Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Zack Jersey Mendoza Zendaya's POV

Now even if it's perfect, I can't get carried away

"Zendaya!" Coach Alvid yelled at me. I bent on my knees and gasped for air. I felt the sweat dashing through my ears. "Why are you always late for morning practice?"

"Coach, it's just five minutes," I answered, still steadying my breath. Why is the pool area so far from the field?

"Five minutes is still precious. You're the captain," he frowned. "You still check on Zamora before coming here?"

"Sssh," I straightly pointed my index finger to my lips. "That's a secret, Coach," I smiled. I brushed my hair and picked up the ball on the side. My teammates were already running around the field.

I heard Coach hissed. "Why do you need to go see her every morning, huh?" He eyed me. "You see her in class. Is there a need to go visit her at the pool before morning practice?"

"She sets up my mood, Coach," I winked. I laughed a little when I saw the lines forming in his head. "Don't worry, I already run on my way here, so let's get on with the drills."

"Make sure you win tomorrow, Zendaya, or else." He warned me.

I tapped his shoulder. "Yes, Coach. I got my inspiration."

"Tsk," he cringed. "You always watch her from afar. Just tell her."

"I can manage, Coach." I wiped my sweat. "Okay, then!" I yelled at my teammates. "Let's bring home the bacon!" I threw the ball and started running to the field.

After the morning practice, Coach allowed us to go home and take a rest. Varsity players were excused the whole day, but I decided to just spend hours sitting in class. I wanted to feel the presence of Zee beside me instead of the warmth of my bed.

I went to my locker and typed Zee's birthday on my lock code. Of course, I set mine on her lock code. This is what you call couple - okay best friend goals. Well, she never changed the password. She must have liked it or just too lazy to change it.

I pulled my vest out and was about to wear it when I imagined the look in Zee every time she reminded me to wear it. Okay, let me hear her concern tone. It usually made my day.

"You're not going home?" Chad asked me as soon as I went inside. He was sitting beside Geralt. They're reading the modules left by our teachers. It was announced that there will be no class for the whole day. We were just asked to finish our activities. Everyone was busy with the Inter-High School Competition tomorrow.

"No, I get bored at home," I replied. "Why are you still here?"

"We decided not to go home and finish the activity," Marco answered. He's part of the volleyball team.

I scanned the four sides of the room. The rest of the varsity players were sitting on their chairs doing their own things. But, Zee wasn't around when I sat back on my chair.

Since everyone was busy, I pretended to be occupied too. Psh! It's boring. Zee was not around. Where is she? Did she go home?

I read the modules. Uh, I have to review for the second level ranking and my academic contest. Should I flunk it? I was getting tired of competitions.

"Woah, you're studying?" I heard her sweet voice. I faced the back door as she closed it and sat beside me.

"So, you really are afraid of losing since Caroline asked for Aae's help to beat you." She pulled her scrunchies and wore it as a bracelet.

Should I get her a bracelet for her birthday? I haven't thought about my birthday gift. Her born day would be next week.

"Baka! The only reason why I am keeping my spot is that I don't want to date Caroline," I reacted. I closed the module and moved a little closer to her. I sniffed the vanilla scent in her hair as she brushed them away.

"Why don't you want to date her?" She asked. I watched as she put powder on her rosy cheeks. Her skin was so pale that it easily get flushed by the heat. She massaged the bridge of her greek nose.

When will she realize she's the one I wanted to date? Tsk.

I raised an eyebrow and thought of teasing her. "Why, do you want me to date her?"

"Tsk. Duh! Whatever! Just study well." She handed me a copy of the modules for Literature. Immediately, she tied her hair. So, the thought of me dating Caroline makes her frustrated. I like that.

I laughed a little.

I watched her roll her eyes. It's the sight that I always loved. It's not like I loved annoying her, well sort of. I loved bothering her. I loved the thought that it was me she's thinking of every time she had those looks.

I quickly removed my eyes from Zee when Charish walked to our seats. She handed the modules to my love - my best friend with a semicolon at the end. I chuckled with that thought.

"Aae is absent, please give this to him," Charish said. "Why is he absent?"

"Oh, he told me he would attend some family matter," Zee replied. She kept the modules in her backpack along with her things. Then, she pulled out her earphones. Psh! That was the earphone of Aae. I think I should get her a new one.

"Yeah. They owned Huang-Cillo Airlines."

"Woah, really?" Gab turned to us. I thought she was busy reading. How come she even heard that?

Girls were really amazing when it comes to gossips.

"It's one of the biggest airlines in Asia," Gab added.

"Oh, Aae must be pretty rich." Charish circled her lips.

"I didn't know that." Zee inched her eyes.

Aae never bragged about it even when we were in Elementary. It was my mother who told me about it. Apparently, Aae's family usually gathered meetings and trips to our hotels. My mother was the executive chef in all of their parties.

"I heard they will be talking about engagement," I remembered seeing it on a business page.

"Who's engagement party?" Gab removed her eyeglass. "Aae is too young for that." She cut her own sentence. "Oh right, we're Chinese." She wagged her head. "Good luck for Aae."

