Episode 7: Not Like Him

"Okay, let's take a break," the coach said. I went to sit on one of the available seats on the court. I started using a towel to wipe out the sweat around my face.

As I was sitting, I started to observe the whole surroundings. The basketball team for the boys also called for a break. They all looked like they're enjoying it.

Suddenly, I saw someone familiar. I stood up and surprised him as he was too distracted with his friends.

"Hey, Desmond!" I exclaimed while raising my hands ready for a high five.

"Yo!"

And so, we did a high five. But it's not the ordinary ones. After hitting each other's hands, it went the opposite way and this time, hitting the knuckles.

"You still got it, huh." I said.

"Of course," he replied. His friends then continued to walk leaving us behind.

"So how is Rita?" I suddenly remembered another friend.

"Still the same," Desmond said. "But she changed. At least when we're together."

"Oh yeah?"

"Actually, she has become more like you."

"Jeez, that girl really looks up to me."

"Of course, she respects you like a sister."

We both laughed. After that, we went to a seat to talk about things in life. Eventually, it went to some "juicy" questions.

"So how far have you gone with Rita?"

"Huh? Wait, that was a surprise attack." he tried to brush it off.

"So...?"

"Her parents accepted me. Is that good enough 'Miss Journalist'?"

"Yup, written down into my 'note brain'."

"It's unfair that I get questioned about romance." He started.

"I figured."

"Has anything happened ever since I last saw you together?"

I looked down and started wandering. Finally, I came up with a response.

I looked forward and said, "Nah, dude. Nothing happened that much. In fact, nothing changed at all."

"What? That's unbelievable. Like is it really nothing?"

"We got closer somehow. But there's really nothing besides that."

Desmond, after resting in his seat, stood up and started stretching. "Hah, I guess we'll catch up to you guys now."

"You never stop comparing us to you two, huh. That's immature." I stood up and picked the ball that's rolling through me.

"Okay fine. Just cheer up. I know you two are more than that."

"You bet." I threw the ball onto him. His reaction time is slow which hits his chest.

"Ack!"

"Take care of Rita. Or you know what happens."

"Be physically abused by women in school, yeah I know." We both laughed.

---

"Hey!" I went on and rested my arms on him. "Thanks for always waiting for me."

"Welcome, as always."

We continued to walk as usual. There was talking and other stuff that we did along the way. It was not long when we reached the intersection where we have to separate ways.

"Oh, that was fast." I said.

Suddenly, he then carried his bag and placed it in front of him. "Oh, before you go," he said.

As he was talking, I saw him pulling out a plushy that's the same size as a basketball. He then handed it to me while facing the other way.

"I just passed by yesterday to 'that' store when buying some groceries." I took the bear plushie. "I remembered you saying that you liked how cute they were."

I am speechless. I do remember saying that I liked the show because they all looked cute. But I never meant to receive something like this at all.

"Just consider it as an early birthday gift," he said, still looking on his right side. "It'll be 3 days from now on, after all."

I grabbed hold of the bear plushie using my right hand. I then hugged him as hard as I could. Everything was done out of impulse. And here I thought it's just me who's affectionate.

"I guess it's good enough," he said.

"Yeah, it's cute." I continued to stay in place. "Thank you,"

"Welcome, as always."