Meriedeth Salazar
"Math is tiring, my brain is too drained right now," Shelanie said and stretched at her seat.
We are currently having our exams and it's the last day. We already finished the second subject and that was math.
"It was easy," Eryx said while fixing his things.
"Because you're smart, Eryx."
"Hope all smart," I heard Rovic sighed. "What would my grade could be? I hope it would not be lucky sevens," he said in a problematic tone.
"Salazar, don't you find the exam difficult?" Shelanie asked.
"I had a hard time, even though I know how to do math. I don't like it, solving the equations are tiring."
"Since, today is Friday. Last day of our exams and you guys don't have training. How about we go to the mall?" Shelanie suggested.
"You game, Dude?" Rovic asked Eryx.
"I could. Are you coming with us, Salazar?" Eryx asked.
I'm thinking about it, I'm currently reading something online. I want to buy a hard copy of the comics or manga that I'm reading, also a merchandise.
"Salazar?" Shelanie asked.
"Okay."
She and Rovic gasped because of my answer. I raised both of my brows at them.
"What?"
"I thought you will decline it, hehehe."
I usually turned down their offers to take a stroll at the mall after class. If I will not go with them, usually they won't go either. I don't know how their minds run.
I texted Kuya that I will go to the mall with Shelanie and the others and he was happy to know that I went out with them. He said that I would rot in my room if I won't go out sometimes. Tss.
What's good being outside? If you're at home, you can sleep and you won't get tired.
When the four of us arrived at the mall, Rovic suggested that we should go to the arcades. Eryx and Shelanie agreed and we walk our way towards the arcade. We buy some tokens and play.
I mean, only them. We divided the tokens that we bought, so each of us can play the games that we want.
"Salazar, what games do you want?" Shelanie asked.
"I don't know, Shelanie."
"Do you want to try?" I looked at the one that she pointed. The hammer game, I shook my head.
There are also racing games here, there is also a computer machine where you can street fighter or tekken, I forgot what the name of that machine is. There are also claw machines, where you need to pick a prize and it should be drop at the portion where you can claim it. There are also shooting games, there are a lot of choices but, I'm not interested in playing.
"You can use my tokens," I said as I handed it to her.
"Dude, let's try that one!" we looked at Rovic. Eryx is following him, they are going to the dance machine. Shelanie and I followed them, there are only a few people here and they are not paying any attention to us.
Seriously?
"What? Game?" Rovic asked Eryx.
"Prize?"
"The loser will be the one will buy snacks later!"
"Game."
I didn't notice the people around us and they are cheering for Rovic and Eryx. The both of them are having fun, they are laughing as they move their feet to gain a score.
"A huge hole has been made on my wallet," Rovic cried.
"Your allowance will arrive at Monday, so that's okay," Shelanie said as she took a sip from her shake.
"Why are their snacks expensive? Did they put gold in it?"
"Dude, from the ingredients to the labor of work to—"
"Yeah, yeah. You're happy that I lost," he told Eryx.
"You're the one who challenged me. That's okay, Dude."
I pick some fried and drink some coke. I raised a brow at Rovic when he looked at me.
"Did you play some games earlier, Shark girl?"
"I don't want to waste my energy in playing."
"What the, do you know the word 'fun' and 'enjoy'?" he asked.
"Yes, and I have a different definition of fun."
"Do you want to go somewhere, Salazar?" I looked at Eryx, he pick some fries and ate it. "You come with us at the arcade. Maybe you want to go somewhere else, we will go with you."
"Yes, Salazar. We will go with you," Shelanie said.
"Are you sure?" the three of them exchange looks.
"Don't tell me that you want to go somewhere that is illegal, Shark girl?" Rovic asked and dramatically covered his hand.
We are in front of the bookstore where I buy some comics and manga. I brought my regular customer card with me to have some discounts.
"There's a place like this at the mall?" Shelanie asked.
"What are you going to buy, Shark girl?" Rovic asked.
"Manga. I want a hard-copy of it. I'll look for it," as I went inside the shop.
They followed me and they are amazed by the products displayed. I immediately look for the manga that I am going to buy. I saw new arrivals too, hays. I'll come back here if they will drop the price. I pick up the manga that I am looking for. It's great that I got to have a discount.
"Let's go," I told them.
