The Chief and the Captain

Four

Rick was patient throughout the day. He attended his class, spent time with his friends at lunch and played basketball in the afternoon. He was waiting for the practice to end because he was itching to go to the PubRoom and meet with Alvin. But he has to be patient. He had been for the longest time, he could do it now.

"Rick! Keep your head in the game!" Coach Oliver shouted when Rick passed the ball too high and went out of bounds.

Rick made a peace sign and smiled at the basketball team's coach. Haiya, the team's manager was standing beside Coach Oliver, watching Rick intensely.

Haiya was a junior, a year younger than Rick. She joined the team during her sophomore year when she started to take interest in the Captain when he was still just a starting player. She liked athletic guys and Rick falls perfectly on her ideal but she never had the courage to pursue him. Firstly, she was afraid it may ruin her position as team manager and she would be forced to resign if things didn't go well. Secondly, she was intimidated with Jessica, that Latina who was Rick's ex girlfriend and - still his bestfriend. If she could compare herself to Jessica, she knew she doesn't have a chance. She wasn't particularly ugly, she was average and average could not compete with the high school prom queen.

She noticed the change in Rick's performance and mood, something only someone like her who has a secret admiration to the captain would see. He has been looking at the time more often than usual, his passes were rushed and not calculated but his hoops were still as perfect. The most notable she saw was the way he glanced out the door, like he was waiting for someone to come in. Maybe he had gotten back with Jessica? Haiya wasn't sure but if it was the case, she would know right away.

The whistle sounded and the game ended. No new spectator came in, no Jessica, no new female schoolmate, but despite that, Rick immediately ran in to the lockers, cleaned himself and left. Haiya wanted to follow him because she was too curious but she needs to clean up the gym for the day. She let it go.

Rick walked briskly towards the PubRoom. It was 5:30 PM and he was hoping Alvin was still in the room. He asked his help to tutor him in English, as a pretext to see the chief. Although they did not agree to the day and time when they will be having their session, at least Rick has an excuse to see Alvin. As he stood at the doorway, he paused to breathe and compose himself before knocking. And of course, Rick being himself, did not wait for a response and just came barging in.

Five faces turned towards him but only one annoyed face stood up - Jessica.

"I knocked?" Rick laughed nervously.

"Yeah, you did, then you came marching in." Jessica snapped.

"At least I knocked." Rick put his gym bag down and leaned on the wall although there were empty seats, he chose to stand on the side since he was not involved with the meeting and he had already interrupted too much.

"Just leave it be." Alvin said calmly, though for a split second, his heart beat spiked when he saw Rick. He was thankful that Jessie spoke up and he was able to recover himself. But that split second did not miss Rick's eyes and it brought a satisfied smile in his face.

Another test of his patience, Rick stood there as the five graduating members of the publication were discussing who would be the next Editors that would replace them next year. He watched Alvin as he took the lead, showing his authority and it amazed Rick. He was basketball captain the same year Alvin became EIC but he, unfortunately did not learn how to speak to the team the same way as Alvin.

Twenty minutes has passed and the meeting finally adjourned.

Finally! Rick was screaming inside as he watched the staff members fix their things and leave one by one.

Jessie was the last to leave but she didn't do so quietly.

"Bye Chief" she waved at Alvin. "See ya a-hole" then to Rick before slamming the door shut.

Conscious of the eye on him, Alvin shuffled his notes and neatly aligned and secured them with a clip binder. At the corner of his eye, he saw Rick sitting down on the chair beside him, the one Jessica just vacated. He pulled out his notebook and a pen and sat there quietly.

Rick was waiting for Alvin to finish up and turn his attention to him. Rick knew how Alvin was a control freak, that he may get pissed at him if he suddenly interrupted him - again. He didn't want to push his luck.

"English, right? Alvin started.

Rick nodded excitedly.

"Which topic?" Alvin tried to keep his composure by keeping the conversation strictly formal. He had built a wall between them so that he would not falter but it did not suit Rick. He was so excited to finally see Alvin and spend time with him but the other seemed to give him the cold shoulder.

"Wanna grab some coffee?"

Alvin looked at his classmate, confused.

"My treat." Rick said, standing up.

"I thought you need help with english?" Alvin questioned but at the same time, he stood up and packed his bags,

"I do, but it's almost six and my muscles are sore." Rick laughed but he did not get any reaction form the other.

They went to a cafe called The Cup and settled at a corner booth. The shop was half full mostly with students like them who were having extra study sessions. Finals were drawing near so it was common to see. Alvin sat across Rick who was a picture of a giddy child.

A familiar face greeted them at the table and gave them the menu.

"Oh, Haiya." Rick exclaimed. "You work here?"

The young girl looked flustered when she recognized who her customer was.

"Haiya, as in the basketball team's manager?" Alvin inquired as he took the menu from her.

She nodded shyly. "This is my uncle's place. I was just helping out."

Haiya struggled to keep it as professional as possible. She scurried as quickly as she can after getting their orders and serving them as quickly as well.

"I think you scared her." Rick noted, taking a sip from his Iced Caramel Macchiato.

"Why me?"

"You are scary. You should smile more." Rick reached out to Alvin and brushed his cheeks lightly. "She'd even probably develop a crush on you if you smiled at her."

Alvin blushed but was trying to act nonchalantly. He took his cup to his lips and let himself smile a little at the compliment.

"Though it wouldn't be a good thing for me if Haiya suddenly develops a crush on you." Rick murmured. "Maybe I should monopolize that smile of yours?"

Alvin turned from blushing to red as a tomato. Not fully understanding the context of Rick's words, Alvin's inquisitive mind started asking questions.

"Why would it be a bad thing for you? Do you like Haiya?" Alvin asked without thinking.

Rick was caught off guard and it took him a moment to answer. "She's part of our team, of course I like her, but not in that way, you know?"

"Then why..?" Alvin cut short his question, unable to word it properly but Rick understood, after all he said it so vaguely.

"I just mean that you should smile often but don't smile too much on others because they may fall in love with you and that would be problematic for me. I am competitive and I hate losing especially when I have my eyes set on my goal." Rick's eyes drifted away while the other tried to rationalize what he just heard.

Rick was nervous after he said what he did, waiting for Alvin to react. But as usual, he did not receive any response. He wasn't sure if it was a good idea or not. He hinted his intentions he just hope Alvin understood.

Smile, competition, goal. What's that got to do with me? Alvin asked himself. Although part of his brain knew the answer, it was him who was rejecting the idea. They are both guys, after all.

Behind the counter, a curious one was watching them, trying to understand their body language. She watched with wide eyes as Rick lovingly caressed Alvin's cheeks and the other guy smiled sweetly. It broke her as she sees her ideal, athletic crush flirting with an annoying know-it all. And what's more. he's a guy. He's a guy! Her confused mind focused on that single fact.