Chapter 7: Let your hair down, ladies.

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Every time I step inside the court, I become a different person. I could always her Carina’s remark running through my head, “As a friend, you’re nice; but as a team captain, you’re a b*tch.”


Despite her tactlessness, I hate to admit it but she’s right. And unfortunately, today I’m about to lay bare that b*tchiness (again) in our volleyball practice.


“Ashley, toss the ball to Cheska! Trina, bend your knees! Focus on the freakin’ ball, geez,” I gritted.


“Wends, can we have a water break first,” Lia proposed and I noticed that they were all worn out.


I sighed, “Fine. Fifteen minutes break. Hitting drills afterwards.” I heard them whine before they actually dispersed.


I then slumped on the courtside bench and let out another audible sigh. I took my water bottle out and drank in a big gulp. I’m finally starting to lose all the hope left in me that we’ll win again this year.


I was toweling my neck that time when someone bellowed from the other side of the court, “Study Buddy!” It was a sobriquet officially uttered only by two people, myself and…


“Kyle,” I waved excitedly as he approached me.




AUTHOR'S NOTE: KYLE is one of the characters from (Little Sister) Anicia's story entitled In Shambles.

We kind of merged our story in a way, in hopes of having more readers. ;) Please do visit her beautiful story as well. Thanks! :D Now, going back. LOL.




Kyle and I have been friends since our freshman year. Although he was taking another course, he and I would always end up in the same class in almost all of our Arts & Sciences subjects. Since he and I share the same goofiness, we got along well and became close friends.


The nickname ‘Study Buddy’ was brought to life because he and I always apply the law of collaborative learning when it comes to exams and homework. You get what I mean. LOL.


“Long time no see. Where have you been hiding,” he joked as gave me a squeeze.


“Funny,” I replied rather wryly to which he just grinned back.


He took a seat beside me, “So how’s the team doing? Are we going to win the championship title again this year?”


“Sad to burst your bubble, but the team still needs more practice. The entire team sucks, myself included.”


“Oh, you're too harsh. That’s not how a team captain should be. Anyway, how are you? You've been missing out a lot.”


“I know, I'm sorry. I'm just preoccupied with... things lately.” I didn’t mean to stop midway of my sentence. I was just at lost for words as to how to put my situation. And I already anticipated that he would see through it.


“Still with the break-up?” (I told you.) “Oh, come on, Wends. You can't be dead in the water all the time? You have to do the running you know, as English blokes tell it.”


I sighed for the nth time that day, “Kyle, moving on is an entirely new word for me. I don’t have any idea where to start and how to do it. I’m not even sure if I can do it.” I myself knew that I was starting to sound despondent.


He put his arms around my shoulders and gave me a pat, “You have all the right in the world to feel gloomy, Wends, but you need to start striding. And it should start from within.”


“I hate the sh*tty firsts. First date, first kiss… and most of all, first love.”


He placed his hands on my shoulders so I’d face him. “Study buddy, look at me. You’re dejecting and being a pessimist. This isn’t you.”


“I don’t like changes, Kyle, you know that,” he nodded. “And how much of a keeper I am,” he nodded once more. “As much as possible I want to keep my life as steady and solid as it is. But why won’t destiny allow it to be?” We both knew it was a rhetorical question.


“So what? You’re just going to stop your world from turning? We all know it’s hard, Buddy. One way or another we’ve all been there and we all know it’s not an easy step to take. But it shouldn’t end here. You still have your whole life ahead of you and this single fragment of your life shouldn’t ruin the rest of it.”


I pouted and punched his deltoid. “I hate it when you’re right. But it’s not only about the break-up. I also worry about my upcoming debut, now that I don’t have an escort.”


He tousled my hair. “We’re still young and single. Well, you’re single, I’m not,” we chuckled at the same time. “Trust me, someone’s locker would be filled with roses and love letters in no time when guys find out you’re available again. You wouldn’t need to worry about finding an escort.”


“You silly,” it was my turn to messed his hair up.


