A Bet

Zac's POV

I didn't realize when the crowd got louder yet I just stood there like an awkward idiot, with a bow in my hand. The opposing contenders gave me a glance, it was a mix of glare and apathetic look.

I could feel the intense tension in the air and the droplets of sweats gliding down my forehead.

"Are you alright?" A sudden voice chimed into my ears.

I jumped at the sudden interaction and gazed at the owner of the voice.

"N-Nah, I'm fine." I waved him off.

"Are you sure?" Damien smirked.

"Don't worry about it." I sighed as my gaze fell back on the target rings.

We were at the indoor basketball court, where the match being held. The cheering in the background was getting louder and more intense, with clappings and chanting.

"Don't worry about it, we can do this!" He enthusiastically encouraged.

I remained silent as I don't want to prolong the conversation anymore and the opponents already finished their shootings.

My eyes glanced at the scores.

58 : 48

They're leading the score... for now.

That's okay, I just need to get 10 more points and Damien can finish it off.

Two more shots and then we'll win.

I felt a slight discomfort in my shoulder as I fixed my stance but just ignored it.

The instructor blew the whistle 3 times, giving the opportunity for the crew to collect the arrows. Meanwhile, I got ready in my stance and nocked the arrow.

The instructor blew the whistle once, signaling me to start shooting.

I took a deep gust of air int my lungs.

My eyes remained still on the target. I began to draw the arrow to my anchor point.

Stay focus, watch that breathing, aim closely at the center of the target.

I don't know why but my sight couldn't stay still for a while. The target was swinging left and right and I couldn't make my aim.

The clock was ticking and 10 seconds already passed.

I kept telling my head to stay focus and aim accurately but my eyes instinctively went through the bleachers, searching for the green eyes.

Once I found him, he smiled brightly and showing a 'thumbs-up' in my direction. I could literally hear my heart slowed down once our gaze met.

A huge sense of relief rushing through me and finally, I could stabilize my aim.

Breathe in, breathe out.

But just before I could release the string, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder causing the string to slip off of my finger.

Without giving much thought, I let go of the bow because of the excruciating pain surging through my upper body.

I let out a scream and my legs gave up on me. The pain was so intense causing tears rolling on my cheeks.

I thought that I was going to fall yet I felt a pair of hands swiftly caught me just before I lose balance.

"Medics!" He yelled.

I heard some gasping and muffled murmur in the background but I couldn't care less as I was slowly getting a little lightheaded.

"Hang in there, Zac," Damien reassured me while I was lying helplessly in his arms. He looked at me in the eyes and I saw it.

One thing that started the fairy tale in my life.

I saw worries in his eyes... and to make matters worst, I wasn't looking for his eyes.

My breath was shallow and quick.

I tried my best to cope with the pain yet I couldn't even move my body for an inch.

Despite all of the frantic flashes around me, I fight my pain to search for him.

From afar, I could see the ocean crashing into the thunderstorm.

I could see the shock in his face.

I could see the worries in his eyes.

********

"Thank you." I smiled sweetly at the nurse.

"You should take some rest for a few weeks. You're lucky that it wasn't that bad." She finished wrapping the sling around my shoulder before disappearing behind the closed door.

"Why didn't you tell me something?"Coach Watson scold me while frantically pacing around the infirmary wing.

"I thought it was just a cramp." I rubbed my arms despite the pain that surged through my upper body.

"You should have told me that!" She scolded me with a stern yet soothing voice.

I just apologized by bowed slightly without saying anything for the sake of the conversation. Since I just remained quiet, she just huffed as she raised both of her arms in the air.

She was about to leave but I managed to catch her attention just before she opens the door. "Coach?"

"What?" She raised her eyebrows.

"What was my point?" I asked since I remember the arrow to hit the target just before I almost fell down to the ground.

She remained silent for a while, eyes looking somewhat disturbed.

She sighed deeply. "It was a 2. You release the bow too early."

My eyes widened when I heard her reply and I gulped the anxiousness in my throat.

"What about Damien's?"

"The match was on hold for a while we sort you out. He's on the stage right now." Her eyes gave a sympathetic look.

Instantaneously, my legs swayed to the side of the bed.

"You're not going anywhere." She approached closer to the bed.

"I can't make him cover for me. Two is really low, he needs to get an eight to cover me."

"Zac, listen to me." She grabbed my shoulder, blocking me from moving further.

