Salvation under shadows

"Just another shot needed. Come on, you can do it well!!...We'll win!!!" shouted Erica as she adjusted her spectacles again which was already placed properly.

The one addressed, knew it was her as she looked back and gave Erica a wink. She knew that that the game was totally in her palm's control and scoring just another point was a mere child-play to her. She could have put an end to the game pretty soon, but it was in one of her signature styles to keep the ending pretty showy.

She positioned herself, beaming confidently with a million jewel smirk on her lips, as she prepared for the victory shot to be legendary. She always puts her full force on the last blow!

As the last 5 minutes began, the crowd had already started chanting the victory spell.

This particular formula never failed to boost their star player's confidence up to such a level that she felt her blood heated up. Miraculously, it gained success some how. She had never lost a match she has participated in.

"Go Seb!!..Go Seb!!..Go Seb!!..", came the synced chorus from the spectators.

As within the leftover 3 minutes of the game, finally the ball came towards her with a terrific speed. She wasn't the type to hesitate for a second, she always took action on spot.

Jumping out of the center spot, she blocked the ball and bounced it softly towards Zane, making sure to decrease the pace.

Zane knew exactly what to do. They had been practicing and doing it for months now. They were totally skilled in it by the time. It was kind of their special Duo, always saved for the last.

Zane bounced the ball with maximum strength, as high as possible. The star played dashed in front of the net quickly where she calculated and assumed the ball would land. Before anyone from the opposite team could even detect the ball, she jumped fiercely high and placed a mighty smash on it. The opposite could get no moment of chance to position any defense as the ball was already on their court. It was smashed with such energy, that it dug a hole on the sand court, as it stamped the victory on the other team.

The crowd immediately raised in deafening cheer and applause. This has been the double hatrick for "The Aphrodites". Continuous victory for the 6th time.

"And an amazing shot with the victory of "The Aphrodites", by none other than...SYBELLE!!!", the announcer shouted with amusement accompanied by the audience as well.

"Way to go Seb!!!", Erica yelled at her best friend's success.

Seb punched a fist in the air. She loved doing that whenever she did something cool and proud.

"Goes a fist for the 'The Aphrodites'!!!", she shouted out. "The Aphrodites!!!", the audience followed her and each of them threw a fist in the air.

No wonder, she was indeed a star player.

She was given the 'Man of the match' title as she received the cup for her team.

Her teammates, Erica and the audience screamed with enthusiasm when she accepted her honor.

And the rest of the evening was spent celebrating on the success of "The Aphrodites" and Seb.

A While Later

"I hate this!", exclaimed Seb annoyed. Erica sighed but didn't bother looking.

"what is it that you hate?" Erica asked as she adjusted her spectacles again. It's a habit of Erica. She keeps doing it every time and Seb never misses a chance to tease her with it.

And she did it again,"The fact, that you keep brushing your cool goggles every minute with so much attitude".

Erica pretended to get amused as she spoke full of sarcasm,"Oh really? Thanks for reminding. Now I shall do it every second. That might satisfy you."

Seb chuckled throatily, Erica laughed too.

"So, what is it that you actually find so annoying?', asked Erica again.

"This all!!" Seb exclaimed, "I like to play, be creative, enjoy and learn how much I can. But I don't want to do it for fame. I didn't even want to be the Captain. I just wanted to be in the team and look how they treat me now. I feel pathetic. Seriously Eric, nowadays I hardly even get 5 minutes of private space and time of my own!".

Erica sighed,"Okay, first of all, don't include me in your boyish accents. It's Erica!!...And also, you don't have to say like that. Well, I'm here with you now, aren't I?"

"That's not the fact now. But....I can't help calling you Eric, Eric!", Seb said,"Even you call me Seb, don't you?"

-Well, that's your name.

-Isn't it Sybelle?

-But Seb is like your suited name. Every one calls you that.

-It's pointless arguing on this with you.

As Seb never revealed that she missed being called by her real name some times. After all it was indeed a beautiful name, and also given to her by her late parents. Even she never expected her closest friend to realize that.

"And I don't want you among the crowd", Seb spoke again,"Remember the last time we went for a drink together? Just the 2 of us?"

"We never drank together!", Erica bursted out ,"The most we did was attend Rock Shows and Amusement Park together".

"Just a metaphor", Seb said,"This is not what I wanted. I just wanted to learn new things."

"Your fault though!!!", chuckled Erica,"In lieu of learning, you overdid it Seb. You learned too much. Two years of Volley-ball, two years of Foot-ball, one year of Swimming, two years of Art and Sketch and three years for Taekwondo and dance, excluding the other extra stuffs you took coaching for. Why didn't you stick to one single stuff?.....And talk about those, don't you have an upcoming Taekwondo Tournament? You also vaguely mentioned something about the Literary club, didn't you?.....Something like they, hiring you as the Editor after you wrote those documentaries???"

Seb stuck out her lower lip and nodded.

"Jesus Seb!!!", Erica scolded,"Won't you get exhausted???....What about your studies and assignments?"

"You're so kind Eric, you completed all my assignments??", Seb mocked. It didn't take a second for Erica to understand her.

"You want me to complete your pending works, don't you?", she asked.

"Thank you Eric, so much", Seb applied heavy accent.

"Fine with me", Erica surrendered,"But I cannot study for you. What about that?"

"As for studies, I manage to get more than average marks in class some how", Seb continued,"You are there anyways. If you teach me, I might score more. Actually, who won't?...after taking coaching from the smartest student in class?"

"Stop buttering now!!!", Erica said,"The most I can afford is 2 hours. Rest is on you. I don't even know why I keep on doing this, surrender to your stubbornness each time", she mumbled to herself grumpily.

Seb laughed,"It's not stubbornness. You just love me too much to let go of my stupidity. It's a perfect contrast of friendship."

"The most stinking contrast!", nodded Erica.

"Anyways, since I have two free days left till my practice for Taekwondo starts, I'm taking you out on a drink", Seb announced.

"Seb!!!", reminded Erica again,"We don't drink! Will you just get over already with the drinking metaphor?"

"Oh sorry", Seb said,"Then...how about a Rock Concert Tomorrow? I've two tickets"

"I'll be ready", Erica agreed happily.

They reached Erica's hostel, and Seb dropped her till her doorstep as Erica asked confused,"Where's your bike? How will you go home?"

"I will walk up to the college Stadium again.My bike is parked out these", said Seb embarrassed.

"Then why on earth did you walk till up here?", Erica raised her voice.

"And let you go alone at night, missing this time together?", Seb chuckled,"Not in a freak million years".

Saying Seb didn't even give Erica any chance to say more, as she leaped down the stairs, and waving her hand towards Erica, she disappeared in darkness in no time.

Erica sighed as she smiled warmly....Seb, a true piece of art she is indeed.