What happened made me speechless. I could feel my cheeks getting flushed. I let out a sigh of relief when I looked around, and I didn't see anyone looking. I looked in front and saw some of the players staring at me while putting on their gloves. I slowly looked down and bit my lower lips due to embarrassment. Why do I always have to deal with awkwardness when I run into one of my friends.
"Go now to your proper places. Time is running." Vladimir shouted to the players who were looking at me.
I looked up and saw him throw me a glance before putting on the mask for the catcher.
My admiration for him grew because of what he did. He must have sensed that I am not comfortable with the situation. He waddled like a child towards me since he was wearing the catcher's full gear while they were on a short break.
“Water,” he said as he removed the chest protector
I instantly gave him his water bottle and towel as sweat are trickling down his face. I was about to focus on the book that I was reading when his moving Adam's apple caught my attention. I looked away to distract myself from my thoughts but I can’t stop my eyes from stealing a look.
“Can you remove the leg guards as a junior will use them later?” he said
“What? Me?” I said bewildered
“Yes, you are the only one besides me. Do you think I was talking to the air?” he said sarcastically
I wanted to answer him back but I know that he will use the slave thing again. I bowed down and started removing them slowly.
“Where do you want me to put them, Master?” I asked as I looked up
“Just leave them beside me,” he said looking ahead
I sat down beside him and started fiddling with my hands since they are becoming restless. I wanted him to away immediately because my hands are getting itchy to do something.
“Why are you suddenly acting restless?” he asked after noticing me
“Oh, nothing. I was just thinking of something.”

“Do you want me to go away?”

“What? No! Was it that obvious?” I said surprised
“I’ll come back later then,” he said
I grabbed the sketchpad from my bag after seeing him walk away. I started sketching his side profile and didn’t forget to emphasize his Adam's apple which caught my attention. My hands were busily moving when I noticed a shadow. My hand moved as fast as lightning and closed the sketchpad.
“Why?” Vladimir said when I looked back
“Why are you here?” I asked back with a lump in my throat
“Do you really have to hide that?”
“How long have been there?” I asked
“Long enough,” he said before slowly getting the sketchbook from my lap
I wanted to snatch it away from him but he already has seen it so it doesn’t really matter. He stared at the sketch for some time without saying anything.
“How was it? Does it look terrible?” I asked
“It actually does resemble me but I am not sure where I have seen this one. Why does it look familiar to me,” he said thinking hard
“Of course, it looks familiar since you have seen almost all of my sketches and drawings,” I said
“It’s not like that. I can’t remember but I did see something like this before,” he said
“You are staring at your own face that is why you are saying that. As if!” I said
“Of course, I should love myself because you don’t want to,” he said
“Stop trying your flirty moves with me. If that thing makes other girls squeak then sorry because it won’t work with me.” I said
“You cold-hearted girl. I will wait for the day that you will fall for me,” he said laughing
The players who were currently making teams looked at us. I turned red when I noticed them staring. I really hate attention so those stares would make me blush immediately.
“What are you looking at? Start the game since we don’t have enough time. Go!” Vladimir shouted at them
“Captain’s order. Stop staring at him and his girl.” shouted one of our seniors while laughing
“I will kill you!” I said gritting my teeth
“Then you should have said NO,” he said smiling
“Why would I be the one to explain to them when you are the team captain. They will listen to what you say. You better correct that.” I said
“No need. Let them think about what they want since they will be seeing you and me together for a month,” he answered
“So you will not correct them?”

“Why do I have to? Let them be and we cannot change their mind even if we explained.”

“And that is your argument? Seriously?” I asked
“Wait for me. We will just play one game and I will walk you home,” he said, handing his water to me.
I waited for about an hour before they were done with practice. Some of the players returned back all the things that they used while he discussed something with their coach.
“Aren’t you going to change your shirt? You are all sweaty.” I said
“I didn’t bring an extra shirt. Don’t worry since it isn’t that soaked,” he said
I looked at him as he ignored the sweat running down his face and gulped his water. I tilted my head and blinked my eyes a lot of times to stop myself. I was taken aback when he stared at me surprised. It was then that I realized that my hand who was holding the towel was wiping his face.
“Go home immediately! You don’t have to say goodbye to the captain. He is busy having a romantic moment.” Brandon, the vice-captain shouted at their teammates.
Vladimir winked at me first before waving goodbye to his teammates. I am so annoyed and embarrassed that I wanted to rip off his grin. I just smiled and waved at his teammates who were throwing me mischievous looks.
“Practice hard next time. I will watch you again next week.” I smiled
“Ouch! What was that for? Why do you love smacking people?” Vladimir said holding his head
“Do I have to answer that question? You know the reason why I smacked you. I don’t just go around smacking people.” I said annoyed
“I don’t go around smacking people,” he said reiterating what I said with his mocking voice
“I told you to correct them to avoid misunderstanding. Now I have to go along because I don’t want you to be embarrassed in front of your teammates.”
“Then you shouldn’t have wiped my sweat in the first place. You just gave them more reason to think that we have a thing,” he said
“Are you telling me that I should be the one to explain to them that we are friends?”
“There is nothing to be explained since we are not doing anything wrong. We are just close friends having each other’s back.”
“I hope this will not get out of hand.”

“We can just go with the flow and who knows maybe it will come true.”
“I told you not to flirt with me. You are giving me goosebumps.”
“Just practicing because if it will work to a cold-hearted girl like you then it might work with the others.”
“Ugghh! I can’t imagine the face of someone who will fall for that.” I said feeling disgusted
“I really can’t get through your wall.” he shook his head
“I’m not that easy and I don’t have plans for that,” I said
“If you say so. Come on, let’s go home,” he said
“Are you really not going to explain or clear the misunderstanding of your teammates?” I said
“Do I really have to do that? Just let them be.”
“Up to you. But do not blame me if girls will start avoiding you and if a rumor spreads that you are in a relationship.” I said
“I won’t. I would be thankful if a rumor will spread so they would avoid me. I want to have peace even if it will be for this year only. I never expected that being a heartthrob would be so hard.”
“What again? A what? Heartthrob? Are you sure?” I said snorting
“Are you mocking me?” he said looking at me
“Isn’t it obvious? I admit that you are good-looking and sporty but a heartthrob... You better wake up from your dream.” I said looking at him from head to toe
“Hey! Are you not aware that a lot of girls have a crush on me? It may not be like in the movies where girls shout and follow me around but I do catch their attention.”
“Fine. Think what you want but I will not feed your ego. So what if you grab their attention?” I stated