Afterglow

03

The past three days were hectic.

I printed all my handouts to avoid using my phone and interacting with anyone. I even took a social media break to focus on reviewing. Madali kasi akong madistract. I usually take exams week as an opportunity na bumawi sa mga lapses ko sa buong quarter. Lalo na't madalas ay wala naman talaga akong pake.

But I have one problem.

PE exam namin bukas, and this time, hindi siya written. There will be an inter-section volleyball tournament, and we will be individually graded based on our performance. Kung by group sana, edi ang dali lang magpabuhat. Sasabihin ko na lang na aakuin ko 'yung laboratory reports in exchange.

I sighed. Alam kong hopeless ako sa volleyball. Hindi ko naman iyon madadaan sa aral. The last time we played, I was just standing on the court. My only task is, as I recall Lind shouting at me, "Huwag kang humarang!"

Yes, Lind is one of the class clowns. Palabiro at masayang kasama pero halimaw pagdating sa bola.

I texted Alex and asked if he were busy.

He replied, "Yes. Lab rn, why?"

I didn't answer him. Baka maistorbo ko pa. If hindi sana siya busy, magpapaturo ako magvolleyball.

I was left with no choice but to search how to be good at playing volleyball online. Alam kong parang tanga pero I'm this desperate. For some reasons, napadpad ako sa Haikyuu. I was in the middle of watching when someone pulled a chair beside me.

"Hi love," he playfully greeted me while drinking water. Kabibihis lang niya at halatang katatapos maglaro, "Woah, Nishinoya!" ani nito nang mapatingin sa pinapanood ko.

He chuckled, "I didn't know you watch anime."

"I don't," I honestly answered. Many people say they're good, but I did not really have the initiative to watch one... until now. For the wrong reasons pa.

Nagulat ako nang bigla siyang tumawa. I knew what he was thinking. I rolled my eyes on him, "Yes, I know I'm stupid."

Lumakas pa ang pagtawa ni Pierre, "Liv, did you really think Haikyuu can save you sa exams? You should've asked Alex..."

"Nasa lab," I closed my laptop. Nakakairita naman 'to.

"...or ako," he added, "Hina mo naman, crush pa sana kita."

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from smiling, "Shut up, Pierre."

"Pero seryoso nga, I can help you."

"Hindi ba katatapos mo lang?"

"I've had enough rest, at malakas ka ata sa akin," he leaned closer, "love."

I hate it when he does that.

I quickly fixed my things and followed him outside. We went to the court kaso ang daming tao.

"Ready?" Pierre asked, walking towards the court.

I tugged the rim of his shirt to stop him. Doon ko lang din napansing he is wearing a gray sleeveless dri-fit Nike shirt. His biceps are toned, at halatang he does light workouts.

"Not here please," I whispered.

He looked at me, confused, "What do you mean?"