Chapter 13: Men's Basketball Tryout Part II

Chapter 13: Men's Basketball Tryout Part II

As the tryouts began, Aria wasted no time in whipping out Marcus' phone and starting to record.

Every time Marcus scored, Aria and Emily cheered loudly from the sidelines, their support unwavering despite Marcus's visible struggle to keep up with the competition.

"Ipakita mo kung sino ka, Marcus Morales!" Emily shouted enthusiastically, clapping her hands together.

"Go Jersey #06, Marcus Morales!" Aria chimed in, her voice filled with encouragement as she focused on capturing Marcus's every move on camera.

As Aria continued to record Marcus's attempts, Emily, Orion, and herself couldn't help but notice Aiden's remarkable performance on the court.

"Wow, kita niyo yun? Ang galing ni Aiden!" Emily exclaimed, her eyes widening in awe.

Orion nodded in agreement, a surprised expression crossing his face. "Yeah, siya yung guy who tripped last time sa open court, right?"

Aria nodded, recalling the incident. "Yes, grabe ang taas ng basketball iq niya,"

"Parang makukuha si Aiden sa varsity ah," Emily remarked, her tone filled with admiration. Orion, Rico, and Aria all nodded, staying focused on the game.

As the final buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game, the participants gathered around the coach to hear the outcome of the tryouts.

The atmosphere was tense as the coach delivered the news."We have two spots available on the team," the coach announced, his voice echoing through the gymnasium.

"After careful consideration, we've chosen Aiden Lehmann for one of the spots."

Aiden's face lit up with joy as he received the news.

The coach then revealed that the second spot would go to a player from the civil engineering course, leaving Marcus visibly disappointed.

Despite the disappointment of not being chosen, Marcus chose to put on a brave face, hiding his true feelings behind a cheerful facade.

Marcus came closer to Aiden, "Congrats Aiden, proud classmate here," he smiled as he congratulated Aiden and the other selected player, offering them words of encouragement and genuine support.

"Thank you Marcus, this outcome is expected from me," Aiden said with confidence as he wiped his sweat with his jersey.

"But then again, you did great Marcus," Aiden continued and then walked towards the sideline where a new girl is waiting for him. The girl then proceeded to wipe Aiden's sweat with the small towel she brought.

'Wow, bagong biktima na naman,' Aria thought as she glanced over Aiden and the girl.

Marcus went to Aria's side and sat down to the seat next to Aria.

"Grabe, ang gagaling nilang lahat," Marcus said as he breath heavily from exhaustion.

"Real, eto tubig oh," Aria said as she handed a bottled water to Marcus. Marcus accepted it and drank the water in a gulp.

"Thanks Aria," feeling refreshed, Marcus thanked Aria.

Aria, Emily, Orion, and Rico watched Marcus closely, knowing that behind his cheerful demeanor, he was undoubtedly feeling the sting of rejection.

They exchanged sympathetic glances, silently acknowledging Marcus's disappointment while also admiring his resilience in the face of adversity.

Aria nodded, offering him a supportive smile. "Anytime, Marcus. Galing mo nga doon sa court eh," Aria continued, "Tingnan mo itong vinideo ko sa'yo," she gestured to the phone that she was holding.

Marcus's eyes lit up with gratitude as Aria mentioned the video.

He leaned in closer to watch, a small smile playing on his lips as he relived his moments on the court.

"Thanks, Aria. I appreciate it," Marcus said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Emily, Orion, and Rico joined in, offering Marcus words of encouragement and praise for his efforts during the tryout.

"You really gave it your all out there, Marcus," Orion said, his tone filled with respect. "Kita namin ang determinasyon mo sa court,"

Emily, who had been listening intently, added her own words of support. "Absolutely, Marcus. You did your best,"

Marcus nodded, grateful for Orion's and Emily's words of encouragement. "Thanks, guys pero okay lang naman sa akin eto," he said with a smile.

"Sa volleyball nanaman bagsak ko nito," Marcus laughed and continued, "when ang volleyball tryouts guys?"

Orion chuckled at Marcus's comment about trying out for volleyball.

"Hey, why not? Varsity ako sa volleyball sa senior high ko," Marcus said with pride.

Orion raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Seriously? my bad bro, di ko alam," he continued, "ang sakit siguro ng mga sampal mo Marc," he mischieviously said.

