Basketball Game

On a Friday morning, Yvonne's so excited to watch the basketball game. She bid goodbye to me and rushed to the gymnasium because she doesn't want to miss even a few minutes of the game.

After she left, I went to the café to work and cover her in her absence. Thank goodness that not a lot of customers visited the café and I know because all of the students went to the gymnasium to watch the game. I could say that most of the students are all excited to witness our team fight to its rival institution where I'm sure it would be a good match.

I know that watching such games and supporting our varsity players are fun. But for me, my time is important. I need to work to earn money for my expenses. Living alone and no one to support me is hard, so better to discipline myself for my own good. I’m not born privileged so I must act the way I should be.

Sometimes my self-esteem drops but I learned to embrace myself because I have no one but me. I have a dream to better myself to become my best version and well-rounded self in spite of it all.

I want to be successful in my passion to be able to help other people who might need me in the future. Like my foster parents who helped me with my welfare, I want to be of help to others too in any possible way that I could.

When I got back to our dorm, I saw Yvonne on the couch so busy with her phone. She was smiling from ear to ear like she's so happy about something.

“Faith, I have something to tell you,” she was beaming like nuts. “Spill the beans,” I leaned on the wall and looked at her with my arms crossed on my chest.

“Our team won tonight and Marco was the best player,” she disclosed with her meaningful stare. “Oh, that’s great. I thought it’s something about gossip,” I responded wearily as I switched on the couch.

“Am not done woman, so you listen carefully," she said in a singing tone. "Did you know that he talked to me after the game? And do you know what did he say?” she twisted her lips. 

“Will you please spill out already? I said a little annoyed with her fooling ways. “You’re impatient, huh?" she pouted. "When he saw me on the bench, he approached me and said Hi," she narrated. "Then, I thank him for the free tickets that he gave," she added.

“Oh, is that all? What’s interesting there?” I mocked her with my frown look.

“There’s more, he asked about you," I narrowed my eyes at her. "I told him you were in the café for work," she continued. "I noticed he was kind of disappointed that it was Eva and not you on the seat beside me,” she was grinning as she raised her left brow.

When I heard what she said, I sat up properly from slouching on the couch and looked at her with my creased brows. “Why would he look for me?” I asked her in disbelief.

“I think he anticipated you to be there because... because he likes you!” she answered teasingly. “Stop with your presumptions, It’s no good!” I reached for the throw pillow and hit her. She screamed like nuts and laughed her ass off. She really enjoyed making fun of me! ***

The next morning after my first class, I went to the canteen to buy some snacks. I’m alone because Yvonne and I are not having the same subjects and class every day. When she’s not around, I usually buy my snack from the canteen and just look for a bench available outside and not that far from a building to my next class. Not that I'm a loner but I just want to be alone rather than be friends with those rich groups of girls which I know would not mind me at all.  I just don’t want to get close with them because I know I won’t fit in with their ways. I don’t like bragging about new stuff and designer bags or shoes or what are the trends nowadays. I just want to be me and live with the life that I have and should be. If I didn’t get a scholarship, I’m sure I wouldn't be able to enter the prestigious university.

I was sitting on the bench while munching my sandwich when I felt someone tapped my shoulder. When I turned my head, I saw that it was Clyde with his two friends. I smiled at him and asked if he needs anything from me.

“Faith, I want to invite you to a party in my house tonight,” he said with his Clyde way of talking which was kind of boastful. I looked at him but on my mind, I was thinking of how would I decline his invite because I don't have time, and partying is not my cup of tea.

“Oh, thanks for the invite but I’m afraid I couldn't because I got a job,” I told him calmly for him not to sense my annoyance and irritations.

“You can take an off right,” he persuaded. I felt like he's not going to back down. I could see in his looks like sending a note that he will not accept defiance.

“Sorry, I can’t Clyde,” I sat up as I shook my head and about to go when he held my arm. “Why are you so hard to get, Faith?” he muttered. "Didn’t you realize that being invited by me is an opportunity?” his face frowned and his hand gripped tight on my arm. I could no longer control my irritations towards him when I hit back.

“You know what Clyde, I don’t care about who you are or about your party," I inhaled a deep breath. "I’m not a party-goers and I have some important errands on my list,” I said with my tone quite exasperated of him not letting me go.

“Who are you to insult me? he looked at me intensely. "Do you think you are that important to defy me? Or do you want to get removed from the scholarship program? he creased his brows towards me. "You are nothing here without that scholarship, right?" he put emphasis on the scholarship.

"What do you mean?" I asked him confused while enduring the pain in my arm. "I can tell my dad to splash you out in here,” my eyes widened on what he said and I felt like my arm is going to swell in his strong grip.

I know that his father belongs to the board of directors in the university but he can’t threaten me with that. I did not do anything bad to anyone so there’s nothing to fear about.

I told him that his grip is hurting me but he pulled me to go with him. I resisted him and kept on fighting with all the force I got. I’m so infuriated that I want to shout out my anger. 

“Let go of her!” I stilled as I heard someone from behind.