Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Zack Jersey Mendoza Zendaya's POV

Maybe it will all work out like in the movies

"Did you get in an accident?" I turned to Aae when Chad asked the question.

We were inside the locker room to change to our sports attire. It's P.E. time and we'll be playing baseball for this quarter.

I closed my locker and tucked my P.E. shirt. It's been a while since I played baseball.

"Ah yeah, a motorcycle accident," Aae answered.

"Oh, it must be hard. The scar is still fresh though," Chad surveyed Aae's back making him awkward. He's being nosy again. Tsk.

"Yeah, it's my fault." Aae simply said. He quickly put his shirt on.

"Have you been in contact lenses?" I curiously asked when our eyes accidentally met.

Aae wagged his head. He grabbed his shoes and started tying the lace.

"Really? Are your eyes always been hazelnut?" I creased my brows.

"Why, what's with his eyes?" Chad scanning Aae again. Aae looked the other way. He stood up upon tying his lace and sprint a little.

"You must be remembering different things, Captain." He stretched his arms and I did the same. It's been a while since I heard him say, Captain.

"Hmm. I thought it's black." I massage my nape. "Guess, I was wrong. That was a long time ago. Suck at memorizing too." I replied, defeated. Though, I really thought it was black the first time I saw him.

"Oh, wait, do you know each other?" Chad gave us exchanging looks.

Yeah right. They don't know.

"We went to the same elementary school and played baseball together. He's our captain." Aae pointed at me. "He runs really fast."

I ducked my lips. That was a long time ago. There's no need to say that. I hate bragging things about me. I usually let them see what I was capable of.

"Eeee, really?" Chad uttered in surprise. "I didn't know you played baseball. What position? Great timing. We will win today, yes!" He punched into thin air.

"Cut it, Chad. Aae is on the other team. He's the best pitcher," I replied.

Chad groaned. "Uh, we should be playing basketball, not baseball." He's the captain ball of the basketball team.

"I never had the chance to ask, why did you stop playing baseball?" Aae bent his head a little as he scanned me.

"Well, I decided to use my running skills in football and realized I liked it better than a home run." I shrugged. "There are things that are not really meant for us."

Aae laughed a little. He's always been like that. He's short with words or I used to think he was just too lazy to speak unless he enjoyed the company.

Chad hissed saying, "You and your words of wisdom again. Tsk, you better make use of your experience in baseball later, okay? We need to win!" he said, determined. Of course, there would be an exemption on the quiz if we won. Though, I doubt that.

Aae and I both hissed. We used to spend a lot of time together when we were in elementary. I was even shocked when he transferred here. The reason why our baseball team lost over the years was because of him. He came from the rival school.

"Why did you transfer here?" I couldn't help but asked. I grabbed my cap before following him. Chad already made his way out. Tsk, he forgot his cap.

"This place caught my attention," he said, staring into thin air. "I'll go to my team." He patted my shoulder before running to his teammates.

Why? It doesn't make sense.

Weird.

I went straight to Chad. He was talking to Charish about our strategy. I don't think we need that.

"Chad, you forgot your cap," I threw it. He quickly caught it.

"Do you know how to play baseball?" Aae was a few inches from us when he asked Zee.

My eyes were stuck as I admired the curve in Zee's body. I wasn't a pervert, but it looks to me that she was already back in her shape. Though, I like her to have some fats. Swimming does help in achieving a good body figure.

"Yeah, sort of. I used to watch my brother, and sometimes play with him. I can hit the ball, well think so," she replied. She tied her shoulder-length hair in a messy bun.

I didn't let go of her until she went to Gab. I don't know what they're talking about, but she started laughing. I watched her laugh as I've since the first time I met her.

Her laughter has become my favorite song.

"You like her since seventh grade and here you are staring at her, letting Aae in the picture." Chad hissed in disappointment. "Why not just court her? We can all see you both like each other, but if you let Aae get in between, she'll change her feelings."

Zee stretched her arms, then her legs. She adjusted her long blue socks when she realized it was exposing her knee.

I couldn't hide my smile. I hated the fact that she never knew how beautiful she was.

She sprinted towards her team while we headed to our own. The baseball game was a game for girls since there were only 10 boys in our class. We stood support. Aae and Zee were in Gab's team while I was stuck with Charish.

"If her feelings are real, it wouldn't change that easy," I reacted. I still believe that there are things that withstand the changes of time. Does it sound corny?

"It would change if you don't do something about it." he scowled. "Until when are you going to bury your feelings?"

"I'm not, okay? We're still young and I'm perfectly happy with us being like this, being best friends." I licked my lower lip. It's true. Though there are times when I want it to be more than that.

"Woah, I know dude, but until when are you gonna stay like that?"

Tsk. He's being nosy again. I should have never told him about my feelings. Well, I believe it was obvious.

