I was almost about to go inside the car when my phone rang, my plan was to stay in there and wait for Steve to show up so we can leave together, but it turns out his name was the one on my screen right now.
“ Hello Steve...... I'm inside your car waiting for you, when you're done with your training, we will leave together......”.
“( I was actually calling to know your location, the coach is asking of your whereabout and Rose too, she's in here waiting for you)”.
The next thing that popped into my head was that he actually came there because Joe might have invited her. What if I am actually the one responsible for Rose's action?, I have been the one avoiding her and playing hard to get while she's missing my presence.
     I went inside the basketball court, every player on their gears, doing one activity or the other, the coach made eye contact with me immediately and I can see the slight frown on his face, I guess I have some explaining to do on why I am showing up so late to training.
Looking at the fans stand, I saw Rose waving at me, wearing a wide smile as if this was her first time seeing her crush.
“ You are coming here or you want me to come over there?......”.
I gently went to the coach, pretending to be quite sick and tired, I just wish I can successfully convince him that I am actually not in good shape.
“ Ben!.... Why are you arriving so late?, Is this the time that you are supposed to show up, the school has dismissed minutes ago and the other players happen to arrive earlier before you ”.
I gave it an intense thought before concluding with a decision, I am not that fit for training, not physically, but emotionally and I don't think I can play with such low condition.
“ I am not in good shape Sir..... For reasons I don't know, I feel so weak and tired to do anything hard right now, I am really sorry Sir, I promise it won't happen again ”.
     The coach turned to Steve who had his eyes on us just like the other players, distracted in what they're doing and focusing on us.
“ I will pardon you today, but next time, don't allow yourself to be in this kind of situation, because I wouldn't care forcing you into joining your fellow players in training ”.
     Steve had this smile on his face, or laughter, because he looks much like he was holding it back. Why is he laughing?, Can't someone develop disease around the middle of the day.
“ Go up there and watch the training, learn as much as you can, because on our next training, I don't want any flaws coming from you ”.
His finger was pointing up towards the stand, much like where Rose sat, at least it turns out to be a win win, or even a triple win, because this is a good excuse which we seem like I followed the coach order and sat near her, than being the one approaching her by myself.
“ Hey Rosy..... When did you show up?”.
“ Not been long, came here with Joe, he said you might already be here, so I came to see for myself ”.
Should I be comfortable with her answer or not?, She actually came here to see me, but she came here with a much attractive guy than me, theirs a possibility that both have probably used my influence to make an acquaintance.
“ Joe?...... Is there something you aren't telling me or something you want to talk to me about?”.
Her lips began to expand gently into a wide smile that actually reached her eyes, I can tell it was genuine, but doesn't know if it was because I mentioned Joe's name or because I happened to be curious about her.
“ Are you jealous?.....”.
That came out unexpected, what does she mean whether I am jealous, of course I am, does she think I would be comfortable seeing her hanging around with guys, especially one like Joe.
“ Why should I be?......”.
I asked, with a frown look on my face, signalling that her companionship with boys is none of my business, at least that's the information I am giving out, but within me, I don't even want to see her an inch near someone like Joe and the others too, best for me to hide all that within and act like I care less.
“ I think it's settled, then I shouldn't bother telling you.....”.
“ What!?....”.