Weeks passed after that dreaded dream appeared, since then I haven't dreamt again. I couldn't allow myself to shut my eyes knowing that something like that might happen, but now loads of work and basketball practice has managed to get me away from those thoughts. As soon as I headed home I was dead asleep and knackered up.
But ever since that event happened I noticed a few things changed, my friends get a bit too protective, always asking me how I am, asking where I'm going and more.
They even had Jo accompany me from the gates to practice and after class. I didn't mind, but I didn't want to burden anyone. I'd rather be alone then having someone forcefully helping me, it didn't feel right. But they assured me more than enough that they didn't feel forced nor any burden by me. And ever since I felt like I was back home, I knew it wasn't healthy to rely on someone too much, but I couldn't help it either.
It felt lovely having someone with you, watching over your shoulders, and having no care to fear anything else because they were there.
The practice has ended, everyone got out a mop or just gathered all the equipment used leaving the court fresh and clean. We begin to huddle on the floor, some lying flat on their backs still breathless of the recent activities. Pushing ourselves to our limits to achieve our goals. Muscles aching from all those movements, improving our strength, balance, quickness, and stableness. Working on new tricks and combos aiming to blow people's mind, and lighten up our team name even more that it has.
Clutching her clipboard as she had her usual satisfied grin on, she came marching up in her giddy mood, blowing her whistle knowing it would trigger us all. But of course, she isn't our couch without her booming clear voice.
"Ok! So as you all have heard tomorrow were going to have camped on Friday till next week at Seron Sports Academy, and I am glad to announce that MU's Official Basketball team will also join us."
This got the girls attention sparking, including mine. It's MU's Official Basketball team we're talking about, not only they have handsomely great looks and are very sporty, their personalities complete it all, none like those guys that always act like complete jerks, but MU's their total sweethearts. They even like to join us, a practice which motivates the teams (especially the girls) to try harder pushing one's abilities, and the great part was that it wasn't even training day.
"Coach! That means Damien and the other will be there right?" Cassy asked as she wiggled her brows at the other girls who had grins filling their faces.
"Damien Alexandro, Of course, he's the Captain." With the news being said we all squealed as our fangirl side took over.
"Here they go again." Someone groaned annoyed by the high pitched screams.
"OMG YES!"
"THEY'RE SO HOT."
"FRED'S SKILLS OMG!"
"I HOPE HE COULD PRACTICE WITH US AGAIN."
"YAS GOSH PLEASE."
The coach looked at us amused. "Well then if you girls are so excited about the MU's team, might as well show them what you've got. Maybe I'll ask them some tricks as a reward if you guys win most of the matches." She offered to wink at us all.
This got the girls squealing, even more, the excitement bubbling in was crazy, that even Alex had to scold for us to quieten down. But we couldn't help whispering at each other, wanting the week to end quickly so we could see MU's O Team.
After announcing more information, the coach told us we could go, heading back to the changing rooms, even though we were still talking about them. Because it was usual that we all headed out together, the guys got pissed that we were taking longer than usual and threatened "If you girls are taking longer because of fangirling, we're leaving." Which made us all snicker at how precise they were.
"Guys want to hang out at the dinner?" Asked Alex as we all finally gathered in the lobby.
Agreeing with Alex, now we're figuring out who is going with who since not all of us brought our vehicle, well I couldn't even save my life to drive, and for some reason, the girls keep pestering me to hitch a ride with Jo, when I was aware that there was still a seat available in Cassy's car.
"Why can't I go with you guys?" I whined.
"Well um- Zora she's- is having a headache so she needs the whole back seat and the others are full." Dew dragged Zora who looked confused, it looks like she was forced because now she was acting as if she had a headache.
The two girls, Dew and Cass pulled me and made my trip, leading to bumping into a person.
"Wow, easy there. You ok?" taking a glimpse of the person, it was Jo.
I turned my head away and nodded saying a timid yes. "I- uh-"
'Heck, why am I stuttering?' I scold myself
"Want to hitch a ride? I overheard you guys, sorry about Dew." He apologized, snatching me out of thoughts.
Peeking behind I scowled, those two are now gone. Everyone left us. 'Those people I'm going to-'
"So you want to?" glancing up at Jo, I could see the anticipation in his eyes so I nodded not having much choice.
Starting up the car, we headed off. Jo turned on the radio playing some lo-fi music.
