Maximo vs Maxine

ANGELLE

"Why didn't you go with your cousin and sister to Maxine?" Mama asked as she caught me sitting on the sofa, watching the movie.

"I had someone to go with, Ma," I replied, still looking at the screen.

Before I went home last night, Link told me that he would come by to pick me up so we could go to Maxine High together. I didn't refuse, as I didn't want to be with Ate Jove and Lica after they left me alone. Plus, Prof already listed me as one of the attendees to support the MBP. I already informed Mama last night, so I didn't have any problems.

"Who?" Mama asked as she sat next to me.

"It's Link, Ma," I answered.

"No wonder," Mama said with a mischievous smile.

"Ma, what are you thinking?" I asked, furrowing my brow.

"Oh, nothing. I just noticed these past few days. It seems like the two of you are always together. Has he started courting you yet?" she asked.

I leaned back against the sofa's backrest and looked at Mama, nodding in response to her observation.

"That's good," she said. "Has he done any efforts for you?" I chuckled, thinking about it. Has Link made any efforts for me aside from giving me food?

"Well, he already drove me home and even taught me basketball despite being tired from practice. And he even sent a Grade 8 student to accompany me. There are quite a few already," I said.

"He sent a Grade 8 student? Why?"

"Well, Lica and Ate Jove didn't show up to join me for lunch. The three of us were supposed to eat together. But when they didn't come, maybe Link saw me alone, so he asked the girl to accompany me," I explained. Mama smiled.

"See, imagine what it would be like when you're together," Mama's words made me grin. She really wholeheartedly supports Link.

"Mama, men are only good at the courting stage," I said, making Mama wince at my comment.

"Not all of them. Look at your father, how he was when he courted me, how he is now that we're married and have a child. He's still the same," Mama said.

"Well, they say that when your boyfriend becomes your husband, you discover things about him that you didn't know before," I commented.

"Yes, I have discovered some new things, although they're not deep secrets. When we got married, I found out that your father actually doesn't know how to play the guitar," she said. What's the connection?

"Well, Papa really doesn't know how to play the guitar," I said.

If he ever played it, it was all for show. Pretending to feel the strings but not actually touching anything.

"Because when he used to serenade me at home when he was still courting, he had a guitar. It was a plus points for us girls back then if a guy was good with an instrument."

I chuckled at Mama's story.

"So, Papa tricked you, Ma?" I asked, and Mama nodded.

"His friend was the one actually strumming, and he was just pretending."

We both laughed. I hope Link and I will have a similar love story in the future, but... can we also be like Mama and Papa, "stay strong" until now?

"There's someone at the door!" Mama brought me back to reality with her statement.

"Your boyfriend is here," she teased.

"He's not my boyfriend yet!" I said, making Mama laugh.

I stood up, grabbed my little pouch, and kissed Mama on the cheek before going outside to meet Link. He was already wearing his basketball uniform and had a sports bag with him.

"Take care of your girlfriend, Link," I heard Mama say as she stood by the door.

I looked at Mama and gave her a disapproving look, which she responded to with a smile. Argh! What's wrong with my mother?!

"O-okay, Tita," Link replied, a bit shyly.

Once we were outside, I pulled Link away so we could distance ourselves from Mama. I was sure that if we stayed, she would tease us relentlessly, just like she used to do with Isiah.

"Just ignore Mama," I said as we walked towards the tricycle terminal.

"Did I hear her right? Did she say you're my girlfriend?" I pressed my lips together.

"Yes, it just means we're not casual anymore," I answered, making me pout. "Stop pouting, you're not cute," I said again causing his pout deepen.

Sheesh, why does he look cute when he pouts?!

"Stop it, Link. You look like a gay," I retorted.

He grimaced and looked at me with a playful smirk, which raised my eyebrows.

"What are you laughing about?" I asked, sounding annoyed.

"You're so cute when you're in beast mode," he said, causing me to glare at him. "It reminds me of our first encounter, when you were so irritated at me for hugging you." He added.

"What's the connection?" I asked, annoyed, while he chuckled and looked at the path in front of us.

"Because that was the day I saw a brave angel," he chuckled.

