Meriedeth Salazar
Veronica's words are still ringing inside my head. I did not noticed that the volleyball match has already ended. It is time to go home, we ride the bus that we rode earlier.
It's a good thing that it's not noisy anymore, everybody must be tired. I lean on the back of my seat and listened to some songs with my headphones.
This day is tiring, not only just physically. I sighed, every time I remember the mistake that I did earlier. If only I wasn't distracted in the first place.
I felt somebody tapped my shoulder. It was Eryx. I removed my headphones.
"Sorry, what?" I asked.
"We are at school," he smiled.
I immediately stood up, the bus wasn't moving anymore. The other people are getting off the bus. I fixed my bag and went off too.
The triplets immediately went home because they were picked up. Miss Morales has to attend some important matters for tomorrow, Wesley and Melanie went with her, leaving only the five of us here at the field. It's almost dark, the sky is changing colors.
"Let's grab some snacks?" Shelanie suggested.
The five of us exchanged looks. I looked at my cellphone to check the time. It is still early. I texted Kuya and Aunty Rebecca, they weren't able to attend earlier because there are emergencies at their workplace. That was good that they weren't able to attend anyway.
"Let's go, I'm hungry," Rovic said. "You'll come with us, Dude?"
"Sure, I have nothing to do anyway," Eryx answered.
"Andrea, come with us," Shelanie said.
We looked at Andrea. She touched the back of her neck.
"No, thanks, I'll go home," as she fix her bed.
"Come with us, we are going to look for food," Rovic said. "Also you, Shark girl! You will come with us!" as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.
"Tss."
The five of us walk down the streets towards the newly opened snack house, which is near our school. While we are walking, the lamp posts begin to turn on.
"This is it?" Andrea asked.
We standing in front of the snack house. It is near the park.
"What do you want? Fine dining restaurant?" Rovic asked. "You are too arts," as he went inside.
"What's arts?" Shelanie asked as she followed Rovic inside.
We went inside. We sit down at a table, there is already a menu here. Their available snacks are listed here. From pizza to fries to fried chicken and more.
"Arts, short cut for maarte," Rovic said.
"I'm not maarte. It's not like… never mind," Andrea said.
"Their designs are cute, it's relaxing," Shelanie commented.
"Let's order up," Eryx said.
After deciding, Eryx and Rovic went to the counter to order. After a few moments they went back to our table. Rovic teased Andrea about being picky. Our orders arrived. They started eating, to be honest I don't have any appetite. I want to sleep.
"Is something bothering you, Salazar?"
I looked at the one who is sitting in front of me, Eryx is looking at me seriously. I raised a brow at him.
"Are you okay, Salazar?" I took a glance at Shelanie, she looks worried.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Don't think about that girl anymore, Salazar."
"Just eat the snacks, Shark girl. Oh, here, pizza," as he place a slice of pizza on my plate.
"I'm full."
"That kind of excuse will not work on me, today is very tiring that is why we need some energy!"
"You're noisy, Rovic," Andrea complained while eating her burger.
"You are arts," Rovic looked at me. "Eat your pizza, Shark girl. Maybe that slice of pizza will run away."
"Do pizza have legs? They don't, right? Tss."
"I'm just joking, you are always serious. You'll have wrinkles because of that, between the five of us here, you'll be the first one who will turn old fast."
I shook my head sideways because of the nonsense he is spouting. I put some hot sauce before grabbing my pizza and took a bite. I can feel some hot sauce at the side of my lips. Before I could get some tissue, Eryx handed me some.
"Thanks," I whispered and used the tissue.
"Salazar, do you want some ice-cream? Let's order," Shelanie suggested.
"I don't want to eat some ice-cream."
"E? Why?"
"I don't want to eat some ice-cream before a game. We still have an event tomorrow."
"Salazar has a point, Shells. After the game we can grab some ice-cream."
"You guys said it. Andrea, you will come with us too."
I finished my slice of pizza and they are just chatting around. I drink some water, I noticed that Eryx is looking at me. I raised a brow at him.
"Don't let her words get to you. You'll end up having regrets tomorrow."
"I'm not," I said and fixed my hair.
"Shark girl," I raised a brow at Rovic. "Do you want to talk about it? Maybe it will make you feel a little at ease."
"Chismoso mo, Kawal," I took some fries.
(A/n: "Chismoso" in Filipino means a person who loves gossips; "mo" in Filipino means you or yours; "Kawal" in Filipino means soldier)
"Yeah, Rovic. Salazar doesn't want to talk about it, you reminded her again," Shelanie said.
"I was just thinking that maybe it could help, also, I'm not chismoso. Shark girl's silence feels different today, it's spreading negative vibes. As a friend, I want her to feel at ease. Psh."
I took a deep breath and drink some water.
"But, seriously, Shark girl, don't let the words of that girl get to you."
"To be honest, I did not expect to see them again. Not today," I sighed. "I did not have any news about them for years, and suddenly this. It's tiring."
"When did you last see them, Salazar?" I glanced at Andrea. "If it's okay with you," she added.
