"How's your ankle? You should sit down," he panted.
"I'm fine," I lied. "You should go to the dug-out."
Just then a girl somewhere behind me shouted "Hi Anthony!" and a chorus of greetings
followed.
He just smiled at them and looked at me again.
"I will, after you take a seat. Come on, I'll find you one," he said as he held my arm and assisted me toward our usual spot behind their bench.
The fans were making sounds both of amazement and envy at the sight of us crossing the
court.
"Sorry if they can get annoying," Anthony apologized.
I just nodded.
True to his word, he asked the girl beside Jonathan to give her seat to me. Anthony pleaded
that my ankle hurt and that I should be seated.
Obviously, the girl was pleased that Anthony talked to her, and irritated at the same time since I
robbed her seat.
When I got settled, he suddenly whispered to my ear, "hold your phone."
"Why?"
"Just do it," he said as he finally jogged to the dug-out.
I did what he said and was surprised when I suddenly got a message from him.
Wait for me after the game.
The butterflies in my stomach made the pain in my ankle go away.
~
Chapter 14
"Congratulations!" Jazz greeted Kris as they got out of the dug-out. Jonathan and Kristine were so engrossed with
whatever they were talking about that they didn't notice the players were spilling out of the
locker room.
Anthony smiled as soon as our eyes met. Those eyes could definitely melt the sanity out of you.
"Congratulations!" I repeated what Jazz just said.
"Thanks," he smiled again."Is your ankle feeling better?"
"I think so."
"Good. Because I have something to sho---"
"ANTHONY!" I didn't have to turn to know who that was. His fans were getting a little pushy lately.
He smiled at them politely and held a little chitchat with them.
Jonathan and Kristine got to my side.
"Some fans, huh?" Kristine rolled her eyes.
I nudged her side. "They might see you."
"I really don't care. They're annoying."
I hushed her.
Luckily Jonathan got her attention just as the fans said goodbye.
"Sorry about that," Anthony apologized for the second time today.
"It's okay, really. I know how they feel. I've been a fan before too. You don't know how great it feels when your idol talks
to you," I told him.
"Woah. Where did that come from?" he teased.
"From memory lane," I chuckled.
"Hey Couz! We can invite Kris and his twin to dinner tonight, right?" Jazz called out to Jonathan.
He thought for a moment, then Jazz repeated with more emphasis, "Right?"
Since he did want to talk to Kristine a little longer, he nodded. He immediatey excused himself
to call her mom about
the additional guests.
"Good." Anthony whispered to me.
"Why?"
"We can go without getting noticed."
HELLO, butterflies!
"Uhh. What exactly will you show me?" I tried my best to act cool.
"You'll see." He muttered under his breath.
Kristine was about to interrupt our conversation when Jonathan got back and told her that they
could come for dinner.
For the first (and I hope there'd be more after this) time, Carl was out of sight. I felt a little
uncomfortable. Maybe he was
planning something evil? I shook the thought off.
I was snapped out of my silent monologue when Anthony suddenly took my hand in his and
started toward the exit.
I didn't notice that the other 'pairs' were moving out. (Jazz and Kris chatting animatedly,
Jonathan and Kristine laughing
discreetly)
I stepped with my good foot only, and didn't dare to step the sprained one.
"Oops. I forgot," Anthony said. He suddenly bent in front of me, just like what Drew did
yesterday.
Though I knew what that meant, I still wanted to know for sure. "What are you doing?"
"Uhh. Inviting you to race?" He chuckled. "I'll carry you."
Since when did he develop that sense of humor? I thought I was the one who usually cracked
jokes?
"Are you sure? I'm quite heavy." I tried the first (and most common) excuse that popped in my head.
"Come on," he pulled my arms over his shoulders and I had no other choice but to settle myself on his back.
He caught up with the others before they got too far.
I saw Kristine's eyes look at us in shock. Kris was unaffected and the cousins looked at me
teasingly.
When we reached the parking lot, Kris said, "Are we waiting for Drei to get fetched or are we
going?"
Jonathan thought for a moment then Jazz suddenly spoke, "I think we should get going.
Jonathan's mom doesn't really want to wait."
Kristine didn't say anything though she looked like she was about to oppose the idea.
"I agree. Let's go," Jonathan started toward the twin's car and Jazz followed him.
Anthony let me sit on the nearest bench as the four of them got into the car.
"Stay with Drei until she gets fetched, Anthony," Jonathan called out.
"Will do!"
Then they pulled out of the parking lot and were on their way.
"The escape wasn't that hard after all," Anthony said as he sat beside me.
"You're acting strange today," I confessed.
"Tonight," he nodded toward the dark surroundings.
"I sit corrected."
He chuckled. "Well. Maybe because I'm blessed today."
"With?" I asked further.
"With..." he thought for a moment. "A good game, good fans, good..." he looked at me before continuing, "friend."
I shrugged.
"What? You don't agree with me?" He teased.
"You really are acting weird," I ignored his teasing.
He laughed softly. "Well. Before I show you what I promised, better call the people at your
house."
"Why?"
"You'll be running a little late tonight, but I'll be driving you home of course."
I smiled to myself. I love seeing him drive.
"Okay." I got my phone and called Nanny.
I told her just what Anthony said and she was hesitant. I told her that Drew knows where I'm
going and she finally agreed. Right after I hung up, I called Drew which made Anthony look at
me suspiciously again.
I asked Drew to assure Nanny that I'm okay and that she didn't have to worry.
"You're with Anthony, aren't you?" Drew teased.
I looked at Anthony beside me, who was looking at me expectedly.
"Uhh. Yes. Thanks Drew!" Then I hung up. I would have to endure a terrible tease
