Chapter 32: Then it rained

"Ok, bye Michelle, see you tomorrow!" Lara said while Steve gave me a nod of acknowledgement before entering the SEC A school building for their next class.

"Mich, you sure you don't want me to walk you to the covered courts?" Andy asked considerately.

I shook my head. It was out of the way, and he might become late. It was already 2:55. "It's ok, you go with Lara and Steven, it's almost time for your class."

Andy smiled and nodded his head, "Then, I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Ok, see you!" I replied. Then, I turned around to leave.

--

As I walked to the covered courts for my next class, which was PE, I couldn't help but think about what I saw earlier. I smiled wistfully. Although Lara was a bit bitchy when we first met, I realized that she's a lot nicer than I gave her credit for. I can totally see why Steve fell for her the first time. I felt somewhat defeated, but I was also glad. Lara was as close to perfection as one can get, and Steve deserved nothing less. If they end up together in this timeline, then…

My heart felt stuffy, and I suddenly found it hard to breathe. I stopped walking to take a deep breath. What was wrong with me? I have my own life mission and Steve… my Steve doesn't exist in this timeline yet. I'm not even sure if he will. Plus, even if he does, there's no guarantee that he will fall for me. Why did I even approach him so soon? Now, the future between us looks so bleak.

I shook my head. No use crying over spilled milk. I've been given this chance and I should not waste it by pining over Steve with an N. Like, I have Anthony, which reminds me, where was he anyway?

Then, like a scene in a movie, when I turned to look at my left, I saw him inside the covered court wearing a basketball jersey while holding a ball. He was smiling while talking to some of his PE classmates.

My heart again thudded, and like an idiot, I remained standing there staring. After a minute, the one standing beside Anthony gave him a nudge. I don't know what he said, but after that, Anthony looked at me.

Oh my god. What should I do? did I just got caught staring? Ok, Michelle, play it cool.

I smiled at him and waved my hand. I think my face was red as a tomato, but I rather do this than suddenly running away like some stalker who got caught.

Anthony simply smiled and waved his hand back.

Oh, my heart…. Can I just walk towards him and pull him in a kiss or something? Ok, just kidding. I don't want him to suddenly push me away and think that I'm some weirdo fangirl. We just literally met like a week ago and I doubt he was into me. Or was he? He seems receptive.

Anyway, I have to play it cool. Like I just passed by and recognized him. So, I turned away and continued to walk. Was he still looking at me? I wish! Curious, after 10 seconds, I turned to look at him again. I don't know if I should be disappointed that his eyes did not follow me, or glad that I did not get caught.

Then, the bell rang. I walked faster to the locker room to get changed. My class starts in 10 minutes.

--

There was only one pair of locker area which doubles as comfort room in the covered courts. They were located inside the main court area, with a size big enough to accommodate a lot of students using it at the same time. Though of course, sometimes, one still has to get in line.

My PE class ended exactly at 4:30 pm and since I wanted to catch a glimpse of Anthony again, I quickly left the table tennis area to walk to the locker room which passes through the basketball courts.

Much to my dismay, the court his class used was already empty. Thinking that he might still be in the locker room, I decided to wait. Trying not to be obvious, I brought out my cellphone as if reading a text and pretended to be typing. I did that for almost 10 minutes.

I just wanted to say goodbye to him. Okay, so wanting to show him my long white legs while wearing shorts might have also played a part, but that's it. Still, even when other students exited, I did not see him.

I sighed thinking that maybe, I was too late, and he already left to go home.

In the end, I went inside the locker room for girls. Since I did not sweat, I did not shower and just changed my clothes again because I don't want my papa to go on a long-winded talk later in case he gets home before me and sees me in one.

Yeah, our family was conservative. Why else would have I believed that my first boyfriend should become my husband? It has been ingrained to me since I was a child. Of course, my world view has changed as I got older. I realized that there's nothing bad in getting a number of boyfriends first before getting married. I knew some people who did not marry their first love still had a successful marriage life. Not that I did that, but you get my drift.

Anyhow, after getting changed, I exited the locker room only to see that it was raining. I frowned. I did not bring an umbrella.

I was about to call my driver to fetch me when suddenly, I saw Anthony exiting the men's locker room.

He was wearing a slightly fitted gray shirt and black pants. His hair, still slightly wet was slicked back making it obvious that he just showered. I swallowed as I admonished myself. 'Michelle, you can't even talk to him straight and now you are imagining some perverted thoughts about him.'

Anthony saw me, and perhaps it was because he was alone and I was alone, that he approached me.

I immediately shoved my cellphone back inside my bag.

--

tbc