"You're done?" Eryx asked.
I raised the paper bag and he nodded. Rovic returned the book he was reading. We went out of the shop and went home.
The regionals is approaching and we have only month to practice. After the exams we immediately went back to training. Wednesdays are our rest days, Miss Morales said we should also let our body rest to avoid any injuries.
This will be our last week of training because next week will be the regionals. Our report cards are also released, card that contains our grades. Kuya and Aunty Rebecca are glad about my grades because swimming didn't affected it.
As time passed by it's already regionals. I remembered that there was supposedly a provincial meet before going to the regionals but there are no other representatives at other places so all of us are going and also Veronica's team.
We are sitting at the bus. I forgot the name of the place but we are heading to the venue for the regionals. How many days are we going to stay there? Four days? A week?
"Are you okay, Salazar?"
I looked at the one who is beside me, it was Eryx.
"How many days are the regionals?"
"Well, one week. Why? Homesick?"
"Do I look like I'm homesick?"
"Nah, you don't," and he shrugged.
We left our place around 1pm and we are still travelling. Some of the other athletes are here. The school used two buses. All of the members of the swimming club are sitting at the back side of the bus.
I fixed my phone. I touch the pockets of my bag to get my headphones and I gasped when I couldn't find it.
"Any problems, Salazar?" Eryx asked.
I ignored him and continue to look for my headphones. The fuck, I hope I didn't left it! Bullshit will really happen!
"Fuck," I face palm.
I remembered seeing my headphones above the refrigerator last night. Why did I left it?! Argh! Why did I forgot about it?!
"Here," I looked at Eryx.
I frowned when he handed me his white headphones.
"You're not going to use it?" I asked.
"I'm fine. I'll just play games. I know you're not comfortable without a headphone."
"Are you sure? I asked as I fix the headset.
"I also want to listen to music. So, is it okay if we share it?"
"We have different tastes in music."
"That's fine," and wear the other headphone.
I wear the other one and started to play music. I closed my eyes, I didn't notice that I fell asleep as I leaned on Eryx.
"We're here, Salazar."
I sit properly, I was leaning to him.
"Sorry," I said as I fix my bag.
"It's fine. How's your nap?" he asked and removed the headphone.
"It's fine."
"Then, that's great," he wake up Shelanie and Rovic who are sitting at the other seat.
I stand up ang looked around, only the members of the swimming club are here. Miss Morales isn't around. I wake up Jazhel and Jazrill who are sitting behind us.
We went off the bus, Miss Morales meet us. She was preparing our quarters. The school made a reservation at a small hotel near the venue for tomorrow. One room for the girls and one for the boys for our club. While the others have a lot of rooms because they have a lot of members.
It's fine, there are only five of us who are going to use the room. Miss Morales said there are rooms for the teachers who are with us. Two medium beds and there is also a single bed. I immediately laid down at the single bed and closed my eyes.
"You are going to sleep there, Ate Salazar?" Jezreal asked as she placed her bag in one of the cabinets.
"Hmmm."
"Ate, let's share the bed later," Shelanie said.
"Just don't move around too much."
They are fixing their things at the cabinets. I just remembered, we are going to stay here for a week. I move closer to the nearest cabinet and started to fix my things.
While we are fixing our things somebody knocked at the door. Jezreal was the one who opened it.
"Oh, Kuya Wesley is here."
"Are you guys finish fixing your things?"
"Are we going to eat?" they laugh at my question, even Wesley laugh.
"Yes. We are. There is a restaurant down stairs and Miss Morales gave me the budget."
I shut the cabinet door closed and we went out of the room. We saw Eryx and the others at the lobby and all of us went to the restaurant. The other athletes are also there, eating their dinner.
We ordered some food. It's good that there is a table for ten here. We sit there. When the food arrived we started eating. They are talking about the opening ceremony tomorrow.
Third day pa ang relays. Wesley and Eryx will play their single events on the second day. I got two vacant days—
"Let's stroll around tomorrow!" Melanie announced.
Jazhel and Jezreal immediately agreed, also Shelanie.
"Shouldn't we just rest and save our energy?" Andrea asked.
"Well, tomorrow, we will go to their pool area so we can check the pool," Wesley said. "Then, we will make plans after."
"Dude, you're not touching your food," Eryx told Rovic.
