Limitless

Chapter 16: Said by...

Zion has been so busy with the varsity team, and Thylane as well, their school was tasked to attend a leadership workshop and Thylane was the school representative. Kattie and Marcus continued their event up to International level representing their country. There are so much pressure within their group. They have been posted, mocked, and supported in different internet platforms.

"Kattie." Marcus called Kattie while they were sitting at the bench in the gymnasium, they are now resting from the whole day rehearsals of the dance.

"How are you?" Marcus asks her.

"How could it be possible?" Kattie asks Marcus, she still can't believe that they are going to represent not merely their scchool but their country.

"Kattie, we won every event we have joined for a purpose. Maybe we have to embrace it. We need to be strong, firm, and ready."

"What if we lose?" Kattie asks Marcus and he tapped his head and fixed Kattie's hair.

"Representing our country is already our win. Win or lose, let's enjoy the moment, no matter what will be the results after the event the only thing that matter is that we believe within ourselves."

"If you are thinking about what might other people say towards us. Then stop it right now. Their opinion don't matter, we are selected for this because we worked hard for this."

"It is our timeline, not theirs."

Kattie smiled at him and even pushed him away. Marcus smiled back for he can feel that the pressure has been lessen.

"Thylane. How was the preparation of the student body?" The teacher asks me.

"Sir, we have been preparing since last week I think the student body is now way more than ready."

"Alright that's great, I am nervous. Science high schools will be joining the debates."

"Sir, no need to worry, we have Thylane."

"Sir, can't you see Thylane was here."

I just kept my mouth shut. I am wondering why they need to believe so much on me, when here I am doubting myself.

"Okay well I feel relieve but guys, no matter what do your best. We are holding the triumphant and no ones gonna take it away from us."

I walked away from that room, why they are having small talks and little preparations. Today we will be travelling, we are going to the National University to do the Leadership workshop plus debate sessions. I went to the music room to release some stress, I badly wanted to call Zion but I know how busy he is in the training area. But the moment I opened the door, I saw him there smiling at me, with his present.

He made a good luck letterings in the small white board, and even prepared some snacks for two, I smiled for his efforts. This guy never fail to amused me. He always got lot of surprises ready for me.

"Softie, I know that you won't call me to tell me how nervous you are, So I just prepared it for you. Even there's a big chance that you won't go here, but yeah I think my instinct was right, isn't it?" He said while laughing softly. I run towards him to hug him. He stiffened but still managed to tightened the hug.

"Thank you." I said in a small voice.

"My softie, will always be very much welcome." He said and I lose in the hug.

"Where did you get this snack?" I asked him, because the foods look like freshly cooked.

"Am, I asked the school canteen's cook." he said while holding his necks, feeling uncomfortable.

"Dude, that's why it's tasty huh, you didn't cooked it."

"Here we go again with the dude thing." He said and rolled his eyes. He got pissed off when I am calling him dude, like as if we're in a relationship. Well, not yet.

"So, demanding. By the way thank you."

We had a little conversation while eating our snacks, he told me everything that happened in their practice, the moment that he got slapped by his teammates, and Mr. Moon being the coldest child in the team. Their naughty benchers that always keep on mocking everyone in the team, even Mr. Moon but Mr. Moon never bothered wasting his time for that guy.

"I think it's time for my practice, I gotta go." He said and get up.

"Well I'll be coming back with the student body as well."

"Aww, you'll be living me, by the way goodluck for the 5 days workshop. don't find new guy there." He said.

"Hmm I'll try." I said just trying to pissed him, but he just smiled and kiss my forehead.

He smiled at me while I got stiffened and felt butterflies. Well it wasn't the first he did that thing but, it still feels so new, we were walking in the hallway while he talking nonsense things and I can't focus, I was still taken away by what he did.

***

After such I went to the office. I was wondering why did they called? I didn't do anything, well just bullied Thylane a while ago, she's so serious about studying.

"Hey Director, good morning." I greeted the director and sat down at the chair in front of me.

"Good morning Dominguez, Your mom went here yesterday she has been about your bad academic status, she is asking if you can join other activities, such as you can join with the varsity team."

"Varsity? Sounds cool. Might agree with that director." I said, well mom maybe got worried too much but it was me playing fine.

"All right great then, you can now go to Mr. Hellios office, you'll talk about your training schedule."

I went to Mr. Hellios office and asks him about the details of me becoming one of the varsity players. It wasn't easy as I thought.

"Zion, you'll need to pass the performance task, you'll be having a one on one competition with the senior varsities."

"You mean, one on one with the captain ball?" I asked getting curious now, shoot it! I got thrilled by the sudden thought of having a match with the coolest basketball player I've known.

"Yeah, Mr. Moon will be there tomorrow, after your class."

"Sir, you won't give me an ample time to prepare? I mean I'll be having a match with the captain ball, I'm just an amateur player."