"I don't know if it's Aae. He still has a brother older than him, so it could be him," I said, not sure.

"Oh, I see. Must be hard to be a Chinese, huh," Charish reacted. "Are you also going to experience that?" She turned to Gab then Zee.

"Yeah, think so. But I don't want to think about it yet." Gab pouted her lips. "I hope the feng shui will never find my match."

"How about you, Zeekie?" I turned to her.

"Hmm, I don't know. My parents never talk about it, so I guess no to arrange marriage." She shrugged. I saw how her eyes turned darker for a moment. The thought must have crossed the possibilities.

Tsk. Fck that! Should I be born again and be Chinese?

Why do parents have to arrange weddings? I hope Zee would never get to experience that.

Should I ask for her hands right now?

"Anyways, I forgot. Who's gonna write our class prophecy?" Charish crossed her arms. She turned to me. I immediately waved my hand to say no.

No way. I was too lazy to do that. I hated predicting things. Why do we even need that for our yearbook?

The only thing I wanted to do was to watch Zee.

Does that sound out of character?

It's true, but she never noticed. Or does she?

"Not me." Gab purposely turned her back on us. She started opening her modules again.

"Do not look at me," I said pointing at Zee. She pretended to read the modules.

"Nah. How about you just write it and we'll give suggestions?" Zee gave her a pouting look. Aww, it made me want to pinch her cheeks.

"I shouldn't have asked. You're no help at all," Charish said in frustration.

"You are the Class President." I grinned my teeth.

"You are the Valedictorian!" she exclaimed.

"We don't know that," I replied back, but there was no way I would let Caroline beat me. If it's Zee, I would gladly obey.

"Fine, any suggestions about the plot?" Charish retorted, defeated.

Yes! Hah! You could never ask me to do that. I hated writing, but if it's love letters for Zee. Why not? Our love story was the only thing I wanted to write.

Charish waited for Zee while she read the list of dreams written by us. Zee loved to read books and was also good at writing.

"Oh, Zack and Aae both wanted to be a pilot." Zee nodded in amusement. "How about a plane crash? Zack died, and we will be having a reunion," she joked with a grinned on her face.

"What a great plot, Zee." I eyed her. She's liking this topic.

"Well, if that really happens, you're gonna save me because you're a doctor," I smirked.

"Hah! My doctor's fee is expensive." She stuck her tongue out.

"I can pay with my heart," I sincerely replied.

... that's beating for you.

"Okay, I'm out here." Charish pulled the paper from Zee. "Just date, Baka!"

We both laughed when Charish mimicked our call sign.

"Okay, there you go! Zendaya with the hit! Goal!!!"

I heard the thumping of the entire football field as I punched into thin air. My teammates started running towards me.

"Congratulations, DSA!" The announcer greeted. "See you on finals," he added.

"Yes. You're the best Captain!"

"Finals! Yahoo!"

"Okay, the road to 4-peat."

I smiled upon hearing those words from my teammates. Finally, we made it to the finals after months of hard work.

"It's too early to celebrate boys," Coach Alvid said, but with a smile on his face. "Don't let your guard down. We still have to face our rival school."

"Yes, Coach!" We all said in chorus.

"Okay, go on. Take a rest. Let's cheer for the other sports team."

I nodded and made my way out of the field.

"Congratulations, Zack!" a freshie greeted me. She couldn't hide the happiness in her voice as she giggled.

"Ah yeah, thanks. Though we still have games," I answered. I excused myself and continued searching the crowds for Zee.

"I'm pretty sure you'll win. You're so amazing!" She followed me along with her other classmates.

"Thanks," I smiled a bit.

Ugh! Where the hell is that girl?

"Uhm, can I ask for a-"

"Ah, sorry. I have to go somewhere. Thanks for cheering," I waved mid-air before running to the side. I saw Zee standing at the bleachers. She was wearing one of my old jersey shirts with the number nine printed on it. I don't know if she remembered, but that was the date when we first met.

It was only a few steps away when Caroline appeared. She greeted me with a mischievous smile. I stopped and tried my best to hide my disappointment.

I don't hate her. I hated the lies that came from her mouth just to make me believe that Zee was betraying me.

For the record, I didn't get mad at Zee. I didn't talk to her for weeks, because I was mad at myself. For one second, I believed in what Caroline told me, and I realized how dumb and asshole I was.

I did mean to stay away from her to stop myself from falling, but I couldn't. How could when I already fell hard?

"What, Caroline?" I wanted her to hear my annoyance.

"You still don't want to date me? It seems like you're not even doing anything for Zee, how about just date me, so you could forget about her?" She licked her lower lip and bit it a little. Disgusting, it's not even the same as Zee's thin pinkish lips.

"I told you to beat me first." I gave her a stern look. She's pissing me off.

"I've been doing that for the last years, and you know I can't. So, how about I offer you something new?" She devilishly smiled.

"Not interested."

