Chapter Four: Player
Jade and her friends anxiously waited at the bleachers of the gym. Ken and his team were having their warm-up and occasionally, he smiled at her. Then, Marge would nudge her then Des would giggle, or vice-versa. But still, she sensed that her friends shared her “horror.” Suddenly, the door opened and in entered the doom of her life. With Gie were Leo, Steven, Ceil and Rod. This was the moment she feared. Their very presence indicated that they were spelling out the word: D-A-N-G-E-R. “They look like they are going to be in a fight,” Marge murmured to her. “It seems they will have a gang fight instead of basketball! Scary,” Des agreed. Jade didn't say a word and secretly wished for Ken's safety. “Lets play,” Gie told Ken, and the play started. The ball went to Ken's hands that dribbled the ball through the court, but in a flash, Leo got it from him and passed it to Gie who shot it, and scored three points. Rod and Ceil high-fived. Onlookers who were watching the game, and the girls, were screaming Per. Jade rolled her eyes. The ball went to Steven, who passed it to Ceil, but Ken grabbed it and also scored three points. Jade almost shouted in triumph while her friends cheered...It was a tough game. Gie and his team were sacking the varsity, but they were not so far off. “I thought this was a friendly game,” Ken told him when his team had a time-out. “why so serious?” “When I want something, I do my best to have it,” Gie told him, “this time, I want to win.” “Let it be the goal then,” Ken replied, and they crossed paths.
The play continued. Ten seconds were left. Gie and his team were only two points ahead of them. The ball was with Leo who was dribbling it. With lighting speed, Ken stole the ball and dribbled it towards his goal. In front of him was Gie, who blocked his path. There were only five seconds left. Ken tried to find a passage but Gie won’t let him through. Two seconds. Ken made a decision. One second. He shot the ball. Jade held her breath as it flew to the air. Gie watched it turn around the net...and fall. Ken frowned. They weren't able to score. Gie and his team won. They all high-fived as the audience slowly dispersed. Then, they turned their backs and made their exit. “Gie, wait!” Ken called out. Gie turned around. “You and your group could join the team if you want. I could make you the lead player,” Ken said. “I would gladly agree, but in one condition,” Gie pointed to Jade, “she will be the team manager.” “Me?” Jade pointed to herself. “Actually, the slot is still not filled. Our manager resigned last month. Would you do it?” Ken asked her sweetly. “I would gladly do so,” she sweetly answered. “It’s settled then,” Gie called out loud.
“Manager, I want water,” Gie called out. Jade walked from her place in the bench, across the court, then to him, to give him the water. Just when she reached bench she was sitting on a while ago, Gie called out again, “manager, I want my towel!” Jade gritted her teeth then handed her the towel. Relief flooded to Jade when he started practicing again. The torture started again when they had a water break. “Manager, I want massage,” Gie called out. Jade hastily stood up and walked over to him. “What am I? Your servant?” She gritted her teeth. “Captain! This manager is useless,” Gie called out to Ken. Jade then started massaging him.
“Wow, he sure is something,” Des commented when she saw Jade gasping for breath on the bleachers. “The torture begins again,” Marge said. “I just wanna kill him!” Jade said, “I bet he ganged up on a lot of innocent people. He is pure evil!” “No he isn't,” A voice said. The three girls looked to the direction where the sound came from. Leo was sitting behind them. “You know, you and your friend are really alike,” Jade told him, “you scare the souls out of people.” Leo ignored her and continued to his story. “When Gie was in middle school, he was on a varsity team. On that same team, there was also a fatty who never did anything. For two years, he sat on the bleachers and watched his team-mates practice and play. Soon enough, their coach got fed up and called the fatty during a practice,” Leo said. “What happened?” Marge asked, “did he got kicked-out?” “Worse,” Leo answered her, “he was insulted, mocked and the coach even slapped him in front of his team-mates. What the fatty did was cry. He knew he was fat, but he does not need anyone to remind him of it. Soon enough, Gie got fed up and walked over and punched his coach to his face.” “He did that?” Des asked. “Yes. He and the fatty got kicked out of the team, but he was not affected. Instead, he trained the fatty basketball,” Leo said and handed Jade a picture, “that fatty was me.” Jade slowly reached out to get the picture. She was stunned speechless by what she just heard. So, he is not pure evil after all. As soon as the picture was in her hands, Marge and Des peered over. “You're so fat!” Des exclaimed. “You look better now,” Marge frankly said. Leo nodded, “you might think we are bad people because we do such things. But we don't hang around Gie just because we like him. It is because we respect him,” he told Jade.
