Third Time's the Charm

Chapter 5: The annual sports meet!

Now that I had gotten used to my new makeover and the increased stares I had been getting, I was starting to become more and more comfortable and confident with my new image. We spent the weekend shopping too and brought some new outfits which I was itching to try out. Otherwise, the fashionable clothes I had was all Mia’s hand me downs. Mia’s second hand clothes were the only fashionable items in my closet which her dad, ie, my uncle donated to me instead of charity because my single mom couldn’t afford to keep me updated with the trend.

“Mike totally fancies you!”, Bella declared next morning as soon I walked in and sat myself on our bench. It was clear that she had been waiting impatiently for me to arrive.

“What?”, I asked dubiously as I choked into my sandwich which my mom had packed me this morning since I didn’t have time to eat breakfast. I had gotten up rather late today and rushed my way through the morning.

Bella let out a patient sigh, then grabbed me by the shoulder excitedly and said in a dramatical serious tone, “I overheard Mike asking Mia about you”

I choked again and I immediately reached for my bottle and gulped some water down to stop myself from coughing. After composing myself, I turned my attention back to an impatient Bella and eyed her dubiously.

Honestly, she knows everything that’s going on here.

I could imagine Mia’s indignation if Mike really asked her about me. I sighed. It was obvious that Mia had an interest in Mike and I hope to god that she doesn’t come after me again. I just want to live a calm, peaceful life but I couldn’t stop myself from being curious.

“What did he ask her?”, I asked Bella nonchalantly, concentrating on my chemistry book, trying my best to not sound too interested.

Bella gave me a coy smile and whispered dramatically, “He inquired about what all subjects you were taking”

I let out a snort and she shot me an indignant glare. That’s it? Mike inquired about my schedule and she immediately jumped to the conclusion that he fancied me? That’s so like Bella…to jump to conclusions like that.

Truth be told, I felt a tad bit disappointed and let down, I was expecting a bit more.

“Oh! This just sounds like a general conversation. Maybe he was trying to get close to Mia and he didn’t have any conversation topics so he enquired about her cousin’s well being?”, I said rolling my eyes at her.

“Oh! You are so hopeless! You are going to die single if you are going to keep being so daft”, she yelled indignantly and I raised an eyebrow at her teasingly.

Bella always had quite a dramatic flair just like Mia.  Her stories are always so far fetched and wild. It is still a mystery why Mia and Bella don’t get along well, after all they seem to share the same brain cells, even if Bella was far more politer and friendlier than Mia.

She narrowed her eyes dangerously at me and retorted back angrily, “Well, do you see him asking about anyone else’s timetable?”

“Oh! Seriously ! Stop exaggerating. It was probably because he was curious about Mia’s schedule and since he didn’t want to be so outright about it he went in for the sly way and asked about mine since we took the same classes anyway.”, I muttered annoyed and she let out a loud huff in indignation.

Just then, Mr Rupert, our head coach walked in and the entire class immediately fell silent.

He cleared his throat and began his announcement, “ This year’ s annual sports day is on November 22nd. The trails will start this afternoon. Inter school matches also start next month, so those interested in joining the school team or participating in the sports meet should give your names to your sports captain, Michael Dillon. Coaching starts on Monday. Late entries would not be entertained.”

After his exit, everyone began talking at once in hushed and exited tones.

“So are you going to the try outs?”, Isabella asked me to which I vividly shook my head no.

Oh! Hell no! What part of me wanting to stay invisible doesn’t she understand? Plus I was sure that I wouldn’t be good at team sports because I wasn’t much of a people person and preferred to stay alone.

Besides the entire school will be there to watch the tryouts. I really don’t want to make a fool out of myself in front of them. I would never live that down if that were to happen and it is a guarantee that Mia would see to that..

I shook my head vividly, my eyes wide open in horror as I imagined myself making a fool out of myself with the entire school watching and Mia and her g**g taunting me over it.

“No way! I don’t really think I am cut out for sports”, I exclaimed loudly in horror.

 “You are bad at it?”, she asked again, as if to confirm something.

I nodded confused and she smiled at me satisfied. How many times should I say that I was bad at sports for her to believe me?

“Luke had mentioned that you were pretty good at basketball”, she insisted, narrowing her eyes at me.

I snorted and replied calmly, “I just play enough to keep him company that’s about it.”

“I had always been on the school basket ball team as I was a state level player and I really want to join St Lawrence team so come with me to the tryouts at least to watch me play and keep me company.”, she said innocently, pouting her lips at me and I let out a groan in frustration. She was doing that puppy eyed thing again which use to get out of trouble with the teachers and whenever she wanted something.

I stared at her open mouthed. Come on! Is there anything that this girl can’t do? She is good at both academics and sports.

I played a little bit of basketball but she was already a state level player. I played with Luke and the boys in his neighborhood sometimes but that was it. I bit my under lip uncertainly. I would be lying if I said that the thought of entering the school basketball team had never crossed my mind. Playing basketball was like my hidden desire….I always felt free and happy while playing but I didn’t have the guts to try out in front of the whole school. Who am I kidding? The girls basketball team is already filled with seniors and there was only one vacancy because Stella, their star player suddenly transferred. And there were several girls who were in the district level vying for that one spot plus Isabella was a state level player, there was no way I stood a chance. I should just stop day dreaming and give up.

“Fine, I will come to watch you play”, I reluctantly agreed and slammed back into my chair letting out a groan while she let out a cheer satisfied..