"It wasn't your fault." She shook her head.

"Yes, it is."

"Stay here, rest. If I have any updates, I will tell you okay?" She reassured before giving me another sympathetic smile and then, she left the room.

It wasn't your fault...

Is it tho?

Deep down, I feel guilty for what I did. I felt guilty for what I didn't do. Can anyone tell me another story that was different than this? If anything could ever change if take a different path.

I was hoping for a divergent from this reality.

I scream too much.

So much pain.

I cried too much.

I was alive yet it felt like I was already dead. I forget who I am and I need someone to make me remember who I was.

The pain is too much to bear as I looked up to the sky asking for forgiveness.

The rain came crying with my tears onto the ground beneath. The thunder overlooking us furiously screaming as our souls remained chained.

Do you remember me? Did you find your peace? Are you really gone?

Are you even up there?

********

I heard a clear knock on the door and averted my eyes from my phone. He poked his head in a cute fashion like a lost child, though with a sweet smile that I have grown to love.

"Can I come in?" He gave an adorable square smile.

"Yeah."

"Can I help you with that?" He pointed out at my shoulder. I caught a pack of ice in his left hand and nodded.

He sat down beside me on the bed and began pressing the icepack onto my sprain shoulder. A soft hiss escaped my lips either from the cold sensation or the sharp pain.

"Crybaby." He mocked jokingly.

"Why did you came here?" I asked out of a sudden.

"To see you, obviously." He smirked, applying firm pressure on my shoulder.

"You came to see the match, not stuck here with me."

"Don't worry, I already know who's gonna win."

My head snapped when I heard his reply. "Who?"

"Us, of course. Zac, you score 10 twice!" He chuckled lightly.

"But I messed up at the end."

"Which your partner already cover it up for you."

"Really?!"

He nodded with a smile.

"Then, what are they doing outside?"

"They're still discussing either to take your point or not. You shot the arrow just before you got the sprain, which made your point eligible."

I only nodded in silence, having a train of thoughts inside my head. My head scolded me for being weak at my most vulnerable moment. Yet, my heart comforts me as I was keeping my promise for so long now.

"Ry, when is your match start?"

"In a few hours, why?"

I gave him an apologetic look. "I don't think I can watch you play, tho."

"You don't have to come. Pretty sure I will win it."

"You mean, your team is going to win?"

"Nah, I'm going to win this game for you."

"Are you sure you're gonna win, singlehandedly?"

"Is that a bet?"

"I didn't say it was a bet."

"It sounds like a bet."

"It wasn't a bet"

"A bet it is." He smirked triumphantly.

I sighed deeply, too exhausted to care about him. I lied down on the bed and pinched the bridge of my nose.

"If I win the bet, what will you do?" He had the audacity to smirked again.

I only narrowed my eyes at him. "It wasn't a bet."

"Will you go on a date with me?"

"No." I bluntly replied.

"Why?"

"Out of all the things you could've ask." I groaned.

"If I win the game, will you do everything that I ask?" I stared at him in disbelief.

What is wrong with him? Did he usually crack the pot before a game or he's just being crazy?

"I'll get going then." He politely mentioned before heading towards the door.

Just before he could close the door, a quick thought flashes in my eyes.

"Rafiq." He turned around with his eyebrows raised and his lips pressed.

He had questioning expression smeared all over his face yet I only stared at him. Looking for a certain answer folded somewhere in his mind, waiting to be revealed.

Why does he ask me such a question? Why did he always lie to me? What is he hiding? Who was he's hiding it from?

Although with the streams of questions inside my mind, I gave him a reassuring glance and a sincere smile.

"Goodluck."

He nodded in surprise and I saw a glimpse of him grinning as he closed the door.

Little by little, I see you.

I once lost you. But little by little, I saw you being replaced by someone new.

Every day every night, I pray for my stories to be taken away. Yet I was surprised when they never left. Instead, something else came in the way.

I don't even know what to do.

Maybe this is how things are now. Your love was gone and I hate myself for it.

Yet one thing for sure, I thank him for being him.

********

Suddenly, I heard some shuffling outside the door before a figure came barging in. His breath was quick, panting for air.

"Hey, I came as quickly as I can." He beamed as he still trying to catch his breath.

"How did you do?" I asked eagerly.

Damien seems pleasantly surprised by my inquiry as I saw him raising his eyebrows yet he was still smiling.