"If I remember it correctly, second grade."
"That's too long ago, then, her anger is too much. She slaps persons! She is annoying!" Shelanie said.
I laughed at Shelanie's reaction and tapped her shoulder.
"Relax, I can still swim for tomorrow even if she slapped me."
I frowned when I saw them staring at me. Even Shelanie seem surprised, she is staring at me.
"What?"
"Did you just laughed, Salazar?! I mean, as in?!"
"Why?
"You should smile often, Salazar," Eryx said and drink his iced tea.
"Tss."
After having some snacks we went home towards our separate ways. I have some rest, I'm laying down on my bed while listening to music until I sleep. The next day, Aunty Rebecca woke me up, she and Kuya will follow us later, it's Saturday and they don't have any work.
When we arrived at the venue there are a lot of people to watch. We also changed our clothes for later. The first event is the individual medley, Jezreal and Jazhel are our representatives for that event. Jezreal competed first, she got third place, not bad. While Jazhel landed at first place, he is going to proceed to the regionals.
"Let's go down," Melanie said. "Guys, cheer for us!" She told Eryx and the others who are left at the bleachers.
I took a deep breath when we arrived at the pool area. While coming down here, there are some students from different schools who are walking with us. I took off my jacket and shorts. I fixed my swimming cap.
I felt somebody tapped my shoulder, it was Andrea. I raised a brow at her.
"I know we are not that close, Salazar, but focus on the event, don't be affected about the past. Don't let our efforts go to waste," as she fixed her goggles and went towards the front.
"Meriedeth!" I looked at the person who called me.
My eyes widened when I realized who is it, it was Carrie. Our lanes are beside each other. Behind her are Aileery and the others, Veronica and the other one who won yesterday, Savannah.
"Good luck to us later," she said while smiling.
"Hmm, good luck to you guys too," I said back to her.
"Can we talk later? Is it okay?" she asked.
Before I could answer her, Veronica called Carrie to go to the front. I just nodded to Carrie and fixed my goggles.
Andrea and the others went down to the pool and hold the handle. After a few moments the buzzer sounded and we heard them jumped into the water. People immediately cheered, they are cheering for their bets.
Carrie is leading but Andrea is only inches behind her. Jezreal and Melanie are cheering for her.
Damn, why am I nervous?
People cheered loudly when the swimmers started to turn and swim back. The next swimmers begin to prepare for their turn.
"Jez, you can do it. Just like practice, okay?" I heard Melanie said to Jezreal.
Andrea and Carrie both arrived at the same time. Aileery was the first one to dive into the water than Jezreal, the two of them are leading. I can hear the other members of the club cheering for Jezreal. I glanced at them, my jaw drop, I immediately covered my mouth and lowered my head when I saw Kuya and Aunty Rebecca there, also cheering.
Melanie prepared, I glanced at Veronica, and she's the representative for the butterfly stroke. Our gazes suddenly met and she is giving me a bad look. After a few moments Jezreal came back. Melanie jumped into the water.
It's almost the like Melanie and Veronica are swimming the same time towards the other end of the pool. I went to the platform and fixed my goggles. I saw Melanie is coming back, also Veronica.
I want to glance at other swimmers that are my competitors for the freestyle but I'm nervous. They are at the middle of the pool.
"Go! Go! Go! Meriedeth!" I heard Kuya screamed at the top of his lungs.
When Melanie touched the wall, I immediately dive. All of the cheer that the people are doing around are slowly fading.
Is it because of nervousness?
"Always remember, Meriedeth! You have no right to swim relays because you're not trustworthy!"
I think I can hear the loud beating of my heart when I remembered what Veronica said. Her words are ringing inside my head—
"Don't let her words get to you. You'll end up having regrets tomorrow."
Fuck this shit.
I rotated my arms faster and kick my legs harder underwater. Even if I know there is a possibility that I could experience body pain after this, everything is in my hands now.
I heard the crowd went wild when I turned and swim back. I don't know who is leading but I fasten up my pace.
I don't want to have any regrets after this.
I need to win this.
If I can't win this, Melanie can't swim with us next year because she and Wesley will leave the school by then.
Andrea… Jezreal… all of their efforts will be wasted.
I still want to swim after this, I don't care what they are going to say!
I can see the end and I am almost there. I can hear Melanie and the others cheering while I am approaching.
Just a little bit more…
I can reach it…
"Go! Go! Go! Meriedeth!"
I touched the wall!
I immediately stand up, I removed my goggles and looked at the scoreboard. I can hear Melanie and the other's cheers. Even the people at the bleachers are cheering and shouting.
"Salazar," I looked at the one who called me, it was Andrea. She is offering her hand.
My hand move on its own and accepted it, she pulled me out of the water. I went out of the pool. Melanie and Jezreal hugged me.
"Ate Salazar! We can go to the regionals!" Jezreal said in tears.
"Congratulations to us! We are all qualified to the regionals even if we are just competing for the relay!" Melanie said in verge of tears.