Orion's playful remark elicited laughter from the group.

"Nice one, Orion," Marcus said between laughs, giving him a friendly pat on the back.

"Ohh ang sakit na ng likod ko, grabe ang power ng isang volleyball player," Orion said while dramatically acting like his back got bruised.

The group burst into laughter at Orion's dramatic reaction, thoroughly enjoying the playful banter.

"Sige titigil na ako," Orion chuckled and continued, "Tomorrow evening, mga 5pm ang tryout sa volleyball,"

"Dito rin sa gym iheheld?" Marcus asked.

"Hindi, sa open court daw sila kasi occupied ang gym bukas," Rico said as he checked the lists of tryouts in his phone.

Orion nodded in confirmation. "Oo, sa open court nga. Magkakasabay yung tryouts ng men's at women's volleyball."

Marcus and the others listened attentively, noting the details for the volleyball tryouts.

"Got it. Thanks sa heads up, Orion and..?," Marcus thanked Orion and stared at Rico, inquiring about his name.

"The name's Rico," Rico said, seeing that Marcus didn't know his name.

"Thanks Rico, Ako pala si Marcus btw," Marcus smiled.

Rico nodded, scrolling through his phone. "Yeah, no problem Marcus. Good luck sa tryout mo bukas,"

"Medyo pagod na ako guys. Gusto ko na matulog agad. Uwi na tayo?" Marcus said as he changed out of his sweaty jersey into a fresh one.

"Real, pagod na rin ako sa kakaupo," Aria said as she stood up and stretched her hands up.

"Ako rin, sabay tayo palabas guys?" Emily said as she fixed her bag, ready to go out of the gym.

"Sabay kayo, kuya Orion at Rico?" Aria asked, as she looked at them alternately.

"Sabay tayo sa kanila," Rico leaned near Orion and whispered to his ear.

"Ha, wag na, may ipapagawa pa si coach sa atin," Orion whispered back with his eyebrows scrunched.

"Pleasee," Rico begged, acting cutesy.

"Next time na, papagalitan tayo ni coach," Orion whispered back.

"Ano, sabay ba kayo kuya?" Aria asked again, confused as to why they are being all secrecy.

With his hand, Orion covered Rico's mouth and said, "Hindi kami makakasabay Aria, may ipapagawa si coach sa amin," then he smiled.

"Ayy, sayang naman," Emily said as she glanced over Rico and then to Aria.

"No worries, guys. Rest up na kayo, sabay lang kami ni Rico next time," Orion said, still covering Rico's mouth.

Rico slapped Orion's hand.

"Ouch," Orion groaned.

"Take care, guys. Kita-kita lang tayo sa campus." Rico said with a grin.

"Sige-sige, ingat din kayo kuya," Aria said, bidding goodbye.

Marcus and Emily also bid fatewell to Orion and Rico.

As they made their way out of the gym, they saw a familiar figure.

"Si aiden oh, kasama yung girl kanina," Emily said, pointing over Aiden and the girl using her lips, causing Aria and Marcus to look.

Aria's gaze fell upon Aiden and the girl, her expression souring at the sight.

"Hayys, eto nanaman si Aiden, in game parati," Aria said in disgust.

"Anong meron Aria?" Marcus asked, noticing Aria's reaction.

"Yan si Aiden oh, palaging may bagong babae," Aria sighed.

"Ahhh," Emily said, finally getting what Aria meant and then continued, " Aiden's kind of infamous dito. Known siya bilang isang dakilang playboy."

"Seriously? Paano siya nakakaget away niyan?" Marcus replied as he frowned.

Aria placed her palm under her chin and said, "Face,"

"Known rin ang family nila as rich, as in rich na rich," Emily continued.

"Dahil lang nyan?" Marcus said, perplexed as to why girls still like him.

"May ganyan na mga tao eh," Aria sighed and continued, "halata na ngang red flag ang tao, papatol pa rin,"

Emily nervously laughed, "Red flag enjoyer pa naman ako,"

Aria and Marcus laughed at Emily's remark.

"Then again, di na natin sila disturbohin," Marcus said and continued, "Tara, uwi na tayo,"

And so, Emily, Aria, and Marcus parted ways at the gate and went to their respective homes.

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