Matched Up With My Tomboy Childhood Friend

Friends' Games

Jude and his opponent start to move and press on the clock rapidly like they already planned out the entire remaining moves. If I was in their place, I would need to think for a couple of minutes before moving. My brain is slow—that's why. It went on and on and suddenly, Jude's opponent hesitates to touch his rook. Instead, decides to think for a couple of seconds before making the move.

What's happening? Oh, Jude gets his pawn promoted first! Oh my God, he's gonna win this! There is no hope for his opponent as he just goes on rampaging across the board, taking out the pieces with his queen and rook. Even the pawn and the rook of his opponent have been taken out. And at the final move, it's checkmate!!

The opponent shakes his head while smiling before shaking hands with Jude. We quietly celebrate his win and he looks at me as I give him a thumbs up. His cheeks are stuffed when he smiles. We went out of the building so we could talk to him.

“That was sick, man!” I praise him.

“Thanks!” he laughs. “But man... he's good! It was hard to beat him, unlike the people I faced. And he's still a freshman. The future is bright for him.”

“You sound like an old man,” I laugh at him.

“Yeah, so how come are you hanging out with people now?” he asks as he turns his gaze at Eli.

“Since I planned to watch the games, you guys will be playing, I figured out it's best if I come along with them because they're doing it too.”

“Nice! You're not a loner now, are ya?” He grins. “And Elizabeth! Yo!” he greets with a salute.

“Hi,” she smiles like a shy girl. “good game you had earlier.”

“Yeah, and I'm ought to play more of those good games.”

“How many games will you play?” asks Reine.

“I don't actually know.”

“Why?”

“I just play chess for the sake of playing it. The number of games doesn't matter to me.”

“Wow...,” Irene reacts.

“Well then, see you guys later!” he byes.

“Yeah, good luck and see you, man,” I answer him with a fist bump before he walks back to the building while waving his hand at us.

Just when he enters through the door, Eli asks, “So, where do we go next?” looking at me.

Oh, she wants me to suggest. “How about the volleyball matches?” I ask.

“That would be nice,” says Irene beside me.

“Yeah,” agrees Reine. “let's go.”

The volleyball games are held in another covered court other than the basketball court—where a game is being held right now. The covered court for the volleyball match is small and located at the very edge of the campus where supposedly, nobody goes. Right now, a hundred people are there for the volleyball matches. This covered court has no real walls but just screens to stop the balls. Behind those screens, the spectators watch the match happening. We choose to watch at the part of the screen with no crowd. We had to go around to get there.

As I expected, the match is between our team against Eli's team. Ian is playing as a middle blocker—the position where he can move around and block the attacks of the enemy. It's easy for him since he's so tall. He's like the real-life Tsukishima from the anime, “Haikyu!!”

The game is quite disorderly with no one executing a clear play because of fatigue. They just focus to get the ball to the other side. But then Eli's team got a nice receive so their after didn't let this slip by. He sets it for the right outside hitter. Ian goes to help there and successfully blocks. Nice!

I can see that it's the third set now. The scorecards say 13:10. We are leading right now and the spectators that also belong to our team are buzzing with cheers. Reine, Irene, Mary, and Eli are cheering too. This ball game is popular for girls, after all.

The game goes on until our team won. Here too, our team is winning. Why are we so fortunate this year? This never has happened. All the games I watched, we won them. Am I a prophet of God or something? What a coincidence. Or maybe there's a lucky charm among us. She's right here cheering gracefully as any other girl would. This tomboy's hype is not easily concealed. She can almost enjoy anything in life. I wish I could do that too.

What? Why am I staring at her?

“Do you wanna watch the next match?” Irene asks me and I'm stirred. “Eli said that she wanted to watch the next game and we think it would be a good idea.”

“Uh... yeah,” I answer.

Then she looks behind us. “Oh, Ian's leaving.”

He's walking with his teammates. “Hey, Ian!” I call. “Nice game, dude!”

“Thanks! Tell John and the others we'll hang out later.”

“Yeah, I'll message them.”

“See ya!”

“See ya!” I return.

“Goodbye!” Reine byes and he waves his hand.

They went on and we turn our attention to the inside of the covered court. *Sigh* So, that's why Eli wants to watch the game... It's girls' volleyball. She might not look like it but I bet her libido is swirling like a typhoon inside her mind. Like a deadly snake in hiding, waiting for prey, she looks through the screens while grabbing it with her claws. I can't blame her because I agree... the girls have their legs shining, their fit narrow waist striking, fit bust sizes, and their alluring white armpits as they stretch. I wonder how they look when they're nake-

Whoops! Hold up! I already have my girl and she's beside me. I have to keep a healthy and loyal mind if I want to keep her. What's wrong with me? They're all interested in the game, not looking away unlike me. I feel bothered while watching because I feel like I'm cheating- But technically, I'm still courting her so looking at other girls is not considered to be cheating. But I would make a bad impression if I do this. Looking at other girls at just the start of courting? Nothing could be a worse impression than that. Or am I just overreacting?

