CHAPTER ONE
YOU AND ME INSIDE THAT SHOP
The Main Avenue was buzzed with energy, a symphony of city life. The sun had a long set, and the street was filled with different kinds of people: some hurrying home from work, others just starting their night out.
Car horns blared, mingling with the distant thump of live music from different blocks.
At nine in the evening, only a few businesses were still open, but the night was young. People spilled out onto the streets, enjoying street food, drinking beer, and browsing stalls. And the air was thick with the scent of fried snacks and the electric hum of the city.
While I... I was sitting in this open park, observing other people that are minding their own business. like those groups of blind masseuses sitting quietly on one side, while a few feet away, friends laughed and hung out.
I was waiting with my friends to meet me there to go to this popular internet shop.
And because it was a weekend. So, it’s going to be our DOTA night.
By the way, I’m Jake, a senior high school student in one of the prestigious schools here in our town. What can I tell you about myself? Well, I play the ball-the classic game of basketball.
I’m actually pretty good, so I’m on the school varsity team. That means I’ve got a lean, athletic build. At six feet tall, I’ve heard from about half the girls on campus that I’m handsome, so I’ll happily take the compliment.
As for my relationship status, I’m technically single. Always have been. Why? Maybe I’m just too picky, or maybe I haven’t met that one person who gives me those butterflies in the belly.
You know the feeling. One day, maybe, but for now, it’s all about my studies and my basketball career.
Wait! Where was I? Hmmm. Right...
I was waiting for them to meet me in the park. And a few minutes later, they showed up one by one, like clockwork. First was Justin, then Rob and Bobby, and finally, our resident latecomer, Rick.
We’ve all been friends since grade school, so we’re talking about a decade of history here. So Rick and Bobby are also on the basketball team, while Rob is our student body president. And lastly, Justin-he is one of the cadet members of this C.A.T. (Citizenship Advancement Training).
Well, it is a mandatory graduation requirement for all fourth-year high school students. Well lucky for me, I’m a varsity, so I have the option not to join the squad.
We started walking toward the internet shop, which is tucked right next to this super crowded night café. We have always gone there since we were freshmen.
Hmmm... the shop itself was already old, but the internet speed was incredible. The best part? The place was always clean and cozy.
Their private cubicle is topnotch. The owner didn’t allow smoking inside, so the air smelled fresh and calming, like lavender. They even had a small café inside.
It was so popular that people had to make reservations, but we were regulars, so we always got a spot.
We were there for one thing, and it’s DOTA.
DOTA, hmmm... I expect you know that game, right? Well anyways, this is what WIKIPEDIA had to say about it.
"DOTA 2 is a 2013 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game by Valve. The game is a sequel to Defense of the Ancients (DotA), a community-created mod for Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Dota 2 is played in matches between two teams of five players, with each team occupying and defending their own separate base on the map.”
Well, that’s what DOTA means... It has a very long explanation, but that will be reserved for another story, okay?
This story is not about DOTA. But, this story is about her...
So here we are; we just arrived at the shop and were about to enter, but we were blocked by this girl. She was about to go outside talking on her phone. While one of my friends is talking to the attendant about any available PCs, I am being me, snooping around as always...
I was curious about her. So, I wanted to know what was happening... But the last thing I heard from that quick gesture of hers.
"I’m already here... Where are you?”
I wanted to snoop further, but my friend stopped me and said that we already had available PCs to use. So, our PCs are now ready, and we’ve already signed in to the game. All we need now are our opponents.
One of my friends was roaming around the shop to see if there was a group of 5 that wanted to play with us. Luckily we found this group also looking to play with. Usually we were seated in this row of computers while the other team was in the other row.
So, we are seated by this: Rob, Justin, me, Rick, and Bobby.
Minutes later, the game was already starting; Rob was assigned to Midland, while I and Rick were in the cash lane. As for Bobby and Justine, they were busy in the exp. Lane.
Rob then gushed for help.
"Guys! I need help here! Jake, where are you? I need you here!”
Where was I, if you asked? I was there playing. But the thing is, I tend to get distracted sometimes. Especially now, I can’t help but notice her; she was still outside, standing and feeling agitated... I think she was waiting for someone. But she keeps on coming inside the shop and then goes out again.
The look of her face is more like she’s worried or something...
But suddenly, a large noise came from the other team...they were howling, notifying us that they were winning...
"Yahoo! They’re going to get toast, guys! Let’s finish this!”
I have to snap myself out of it and need to focus on the game. Rick immediately yelled at me, saying:
"Dude! Focus! Where are you? We are losing!”