“...and water,” Gie said. Jade rolled her eyes as she recalled his demands. “Sheesh, even though how many people tell good things about you, you are still a devil in my life,” Jade mumbled to herself while carrying a bunch of food, half of which is the devil's. Then, from out of nowhere, another pair of hands grabbed her. “Why are you still sticking to Per?” Kaye interrogated her. “Its you again?” Jade irritably exclaimed. This time, she was with another girl. Suddenly, the other girl bound her hands. “What are you doing?!” Jade said as she tried to struggle free from the ropes but to no avail. Her hands were tightly bound. “Be still! Or else, I will punch you!” The girl ordered. “I don't you to stay away, you cockroach!” Kaye said. “But I-” Jade started to explain but she was cut short. “Didn't I help you with your letter?” Kaye said. “You what?” Jade's voice was almost a whisper. “Your letter for the basketball captain. I even stole it from Gie. what I hard thing to do anyway,” Kaye commented, “should you not be contented? I even made a tarpaulin for you. I just placed it in the Business Hall anyway. I don't want to waste money on small things.” “You did it?” Jade asked again. “Yes, I did,” Kaye said, “now, what should I really do to keep you away?” Kaye pretended to think then exclaimed, “ah! I know! What about, we do something to your straight long hair?” Kaye asked then smiled. Suddenly, she secured a lighter and produced a flame, “I told you to stay away. You really are something, aren't you?” Jade shook and once again, tried to break free, but she couldn't. She forced her eyes shut.
The team was practicing. Ken walked over to the side to drink some water. As he opened his bag, he saw two tickets that he bought the other night. He got them and smiled. “Ceil, where is the manager?” He called out to Ceil who was nearest him. “She went out to buy some food,” Ceil answered while passing the ball to Rod. “I will go help her. Steven, you take charge,” Ken said and ran off. “Eh? Gie already went to help her,” Rod called after him but Ken didn't hear him.
Jade was tensed. She could feel the heat of the tiny flame. Seconds later, it might burn her hair. Suddenly, droplets of water splashed to her face. She opened her eyes. In front of her, Kaye was dripping wet, and beside them, was a middle aged man holding a bucket. “Oops, sorry!” The janitor said, “what are you pretty girls doing in the empty hallway?” “Shut up, old man!” The girl holding Jade said. “Shut up?” The janitor echoed then eyed Jade, “you must be bullying your co-student!” He said. “Just mind your own business,” Kaye shrieked and stomped away. The other girl followed her. When then were gone, the janitor walked over and freed Jade. “Thanks-” she started to say but she was cut off by a hug. “Jade! You must be my Jade! You look so cute!” The janitor said while half-hugging, half-dancing with Jade. “Pervert!!” Jade cried out. “Get your hands off her!” Someone called out and threw a ball at the janitor. The man turned around and cried out. “Gie! It’s been so long since I have seen you!” He broke free from Jade and started running towards Gie. “Don't touch me,” Gie said and showed him fist. “Why are you like that? I was gone a week you know. I missed you very much! You don't miss me?” He asked him. Gie just stared at him like he was crazy while Jade gaped at them. “He was gone for a week. So that means, he must be the devil's PAPA!” Jade said. Jeffrey, only hearing the last word, happily turned around. “You already call me PAPA!” He said and started towards Jade with open arms. Jade started to scream and fell to the ground, with the hopes of avoiding his future father's embrace. Gie, who saw Jade's misery, flew to her aid and stood in front of her in lightning flash even before Jeffrey could reach both of them. So instead of Jade, Jeffrey hugged his own son. “Aw. Don't get jealous, ok son?” Jeff smiled at him. “Loser,” Gie told him. “Aw...I really love your face when you get jealous. But I really can’t stand it, you know?” He walked over and placed his hand on Jade's shoulder. Jade shuddered. “She is just so cute, like her mama!” He added. “Stop holding her, old man,” Gie scolded. “Eh? How could you say that. You were even excited when I told you that you will have a sister,” Jeff reminded him then focused her attention on Jade. “You know. When I told him that your mama and I are marrying and that you will be his sister, he was so happy!” Jeff gestured to Gie who was picking up the ball on the floor. “He asked for you name, year and course, address, birth date and even zodiac sign!” Jeff exclaimed. “Shut up, old man!” Gie threw the ball again but this time, Jeff threw it. “President, I have been looking for you everywhere,” a man wearing a formal suit approached. “You should not wear disguises. It might trouble us,” he said then added, “the faculty meeting will start 10 minutes from now.” “Oh, ok,” he said and went with the man. Suddenly, he turned around and waved, “Jade, bye-bye! It was wonderful meeting you,” he said. Jade forced herself to say bye then looked at Gie. He rolled his eyes and picked up the food in the corner.
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