. He hesitated, then jogged toward me quickly.
The fans around me were giggling loudly as Anthony was approaching.
When they
