Countdown to Midterms (Part I)

"We can absolutely do this," Michelle eagerly said to her teammates at practice. "Push yourselves harder."

Only three weeks remained before the start of a new college basketball season. With so little time remaining, the whole team appeared serious and focused in developing chemistry, strength and camaraderie between them.

At the forefront of all of this was my beloved friend Michelle, the long-time star of the team and its inspirational figure. On a very cloudy Wednesday morning, she was all over the court in giving specific instructions and strategies to her teammates.

Yet it was clear Michelle was still not 100% recovered from the tragic shooting over a month ago. So she remained on the court long after practice concluded, working diligently on some shooting drills with one of the assistant coaches.

Luckily for Michelle, she did not have class that morning since her professor was ill and unable to work. Unfortunately, her additional reps at the gym meant that Kyla and I would not accompany her to the campus.

"Are you sure about this?" Kyla inquired Michelle upon approaching her. "What if you get burned out with all the extra shooting drills? This is too much work for a young lady like you."

"Hey don't worry about me," Michelle confidently replied. "I can properly handle this situation myself. Meantime, you and Christine better attend class now before it's too late."

Before we departed the gym, Kyla had reluctantly nodded and waved her right hand at Michelle. Shortly after, Kyla and I arrived inside the classroom for philosophy only to find out we were missing someone.

"Where is Claire?" Kyla hurriedly asked me. "She was supposed to be one of the early birds of this class. So why is she not here yet?"

"Let me text her," I eagerly replied.

Minutes later, Claire immediately replied with a text message of her own. It read:

"Sorry Christine but I'm a little sick today. If you have any notes on today's class, send them to me online this week so that I can copy each note. Thanks and see you soon."

Kyla and I sat down together and waited for the professor to arrive. But twenty minutes later, he failed to show up and the class became a free cut.

Almost immediately, we promptly returned to the gym hoping to see Michelle. Regrettably, there was no sign of her on the court.

Kyla and I then headed back to campus where we encountered a familiar face. Ella had just returned to school over a week after the deaths of her parents, and she was more than happy to return.

"Glad to see you back here Ella," I happily greeted her.

After a short embrace, she then turned her gaze towards Kyla. Upon staring at her for a few minutes, she rubbed both of her eyes and shook her head in disbelief.

"I'm a little confused," Ella commented. "Were you twins or something because you both look alike?"

"Sort of," I replied back. "But the truth is, Kyla is not my sister or twin. She is my taller doppelganger."

"It's true," Kyla candidly admitted. "Christine and I were essentially separated at birth."

As Kyla continued staring wistfully at Ella, her eager eyes suddenly widened with curiosity.

"Wait a minute," she pointed out at Ella. "Your face must be extremely familiar. I recognized you in one of the shows involving the hip-hop dance crew a few months ago."

"I'm glad you took notice," Ella answered affirmatively. "I've been part of the award-winning hip-hop and street crew that won various local and international awards. In fact, why don't I demonstrate you some of my extraordinary moves."

Ella promptly escorted Kyla and myself to the amphitheater. Upon arriving on stage, she provided us a taste of her dancing skills.

"The balance, coordination and flexibility are off the charts," Kyla commented on Ella's exceptional talent. "No wonder you were absolutely amazing."

Just then, a freshly clothed Michelle arrived on the amphitheater. Her hair still wet after a short shower, she immediately sat down to see Ella exhibit her love for dancing.

After giving her a short time to properly acquaint herself with Kyla, the four of us walked to one of the school benches to relax. There, Ella tearfully revealed to Kyla she was now orphaned after her parents' tragic deaths.

"So sad to hear about it," Kyla commented. " But you're not alone. Both of my parents also perished in a car accident. I know how painful it was to experience such a terrible tragedy."

Kyla and Ella poignantly shared a hug in front of us. Shortly after, they continued their amiable conversation.

"So who is aiding you then in terms of finances?" Kyla reasonably questioned.

"For now Michelle's mother is generously providing some financial assistance," Ella humbly admitted. "As much as my relatives wanted to offer some support, they can't do it owing to the vast distance between us."

"Well I can convince Carson's mother to support you out too," Kyla politely suggested. "After all we only live a few minutes apart."

"That's a brilliant idea," Michelle happily responded. "Since Ella typically resides in her condominium that was too far from my home, why not have Carson's parents offer some financial support instead."

"You know Carson well right?" Kyla promptly asked Ella.

"Indeed," she answered back. "We've been friends for a long time now."

"With that, I can accompany you to Carson's place whenever we're available," Kyla said. "Just give me your number and then we can exchange a few messages."

Shortly after, Ella and Kyla exchanged a few more hugs before sealing their newfound friendship with a handshake. Upon looking at her watch, Michelle realized it was already 11:15 a.m. and that was time for us to attend photography class.

"The two of us need to go now," Michelle informed both Kyla and Ella. "How about you?"

"I was about to go to class anyway," Kyla replied earnestly.

"Okay then," Michelle nodded enthusiastically. "We'll see you soon Kyla."

Before Kyla walked away, she briefly looked towards Ella and graciously offered her a parting shot.

"It was pleasant meeting you Ella," she said admiringly. "Hope we can reconnect some more and support you in any way."

"Thank you so much Kyla," Ella humbly answered before walking away. "You're a very reliable friend to lean on."

After gently waving her right hand at the departing Ella, Kyla moved on to a different classroom while Michelle and I casually walked to photography class. As our professor arrived, the road to midterms is truly underway.