They keep on calling my name.
"Jake! Jake, focus!”
Sadly, we lost the game... So as punishment, we have to pay for the time they played with us.
Then Rick whispered to me,
"Dude, what just happened to you?”
Out of shame, I just scratched my head replying to him.
"Let’s win this back...”
After that game, we need to reset and decide to lay low for a while... And after that we will look for another team to be challenged with.
So, I tried to check if the girl was still right outside. But luckily she went inside again and came back to her cubicle.
She was seated right next to Bobby.
So, I stood up and pretended to check on what my friend was doing on this PC... But deep inside, I was secretly checking her out.
She was wearing an old GAP hoodie, tattered jeans, and Converse sneakers.
I loved it. She looked so cute, and even with the hood pulled up, I could tell she was beautiful.
I briefly looked at her; I noticed that her eyes were already puffy. It’s already obvious that she has been crying since we came.
I had myself thinking...
"What kind of jerk tries to make her cry like that? ”
I even tried to take a glimpse at her social media account flashing on her PC screen, but it’s hard to look at it without getting noticed.
Then suddenly, one of my friends sitting next to her accidentally hit her arm from excessive playing...
She stood up and quickly glared at us, and a tear was trying to come from her eyes...
I immediately teased him to take it easy on playing.
"Dude, you should take it easy... The lovely lady was about to cry...”
She then sat down rudely, minding her own business on the computer.
Okay! I was being a tease there; I just want her to laugh, or maybe to feel at ease?
I felt guilty back there, so I gave her my handkerchief and secretly whispered to her.
"Just let it all out, miss... No one will judge you here...”
She looked up to me... With a sad look on her face.
But then, I was able to take a good look at her beautiful face.
She looks innocent and sophisticated; her eyes are almond-shaped with a slight upward tilt at the outer corners. Hmmm, she looks like this K-drama actress that I’m so fond of... What’s her name?! it’s on the tip of my tongue.
That one is from Endless Love, I think. Anyways, she definitely looked like her...
Even her skin looks smooth and luminous, like all the actresses you see in K-dramas; her skin really looks like that.
I suspect that her hair is long and wavy-like, but I can’t see it clearly because of the hood she wears.
I immediately told myself there
"Woah, Jake! She is definitely your type!”
She just accepted my handkerchief, with no response, no thank you... Nothing from her.
I wanted to comfort her, but I have no right or any business to mingle with her life, right? I really hate being a nosy person. But I really can’t help it though...
"Are you okay?”
I immediately asked her... But she didn’t answer, and a few minutes later she stood up, went to the attendant, paid, and left the shop.
I wanted to follow her and ask for her name.
So I went outside the shop and looked for her, but she immediately disappeared in the busy crowd.
And then it hit me.
"Shoot! I didn’t get my hanky back... Well, maybe that’s it, but I really want to know her.”
So, I went back and asked the attendant if she knew her, or if she was a regular? Or what...
"Dude, that girl just got out. Do you know her? Is she a regular?”
But sadly, the attendant can’t answer any of my questions...
The next day, I have to go out to buy materials for tomorrow’s class. So I went to Main Avenue again...
What I like about Main Avenue is that they have different establishments that offer different business such as banks, bookstores, and food chains. Well, it’s like an open mall.
As of now, because it’s daytime, the night café is closed, and it will open again next weekend.
So the streets are replaced with cars, the park is quiet, and the food stalls are all gone.
But out of nowhere, I found myself heading back to the shop, arriving way earlier than before.
"What was I thinking? I’m just hoping for nothing, right?”
I was just hoping, against all odds, that I might catch her there. I know, it was a crazy thought, but I went anyway.
So I went inside and asked the attendant if she happened to pass by to just call him in the corner cubicle of the shop.
"Dude, if you see that girl from last night, call me immediately, okay? I’ll be there in cubicle no. 4.”
The attendant just nodded.
Well, I waited for hours and hours; my butt is already numb. But she still hasn’t shown up.
I’ve already finished 10 games, changed the status on my socials, and even watched 3 movies...
Still, she is nowhere to be found.
"I think I have to stop thinking about her... But.”
It’s really hard; I still keep thinking about her, her face... That smooth face of hers, which I want to touch. And her lips...
At that moment, I just realized something...
"Why do I always keep thinking of her? Is this what they call love? Or maybe just admiration? Obsession, perhaps? Why?”
I didn’t have the answers. All I knew was that I still kept thinking about her. And I wondered, what could have happened to her after she left that night?
