Between the Rainbow (Strawberries and Cigarettes Series #1)

Chapter 34

Warning: R-18

Punches

After my confrontation with Rick and telling him boldly about my feelings for Shiloh, the next days, hindi na siya ganoon ka kuryoso, tila ba nahanap niya na ang sagot sa mga nagpapabagabag sa isip niya, kaya kumalma na rin.

November was pretty much chaotic, but the main highlight of that month was the Halloween party because there were some invited that quite shocked me, but at the same time, I expected it already.

"Five minutes break! Brent." Senyas ni Coach sa ilang oras naming practice at sa wakas, binigyan din ng pahinga sa unang linggo ng Disyembre.

I jogged toward him while wearing my plain black t-shirt, black jersey shorts, and a black compression leg sleeve on my left since I wanted to enhance my muscle reflexes in that area during the game.

Hinaplos ko ang buhok kahit naka itim na Nike bandana naman ako, it's just out of mannerism, as I put my other hand on the side of my waist while looking at Coach seriously.

"Maganda ang performance mo lately. Maganda 'yung technique mo, kalmado lang at hindi agresibo. Alam mo paano bibilisan at kailan babagalan kaya mahirap kang gwardyahan. Your calm playstyle is your signature, pero gusto ko 'yung hinahaluan mo ngayon ng liksi. That's gonna be your asset on the court, so use it wisely."

I smiled and nodded. He tapped my shoulder before letting me go, blew his whistle to get the other boys attention, and gestured for one of them to come near him.

"Evander!" He pointed at Mavric, who was chugging his water.

Kinagat ko agad ang labi ko. Patay kang bata ka. Masesermonan 'to.

I noticed it during his play earlier. Coach was used to my smooth movements, as it was a distraction I pulled off for my opponents so that they could read my next movement as I immediately shifted it unexpectedly.

Kaso si Mav...

He jogged toward us after giving his water to Tyler, who seemed too thirsty while flapping the tip of his jersey.

"Coach," si Mavric nang huminto.

With the coach's sour expression, Mavric immediately scratched his nape while stifling his smile and squinting his eyes. I put my fist against my mouth and tried to clear my throat so I wouldn't laugh at him.

"Gusto mo bang ilagay kita sa bangko sa buong laro? You were on the bottom on this practice. Ang sinabi ko sa'yo, ayos lang na mabagal minsan ang kilos mo lalo na kung wala masyadong depensa, pero hindi ko sinabing maging mabagal ka sa lahat ng oras!"

"Sorry, coach. Bangag lang..." he tried to smile while scratching his nape continuously.

Hinampas ni Coach ang dibdib niya. "Umayos ka! Magaling ka sa defense, Evander. Huwag mong sayangin ang potensyal mo!" si Coach na ramdam ko ang gigil sa pagbanggit ng apelyido ni Mav.

Mavric nodded roughly. "Yes coach..."

Nailing si Coach at naglakad na paalis. Dahan dahan kaming nagkatinginan ni Mavric at humagalpak. When Coach glanced at us with glares, we both cleared our throats and looked away.

"Sinabon ka ni Coach?!" si Ronan na tawang tawa rin nang pinagkukuna namin ang duffel bag at palabas na ng gym.

"Dude kahit hindi ka namin lapitan kanina umabot sa kinatatayuan namin ang halimuyak ng sabon ni coach," si Tyler na namulsa sa varsity jacket at natatawa rin.

Mavric put his hands at the back of his head while smiling.

"May ilang araw pa naman. Wala lang talaga ngayon sa kondisyon ang katawan ko," aniya.