"Again sorry about Dew if she bothers you too much." He apologized again while glancing at me.
I gave him a reassuring smile. "It's ok. Seeing you and Dew makes me miss my brothers."
"How are they?"
"Good I guess. I mean every time I call them they seem fine," Shrugging my shoulders.
"How about you? You ok?" glancing back at him, he was already looking my way, bored into my eye as if trying to search for something.
Some unusual reason my heart beat faster and I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks, breaking the contact immediately I glared out the window. 'what is wrong with me?' scolding myself.
These past weeks I've been hanging out a lot with the team which includes Jo, and somehow they manage to get us talking or leaving us together. I noticed it the first time, 'there must be some kind of explanation why? I mean maybe it's because I hang with him a lot, yeah that must be it'
"Hm?" a deep hum broke me out of thoughts, a fluttery feeling broke loose in my stomach. 'A few more minutes and we'll arrive' I told myself desperately wanting to getaway.
"I- I'm fine." I stuttered.
It looks like Jo remembered something he reached to the back seat searching for something, grabbing hold of a flyer he held it to me.
"Someone was giving out these flyers to a new pet shop plus vet downtown, and I figure Tobi and Toba needed a check-up, and maybe some new toys." He explained, noticing the lack of reaction from me he added.
"So I was wondering if you'd like to come with, and get to meet those two, I mean you did say you were desperate to meet them.
"Meet Toba and Tobi??" asking eagerly.
"Uh Uh"
"Yes yes yes!" I squealed grinning widely, feeling thrilled to eventually meet those two cuties after loads of photos shown by Jo.
Hopping out of the car as we finally arrived, stepping up the usual stairs we entered the sliding door of the dinner. Searching up for a group of dorky lads, we spotted them playing some board games placed in the middle of two tables combined.
I recall back at the lobby as a livid feeling started erupting. Popping knuckle after knuckle as I marched up to them.
The two captains who seemed to see my presence both held their hands up in precautions, the others seeing their actions glance back in curiosity but instantly gulp as I sneered back at them. Looking at each of them one by one until I landed on my targets.
Smirking darkly, slowly approaching them, they begin to turn pale as cold sweat reaches their forehead. They look at each other before slowly creeping out their seats.
"A-Akira hey, y-your f-finally here." Dew started as she deliberately stood up.
"Ye-yeah it-took you-long enough haha…" continued Cassy as she unceasingly stuttered.
Mocking at them I crossed my arms as I repeatedly kept on tapping my toe. "You better be fast." I spoked threateningly as I slowly counted back from 3.
"JOSHUA YOU BETTER STOP THAT MONSTER FROM SURFACING!" was the last thing they shouted before I got triggered even more. Wanting to strangle them I went to catch them but a firm hold was stopping me from doing so.
"Let go," I demanded as I started to struggle out of its grip.
"No, and you're not thinking straight. Do you want to come back even more exhausted than you are and left with cold food?" He scolded.
"No," with that he pulled me to the open seats. I sulked as I sat in my seat, hating the fact I was stopped before I could do anything. Jo noticed the lack of enthusiasm, sighs himself before going on his phone.
Not long a notification was sent to my phone, grabbing it lazily I saw a text sent from Jo.
Jo: How about ice cream after we go check up on the puppies? Come on cheer up.
And just only with a text had turned me all soothed and even elated. Swiping to the left to see an amused Jo already watching over my reaction. 'There it goes again' as I begin to start feeling mushy and fluttery. 'Gosh, I need to see a doctor later'.
A waiter came up to us with trays of those fat meaty burgers. It appears that someone ordered us all the same thing which I didn't mind if I were to eat here because I could guarantee that every single menu is worth it, even if it's a plain old salad.
By then the two dorks I chased off were back apologizing and even gave me a chocolate milkshake which I didn't even think of refusing. Who refuses a free milkshake? And one for Jo as they say 'he calmed the beast in me' and went off to their seats.
As the day came to an end, we all called it a day as we were all satiated, and went biding our farewells. I was told to wait out near the entrance so Jo could swiftly heat the car. Stepping inside, some calm instrumental music was turned on and I started snuggling up to the chair feeling drowsy.
Peering at me Jo stopped for a bit and took a neatly folded jacket from the front seat.
"Here." Placing the jacket over me, I could smell his scent making me smile into it, hoping Jo didn't notice. Snuggling even close and tucking his jacket I was off to dreamland.