Colet's POV

I wasn't able to attend our morning classes because Coach Jaz excused us in preparation for the invitational cup. After a long tiring training, I've received a message from Mikha. "Col, we're at the cafeteria. We'll be waiting for you so we could eat lunch together." she said.

I hurried my way to the cafeteria only to find out Jhoanna sitting there alone. I can't find my friends here, so, I messaged them.

 
"Where the fuck are you?" I asked but they just left my message on read. What the hell?

Jhoanna look at my way and smiled. She's coming! "Hi, Colet! I'm with your friends awhile ago but they ran an errand, Gwenny and Stacey wasn't able to join us too. It's just us."

 
"Alright, then, let's eat." I told her.

I made my way to the counter and ordered my food. I got us ice cream sandwiches too.
Jhoanna sat across my seat.

 
"Here." I simply offer her one ice cream sandwich. 

She smiled. "I got us apple pie too!" she cutely said and hand me the apple pie.

We ate silently. Testing the water, trying not to look awkward.

 
"How's your training?" Jhoanna said, breaking the silence.

 
"It was tiring but I need to step up. We lost 3 seniors and some are newbies." I casually replied.

 "How about you, how's theater and broadcasting?" I look at her and saw her looking at me too. I, then, look away. She's so beautiful.

"uhm, I'm still adjusting but it was fun! I'm enjoying it, I love performing and broadcasting." I look at her while she's talking. She seems passionate when it comes to the things she's doing. I nodded my head, not sure if I'm going to say anything or not.

"You know, Colet, I'm quiet curious about your grade 10 crush. Who is she?" She suddenly asked in a serious tone. I gulped. Should I tell her?

 
"How about you describe her?" she added.

"Alright, try guessing her, then. If you failed for your first try, you'll watch our game. Deal?" I challenged her. I saw her thinking throughly about my proposal.

 
"Deal!" She said as she move closer. She waited for my turn to speak.

"Well, she got the prettiest eyes. She's tall, smart, fun to be with, and she has this strong aura." I said, giving her a hint.

She got stunned by what I just said. Am I that obvious? I asked myself.

"Oh my! It's Stacey, right?" she said.

"No, silly!" I immediately responded.

"But I'm pretty sure Stacey has the prettiest eyes. She's tall, smart, fun to be with, and has a strong aura too!" She defended. Trying to convince me that her guess was right. I, then, shook my head.

It has always been you. But I didn't said that. I'm not going to confess to her. I'm scared my confession might lead her to avoid me.

"If that's the case, give me another chance. I promise to watch your game. I'll also wear your jersey, how about that?" She said.

Jhoanna, if only you can hear my heart. It's beating fast for you.

"Sure!" I replied. Revealing my teasing smile.

 
"Don't tell me it's Gwen? You dumbass! You're crushing on your friend's girl!" She exclaimed. I laugh at her. She's bad at guessing games.

 
"How dare you thinking of me like that?" I said dramatically which made us laugh.

"Give me your jersey tomorrow." she said that made me smile.

I heard my phone beeped. A message from my friend and I's group message.

Sheena: Enjoying the set up?

Colet: I'm not.

Maloi: Yeah, sure you're not enjoying it.

—

I look at my friends holding each other's hands while waiting for our winning moment. Our setter made an eye contact with me as she tossed the ball. I approached the ball and quickly hit it. The referee whistled and I heard the crowd shouting.

We won!

Then, there's Jhoanna, standing and shouting together with my friends and her friends. My jersey suits her so well!

We celebrated in the middle of the court. After awarding, the host announced me as the final's MVP. The crowd went wild.

But in the middle of the crowd and in the sea of people, I searched for those brown cat eyes which belongs to Jhoanna.

My friends are waving at me so I ran towards them.

 
"Congratulations, MVP!" they all said. I smiled at them.

 
"I thought I was gonna lose my voice there!" Sheena said dramatically while Gwen just hugged her. PDA.

I was looking at the couple when I heard a voice which belongs to the girl I am admiring.

"Congratulations, Colet!" she said.

"Thanks, Jho!" I scratched my head, thinking about how I looked while playing earlier. She probably saw my aggressive side back there.

"Nice outfit, Jho!" teased by Mikha. I scanned her outfit, she's wearing my jersey tucked in it with mom jeans, brown cap, and white sneakers. My cheerleader.

 
"Well, I lost a bet." she replied shyly, trying to hide her face. I smirked when I remembered the scene last week. I didn't notice our friends' curious look.

"What bet?" Maloi asked cluelessly. I just shrugged.

We all went out of the gym and decided to celebrate at Bloom's cafe. My treat, of course.

"Damn! This is the first time Colet will treat us!" Sheena announced.

"Don't be too exaggerated, you all are rich." I said, rolling my eyes. They all laughed at me.

After some time, we decided to go home already because we still have classes tomorrow. We exchanged goodbyes.

I was about to walk away when I noticed Jhoanna standing a few meters away from me.

"Why are you still here?" I asked.

"Uh, I texted my driver but he's not responding." She replied

"Come on! Let's just wait there!" I pointed to the waiting shed near us.

"Hey! How about you? Did you messaged your driver already?" She asked.

 
"I did." Nope, I didn't.

I lied because I don't want her to know my routine. Like, texting my driver once I made sure she'll go home safe with her driver.

We both walk our way to the waiting shed. After 20 minutes, her driver hasn't arrived yet.

"You know what? We still have plenty of time. I want you to try something!" I said excitedly.

Little did we know, we're struggling to keep ourselves steady on the ice skating area.

"You idiot! I only agreed to this because I thought you know how to do ice skating!" she said while laughing.

 
"Well, I practiced on youtube." I joked that made us laugh even more.

When we got tired of trying, I lay down and pull her beside me.

We laughed with each other's silly jokes, not minding the people around us. They probably think we are weirdos.

I stopped laughing for awhile and look at her. She's trying to wipe away her tears that caused by too much laughter.

My heart is pounding so much.

This kind of feeling, is this just a simple admiration?

Or maybe ...

This is the start of something new. Something deeper, maybe?