Crystal Clear

Granola was a firm believer in shaping one's destiny. The decisions you make, the words you use, the people you let in, all lead to some future consequence. Whether good or bad, the choice was always yours to make.

Right now, Szeina needed her voice of wisdom. Her thoughts were scattered.

The grief in her heart was colliding with the uncertainty and hurt. To add, she was feeling relatively mad.

All this time, what happened to Hope was something she had tried to understand how it was possible. What caused her death? Who killed her?

It took her months to accept that she was truly gone and no amount of regret or tears could ever bring her back.

Gingerly opening her palms, Szeina stared at the familiar pendant. Unlike before, it wasn't helping her feel at ease.

And she didn't expect to. After all, it was what had caused her to have all the emotions she was feeling right now clash with each other.

Questions. Questions infiltrated her head.

Why did Yvann have the necklace?

Was he there? If he was, what was he doing in there? Did he see the killer?

Or better yet…

Was it him?

The last question made Szeina stopped short.

For a minute, she forgot how to breathe.

"Please," she begged, anguished tears brimming in her eyes. "Please don't let it be him."

--

Coach Doyle blew the whistle. He clapped his hands and shooed the players away, indicating that football practice was over and they can all go home.

Yvann jogged towards his bag and immediately gathered his things. Pulling out his water bottle, he chugged a few gulps before making it towards the lockers.

He thought of taking a shower, but decided against it.

He can shower when he gets home.

"Yo, Lorenzo!" Cayden Gil, his goal keeper suddenly called out to him. He playfully hit him on the chest with the back of his hand.

"How are you, man?" Cayden said conversationally.

"I'm great. What can I help you with?" Yvann replied, getting straight to the point. There was no dancing around it. He knew Cayden wouldn't approach him unless he needed something.

That was the case with everyone else.

It was always the case.

"The rest of us are planning to have fun tonight. You know, relax and chill before the big game this Friday. You're coming right?"

Yvann smiled kindly at Cayden and he shook his head.

It wasn't the first time when they asked him to come out with the rest of the team. However, Yvann always declined.

He had reasons not to join them in the little merriment, and it wasn't because he was a full introvert.

"Come on, Lorenzo, just this once. We need our captain to be there for once. I mean, what is a team without a captain? We are a sinking ship. But, if you would join us, the ship would continue to sail. What do you say?"

Yvann wanted to say no. He could and he should. However, at the back of his mind, he was thinking that Cayden has a point.

Maybe, just this once, he can let himself let loose and bond with his team.

It was harmless.

Scratching the back of his head, Yvann let out a sigh.

"Alright. Count me in then."

--

Cheers erupted the moment Yvann joined the rest of his team.

Pulsing music made his body almost syncing with the rhythm of the upbeat song blasting from the speakers.

"Yo! Look who I brought with me!" Cayden had a hand holding Yvann by the shoulders. After catching the attention of the others, he let him go while most of the players took his place and gave Yvann a pat on the shoulders.

The warm welcome was overwhelming.

Yvann tried to make himself comfortable despite the chill beginning to crawl on his skin.

He wanted to believe that it was because of the thrill of finally joining his team for some fun.

Several others were dancing on a stage in the middle. Gyrating their bodies against each other, these individuals were oblivious to what was happening in their surroundings.

Colorful lights danced with the music, a disco ball continuously moving above the center stage.

In one corner, his entire team occupied two tables, each filled with beer bottles already popped open.

Settling in the corner, Yvann observed what was going on around him. Cayden joined him shortly after, whispering something to a girl who approached him, sending her away.

He offered a beer bottle to him, grabbing one for himself as well.

"Cheers, Lorenzo! This is the kind of fun you've been missing. Now that you joined us, you're no longer MIA."

Taking a sip from the beer, Yvann chose not to give Cayden a reply.

"So, captain," Cayden went on, unfazed by Yvann's lack of response. "You and that new girl seemed close. You know, I find her pretty. Too bad, I didn't have the chance to ask her out."

Holding his emotion in check, Yvann looked at Cayden and smirked.

"I don't think you're her type. You might have received an outright rejection."

Cayden placed a hand over his chest, where he believed his heart should be.

"Ouch, captain. You hurt my feelings. Shouldn't you be encouraging me instead of otherwise? Or were the rumors true?"

"What rumors?"

"Well, some are saying that you were dating her. Is that true?"

Yvann took a long swig from the beer. He was losing his patience with Cayden's questions.

They didn't seem innocent, and it made him think he dragged him all the way there just to deliver the queries and gauge a reaction from him.

"If it was, what is it to you?" Yvann locked eyes with Cayden. The latter chuckled.

"Nothing. I only meant to ask. I never meant anything insulting or something close to it. Sorry."

It didn't look that way to Yvann. However, he decided to let it go.

"Szeina and I are friends. I suggest when you talk about her, be sure to be nice. I can't have one of my players insulting a friend of mine. Are we clear on that?"

Cayden raised his beer bottle towards Yvann.

"Crystal."