"Well if you just auditioned then you'll be having your own schedule and won't have a match with the captain ball, but since the director told me you'll be joining the varsity team, then you'll have to deal with the captain ball."

"Isn't it a bit unfair on my part?"

"Well not even, because you've step on the performance task not having the audition era." Mr. Hellios said and walk away.

Wow great! just great. I said to myself. I was about to go back to our classroom but I remembered that we don't have classes now because the teachers has an urgent meeting. So I went to the basketball court. Luckily the ball was left there. I roamed my eyes in the court and sees no one so I started doing dribbling and shooting. I was amazed by my own moves because I can still shoot, the last I remember playing basketball was during my elementary days with my favorite friend. Who doesn't know me now.

I played there for almost an hour not even feeling the tiredness. Until I got bored and hungry I went first at the gymnassium's comfort room to wash my hands and wipe my sweats. I even to the locker room to change my shirt because it was wet due to my sweat. My plan was to just change my shirt but still ended up showering and wore my jogging pants.

After showering I went at the canteen to buy some foods, I didn't plan to eat my snacks there so I went at one of my favorite place here at school. While I was walking I can hear a guitar strumming coming from the music room. He knows that no one comes in this place during Tuesdays so he got confused who were the one using the guitar there. So he slowly opened the door to see who was inside.

This time I'm not gonna

Let you slip away

This time I'm not gonna

Let another day go by

Without holding you so tight,

Without treating you so right

This time I'm not gonna

Let go of your love

This time I promise you

That we'll rise above it all

And I will never let you fall,

I'm gonna give you my all,

This time...

He heard the woman singing it, and his playful attitude activated, he locked the door and went near the woman. He was ri9ght i9n his thought. It was Thylane.

"That was a sweet song dedicated for me." I said as I sat down in front of her. She just rolled her eyes and was about to leave the chair but I managed to enclose her there.

"Well, this is my favorite place, I bet you decided to stay here to wai9t for me."

"Keep on dreaming." Thylane said emotionless.

"Keep on denying then." I said and ate my snacks.

"You want some?" I offered her, she just ignored me and went out at the music room.

Zion on Wednesday didn't attend his class to go for the match with the captain ball of the school's varsity team. Mr. Moon, the cold type but school's prince charming. He never thought there would be an audience but since the one who'll gonna play was Mr. Moon of course the girls are more than willing to skip their classes. They even prepared banner for him, how did they know that there will be a one on one match today.

"Zion." Mr. Hellios called me.

"This is your only chance to get in the varsity team, remember that you were lucky enough to have been chosen by the school's director. Play hard." He reminded.

I know Mr. Moon was a great basketball player and I know too well that I can't win with him, well winning in this match is not the deal, I just need to prove myself, that I am worthy to be part of the varsity team.

The coach blown his whistle. Zion didn't got the ball and Moon was now the one dribbling it. Zion focuses on the game even though he has been being intimidated with Mr. Moon's aura. The girls at the gymnasium were shouting and cheering for Mr. Moon but Zion doesn't care about it. Mr. Moon calmly dribbles the ball and shoot it effortlessly. He scored and now its Zion's time, earlier while Mr. Moon was dribbling Zion is analyzing his movements and even the way he run and throws the ball, he analyzes it too well, that he didn't allow the ball to get stole from him, he then shoot it effortlessly.

He smiles when he did a great job, while they were playing Zion felt like Mr. Moon is doing his job to play not so well for him to get into varsity and he doesn't want that. Zion wants real success so he whispered something to Mr. Moon that pisses it off.

"Mr. Moon, don't be lousy, well I know someone is watching over there cheering for me, I think I got the attention now." Zion said and dribbles the ball and shoot it again effortlessly, Mr. Moon roamed his eyes around the gymnasium but Zion can't read his expression.

With that, Mr. Moon showed his moves, and play like as if he was in a real match. Zion's score was now far from Mr. Moon's score, he knows this from the start so he did his best to gain points. He studied Mr. Moon's real movements and the moment she analyzed it he played accordingly. On Zion peripheral view, he saw Kattie and Thylane sitting on the bench. on his thoughts "Maybe the class just ended" and he smirked.

"I know this woman too well." he said in his mind and they had a 5 minutes water break. He stared at the scores and it was 13 vs. 23, 10npoints away, and he is still willing to prove himself. He analyzes the court and played the playing Mr. Moon at the court, he was thinking how did he shifts moves easily. After the 5 minutes break they were back again in the ball game.

Zion now knows Mr. Moon's movement so he can steal the ball from him easily. His score were now 21 vs. 23 one 3 points shoot and he will won the match. But the time was ticking and Zion is running out of time, so he hurriedly stole the ball from Mr. Moon and throws it from the other side's free throw line to the other side. Th audience gasps and Zion, wasn't so sure with his measurement, He don't know if it will be shoot but he still tries, he was just so eager to get a place in the Varsity team.

