Chapter 3

Sinharley University men's basketball won for three consecutive years. They defeated the school, Eastwood University, who was one of the famous names in college Basketball.

Their school won after Shintaro Yamazaki and Kazuma Yokomizo, both freshmen at that time, entered the University. Marcus Palacio, the captain, was ecstatic to have the two. They carried the team like no other.

They had a hard time, of course. But Marcus could not hide the fact that the two almost did all of the rebounds and shootings. 

People started calling them geniuses.

They attended the same high school, the well known Shutoku High, one of the three kings when it came to Basketball. They were already playing basketball since then. Shin attended Sinharley because his mom was an alumni while Kazu chose the school because of no particular reason.

On the other hand, Sinharley University women's basketball hadn't won any trophy yet. It was only formed two years ago, and since then, they couldn't even enter the semi-finals. But the school was showing them interest since their sportsfest. They saw how Rowie and Patricia worked hard for the team. 

But they were not yet as polished as the other school's basketball team. They were new to it, after all. But the two of them were still working hard on looking for other ideal players. They were aiming for the trophy next year.

"Rowie, the class is about to start. Wake up!" Jennica tapped Rowie's shoulder to wake her up.

Charlotte sighed while glancing at her friend and at the whole cafeteria. "You really don't care where you sleep, don't you, sleepyhead?"

Rowie rubbed her eyes and yawned. She wore her eyeglasses to see things more clearly. "All set. Let's go!" she beamed before standing up like she never heard her friend's comment.

Charlotte rolled her eyes and did not say anything. She's used to it already. But she knew better. She was aware that her friend didn't have enough sleep last night.

Printing shirt, printing tote bags, and other printing stuff. Those were just some things that she's been busy about. Charlotte could not blame her for being talented. She just needed money to help her Mom. And yes, at a young age. If twenty's a young age.

Two hours straight with Research, Rowie almost fell asleep again. Their professor didn't seem to care because he knew Rowie well. She was a smart and diligent girl. She would listen if she didn't know what to do. In fact, her thesis was already on their way to the Photocopier. In short, she was already done weeks ago.

They had a thirty minutes break after that, and then another two hours of Statistics and Probability. Rowie listened. She hated math but she had to learn it. This time, it was Jennica who was about to fall asleep – or rather, she was long asleep already.

Lunchtime came. Rowie and the gang almost sprinted to the cafeteria. Their stomach was growling since the beginning of Mathematics. A bowl of hot soup from the cafeteria was all they wanted – before eating lunch, of course.

When the corn soup was served, they moaned in satisfaction. It felt like they had gone to a deserted place and it was their first time drinking water. Mathematics had that effect on them. 

Larry already went to State. The whole gang sent him off and joked that he didn't have to go home anymore. Jennica and Rowie gave their two friends a private time to talk as well. Charlotte seemed to be really gloomy. She was just trying to be cheerful around her friends but they knew better. They would just roll their eyes and ask why argue with him if you are going to miss him anyway? They just didn't understand them sometimes.

Half of their lunch was already eaten when Patricia disturbed them with news that made Rowie lost her appetite.

"Rowie, we're having a meeting." She greeted her friends and turned her full attention to Rowie.

"With the whole varsity?" asked Rowie while still munching.

"Yes. With Marcus and his team."

Rowie stopped eating a bit, then resumed. "Why?"

"Finish eating first, then I'll tell you. I'll be going now. Sorry to disturb your lunch. Have a happy lunch!" she excitedly exited.

Rowie began to be curious. It was bad timing, really. When she became curious, she would be thinking about it until she knew what the reason was.

She tapped her spoon and fork at her plate.

"Stop thinking about it, Rowie! Just finish your lunch," Charlotte exclaimed.

"But, Char! I'm curious," Rowie replied.

"I know. But you'll know the reason later. You're distracting us, stop it!"

Rowie stopped tapping the spoon and fork. Why would Patricia say that while she was eating? Did she know that she would lose her appetite if she said something like that? That girl, really! She did this on purpose so that she would run after her and asked for the reason. If she did, it was effective!

"I'm off, guys. See you later," she said while grabbing her things.

"Wait! – your food."

Rowie did not pay attention to her friend. She searched for the whole place to look for a tall and thin girl. She was so tall for a girl that she immediately found her. Pushing the others a little, Rowie made it to where Patricia was and grabbed her arm.

"Tell me now," she said.

Patricia gave her an amused look before smirking. "You followed me here just for that?" she said, teasing Rowie.

"Please, Tricia! You know that I'll be curious that's why you told me those things. You're really..." She did not finish her sentence.

"Really what?" Patricia's eyes twinkled.

Rowie glared at her which caused her to laugh. "Okay, I get it. I'll just buy some snacks. I know you'll be hungry later."

"Why would I be hungry?"

"I know you well for me to say that."

"Really?"

"Yes, you little pig." 

Rowie scoffed. 

"Wait for me in the gymnasium. Marcus must be there already with his team – with your crush." Patricia gave her a meaningful look before shouting her order to the vendor. 

Rowie walked away to ignore her captain's last words. She hesitated a little on whether to go to the gymnasium or wait for Patricia but chose the first option. Kazu would be there so she wanted to watch him play.

He was a year older than her but who cares? She still likes him.

Even though he was the shortest among the team, his moves were impressive. He dribbled and shot the ball like a lightning. He was just so fast for you to predict what he was about to do next. He's also good at guarding his opponent -- an asset that made the other teams incapable of shooting.