"Oh, it went great! I scored a nine."

I heard a sigh of relief escaped from my lips. "Oh thank God. I was so scared that we might lose because of me."

"How's your shoulder?" He gestured with a nod.

"I sprained my back and shoulder. It's no big deal."

"Really? Cause that's the first time saw you tearing up."

"I didn't..."

"Yes, you did." He argued with a smirk.

I averted my gaze to the windows.

Wow, the weather sure looks nice today.

"This is utterly and completely embarrassing," I admitted.

"Don't worry, I'm the only one who saw it."

"Sorry tho." I apologized out of the blue.

"Why?" He was dumbfounded.

"For almost causing us to come home empty-handed."

"If you're really sorry, come to the team dinner tonight. It's after the football match."

"Sure."

"I'll come and pick you up."

"I had enough guards around me."

"One more wouldn't hurt."

"Thanks, Junior." I smiled at him appreciatively.

He only stood there, staring at me with a smile carved on his face. His eyes were filled with something that I've seen before.

A few moments passed by, along with utter silence. The wind blew into the window and the sunrays penetrated the room, giving us a moment for ourselves.

He was about to leave but then, he abruptly turned around.

"Wait, but I'm a sophomore."

"You stupid idiot," I replied instantaneously.

********

Why do I try to catch his eyes? Is it because I want his attention? Am I that desperate for love?

Maybe I'm just an ungrateful bastard that had a miserable nightmare. A nightmare that wasn't even true in this world.

Everybody seems just to keep moving, even without him. As if he never exists.

It was just a nightmare...

I used to keep telling that to myself every night. Just so that I could dream of him when he is real in my eyes, where he could be free.

Even if he's not with me now... at least I know that he's happy.

How do I know that?

그냥.

(A/N; Direct translation: Just.)

I just know that.

He came running towards me, eyes never averted from me.

I love how he's running like the moonlight was underneath his feet and the wind caressed me with his scent.

Everyone else was heading out of the field as the game already ends yet I managed to catch Rafiq's attention right before he got into the locker room.

"Hey! How's your shoulder?" He was still panting for air. I have to point out that he looks really good in that football uniform.

It was covered yet... revealing.

"Better." I rubbed my shoulder, giving him a gentle nod.

Then, we only hear the wind blowing and the faint cheering from the field. My eyes fell on his glistening skin caused by his sweat. Puffs of cloud exited from his mouth before dissipated into the air.

The awkward tense air lingered around us for a while and all we did was staring at each other albeit with a smile carved on our faces.

"You did great!" We said in unison.

Our eyes meet and we just stood there, frozen as the time keeps ticking. I felt a weird sensation in my stomach, a strain in my lungs, and the shudders lingering around my skin.

He chuckled lightly and scratched the back of his head. His expression showed that he's embarrassed.

"I mean, you came even tho you can just rest in the hotel." He explained, face slightly a red shade darker

I bowed politely, hiding my face.

"Can we go on a date now?" He spurted out.

Surprised, I asked. "W-what? A-a... A date?"

"Yeah, you lost the bet." He gave me his cheeky grin.

I raised a finger. "Correction, I did not make any bet."

"Silence is consent." He shrugged with a pout.

"Clearly you've never watched 13 Reasons Why."

"Come on, I know you wanna have fun tonight." He grabbed both of my shoulders with a toothy grin.

I wiggled away from his grip. "No, I really don't. My dad will kill both of us."

"He doesn't have to know."

"He WILL know."

"I'll figure things out." I glared at him wide eyes, fear of what he might do.

"Ry, don't do anything stupid."

He winked and clicked his tongue slyly.

"You have to be around to make sure of that." And as soon as he finishes his words, he began running back to the locker room.

"Ry! You son of a virgin, come back here!" I exclaimed while running after him.

After a few small steps, I gave up. There's no use in running after a football player when you're just not fit as them.

From afar, I heard someone called my name and his voice became clearer.

"Zac! You're coming?" Damien asked.

Rafiq's shadow was nowhere to be seen and I am running late for the team dinner. I huffed in surrender and followed Damien towards the dining hall.

He can't go anywhere either.

Damien seems pleased by my choice as I saw him smiling shyly.

But after four steps, I swiftly turned around and walked towards the locker room to find Rafiq.

"Zac, where are you going?" Damien asked, sounds slightly irritated.

He's not going anywhere!

********