1 - Friend
"GO WHITE LEOPARDS, GO RUIZ, GO WHITE LEOPARDS, GO RODRIGUEZ!"
My shout was competing with the whole arena as 10 seconds was left on the game.
"Leopards on the lead with Rodriguez on his spot for a three-point shot! Will the ball make it in 5 seconds?" The crowd cheered louder and the commentator stood up in anticipation.
I do believe Ruiz can shoot the ball, but even if he doesn't, we have a 5-point lead anyway. That belief doesn't mean my heart isn't pounding with the crowd right now.
It's like I just remembered how to breathe again when the final horn rang as the ball went in, and I stood with the crowd in celebration.
I rushed to the bottom of the bleachers to hand the towel to a sweaty and breathless Ruiz. He was jumping around celebrating with his team but immediately ran to me when he saw me get down the stairs.
"Bro we won! I'm getting that scholarship." He hugged me and despite not wanting to reek of sweat, I let him knowing how important this is for him.
"I'm proud of you." I whisper as I hug him back, not minding how sweaty he is. I was able to see first-hand how hard he worked for this.
I opened my eyes to see his teammates looking at us paired up and hugging each other while smiling mockingly, so I broke away from the hug and threw the towel in his face.
"I'm just saying I should be your best man you know, I was there when you--" Lucas was cut off when Ruiz slapped his back. "Alright, alright, still won't believe this conspiracy of being friends though."
I looked up to look at Ruiz' eyes but I see he's already staring at mine. "I don't date friends."
And that... stirred something inside me. Something I refuse to acknowledge, so I started congratulating the team.
"I have to get going now, our professor just messaged he'll be meeting us." I started walking away.
"Wait." He pulled me away from the team's earshot. "Are we still on for dinner?"
"Aren't you gonna celebrate with the team?"
"I've had enough of their faces for today." he wipe his towel at the back of his neck. "And besides, we had a deal."
My eyes subconsciously follow the trail of sweat--wait a minute, what am I doing.
"Okay, after my training later then, I'll just message you." I quickly looked away before I do, or think of something that I will regret.
---
The professor didn't take long with his discussion, he ended at exactly 4:00 pm after an hour of class. He was just too eager to conduct a class despite it being our University Intramurals Week.
Lucas just messaged me that the battle of the bands just started.
"Hey Hani, Lucas' band is playing soon, wanna come with?"
Hani's tired eyes lit up as she heard his name, she quickly shoves her things inside her bag and dragged me out of the room.
"That was a blast with AshVeil! Now let's hear from the newest ensemble from the College of Engineering, AURALITH."
We were running while wriggling around the crowd to get to the front near the stage as we hear Lucas’ band is playing next, fortunately we found a spot.
"OH MY GOD, GO BABY!"
I wince as Hani shouted beside me.
They started playing the intro of Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars and the crowd cheered louder, some shouting, some banging on the props they brought.
Lucas winked after the first line and started singing, and I hear girls around us squeal.
"Is that transferee? From what course is that hottieee?" The woman from behind us says. I look behind me and see how she's shaking her friend as they shout along the lyrics now.
I will not deny the appeal. Lucas is indeed good-looking, especially with his glow-up after that incident.
I look at Hani and smile as she dances while singing along, you can almost see the heart shape on her eyes.
"Don't tell me you're falling for Lucas now." I shivered as somebody whispered at my ear.
"What the heck Ruiz, you scared me."
"You're smiling so bright ever since Lucas got on stage."
"Brrr, that would be so crazy. " I roll my eyes at his assumption. "I just came with Hani, you've met before." she waves at Ruiz for a bit before focusing on Lucas and the song.
"Oh." his mouth holding the o-shape after realizing.
"Here." He hands me a paper bag.
"What is this?" I shout so he could hear me, the crowd is getting crazier.
He put his arm around my shoulder so he could get closer. "I heard you didn't eat lunch just so you could watch our game earlier."
I opened the bag and see my favourite fish fillet rice meal from our favourite just outside the campus, there is also dessert in the fom of a brownie. He opens my bag and put in a small bottle.
"It's your favourite." Creamy matcha, hot.
"THATS MY BRO!" he claps and cheers as Lucas' ends the song.
I'm still dazed at this sudden spree of goodwill from Ruiz. He’s usually a good friend, but not this thoughtful.
"Ackk you saw how hot he was!" Hani shook me still jumping as the hosts thanks the band and introduces the next one.
"Come on, I'll introduce you to him." Ruiz tells Hani and guides us out of the crowd, towards where Lucas is standing.
"You're friends with him too? Mr. Social Butterfly" he just laughs and shrugs at the comment.
"Wait do I look decent?" I fix her disheveled hair from all that jumping and signals a thumbs up as the boys greet each other.
"Damn bro, that was good." Ruiz fistbumps the other bandmates too.
"Hey! Lheane! Was it really good or is this guy lying?"
"My friend, Hani, loved it." I say as I put my arm around Hani and wink to signal her.
Hani held out her hand as they introduce each other's names.
"Hey bro, we're going out, miss girl here has to eat."
"Oh no, it's okay really, we can hang for a bit longer." I say as Lucas' eyebrow shot up and he smiled with meaning.
Ruiz turns to me, "You haven't eaten lunch yet, and you are heading to training soon."
I look at my watch and it is almost 5.
"It's okay, you can leave us." Hani gives me a knowing look while looking at me and Ruiz.
"Yeah, why'd you take this long to introduce your lovely friend is beyond me."
I roll my eyes as the boys bid their goodbyes and Hani hugs me. "Thanks for the intro, I owe you and Ruiz one." she whispers during the hug.
