Epicenter Tape #2: Point in Time

#PIT8

#PIT8

Tanner was laughing as he dribbles the ball in front me, he shrugged.

"I stole it again, Haw-haw. What are you thinking?" his forehead creased. "You seem spacing out."

"Don't be so full of yourself!" I said breathlessly. "You're not gonna win this!"

Hell no, I'm giving my all here and I feel a bit tired because we're playing for an hour now. It's hard to play one on one but I risked it because I trust myself, I just made a deal that he's gonna be my eighteenth rose if he wins this so he would not. Did I just trap myself or what?

"Uh," he snorted sadly in a teasing manner. "I'm one shot away, mind you!"

"So, what?"

Humalakhak siya at nagtaas ng kilay. "Gusto mo talagang manalo ako, 'no?"

My cheeks heated in awkwardness; he didn't get my deal correctly. In depth, I know he won't win this because he's gonna be my eighteenth rose! He won't want that; he won't trap himself there!

Matatalo na ako, hindi ko alam kung magandang deal ba ang ginawa ko o hindi pero ayaw kong matalo rito dahil nakasalalay ang pagsusuot ko ng gown at corny party. Why did I even decide to play a game with him? It was clear that I'm too short to win against him at one on one pa! Masyado yata akong kampanteng hindi nag i-improve si Tanner sa bawat practice namin at hindi ko inasahang marunong na siya ngayon.

He has a chance to win!

I gasped and stepped towards him to try my luck to steal the ball, he stepped back while dribbling it and laughed teasingly.

"I'm sorry but you really should wear a gown and attend your eighteenth birthday, I'll definitely win this."

"No way! Hindi pa ako talo!" I quickly hit the ball with my palm to steal it and I did! "I told you! I am your coach, Tanner! There's no way you'll win against me!"

He scoffs incredulously. "Come on, what!"

I snickered cockily. Oh, he's still predictable and slow! Some things can't change easily, huh?

He laughed from behind while running after me.

Mabilis ngunit kabado akong tumakbo para i-shoot ang bola pero laking gulat ko nang nasa harapan ko na siya at agad kong natapakan ang paa niya dahilan sa pagkawala ng balanse ko, I gasped cravenly that I might get broken bones or scratches but Tanner instantly caught me — I ended up falling onto his body, he's lying on the ground while I'm on his top. My heart pounded actively that's taking all I have left, we're both panting heavily. His snaking arms on my waist fell down and a breathless chuckle slipped out of his lips. I could feel his hefting chest.

"Hey, you okay, Haw?" he asked.

He feels warm... it gives me comfort and shivers at the same time.

I closed my eyes tight as I quickly rolled to the side but his arm was there, doon naman ako napunta kaya labis na lang kalabog ng dibdib ko. Muli akong gumulong para iwasan iyon. I'm drained, my heart completely drained me. I looked at the sky while catching my breath, I glanced at Tanner beside me and he's looking at the same sky above us.

"Oh, damn. My stomach's growling," he muttered.

"We're not done yet!" I sat up to knock it off.

Nilingon niya ako habang nakahiga pa rin sa sahig, his hair is disheveled softly on that angle.

"Seriously, Haw-haw? You shouldn't ditch your party, it's once in a lifetime welcome party for your legality!"

I puckered my lips as his eyes didn't leave mine with a soft grin on his face, tumingala ako para iiwas ang tingin dahil sobrang conscious ko na naman sa paninitig niya. It was melting my confidence every time! I feel too exposed when he's staring at me.