"Hello Claire, pst!" Marie called me, sitting in the room.
I suddenly looked at her, "H-Ha? What? Why?"
She looked at me intently, "You're silent and daydreaming. I'm telling you a story here and then you were just silent. Any problem?"
"Problem? Me? No, I'm fine. It's just hot," I smiled at her.
"Are you kidding me? Our room is air-conditioned, girl," she said, laughing.
"No, I'm fine. Promise," I looked at my wristwatch, checking the time.
It's 8 am already, I think our professor is late.
"Wait. Did you cry, Claire? Your eyes are swollen. Now, tell me. What's the matter?"
She didn't stop me from asking. In a short time, she knows me well.
"I'll explain it to you, after our class. I'll say it to you at the gymnasium, later."
She would have spoken but our professor has arrived.
"Class dismissed."
After 5 hours straight, our class schedule for today is finished. I arranged my things and have a retouched before leaving the room.
"Claire, let's go. We have something to talk about, right?" I turned to Marie.
"Yeah, let's go," I got up and we went out of the room, together.
As we walked towards the gymnasium, many students gathered on the AU grounds. It's so many.
When we got inside the gymnasium, "So, what is it? Tell me."
She immediately sat down in the vacant seat and I sat next to her. I guess we're the only people here, there's no event in the gymnasium.
"First, my childhood friend slash ex-crush from Canada just arrived here in the Philippines. Instead, my older brother came to fetch me after school, he was there yesterday," I was stunned telling her the story, she's just listening.
"And then? What happened? Is he handsome? Do you both have a past? O my gosh, Claire, continue," she said, squealing.
"Well, we have some understanding of the past. I kind of confessed my feelings towards him but it was 4 years ago. After several days, he no longer communicates with me. Like he didn't talk to me, he didn't message me, and he didn't show up on me for the past years. Now, he'll come back? For what? Our parents have an agreement and I didn't know it all along. Both of us will be arranged marriage. It's just so unfair, Marie. I don't want my life to be like this. Just, why?"
I didn't feel that my tears are flowing already.
"Shhh, I understand your side, Claire. You have your own decision on that. Your parents should consider your feelings before their happiness. Hush, Claire. Stop crying, I can feel your pain," she suddenly hugged me and stroked my back.
"My parents are powerful. They have all the connections. I have nothing against them, Marie. They're so strong," she took the tissue from her bag and wiped my tears.
"No, Claire. You have ways to prevent that. I'm just here, okay? I accept you for who you are and I consider you as my sister. Whenever you feel down, I'm here. I'll be at your side on the roller coaster ride of life. You have that power, Claire. You have that lion in you."
I stared at her as she wiped away my tears.
"Thank you, Marie. You're truly my savior and you're such a good friend, sis," I smiled at her and she held my hand.
"I trust you that you can overcome any struggles you face today."
I hope so, Marie.
While the two of us are chatting, we heard some voices of a group of boys entering the gymnasium. Who are those?
"O my gosh, Claire. The boys are coming!"
What?
I shifted my attention to where the main gate of the gymnasium was.
"W-Who?" I confusedly asked.
"The basketball team of AU and one of those members is the hottest captain and 4th-time varsity player, Asher!" she said, screaming.
Asher? Who's Asher? Why are they here in the gymnasium, they should be in the court.
I was planning to stand up but Marie grabbed my arm, going back in my seat. Is she serious?
I whispered to her, "Marie, let's go. It's awkward, let's go."
"Just wait, Claire," she whispered back.
Suddenly, the group of boys entered the gymnasium and I looked there. The men also looked on our side. Oh my gosh, this is not happening. I need to go.
I would have stood up but one of those members wearing a cap talked.
"Hi, you're so beautiful. What's your name?"
He moved to our side and I was nervous.
"A-Ah, me?" I confusedly asked.
"Of course," he chuckled and smiled at me.
"Uhm, hi. I'm Claire."
We just shake hands and suddenly hit my arm.
"Ehem, someone will have a love life today. Oh hi, I'm Marie. A friend of Claire. She's kind, smart, talkative, beautiful, and single ready to mingle," she said, making me facepalm.
"Marie, you're making me feel embarrassed. S-Sorry."
He just smiled.
"No, it's fine. By the way, I'm Hans."
His name is so simple.
"Nice to meet you," I stood up, grabbing Marie to go out.
But someone suddenly appeared next to Hans.
He's wearing a combination of gray and blue jersey partnered with white shoes.
"Dude, let's go we have a meeting. Oh, that attitude girl in the hallway. How are you?"
What the hell, is that him?
I just stared at him and suddenly Marie talked.
"Asher, my gosh. I'm a fan. Good luck with your next game. We'll watch. Right, Claire?"
So he's the Asher. Shoot, he's so handsome.
"A-Ah eh, maybe."
"Well, nice to meet you, Claire," he said.
Hans waved his hand, "Bye girls, watch our upcoming game. Claire, nice to meet you."
Both of them walked away from us to their meeting spot.
I immediately pulled Marie out of the gymnasium.
Did Asher know my name?
"Wait, Claire. Ouch, my arms."
I faced her as we reached the outside of the gymnasium.
"Who is Asher? Is he the one?" I held her shoulders.
"Yes, he is. He even mentioned your name. O my gosh, he knew you," she laughed.
"Let's go, I'm dizzy."
"Wait, are you referring to him, wearing a jersey on the ground floor last time? Is that Asher?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's him. He's also the one I bumped into the hallway," I looked away.
"What a perfect cute meet-up love story," she pinched her cheeks.
"I'll put some tape on your mouth, Marie. You're so loud."
We both laughed and walked until we reached the parking lot.
I waited for my older brother and here he is, "Claire, hop in."
"Wait, brother," I walked towards Marie, already sitting in their car.
She turned her attention to me, "Marie, hang out in our house tomorrow. Since we don't have any class tomorrow, so, game?"
"I got you. See you and message me at what time, okay? Bye, take care," she waved at me before leaving.
I went back to my older brother and got in the front seat.
"How are you today?" I said as I was fixing my hair.
He turned to me, "You're not rude today."
"Eh, am I rude every day to you?" I rolled my eyes.
"Well, sometimes."
He's so annoying…