Reason 5: I Like Her (4)

The cute Vice President of Grade 12 ABM has a problem. It has been noticed by her group of friends for a while now.

"What's her problem? Surely it can't be because our Accounting teacher got pregnant and will have to leave?" Lisa asked. (The due date is before the Intramurals. The class suggested names for the baby but got brutally rejected by the teacher. She said that they already had a name ready.)

"I think it's best for her to tell you guys. But to summarize, she's lovesick," Jean dropped a bomb without caring.

Joana smiled helplessly at the bomb dropping friend of her. Kaye glanced over her, twice, just to make sure she heard it right. Lisa had a shocked expression, while Marie had an expression that she can't believe it.

"Jean, are you really talking about Rae? The clumsy, not good with directions, and always complaining Rae? You did not mix that up?" Marie's face isn't really good at this point.

"She said that it was since the second grading period last year. She realized it before summer break," Jean calmly put out some more information that made the other four's faces pale.

Lisa sighed exaggeratedly.

"Our Rae is growing up. But it might just be a crush. Let's hope that it's not that big of a deal."

~~~

"Hey, Rae. Do you have a problem? You're out of yourself these past few days and we're getting worried," suddenly, I was approached by Joana.

Joana, please don't approach me right now. I have a lot of things to think of.

"She's right, Rae. We're worried. You can tell us if you've ever got a problem. We might be able to help you," Lisa then popped up out of nowhere and grasped my shoulder.

Wait, is it only me or is she gripping my shoulder hard to prevent me from running away?

Nah~ it might only be me.

"N-no, I'm fine. I just have a lot of things to do due to you guys pushing me into office," I complained to avoid talking about my problem for a few months now.

"They know about your lovesickness, Rae," Jean dropped a bomb without a hint.

I got frozen in my sneaking away pose. The stares the others are giving me are making me feel uneasy.

"W-what are you talking about, Jean? I'm too young to be thinking about love," Shucks! I stuttered!

In the end, I was made to vomit out the contents of my heart.

They're too evil! I feel like they'll turn me into soup if I don't spill the beans!

I had no choice!

Farewell, my pure heart!

"So, you've got a crush on Blessie?" Lisa hummed as she held her chin.

Joana is sitting beside Jean, trying to look as comfortable as she can while giving me glances a few times. Marie is folding her arms while Kaye is smirking.

"You bent," Kaye said, her smirk as irritating as always.

Grr!

"I think she bent when 'that incident' happened," Marie concluded.

Now that I think about it, she's right!

('That incident' that cannot be named happened when Grade 11 ABM had a jamming session.)

"So, who have experiences with people on 'that side'?" Marie asked the taboo question.

It's not really as 'taboo' as we made it out to be. I only said that because my mother is actually against something like that happening to me. I already probed about her reaction about people from the other side, but it's negative. It's also one of my problems, now that I think about it.

"I've been in a relationship with one in my junior, but it didn't last long. We broke up then I got together with my now ex-boyfriend," Lisa stated and stared at me in the eyes.

"I had a suitor from 'that side' as well before, but since I only focused on studying right now, I never entertained the idea of being in a relationship, whether it's with a boy, or a girl," Joana reasoned. So that's why she's been stealing glances at me for a while now.

"It seems like we can't give you much suggestions here, Rae. But do you really expect to have a romantic relationship with her?" Jean asked with a worried tone.

I shook my head.

"No. I might not even be able to confess. I'm too cowardly," I reasoned.

"Hmm, given how shallow your feelings are right now, it might disappear. Don't be too bothered by it and just go with the flow. Who knows, your crush on her might even vanish by the time you realized it," surprisingly, Kaye gave a normal suggestion.

You're being useful today, Kaye.

"That might be temporary, then," Marie said.

"But that incident really opened a whole new world for you, huh, Rae?" she continued while smiling at me.

I nodded and puffed my cheeks.

I won't admit that she looked mature and responsible a while ago. Her ego might be boosted.

"If you ever need us, just tell us your problem. We'll help you as much as we can. We're friends, Rae. And friends help each other."

With that, we got off school.

And we're having basketball practice!

"Here! We've secured this court today. You guys go get changed already," Ella said and put down the ball she's holding.

We're in a basketball court near the school. The officials managing the court allowed us to practice here. Of course, the other grade levels will also practice here according to the schedule they gave. But right now, it belongs to us!

"Shine, Kaye, Rae! Come here! Let us introduce you three to our coach," Ella introduced us to the coach. We've found out that she's a policewoman and works at the station of this district. She's off duty right now and took the time to coach us for the practice.

"Hmm, you guys are all good seedlings. Yosh! Let's arrange the lineup for the game," she then taught us a lot of things.

She gave us some strategies to use, as well as the routine we have to take every practice. I've never realized that we need to stretch before and after. It was so tiring, but also fun!

I've got to play with my friends, learned the rules of basketball, and get to admire Blessie's beautiful form while shooting a ball through the hoop.

If Kaye didn't nudge me to move, I'd likely stay frozen stating at her and would get caught! Nice save, Kaye! You're a hero!

If I only realized that I would never get to play basketball with Blessie again after the Intramurals, I would have cherished these moments better.