"If Aae beats you, you'll date me, and she'll date Zee. How about that?" She smirked. She curled her hair using her index finger. She looked like a crazy girl.

If I could only punch a girl, she would be the first one. Good thing, I was taught to respect girls.

"Why do you even like me?" I creased my brows.

"Why not?" She flirted.

"I don't like you," I honestly replied.

I walked past her and eventually stopped to glare at her when she asked,

"When are you going to tell her that you are leaving?" She wickedly smiled. "And not coming back again?"

I clenched my fist. Tsk! She's getting on my nerves!

"If you know that I am leaving and not coming back, why still flirt at me?"

I didn't wait for her to finish. I ran to Zee, and I automatically liked the wrinkles in her forehead as she met my gaze.

I wanted to hear her say she likes me too, but I would always choose her expression over words because words can lie. Yet, her eyes could say it all.

"Hey." I wiped my sweat. "You guys still here?" I asked when I reached them.

"Psh " Zee quickly threw the towel on my chest.

"Ouch!" I acted hurt. I brushed my face with the towel and sniffed the vanilla scent on it.

"We'll be off. We just finished your game. Ours next," Gab replied. She tied her shoelace before standing up. "I should run to the gymnasium. They must be looking for me," she pouted. "You know I skip to watch your game. Congratulations!"

I nodded. "Good luck!"

"Sorry, can't watch your game." Zee gave her a hug. "You can do it, my best setter," I heard her whisper.

"You can make it, my best swimmer." She patted Zee's shoulder.

Aww, these two girls in my life are making me proud.

Gab ran to the gymnasium. I turned to Zee, and she looks pissed.

"Here." She handed me the banner with my name on it. I smiled. I've collected a lot of banners she made since. I thought of laminating it and displaying it in my room.

"Thanks for the effort," I said, trying to hide the butterflies in my stomach.

"Whatever." She rolled her eyes as I laughed.

I heard her sigh. She looks worried.

Today was the fourth day of the Inter-high school competition. We've been jam-packed since Monday. It was a one-week game to determine the team that will play for the finals next week. I haven't felt the slightest rest since.

We both turned to the baseball field when we heard the loud thumping of drums.

"Oh, sucks. I can't watch baseball," Zee reacted.

It's semi-finals. There's a chance we could get the championship since Aae was on our side. Well, it must be hard to defeat the school you once played at.

"Gab's too, I hope they win." She ducked her lips.

"Aish!" I messed her hair. "Don't think about it. You have your own game, okay? Let's go, you should prepare."

"Yeah, I know I know, it's just I'm getting nervous," she said as we walked outside the field.

A lot of people greeted me, and I just nodded at them, still focusing on Zee and her concerned look. Of course, she would really be nervous. There was no semi or final game in their competition. There was only one deciding game. Win or lose.

"Nah, you should go to your team. I'm fine alone," she said when she noticed the people waiting to greet me. Well, I don't care. She's the only fan I wanted to be with.

"I'm your best friend with a semicolon at the end, right?" I cheerfully said. "C'mon, cheer up, you'll make it, okay?"

"I'm nervous--"

I held her cold hands. "I'm waiting at the end so you better make it, okay?"

She nodded. "Thanks."

I quietly walked her to the dressing room and waited until she changed into her swimwear. Tsk, this girl was so damn sexy! Aish! Why do they need to wear something like that? She should wear pants. Tsk. Boys would look at her.

"Geralt reserved the seat near the starting area, so I'll be there cheering for you," I assured her.

"Thanks," she said, still nervous.

"C'mon, you got the swim cap I made. You'll make it," I nodded.

"My parents are watching. I can't-"

I hugged her. "Just focus, don't think about anything else. You'll make it. I believe in you," I whispered. Her mere presence was enough to let my heart skip a beat. How do you do that, Zeekie?

"How about I give you a lucky charm?" I slowly let go of her. "Close your eyes," I commanded.

"Why would I close-"

I cut him off. "Just do it." I waved my palm on her eyes. She automatically closed it while sticking her tongue a little.

She creased her eyebrows after a second. I watched her pout her lips while waiting for me to do something. Should I kiss her?

Well, let us save the kiss on the lips. I moved closer to her until I could finally hear her beats. I don't know if she was nervous or because I was near her.

I counted my heartbeat before closing my eyes and placing my lips on her forehead.

She froze. I melted.

I screamed on the inside. I've been wanting to do that.

"H-how is that even an l-lucky charm?" she stuttered. I automatically recognized the reason behind her rosy cheeks.

Do you like me too, Zee?

"I'm doing it on behalf of your brother," I put the swim cap in her tied hair. "I know no one could replace him, but I want you to know I am here, maybe not always, but I am here."

"Yeah. Thank you." She stared at me.

"Just that? How about my lucky charm?" I pouted.

"You don't need a lucky charm." She fixed her swim cap.

"What? That's unfair!" I acted pissed and even rolled my eyes.

"You have me. Isn't that enough?" She curved her lips and waved mid-air as she went to her teammates.

You are more than enough, Katie.