"I should punch you," I said irritably, but it seemed like none of my threats affected him.

"Do you think you can?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I raised an eyebrow as well and stared at him. Is he challenging me?

"Hey, hype beast, don't challenge me like that. I won't back down," I smirked.

He grinned back at me. It seemed like his smile was my weakness. He was so enjoyable to look at, especially when he was smiling so widely. He looked like an innocent child.

He moved even closer to me and gave me a playful smirk, which furrowed my brow. Is this clown really going to move closer and wink at me?

"I like the way you called me 'hype beast.' It sounds nice to my ears," he said, making me smile.

"You're crazy," I retorted, walking ahead of him, but he still caught up.

"I just want to make you smile. I don't want you to always be frowning because it doesn't suit your beautiful face," he said, making me swallow hard and hold back the urge to smack him.

"Okay, okay. Stop it already," I intervened.

"Oh, why are you blushing?" he playfully gasped, pretending to be surprised, but he was clearly teasing me.

"Move aside!" I brushed him off and walked faster.

I heard him laugh, which irritated me even more.

I tried walking faster to get to the tricycle terminal first, but he caught up with me, even grabbed my hand, and our palms interlocked. I looked at him, then at our hands. He wasn't laughing anymore and had a serious expression on his face. He glanced at me and gave me a small smile.

"I can't explain it, but with you it's different."

WHEN WE ARRIVED at Maxine High, there were already many students present. Some students from Maximo were even in their uniforms. They probably have cutting classes. They sought permission from their school but ended up here.

We spotted Link's group conversing. He handed me his sports bag and gestured for me to sit near their spot.

"Stay here. I'll ask Andre where Jovelyn is so you'll have someone to accompany you," he said, and I nodded in response.

He smiled at me before leaving and joining his group. I sat down and looked around. Similar to Maximo, the covered court in Maxine was wide, and the school itself was also spacious.

I glanced at my wristwatch. It was already 1:56 PM. The game was scheduled to start at 2:00 PM, and we managed to arrive on time.

The team discussions concluded, and Link returned to me, looking around as if searching for something.

"There they are, Lica and Ate Jove. Is it okay if you're on your own?" he asked. I turned to look at Lica and Ate Jove, who waved at me.

"It's fine, you can go back to them," I said, and he nodded.

"Hello, Maxinenians and Maximonians!" greeted the teacher who served as the host.

Are Maximo and Maxine sibling school? They're so similar.

"Are you ready to witness the exhilarating game between our talented and handsome basketball players?"

The girls screamed, and the boys shouted, responding enthusiastically.

"That's great! So, what are we waiting for? LET THE GAME BEGIN!"

I winced as the cheers echoed, accompanied by the blaring speakers.

The teams shook hands before the start of the first quarter, which was ignited by an impressive move from a Maxine player. It was only the first quarter, but they already captivated the audience with their quick moves. However, Team Maximo didn't back down and showcased their MVP skills as well. I found myself clapping every time they made a shot. I'm a supportive schoolmate!

When the score was 14-12, the ball came to Team Maximo. They passed it to Kervin, who played with the defense and then made a chest pass upon spotting Link free to receive the ball. Link immediately drove towards the opposing team's side, maneuvering past the defenders and making a shot that went in.

"Yes!" I cheered happily.

Not many Maximonians came to watch, so the MBP had a rather small audience. I glanced at the other wing and saw the banner made by Ate Jove and Lica last night.

"Go MBP! Go MBP!" they shouted.

As the game progressed, the opposing team slowly caught up with Link's team. Every time they fell behind, they quickly made a comeback.

After the first quarter, the players took a short break before returning to the game. The flow of the game remained the same, with both teams chasing each other's score. If they lose, all their hard work would go to waste.

As the game continued, the points were neck and neck, with only a two or three-point difference.

When the ball was in Maxine's possession, they ran towards Maximo's court, but Andre quickly blocked them. The player was looking for someone to pass the ball to, but with no other choice, he ended up throwing the ball, resulting in a travel violation. The ball went to Team Maximo. Vargas passed the ball to Prof, who ran across the court and then passed it to Link, who was on the move. Link stopped and took the shot, which went in.

