"Hypothetically speaking, if one of your buddies is gay, I mean if you found out that his gay.. they're gay, would you be mad?"
"Why would I be mad?" Jensen asks.
"Nothing. Forget that I ask."
We are clattered off in the court, while mom and my two sisters are busily preparing for the official opening of town's festival tomorrow, with it's theme: "Winterlude", where did I hear that before?! I mean, it's not like the organizer had any new ideas. Last year it was entitled: "Damascus Winter Carnival"; fun- ish.
"You coming tomorrow right?" Jensen asks, others are waiting for my answer.
"Yeah." I say.
"Great. We can play at the theme park." Broodi says.
The town have organized a competition for each sports available. Basketball was one of those. Last year, we didn't join the competition because half of the team were on vacation. Suprisingly, they stayed this year festival competition. But if I had to guess, they are here for me. Everyone knew that I'd be leaving in few months for the Junior League. They just wanted to spend more time with me especially playing basketball with them. But lately, I've been spending more time with Ollie, doing tutorials and hanging out afterwards. My friends didn't appear to have a problem, none of them have bothered to ask me why I don't go with them anymore. At least, on weekends.
"What about the transferee kid?" a lanky guy I forgot his name was says.
"His name is Ollie." Jensen reminds.
"Right, Ollie. The genuis one." he says, a hint of ethusiasm in his voice.
"What about him?" I ask.
"Is he going out? With you? Tomorrow?" "Or what?" every attention is focus right at me.
"Maybe." I dismiss. Jensen nudged the guy and resume playing.
"Don't worry about tomorrow. Me and Jackson have already registered the team for the competition."
"It would be fun." Jensen says.
"Yeah. I know."
● ● ●
I bought a lunch and went home. I caught them making lanterns.
"Okaerinasai." Connie says.
"Since when did you learn how to speak Japanese?" I ask.
"She doesn't." Alex says.
"She heard it at the Stationary House. Some Japanese guy were talking with someone on a phone." Mom explains.
"Arigatou." I say.
"What does that mean?"
"It means, thank you." I say and put the Chinese foods on the counter.
"Smells good." Alex says then dropped the lantern on the floor.
"Help yourselves. I already ate mine in the court." I say.
"Are you going to see Ollie?" Moms asks suddenly.
"No, why?"
"Nothing. It's just that.."
"What?" I press.
"It's just that, he need company. I can see that his bottling his emotions and God knows when it's gonna burst. Just.. just be patient with him alright?"
"Alright."
I go to my room and plops down on the bed. My eyes on the chipped ceiling. Arms folded behind my neck.
I fish out my phone and dialled his number. "Hey." the line connected faster than I'd anticipate.
"Hey."
"You call?" his voice sounds horse. He must be asleep before I called. I look outside my window. The grey sky is rather gloomy, the dark clouds hanging lowly. The sun is barely shining, immersively humid nonetheless. Weird weather.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"What's up? You're the one who called." he snaps. I look at my phone as if the phone transformed into a headed black eyed person. "Sorry. Just tired." he apologizes quickly.
"No, it's fine. I understand."
"Would you like to hangout?" I ask, peeling the cover of my bed.
"Today?" he asks.
"Yeah today."
"Isn't tomorrow's the deal?"
"I mean if you don't want to.."
"No, I'd like to."
"But?"
"No buts." he says smiling.
"Okay, I'm going to get you."
"No, it's fine. I'm going to walk there." he shuffles in his bed.
"Are you sure, because I don't mind."
"Yeah I am sure."
"Okay."
"Okay."
"See ya in minute." then I close the line.
I go to the bathroom and take a shower. I've been playing in the past hours and I smell sweaty. God knows if he's allergic to sweats. I chuckle and run quickly to the bathroom.
● ● ●
The door opened. Revealing Ollie who's sweating profusely. "You okay?"
"Yeah I'm okay."
"Hi, Oliva. Hi Alex. Little Con Con." he greets.
"Okaerinasai." Con con repeats what she said to me.
"Where did you learn that?" he asks with admiration to Connie.
"A Japanese man in the market. I asked him what it was and he told me." she says giggling.
"Really? That was awesome."
"Careful with the lanterns Con." Mom says.
"Did you have lunch, honey?"
"No, I haven't." he says bashfully.
"Rafael, would you be so kind and make him some food? Thank you honey."
"Sure."
"No, it's fine." he puts out both of his hands and wiggled them.
"None sense. You're family." Mom says.
"Be right back."
"If you don't mind." I hear him say. I open the cupboard and find nothing edible to make. So I check the fridge and see some eggs and cheese. Hams as well. It's already lunch but I guess this will do.
"I hope you don't mind eating eggs for lunch? I made some ham and bacon as well." I say putting the plate on the table.
"This is more than enough. Thank you." he says sitting on the table. I pour him an orange drink.
"Orange juice?"
"Thank you."
"Enjoy your meal m'lady or whatever." I say. He chuckles and begin eating the food I made.
When he finished his meal, I told him to just leave the plate on the sink. And Alex would fix it later, but he insisted and went on cleaning it.
"Are you guys need an extra hands?" he says approaching the living room.
"That woul be fun." Alex says smiling widely at him. "We've been making these since this morning."
Colorful lanterns are scattered on the floor and some on the couch. I don't have any least idea on how to make them so I went outside earlier and played basketball with my friends. They didn't object, mom said I could spend the remaining time I have left with my friends. Mom and Alex are excited as much as I am for the Junior League. Though, they're both melancholy about me leaving. This was my dream. This is my dream. It's now and never.
I sprawled on the couch and watch them as they make few more lanterns. Everyone is excited and happy for tomorrow's event. I look at Ollie and smile. He looks back and gave me the sweetest smile.
This was great. This is great.
I can't wait to be dreaming off again tonignt.