“By the way, what are your plans this coming Saturday night?”


I shrugged, “None, as of the moment.”


“Good. My friends are inviting me to a party at Chaos this coming Saturday. You, Carrie and the girls should come. I’ll introduce you to some guys I know,” he winked.


“Sure, I’ll tell them about it. It’ll be a chance for us to catch up since Liz has just returned home.”


“See you on Saturday then. Bud, I gotta run now. Faye and I have a lunch date.” We stood up and I gave him a peck.


“Thanks, Kyle. I needed that to be sent back to reality. Say my regards to Faye, okay?”


“I will. Just remember, I’m always here for you whenever you need me,” he assured me. “But don’t take it out on the team, okay,” he teased and sprinted off before I even had the chance to get back at him.




Quote
Color Label:
Sydney Flores
Ciara Escudero
Liz Maurico

Third Estrada
Oliver Cho
Tyler Miranda
Alex Ongpauco
Ric Fabella


Carrie and I brought along our girl friends, Sydney, Ciara and Liz, at the party in Chaos Bar that night. The five of us attended the same high school, though the years and sections that we belong to differ. Our paths crossed when we became part of the official school paper, The Lighthouse; though I’ve known Carrie ever since our diaper and baby bottle days.


Liz and I are about the same age, while Carrie and Ciara are the two years my senior and Sydney is a year younger, basically the baby of the group.


Presently, Sydney and I attend the same school, Abberley International School Manila, but under different courses. I’m a struggling sophomore of Architecture while Sydney is taking up AB Psychology. Sydney’s personality is audacious and straightforward despite being our youngest.


Carrie, the official party girl, never fails to paint the town red. We always get the hottest invites to the most exclusive parties in town albeit the fact that Sydney, Liz and I are still underage. ;) Despite her social status, she has already graduated from her pre-med course of BS Biology and is now on her freshman year as a medical student at R. E. Jacobs Medical School.


While Ciara, a graduate of Culinary Arts, is now working at a four-star hotel as an assistant chef. Carrie fondly teases her Manang because of her primness and conformity, but she still knows how to party and have fun. She has already agreed to be the pastry-cook for my upcoming debut.


Last but definitely not the least, Liz, the brightest one among us five, is studying at Harvard University and plans to pursue in entering Harvard Law School soon after. She’s currently on a three-week vacation and will be heading back to the US after a week. Just like Carrie, she’s also a party girl on the loose, that’s why she always takes people by surprise when they’d realize that she’s from Harvard.


“Two apple martinis and three Cosmos,” Carrie told the bartender. “I have finals on Monday but instead of studying, I’m out partying with you guys. If I fail a Medical-Surgical concept, I’m going to kill you all. Including Kyle!”


I shook my forefinger in front of her, “Nuh-uh. We all know that you’re having a great time, too. In fact, that’s already your third martini for the night.”


“Besides, you could’ve turn down the invitation if you wanted to, Doctor,” Ciara teased.


“You don’t study anyway. So why bother,” Liz joked and the four of us laugh, except Carrie who just mouthed ‘whatever’. “I’ve missed you, too, Cars,” she exclaimed and hugged her tightly.


“Group hug!” The three of us joined the two of them in a big bear hug.


“Fine, I missed you also. Happy?” Even though Carrie said it wryly, we all know that she meant what she said.


“Where’s Kyle by the way,” Sydney asked. “I haven’t seen him since we went in with him.”


“I saw him talking to some guys upstairs, but I lost him in the crowd.”


The bartender handed us our drinks. Carrie suddenly pointed to the guy walking down the spiral staircase. “I think that’s Kyle.”


I squinted my eyes a bit and saw five other guys walking next to him. “And he’s got company.”


He came up to us, his pack tagging along. “Havin’ a great time, ladies?”


“Yes, we are. And it just got better,” Carrie said while flirtatiously eyeing on the tallest one among the herd.


Kyle then introduced us to his friends, sensing Carrie’s eagerness to be acquainted.