Anyway, let's just watch the game and keep in mind that we watch because of the game. THE GAME. The playing teams are ours and Eli's just like earlier. Oh... they're actually pretty good! They may not be as fast and powerful as the boys but they can do plays. I'm worried about my place because I can't do those things as well as they do. This could give Irene an idea that I'm too much of a loser. She might reconsider her decision of letting me court her. Thank goodness Eli told me to work on myself. I'll keep at it.

“The game is good, don't you think?” Irene asks me.

“Oh...,” I stir. “Yes, it is.”

“What's the matter?” she asks, looking at me attentively.

“Uh... nothi-” Here I am again... lying. Eli told me to stop this and just be honest. So I will. “I mean, I'm kinda worried because... I can't do sport.”

“What?” she asks, confused. “You don't have to. You got skills on other things like drawing, right?”

“Yeah, but... Uhm... I can't explain.” I'm ashamed now. I can't look at her. What the hell am I talking about?!

“You don't have to worry about that. We all have our differences. I'm even envious of how well you draw. You're talented, you know.”

That kinda makes me happy because it comes from her. But I don't want my happiness to be coming from the envy of other people. “Actually, I'm not talented. I just practiced a lot when I'm alone as my way of passing the time. I've read about it. Talent doesn't exist. It's just the product of practice and because other people don't see how well you practiced for it.”

She widens her eyes and smiles at me. “That's... That makes sense!”

The whistle blows after a score and we turn our heads to see what is happening. Our team has already won the first set and I noticed just now. This annoying tomboy is cheering with Reine. Oh, how well they match each other's energy. Mary is a quiet one. Much like me in our group.

Before I noticed, the game is over, and also, before I noticed, the day is over. It's time to go home. I already messaged the boys that we're gonna celebrate their wins. We're gonna meet in that karaoke room again. I'm gonna be the only one with no girlfriend again.

Here at the exit of the campus, the girls say their farewells before riding in separate jeepneys. Then Irene asks me, “You're going to hang out with your friends?”

“Uh.. yeah.”

“Can I come?”

“What? I mean... sure.” What the f*ck? I'm finally bringing a girl with me to hang out with them? This could be a dream! Well, it isn't! It's the real deal!

“Good luck, you two...,” Eli smugs at us.

“Yiee!” grins Reine.

“Have fun,” says the good girl, Mary. She's an angel compared to these two.

“We will,” I nod. “You guys be careful on your way home too.”

That's that and they start riding on their respective rides. Irene and I just cross the street since the karaoke room are on the other side of the street and just a few minutes of walking. As we walk on the sidewalk, I put myself closer to the road—at my right. I don't have any idea what to talk about. I still feel nervous around her. Maybe I should talk to her about that. That wouldn't hurt, right?

“I-”

“Uh-” she says at the same time I speak.

“You go-”

“You firs-” she says as I speak again.

This is so awkward! We just stayed quiet. I'm afraid that we will say something at the same time again. But I have to say it!

“Irene,” I speak.

“Yes?” she asks. We're looking ahead while walking.

“I'm sorry about still being nervous when you're around... hehe,” I confess awkwardly, scratching the back of my head.

“It's okay,” she answers, glancing at me. “I understand that you're a shy person.”

“Okay,” I smile. “thank you.” She smiles back. D*mn she's so pretty!

We finally reached the building and we enter. They said that they're already there, in the no. 4 room. It's easy to tell which room since the numbers light up neon red. I found it so I push the door and see that they're really here, drinking and singing with their girlfriends. Now, I'm worried about what Irene might think of us. Because I admit, they look like degenerates but actually not. They're very responsible for themselves, you know.

“Irene?” the four of them, mildly exclaim.

“Hello, guys!” she greets with a smile.

“We're here,” I declare with a tired tone (cuz I am) while closing the door.

When I turned around, I see them slowly hiding the bottles of liquor from her sight, as well as ceasing their flirting with their girlfriends. Only the karaoke is making a sound. I don't know what's with them.

“Please, have a seat, Irene,” Jude grins with his chubby face like he's in trouble.

“Thank you,” she smiles as she passes by him.

After that, he grabs me and whispers, “What the hell, man?!!”

“What do you mean?”

“Warn us next time you're bringing in one of our classmates!”

John goes to tend to her, bringing her snacks.

“I didn't think I needed to. Why?” I ask.

“Our image in the class, man... what the f*ck do you want them to see us? Bunch of drunk retards?!”

“Okay, okay. Sh*t, I'm sorry! I can't believe I never thought of that. I thought it's normal for us since we're at the right age now.”

“Duh, we're still students in a class with academically-oriented kids! You know how judgemental they are.”

“Right... I won't let this happen again, I promise.”

“But I think it's too late now. She saw us. You didn't even bother to knock.” He slides his knuckle on my head and we chuckle at the face of our trouble.