"Wooo! Go, Link!" shouted the Maximonians behind me.

Link looked at my spot and smiled, which I returned. The girls behind me thought he was smiling at them, and they went all giddy. Link isn't even that handsome, right? Why are they so obsessed with streetwear? They may look fashionable and have some looks, but they're not celebrities to be so infatuated with. It's annoying!

The game continued, but it came to a halt when Link chased after the ball towards the side and accidentally hit the pole. What is the pole doing there?!

Prof and the others quickly approached Link. I wanted to go closer, but I might get scolded. However, Link raised his right thumb to say he was okay, glancing at my spot and forcing a smile, then giving another thumbs up. I was about to react to Link's thumbs-up when I heard the shrieks from the girls behind me.

"He gave us a thumbs up, OMG!"

I smiled at Link and nodded. Those girls behind me are really something! They're not the ones catching Link's attention, after all!

I shook my head. Why am I so bothered by the girls behind me? I don't even own Link, so I don't have the right to get mad at those girls acting like worms.

The game returned to normal, and the second quarter ended with a score of 35-41, with Team Maximo in the lead. During the timeout, a breathless Link approached me, still smiling.

"Can you pass me my tumbler, please?" he asked.

I quickly grabbed his tumbler from his sports bag and handed it to him. He immediately drank from it.

"Are you okay?" I asked after he took a sip.

I remembered that he has asthma. Could his intense exertion be harmful to him?

"Yes," he replied.

"Liar," I said, giving him an annoyed look, which he chuckled at.

"I'm not lying, I'm really okay... because you're here," he said, causing me to weakly hit him, surprising him.

"Don't say those things here!" I whispered angrily.

"Why? Because it makes you feel giddy?" he teased, and I glared at him.

"I don't know!" I retorted.

He smiled and went back to his teammates. He really is a crazy man! I'm annoyed by his cheesiness, but at the same time, I kind of like it. Ugh, I don't know!

When the game started, I went to the girls' restroom first to pee because I really needed to go. Before I reached the girls' restroom, I asked around and they pointed me to their restroom. I entered one of the cubicles and relieved myself.

I wasn't done yet when I heard giggling as more people entered. I overheard their conversation.

"Did you see the sweet couple earlier?"

"Oh, you mean Link and his new girl?"

"Yeah, they're cute, aren't they?"

"But to be honest, Gipsy is even prettier than Link's new girl."

"Yeah, it's Gipsy's fault for letting go of Link."

Gipsy let go of Link? Why do I feel like I don't know much about their break-up? All I know is that I'm the reason why they fought.

"Let them be, girl."

Once I was sure they were gone, I finally came out of the cubicle and checked myself in the mirror. I glanced at another cubicle as the door opened and the girl they were talking about just spit out what she just ate.

She grinned upon seeing me, approached the mirror, and put on foundation and lipstick.

I turned around to leave, but she spoke, causing me to stop.

"Do you really love Link?" she asked.

I looked at her in the mirror and saw that she was still facing the mirror while applying her lipstick.

"What if I say yes?" I replied confidently.

She gasped and looked at me. "Does he loves you too?" I became speechless at her question. Does Link really love me? Or is he just playing with me? "He just made you feel good, but he has no intention of truly loving you. You're the one who's foolish for hoping that he's serious." She added, causing me to gulp.

"I don't want to argue with you," I said, turning the lock and opening the door. I was about to leave when she added something.

"A friendly advice: don't get too attached to him, be careful or you might end up crying when he gets tired of you."

I didn't pay attention to Gipsy's words as I completely left the restroom and returned to my spot. I didn't want to let her words affect me, but I couldn't help feeling a bit shaken.

"Foul!"

I looked towards the court as one of the coaches shouted "foul". Vargas is about to graduate, and this isn't the first time he has committed fouls.

"A friendly advice: don't get too attached to him, be careful or you might end up crying when he gets tired

of you."

I don't know, but I felt fear upon hearing what Gipsy said. I'm scared... scared that Link might eventually get tired of me. I've grown accustomed to having him around all the time. Was Ate Jove right? Should I just stop all of this?