“Would you like to dance?” Oliver, Carrie’s prospect, suddenly asked after getting introduced.


“I thought you’d never ask.” Carrie got to her feet to join him. A house remix of Ne-Yo’s Sexy Love was playing that time. How satirical. ;D


Ciara also rose from her seat and went to dance floor with Alex. Liz on the other hand is seriously engaged with conversation with Tyler (I think I just heard the word decree), whilst Sydney is completely wired and giggling carelessly over Ric’s wisecracks.


“I have a great future as a matchmaker,” Kyle avowed after seeing his matchmaking ‘creation’.


“I couldn’t agree more, man.”




Hours later, Third and I have already lost count of the total drinks our group had had.


“Who do you think will pass out first,” he foolishly asked.


I chuckled and started comparing. “Liz,” I said with all confidence. “You?”


“Alex. Among our barkada, his tolerance to alcohol is fairly narrow.”


“Really? Then you’ll have to carry him home by the time we’re done.”


“I’ve done it a hundred times. Trust me.” I started laughing again. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you out if ever Liz passes out.” The moment Third had finished his sentence, someone did pass out. But it was neither Liz nor Alex. It was Carrie and Oliver. Apparently, the two were vying over who’ll be the last man/woman standing after their rounds of liquor.


Nobody won, that’s for sure.




We’ve all decided to head home after the inebriated two passed out. Third will be taking Oliver with him, so was I with Carrie. He insisted to give me a ride so he could help me take Carrie home. While, Kyle became the official chauffeur for the rest of the group since he was the most clear-headed.


“Drive safely, Kyle. Thanks a lot for inviting us. I had fun, Study Buddy.” I blew him a kiss and he smiled back.


“I had fun, too,” Tyler added in a drunken tone.


“Me, too,” said the flushed-cheek Alex.


“Me, three,” yelled Ric and they all started laughing uncontrollably.


“Hey, guys, I told you to sleep. Doze off now. You’ll be home in no time,” he bossed to the lightheaded drunkards. “Third, take care of my Study Buddy, okay? If anything happens to her and Carrie, you’re a dead man,” he sheepishly warned.


“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure that they are home safe and sound.” Kyle waved and set off.




“Really, thank you for helping me out with my drunkard best friend,” I said as he gave me a hand on walking my best friend in. I couldn’t possibly take Carrie to her own house in that state so I had her spend the night at our house instead.


He chuckled, “No biggie. Besides, I couldn’t allow you to go home by yourselves seeing Carrie’s shape.”


“That’s really of nice you, Third.” Even from our spot, we could hear the sound of Oliver throwing up. “I think you should be taking off now. Oliver’s not in his good shape as well,” I suggested.


We both headed back to his car outside. I was expecting to see evidence of Oliver’s vomitus on the ground outside our house, what I didn’t presume was it would be the ‘ground’ inside Third’s car.


“Oliver, what the heck,” he berated. I apologetically patted his shoulders.


“Just worry about it tomorrow. I know you’re already dead beat.”


“Okay,” he sighed and smiled tiredly. I waved him goodbye and turned to head back inside as he climbed in his car.


“Wendy,” he suddenly called when I was halfway through the doorstep. He got off his car and stood in front of me.

“Yes?” I asked but he just stood there for a minute not saying anything. “Third?” I tried again hoping that he would speak this time.


“Would you like to go out with me sometime?” He blurted it out too fast I almost didn't catch it.


“Oh,” I said as he stood there nervously waiting for a more appropriate response.


“I was planning to ask you back there in Chaos just before Carrie and Oliver conked out.” Then I remembered Kyle saying something about matchmaking and Third agreeing back. “I hope you’re not freaked-out.” I could sense that he’s getting all jittery.


“No, no. I’m just surprised, that’s all,” I told him. We both got distracted when Oliver looked like he was about to heave once more.


“I’ll just call you tomorrow so you could think it over, okay? Night.” He ran off back to his car before I could even reply. He smiled and waved before he took off.


As I head back to the house, it dawned into me. Am I ready to go through this again?


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