Chapter 1

Chapter 1

It was a usual sunny Monday morning at Sinharley University. All of the students were rushing on their way to the Sinharley Sports Gymnasium, except for Rowie, who was on her way to her classroom.

Her friends sighed after seeing her enter the room. They were relieved to see her at school before Christmas vacation. This was also their last day before Larry, one of her friends, went to the U.S for a vacation with his family. They were planning to go to Amelitos to have a little party with the gang.

"Gosh! We thought you're going to take your time taking a bath for two more hours," Jennica snorted at her friend.

Rowie just shrugged her shoulder and sat comfortably on her seat at the back. Being a caring friend, Charlotte fixed Rowie's tortoise necktie.

Her stripe tortoise skirt that touches her knees was not ironed well. If not for her ponytail, they're sure that she would look like a witch with her tangled hair. 

Charlotte could only groan.

"Let's watch the championship before going to Amelitos! This is the last day after all. The school is having a blast especially at the gymnasium," Charlotte beamed at them, eyes twinkling with the thought of college varsity on their sweaty jersey.

Larry scoffed at her girlfriend and said, "You're just looking forward to Marcus' play," he said, jealousy was evident in his deep voice. This was not the first time her girlfriend watched the play. That's why he needed to make sure everything's in place now that he's leaving.

Charlotte eyed her boyfriend and raised her eyebrow. "Why don't you play basketball as well? That way, I'll be impressed with you."

He smirked. "Why would I try to impress you if you're already impressed with me?" Larry said with amusement in his voice.

"Oh really? Dream on 'cause I'm still watching." She stuck out her tongue and ran outside, tagging the bored Rowie along.

"Sorry, 'Couz. I'll be coming with them." Jennica patted Larry's shoulder before following her friends.

Larry glanced at their backs before ruffling his hair out of frustration. "Why are they doing this to me? Really!"

Larry didn't have a choice but to follow them. He had to watch his girlfriend fangirls over Marcus, the varsity's captain for five years. He was two years older than them and he was already a graduating student but he didn't care. He's still a threat to him and to their relationship. Taking his eyes off his girlfriend would be the last thing he'd do.

The three best friends reached the gymnasium. Their jaw almost dropped after seeing the place packed with students already. Even though the game hadn't started yet, the students - mostly girls - were already shouting on top of their lungs.

Jennica and Charlotte exchanged glances and rolled their eyes at Rowie, blaming her for being late. If not because of her, they might be sitting in front of the bleachers for a better spot.

At that moment, Larry caught up to them and joined the gang. His jaw also dropped at the sight, but immediately closed his mouth.

"Didn't know basketball is this popular," said Larry incredulously, his eyes roaming around the gym. He shook his head after seeing the senior high school girls scream like there's no tomorrow.

"It's because music is all that matters to you," said Charlotte while slightly frowning.

"Yeah, right!" replied Larry.

"Don't fight here! We're here to have fun. Charlotte, please," Jennica said, slightly annoyed of the couple.

The couple both looked away, avoiding each other's gazes. Jennica and Rowie shrugged. It seemed like a serious fight this time but they both didn't know how to handle it. They needed to talk, really, a kind of talk where both of them were relaxed and already calm.

Jennica's eyes twinkled while looking at someone, then dragged the girls in front where the varsity players were sitting. 

Larry looked confused for a moment. He followed the three of them without a word. But when he saw Peter, his question was answered. He's Jennica's older brother.

"Thanks, Bro!" Jennica beamed and gave her big brother a fist on his shoulder.

"No problem, little marshmallow," Peter teased.

Jennica pouted. "I'm not a marshmallow!"

"But you have two." Peter laughed pertaining to Jennica's cheeks that were so soft it looked like marshmallows. 

She smacked her brother but burst out with laughter later on. Jennica smiled at her friends and sat beside them. They all watched the players warm up and play. 

Charlotte, Jennica, and Rowie were fans of Basketball. Rowie was even playing in the school as a varsity while Jennica knew the sport because of her older brother. On the other hand, Charlotte only watched Basketball because of the guys playing. In the end, she learned almost everything about this sport.

Larry, unlike the three, didn't know anything when it came to Basketball. The only thing he knew was that the players needed to shoot the ball into the hoop. He didn't even know why they had to run around like that.

They all focused on the game. 

Sinharley University was up against their rival school Eastwood School for Sports for the last five years. It was a well-known school that focused on sports that's why they won almost every year. But what made this school vulnerable was that Sinharley won three times from the last five years considering that the basketball team was only formed five years ago.

Charlotte sighed, still watching the game. "As expected, Shin and Kazu can lift the team up - both physically and mentally."

Rowie nodded with agreement. "Thanks to the two of them, our school won the title three times already."

"Maybe it's in the blood. Maybe Japanese boys are just so talented when it comes to this sport," Charlotte.

"Marcus is not bad as well. He is a good point guard and he's not even Japanese," Jennica commended.

Charlotte smiled.

"Yes, indeed," said Rowie.

Rowie continued watching Kazu. She secretly cheered for him inside her head. She was just too shy to shout. Add the fact that she was just sitting on the bench where the players were. She was too embarrassed to even clap her hands.

When the game ended, that was Rowie's cue to clap with the audience. The benchwarmers beside them also cheered and jumped for them. It meant only one thing, Sinharley University's taking the trophy again.

All the players lined up in the middle of the court to bow and shake hands. They were all smiling as if nothing happened. They just had a lot of fun playing. It was as if the trophy was not present in the game.

That's good, though. At least they are all friends, Rowie thought.

She was about to go out with her friends when a sight caught her attention. It was Shin holding a little figurine she couldn't quite see. He was looking at her intently as if he was watching her since she entered the gymnasium.

When Shin saw her looking at him, he busied himself on shaking the opponents' hands. She shook her head and ignored it. Maybe he was just looking at something else.

And what's with the figurine? Is that a trend?

"Amelitos! Amelitos!" Jennica cheered when they got out of the gymnasium. Rowie did not glance again at the gym because Jennica was already dragging her along.

"Okay! Okay! Tell your hungry stomach that we're on our way," Charlotte teased her.

Jennica pouted, then clung her arms around Rowie's arms. "Let's go!" she beamed.