Knock Him Out

"Wow! Your eyebags are really big." Mina says as I sit on my chair.

I feel so weak. I had a bad dream again last night. After waking up from it, I just spent the rest of the hours reading and distracting myself.

"Anyway, I saw Sean in the corridor a while ago. He was asking if you were already here," she whispers as our instructor begins her lecture in Mass Communication.

I stay quiet. I keep myself busy skimming through the pages of our book.

"You're being a wall again..." Mina finally says and focuses on her own book.

I sigh when I think of Sean and Dave again. As much as possible, I am trying to minimize the possibilities of our encounter. I don't want any chances to cross paths with them. But of course, that is not always the case. I feel like coincidence has its game on and playing tricks on me.

My quiet life at university suddenly changed. Sean and Dave have been playing a huge part in my daily routine nowadays.

There are some mornings that I have to walk with Sean to school when we both have the same schedule. Whenever he sees me around inside the campus, he would always greet me and wave at me. All the students who would witness it will have a weird and surprising reaction on their faces. They will look at me like I am some kind of an alien that they haven't seen all their lives. Some girls even approached me and asked me if Sean and I were closed. I would immediately say no and leave them.

He really made a huge sudden turn in my private life. Sometimes I really want to knock him out and throw him in the river.

Dave keeps his promise not to bother me when people are around. At least, I am thankful for that.

The worst consequence of meeting them is having them in my apartment unit every weekend. They already have a habit of knocking at my door and asking me to socialize with them. I would always answer no or I'm busy but sometimes, they would really win over me whenever they bother me both to spend time at least one hour or so. Our lives continue to roll like that. They are really exhausting me out.

Dave told me that Sean was not supposed to stay in the apartment because his mom disapproved of it. His mom doesn't like the idea of Sean living by himself. But knowing his stubbornness, he still got what he wanted. She only agreed when Dave promised to look after him. It is kind of funny to think that Dave is taking care of his cousin like a dad to his mischievous child. So, whenever possible, if Dave is not busy, he would always come to our building and spend some time with Sean or with me. Or with us both.

I am finally in the process of accepting our tangled fate anyway.

After our lunch break, we will have our practicum in Physical Education. We will be playing volleyball. One of the inevitable things that I hate to do.

The first time I played volleyball, I almost wanted to punch some students. A group of senior boys made fun of our PE uniforms and even catcalled me. I got their point for disrespecting us since our shorts are really short that I don't even want to wear them. But we have no choice. Our instructor is strict in obeying the rules of wearing the proper PE uniforms. I was so pissed when those boys tried to verbally harass me. I really hated those maniacs so I decided to wear black tight leggings over my shorts to cover my legs after that. For some girls, it was just nothing. They even loved the attention. But for me, it means something. Letting them disrespect you means you are not respecting yourself as well.

It is a good thing that I already mastered self-control to avoid conflict. Knowing what I am capable of, my emotions must be always guarded.

Now, even though they are making fun of my tight leggings, it is acceptable. It will help to discourage possible psychos. I rather have them think I am crazy than letting those guys take advantage of me as a girl.

Our instructor gave up on my fashion sense as well. He couldn't say I am not obeying the rules since I am still wearing a proper PE uniform with my black tight leggings on.

We are now all inside the gymnasium. We do our stretching first before proceeding to the game proper.

The practicum begins.

The boys play first. I am just sitting here on the far end of the bleachers when my eyes catch the students who are entering the gym. They are from the Architectural Department. Then I see him.

Sean is walking ahead of his group. They are all wearing their basketball uniforms. It seems they are the next ones to use the court after us. A large group of girls is following them. The empty gym a while ago is now filled with students who are obviously after Sean's team. He is really a crowd favorite.

Another ill-fate is bound to happen. I know that he would do some crazy stuff again if he sees me here.

I try to be lowkey as possible. I even cover my face with a book that I luckily brought with my water jug. My eyes follow his movements to know where he would be sitting. Thankfully, he chose to be on the opposite side. They all settle on the bleachers across my spot. He wouldn't recognize me this far.

I am busy observing Sean when I hear someone suddenly shouts my name.

"Corine!" Someone repeats it and louder this time. Shit!

I close my book and frantically look around to know who's that dimwit.

It is Mina.

I am cursing so much inside that I immediately run toward her. This girl will put me in danger. I rush to the center of the gym that I almost trip on the last step of the bleachers.

"It's our turn now," Mina tells me as soon as I am in front of her. I almost want to choke her.

"Stop shouting my name," I say to her on gritted teeth.

"Huh? Why?" She seems so confused.

"Just do what I say."

"You wouldn't hear me there if I didn't shout your name," she replies.

"Just. Don't. Shout. It. Again." I emphasize every word for her to get my mood.

"Okay...." She just shrugs her shoulders and pulls me to go to our side of the court.

Our instructor tells us to get ready for our positions.

I am still hoping Sean wouldn't recognize me from here. Maybe he is busy with his teammates.

I steal a glance at his spot. He and his team are all watching us now. I turn my head from them quickly. What the heck?! Just calm down okay?

We start to play.

I am still pulling myself together that it is hard for me to concentrate on the game. I am bothered that Sean is here and that he would see me eventually.

"Corine!"

Mina shouts my name again. I glare at her but she doesn't mind it.

"Corine! The ball!" She shouts again. She seriously pissing me off.

"Mina, I said--"

"Corine!!!" A loud voice echoes inside the gymnasium. Now, it is not from Mina anymore.

I freeze.

"Go! Corine!!!" Sean shouts again. I suddenly feel that the gymnasium eerily went still. I firmly shut my eyes.

Shit! I knew it.