I looked at Rovic, Eryx is sitting beside him. He only ate a small amount of food. His also acting weird lately. I mean, he is naturally noisy but, his not that loud lately. Also, there is something different in his movements. I can't point it out but I know there is something.
"I'm tired about the trip," as he eat some food.
"Wow! That's new, you're tired? A miracle!" Shelanie teased.
He just gave out a smile and looked down to continue eating. I frowned, his not like that. He usually fires back. There is something about his smile.
After having dinner we are resting in our rooms. Melanie said the jackets for us will arrive tomorrow. I don't know what it's for. We already have a uniform for tomorrow.
I'm laying down on my bed while listening to music. Andrea is sleeping while Shelanie and the others are chatting.
It's around 11:23pm, I get up. They gasped because of my sudden movement.
"Don't scare us, Meriedeth," Melanie said.
"Sorry."
I look for Eryx at messenger. I don't know if he is still online. I just noticed that I am still using his headphones.
"Are the boys still up?" I asked them.
"Rill and Zhel are probably sleeping now," Jezreal answered.
"For sure the three are still up and chatting. Do you need something?" Melanie asked.
"Kind of."
"Just knock the door, they are still up," Melanie said.
I nodded and went out. Our rooms are just facing each other. I knocked three times and it opened. It was Wesley.
"Do you need something, Meriedeth?"
"Uh, I'm going to return this to Eryx," as I handed the headphones.
"Eryx, Meriedeth is here," Wesley said and went inside.
"Oh, why?" Eryx asked as he approached.
"Here," as I handed the headphones.
"You can use it for the whole week," and smiled.
I frowned.
"Really?" as I raised my brows. He nodded.
"I don't usually use headphones. You can use it for the whole week."
"Oh," I nodded. "T-Thanks. I'll go, goodnight," I turned my back and went back to our room.
I lay down on my bed. I heard my phone made a sound, there was a message.
Eryx: Goodnight
I didn't reply. The next day, between the five of us here, I woke up early than them. I immediately took a bath, it's a good thing they have a heater here so I didn't use the cold water.
I wear my uniform and wrapped a towel around my hair. When I went out, Andrew just woke up.
"You're up. Early bird," she said and stretched
"I can't sleep properly."
"Homesick?"
"Maybe?"
"I'll take a bath," she said.
"They have a heater."
"Nice," she said and went in the bathroom.
I want to drink some hot chocolate. I saw a vending machine at the hotel lobby. It's still early, it's still 5am.
"Andrea," I called and knocked at the bathroom door, I heard the shower turnd off.
"Why?"
"I'll go down stairs. If you're done and I'm not yet here, please wake up Melanie and the others."
"Okay!"
I removed the towel from my hair. I grab my jacket and wear it. I went out of the room and went downstairs. I saw the vending machine and choose a drink. I choose the hot chocolate.
I sit at one of the chairs here. I blow my hot chocolate before taking a sip. It's delicious.
I frowned when I saw Rovic sitting at the other table, it looks like he is lost in his own thoughts. I blinked, maybe I just saw it wrong, it was really Rovic. I stood up and sit beside him, he jump in surprise.
"You're scared me, Shark girl," he let out a laugh.
"You're early," I said and I took a sip again from my hot chocolate.
"I didn't sleep properly," as he stretched, I heard him sighed.
"Guard it," I said and pointed my hot chocolate.
I bought another hot chocolate and placed it in front of him. When I saw him, it looks like he hasn't drink anything yet.
"What's that?" he asked. "Your treat?"
"Hot chocolate. Can you borrow it from the vending machine? Tss."
"Thanks," as he drink it.
I didn't utter another word, I silently enjoyed my hot chocolate. Rovic is staring outside. Silence wrapped around us, only his sighs can be heard.
How many times did he sighed already?!
"Do you have a problem?" I asked.
"Nope, I don't have."
"Tss. Really?"
"I'm sure of it."
"To be honest, you don't look good right now."
"I just didn't able to sleep properly last night."
"Not just today. Since last week, Fajardo. You look like you haven't sleep," I said and took a sip from my hot chocolate.
I heard him sighed again,
"I'm fine," he said and gave me a smile. I just shook my head.
"Whatever your problem is, you better fix it. Maybe it will affect your game later."