I like her. I like Zee. And as times passed by my feelings grew, but I couldn't tell her.

"I promise her brother I wouldn't make her cry," I remembered her brother. Zon's death was truly painful for Zee. She's been carrying the burden since.

Chad raised his eyebrow. "So, confessing your feelings, courting her, and being together would make her cry?"

"What's after that would make her cry," I slightly smiled. And I would never want to see her cry.

"Dude, you wouldn't know unless you take the risk. Don't live with what-ifs and almost, it will kill you," he said seriously.

"Woah, deep. Where did you get that?" I joked. I know that already.

"Psh! I get it from you!" He shook his head. "Just remember I did warn you. Don't cry when she chooses Aae over you."

"Aae is such a good person," I said. "At least, if that happens I know she is in good hands."

He sighed in disbelief. I just smiled at him and went to our positions to start the game.

For the record, we lose.

I could never beat Aae in baseball.

It doesn't matter though.

What matters is Zee.

I closed my math book and kept my activities in the bag when I already saw Zee walking along the sidelines. She had her hair tied up which I always found adorable. I loved seeing every feature of her small face, especially the curve in her eyes every time I made her laugh.

I hid in the bush, so she wouldn't notice me when she stopped in front of the post lamp. Zee put her earphones, started scrolling through her phone, and kept it after a second.

When I made sure we're a few steps away, I started following her and tried to keep my pace, so she wouldn't notice. Well, she never noticed. I have been doing this since we were in seventh grade.

I used to follow her, and walk her to the station to make sure she rode the jeep or bus home before I go.

Does it sound corny?

Well, she wouldn't know.

She's an idiot and numb sometimes. Tsk.

I counted my steps towards her as she continued to walk slowly. She must be feeling every beat of her Mayday Parade playlist. I wonder what album is she listening to?

I was not a fan of the band, but I always made an effort to listen and learn their songs, so I could sing it to her. I could love the things she loved.

These are one of the few moments where I wish I could stop the time or wish it would take thousands of songs before she reached her destination.

But, it would only take her three to four songs until she reached the house she's staying at. Psh! She's living with Aae. I did get jealous, but realized that jealousy would just make us farther away, so I shrugged it.

I wanted to spend the rest of my senior years with happy thoughts, and memories with Zee. At least, she wouldn't get tired from traveling back home.

Psh! Argh! Though, I'm still jealous.

Should I rent the other room in her aunt's house?

I continued to follow her until we're halfway across the streets. She's walking so slow, unlike her usual pace. Wait, is she alright? I wonder what she's thinking?

Oh wait, she tied her up. She only does that when she's frustrated.

I searched for my phone and decided to call her.

"Hey, " she instantly answered. There was tiredness and loneliness from her voice.

"You home?" I asked even though I was still following her trail.

"Nope, still walking. You?" She sighed.

"Then, can you look at the sky?" I ordered.

"Why would I-"

She stopped when I started singing, "Count the stars to form the lines and find the words we'll sing in time."

It was a Mayday Parade song. I remembered it was the first song she asked me to listen to during seventh grade. We were drinking our favorite banana milk. She shared with me her favorite song. Zee requested me to add it to my playlist.

However, her voice and laughter were the ones I added on my playlist. Eventually, she became my favorite song.

I smiled when I saw the curved in her face as she stared at the stars. There were few stars lining up, enough to accompany the half-smiling moon.

"I wanna keep her dreaming, it's my one wish I won't forget this..."

"Do you think I can make it?" she said like a whisper, still looking at the stars as I memorized every feature of hers.

Funny, how I sucked at memorizing, yet I could picture her face even in my sleep.

"I believe in you," I assured her. "I always do even if you're Baka!"

"Psh!" I could see her rolling her eyes over the phone. "It's not like I can get a medal with that answer."

I hissed. This girl, tsk. Does she even know what butterflies in the stomach are?

"How about this, if you think no one believes in you just remember that you got Zack Jersey Mendoza Zendaya who always believes in you."

I will always believe in you, Zee, even if miles set us apart.

"My brother used to tell me that," I felt her sadness. "but he isn't here now." It was a whisper enough for me to heed.

"I am here, Katie."

"Then can you promise me one thing?" She lifted her right hand trying to touch the sky.

"What is it?"

She dropped her hands before pleading, "Promise me you'll never leave."

"Why would I promise you that?" I joked. "What would you give in return, huh?" I said trying to make my voice happy, so she wouldn't notice it was about to crack.

"Nah, just promise me, Zack."

You don't know how much I wanted to.

You don't know how much I wanted torun to you right now.

You don't know how much it pains me to see you in pain.

I wanted to say I would never leave.

But, promising her would make her cry at the end.

And I promise her brother I would never make her cry.