I can't believe it. I looked at the scoreboard again.
4 1 Edward's East High School Inc.
5 1 Clarine North High School Inc.
"Salazar!" I looked at the one who called me, Shelanie hugged me. "Congratulations girls! We are qualified for the regionals!"
I can't believe it. Regionals, we are competing for the regionals! We changed our clothes and went to the bleachers, Miss Morales congratulated us. Eryx and the others went down to the pool area because it's their turn.
"Deth," I looked at the person who called me, it was Kuya Marcus.
He walk towards my direction and hugged me tight.
"Congratulations, Deth!" he said in a hoarse voice, I immediately look at him.
"You're losing your voice, you were shouting too much earlier, Kuya."
They laughed because of what I said. After a moments, the men's relay started. Shelanie and the others are too loud because they are cheering for Wesley and the boys. While I'm just silently looking at them.
"Yes! Everybody is competing at the regionals!"
I stood up from my seat when Eryx finished swimming, I looked at the scoreboard. I can't stop smiling. They are qualified for the regionals. When they arrived at the bleachers we greeted them.
"Ehem, ehem," we looked at Miss Morales.
"It's not because that all of you are qualified for the regionals it doesn't mean that you will stop training."
"Opo, Miss Morales! Even if we will train for the whole day," Rovic said.
"What is that, don't drag us into your idea, Kuya Rovic," Jazrill said making them laugh.
I looked at Eryx, he is looking at me while smiling.
"Congratulations Salazar, you did well."
I can't stop myself from smiling.
"Congratulations to you too, Fuentabella."
"Smiling really looks good on you," he said and avoided my gaze.
I just shook my head because of what he said. We ate lunch at the cafeteria, around 3pm the awarding ceremony will be hold. After eating we went to the venue where the awarding ceremony will be hold.
After the ceremony, two medals hung around my neck, a silver and gold medal. I also have a small trophy, not bad. I looked at them, each of us has a medal hung around our necks. Melanie is holding our trophy from the relay.
"Guys, let's take a picture! I will tag all of you at Facebook and Instagram! Hurry!" she said while taking pictures.
The others pose while holding their trophy and medal. They included me in their selfies.
"It's your turn, Shark girl," Rovic said while holding the camera.
"I already have a lot of pictures."
"I'll bring your bag," Kuya Marcus said and get my bag. "Rovic, take a lot of pictures of her and send it to me."
"No problem, Kuya Marcus! Shark girl, you heard it right? So, start posing there. Flex your trophy!"
I just shook my head. I just hold my trophy and medal while looking at the camera.
"Are you making an ID picture, Shark girl?" Rovic teased me.
"Try smiling, Ate Salazar," Jazhel said while looking at us.
"Tss."
They laughed because of my reaction. I looked at Eryx who is looking at me, he suddenly formed his right hand a check and placed it under his chin and made a wacky face.
I can't help but laugh. I heard a lot of shutter sound from the camera.
"H-Hey! That's enough already!" I warned Rovic.
"You rarely smile! This is one of the national treasure of the swimming club. This is a lucky charm," Rovic said while looking at his shots.
"Oh my gosh, Ate Salazar, it looks good," Jezreal said in amazement.
Even Shelanie and the others are amazed, I just shook my head again because of their reaction. Dashiel arrive and greeted us, he is with their older brother Deinyeil. They plan where we are going to eat to celebrate our victory. Kuya offered about the transportation and also Dashiel's brother so they are talking about the destination.
"Meriedeth."
I looked at the one who called me. It was Veronica, she is wearing their school jacket. She is giving me a sharp look.
"Do you need something, Veronica?"
"We are going to defeat you, you better watch out—Ouch! What was that for?!" she complained at Aileery who hit the back of her head.
"Meriedethhhhh!" Carrie called and hugged me. "Congratulations!"
"Hmm, congrats to you guys too."
"What the, Aileery?!" Veronica complained in an annoyed tone.
"What? Are you going to apologize or we will not accompany you to the regionals?" Aileery warned.
I looked at Veronica.
"It's not because I am apologizing means I am forgiving you—Ouch! How many times did you hit me already?!"
"You are going to apologize, you are the one who is apologizing, Nica."
"It's fine, don't mind it."
"She needs to learn her lesson, Deth," Aileery said.
"Sorry," Veronica said in irritation. "Watch out for the finals! We are going to defeat you!" and walked away.
"Hey, Veronica!" Aileery called as she chased Veronica.
"We will go ahead, Deth. Do you have Facebook?" Carrie asked. I nodded as answer.
"I'll add you. Let's hang out some other time, I'll go ahead. Congrats again, take care," she bid farewell. She smile to Eryx and Shelanie and chase Aileery and Veronica.
"Meriedeth Salazar," I frowned when Savannah called me.
"Congrats," she offered her hand.
"You too, congrats," as I accepted her hand.
"See you in the regionals," she said and chase Carrie and the others.
"Looks like we have a difficult opponent at the regionals," Melanie commented as she wrapped her arms around my shoulder.