I heard him sighed again.
Did I said something wrong?
Hays. This is why I don't want to have any friends. If they are sad, I don't know how to comfort them. Tss.
"Do you want to eat something?" he looked at me while frowning.
"You're really acting weird lately because of your problem. I find it unusual, I'm not used to you being quiet. I'll treat you something to cheer you up."
"I'm still full."
"Then tell me if you're hungry. I'll treat you."
I saw him smiled. He stood up and told me he is going back to their room. He thank me about the hot chocolate before leaving me there. After drinking my hot chocolate, I also went back to our room.
"Meriedeth! Where have you been?!" Melanie asked while fixing her hair.
"Downstairs."
"Here's your jacket, Salazar!" Shelanie happily said.
She handed me a red jacket. There is something about this jacket. It's an athlete's jacket. On the left side of it, our school's name is there. I looked at the back part of the jacket.
EEHS Swimming Club
Salazar
Cool. I took off the jacket that I was wearing and wear the new jacket. It's comfy. When we went downstairs other athletes are looking at us. After breakfast we went to the venue where the opening ceremony is going to be held.
There are athletes that have games to play today. But us, we are going to start playing on the third day. Miss Morales accompanied with us going to the pool area. They have a huge pool. I can feel the excitement and fear at the same time. Miss Morales left us there, she still needs to help the other teachers.
"What? Let's take a stroll, guys!" Melanie said.
Before I could protest all of them already agreed to take a stroll. Eryx and I looked at each other, he chuckled. Tss.
"You want to go back to your room, right?"
"Taking a stroll is tiring. Tss."
He tapped my head and we walk beside each other while following the others. There are some stalls that are selling souvenirs outside the venue. They buy some stuff. I don't want to buy yet, it's still the first day of the regionals. Maybe I will see an item and I already don't have any money to buy it.
After strolling around we decided to go back to our rooms. I immediately lay down at my bed and sleep, when I woke up it's already afternoon. I received a message from Kuya asking what day we are going to play. I typed a reply and sent it to him.
"I'll go downstairs," I told them.
I went to the vending machine and buy hot chocolate. I saw Rovic sitting on one of the chairs there, he has a plastic cup in front of him, but it's empty. I heard him sighed.
"Hey," he looked at me.
"Oh, you're here, Shark girl."
I just nodded at him. I silently enjoy my hot chocolate, their hot chocolate is really delicious. After a few moments I heard him sighed again. I just ignored it until I can't bear it anymore.
"You know what, I only get annoyed sometimes. What is your problem? How many times have you already sighed?"
He laughed because of my reaction.
"100?"
"Let's go," I told him and stand up.
"Where are we going?"
"Seven-eleven."
He stood up and we went there. It's only at the other end of the street. When we arrived there, I immediately picked up a cup noodles. He is only following me.
"What do you want? Choose there."
He just grabbed a biscuit and a bottled juice. We went to the counter to pay, then we sit on a chair. When my cup noodles was ready I eat it. I noticed that Rovic is staring his biscuit, lost in his own thoughts again.
"Fajardo," he looked at me. "You know, I really don't know how to comfort a human being. But I hope this helps you."
"I appreciate it, Meriedeth," and he opened the biscuit and eat.
He begin to joke around. Well, that was good. Are we really good?
When we are going back to the hotel, we saw Eryx running towards our direction.
"Dude! Where have you been? You're not answering Tito's calls."
"My phone is low-battery, Dude."
"Really, Dude? For the whole week? Tito can't contact you. You didn't go home the whole week."
My eyes widened because of what I've heard. I looked at Rovic, there is no emotion written on his face. He did not go home for a week?! So, that's why he looks tired and haven't have enough sleep?
"What did you and Tito fought about that you didn't go home? Where have you been staying? You can crash at my place. You're welcome there," Eryx said.
"Papa will go there when he will know that I'm at your place. I'm fine, Eryx."
"Call Tito, he sounds so worried."
Rovic didn't utter a single word, he just sighed.
"Dude, I'm always all ears."
Rovic just tapped him and went inside the building. Eryx just shook his head. He check something on his phone, I heard him cursed.
"What's wrong?"
"Today is Tita Reynara's death anniversary."
"Tita Reynara?"
"Rovic's mother. It's her 4th death anniversary today."