Fierce Young Hearts

Kaylene breathed heavily as she kept on staring at the basketball court not so far from where she parked her white Honda Accord. She tapped her chest as if it would turn the fast beating of her heart in its normal pace. Reunions. Never in her life had she thought that she would hate—oh, maybe not hate–but dread this word. She might be an introvert but Kaylene is still the kind of person who wants to be surrounded by her friends. The doom she has always imagined in meeting Saturn again, that's what makes her want to drive back to the city and work her ass off instead. So, she won't have to deal with the what ifs that are starting to cloud her mind again. What if they cross paths? What if he talks to her? What if he ignores her? What if he wants her back? What if he doesn't want her back anymore? One thing is for sure, whatever answer that awaits Kaylene, she is not ready to know it yet. She doesn't even know when she will be ready, or if she is going to be ready ever. Kaylene fished for her handkerchief inside her sling bag. Her car's aircon is in full blast but she's sweating like she just ran a mile. She wipes the beads of sweat on her forehead and neck. She also fixed her ponytail and combed her full bangs using her fingers. One last heavy sigh before she bravely opened her car's door and stepped out. It was in the middle of summer when an announcement was made that there will be an informal school reunion. It is set as a sports festival—different batches will have their own basketball team and will compete with each other. Kaylene doesn't really know what the catch is about but she made time once her friends decided that they all should come so they would finally see each other. It's not like ten years have passed since their high school graduation back in 2013. It was just five years but a lot of things have already changed. A lot good but the biggest impact was the bad, well, at least for Kaylene's life. She sent a text to Grace, one of her close friends, asking where they were seated and if they saved her a seat. Grace replied immediately and said yes, they got the perfect spot but she won't have the chance to enjoy it because the game is already finished. She can't help but smile and feel relieved as she read Grace's texts. Of course she intended to be late! She is not the type of person to get late. It is one of her very few redeeming qualities. But, knowing that she might bump with Saturn a lot sooner than she expected if she watches the game, she decided she will just be late. Now, it paid off. Just as soon as she was about to celebrate her victory of not seeing her ex, Grace immediately crashed her bubble through another text. Get here quickly. We're discussing where to eat and some of the players will be coming with us. Kaylene cursed under her breath. Of course, some will be coming with them because Grace's boyfriend is one of the players. Talk about the probability that they might really bump with each other on this tragic afternoon. She unconsciously held her necklace's pendant: a white gold flat planet Saturn. She and Saturnino Serrano might be over when she refused his marriage proposal. But some things still haven't changed yet. In times of difficulty and trouble, she still clings unto this pendant as if it'll give her strength like how Saturn gave her when they were still together. Kaylene might forever regret breaking up with Saturn where people, and even Saturn himself, might never understand why she did but she knows deep inside it is what they both need. Really?, a part of her mocked her. If that's what you both need then why are you both hurting? Or maybe you're the one left hurting because it looks like he finally moved on.