The audience cheered clapped when it was shoot. and Zion smiles, even Mr. Hellios clapped for him, it was a great job, Mr. Moon offered him a shake hands and he congratulates him.

"Congratulations, welcome to the team." He said and left him at the court.

Zion was happy for the result, he didn't imagine winning with the great captain ball of their school. He even waved at the audience as if he won an MVP award. When he saw Thylane he winked at her and Thylane didn't even gave him a smile or whatever, she just stand and went for her next class.

"That was a great job, Zion." Mr. Hellios greeted him.

"Come to my office tomorrow, they will get your size for the varsity uniform."

"I did it, didn't I?" He said and Mr. Hellios smiled.

**

"I did it, didn't I?" Thylane asks her mother, while showing her gold medals, she just went from a provincial division debate. And he won a gold medal, her mom just smiled at her. She called her mom the moment her teacher sent her at their house. Her mom was about to leave the house that moment so she came with her. Now they were at the mall because her mom has a meeting with their client.

"I'll buy you Ice cream, stay here okay" she just nodded with what her mom told her, her mom left her in front of the ice cream shop. She was smiling while holding her gold medal. But a part of her were sad because she didn't hear her mom congratulates her.

"Wow, is that a gold medal?" A small boy asks her, and she nodded.

"You joined the debate earlier? My sister was there too." He said and smiled.

"You got the gold medal, you must be so brilliant!" The little boy complimented her.

"I think so, or maybe I was just familiar with the theme, that's why?" Thylane said while shrugging her shoulders.

"Well that's good. By the way congratulations! You did a great job!" The little boy told him as he waved his hands goodbye, she was stunned for a moment, because someone congratulated her and said she did a great job. She was happy at that moment.

Her mom went out from the ice cream shop and gave her the ice cream, after that they entered the fancy restaurant, Thylane was silent while her mother and the client were talking about business, her mom even ordered her food so she didn't got bored.

Her mom went to the restroom so she was now left with the guy. She remained silent because she doesn't want to talk to anyone.

"That's a a gold medal, wow, you must be so great. Congratulations." The man told her so she look at him, she is not showing emotions but she knows inside her she was happy.

"Thank you." she said almost whisper.

"Don't be shy, I knew you have a great future." The man said and then her mom was now out from the restroom, they bid their goodbyes at each other and Thylane smiled at the man.

From that very moment Thylane's mind was full of dreams and admirations, she got her dreams written in her journal. But she knows only people who aren't close to her can see her wins and efforts for she doesn't feel it at their house. She will never hear congratulations and you did a great job coming from her parents.

Thylane is staring at her newly painted ceiling with the glow in the dark wallpaper. She has been enjoying the view in her room. This is all she wanted, she always wanted to be in the outer space, she always wanted to study physics and ride a spaceship. Thylane was a great dreamer because of the man who told her once that she has a great future, and she thought of being in the outer space as her great dream.

"For goddamn, why are you doing it again?" Thylane heard a loud noise from the outside. She knows what is happening again.

"You haven't said anything!"

"Dad! I told you not be part of that team again, what have you done?"

"Mommy! I can't I am protecting you!"

Protecting from who? from what? I just can't understand my parents especially my dad. Why isn't he accepting mom's opinion. It was never been easy game for me. The next she notices that her parents aren't talking with each other.

"Thylane, I think you need to enroll in Judo and Taekwando. You will need it soon." my dad told me that while I was having my breakfast, last summer dad enrolled me at music class, now he wants me to enroll Judo and Taekwando.

"Why dad?" I asked I thought this year I'll be studying drums or violin but why Judo and Taekwando?

"I just want you to become physically fit." He said, Thylane saw her mom rolled her eyes so she got confused.

"Does it make me healthy?" She asks, at her mind, 'If that will make me physically fit then by that no ones gonna bully me, I can now defend myself!'

'Judo and Taekwando maybe fun I am guessing.'

"Of course." Her dad told her so she agreed.

Thylane enrolled in both sports. She thought it was just for a one summer break but she ended up taking the sports seriously and even joined contests. Her dad told her that she should win medals in every event she'll be joining. She did everything to make have medals and win. She trains a lot and even break her ankle, but her parents didn't know about it.

"I won, I am loved." Thylane said to herself.

**

"I need to win over Marcus!" Thylane said to herself in front of the mirror before going out their house to enter school.

Upon arriving, Thylane planned not to talk to anyone in their classroom. So, Thylane is peacefully reading her notes at the corner of their classroom, she has been preparing for the upcoming exams and for future purposes, she is more than willing to make changes and make a positive result in class, for the reason that she doesn't want Marcus to be the top achiever, she don't want anyone ruin her plans to be always number one. For she knows to well within herself that she can't accept defaults, when Zion ruined the mood.

"Hey, softie!" Zion teases Thylane and grab her notebook, Thylane glared at him.

"Oh! You were reading about our final lectures, you've been studying so hard!" Zion teases her.