Sorry for the delay.

Hey there WB79.

Not the best but thanks mca.

Everyone else, enjoy!

There are grapevines escalating around regarding Alex's new subject of attraction which has everyone including me curious. I'm not sure why I even care. There are times when I arrived at the training session to witness some girls openly flirting with Alex, a customary sight I must say, though I noticed the amount gradually reduced lately. The past weeks did shift to something unexplained for us, or maybe just for me. Friendship? Maybe. I just can't explain and put the exact word to it. Not right now. Maybe it's just me feeling a 'little' giddy having the attention from the 'hot' one. I've seen how Alex 'treat' others. The modus operandi is 'almost' similar, the glances, the smiles, the arched brows, the touches, all attracted onlookers. I may experience all but knowing Alex, by now, I supposed she could've gotten her subject of attraction or 'conquest' as Polly put it, to bed. I take it as a sign that I wasn't one of them, I wasn't inclusive, which I should be happy right? Something about how Alex took things on her own hands when I fall sick that day, put a smile on my face. I didn't even know she's capable of handling my insistent. Even Carol couldn't stand the emotional roller coaster I had when I'm physically fit. That night, when Alex read to me, the words fall from her mouth were like music to my ears, I felt as if as I am getting an undivided attention, it's so safe and comfortable, the feelings I crave all my life. Deep down in my heart, I wish it'll last but I know it's impossible, so I told myself to cherish it while it last.


Piper has resume light training yesterday with the assistance of the in house physio, Mr Bennett. She insisted to get involved with the training session as quickly as possible even though she has yet to fully recovered from the illness using "No pain no gain" tagline as an excuse. I couldn't let her throw herself to the tough workouts for fear that it could lead to another unfortunate event. She literally begged and bugged us to let it go with that bamby eyes and pouting lips which I successfully lost to with the condition that the training is supervise under the watchful eyes of the in house physio. Nicky couldn't believe it when I agreed to it and Lorna jumped with joy as Nicky cursed. Apparently, both has put a bet on how long I can resist Piper's demand. Our next mission was to get Mr Bennett corporation and he gladly agreed to assist Piper. When we told her the piece of news, her face light up and the blue eyes shine brighter than the skies. I told her she owed us big time as she repeatedly thanked us for what we've done. Such a dork! An adorable dork!

A day before the big day, Red has summoned everyone involved to the common room and halt all training sessions to avoid injuries. I scanned through the crowd for any sign of Piper while I paid no mind to another round of Red's rampant motivational speech. I only heard the whoops and applause by everyone indicating the speech ends. Still, no sign of Piper. "Is she still undergoing training with Mr Bennett? Don't push it Pipes." I was stopped from my train of thoughts when Nicky dragged me to grab our jersey and numbers. As we stand in line waiting for our turn, I felt someone tap on my shoulder. I turned and there she was, with that brilliant smile which I kind of 'besotted' with lately.

"Hey"

"Hey" I adjusted my glasses.

"I wonder what's your favorite number" Piper asked with a glint in the eyes.

"9"

"Well, it'll be triple digits, so does 911 works for you, doctor?" She laughed as I arched my brows.

"Here you go." Piper handed me the number.

"Special!" I proudly put the number on my chest and showcased it to no one particular, all the while holding my gaze with Piper.

"Aye Blondie, my fav's 007" Nicky stated.

"Like James Bond's 007?" Piper turned to Nicky.

"Yeah, I'll be the one with the golden gun a.k.a gold medal tomorrow" Nicky said confidently posing with the imaginary gun with her hand as we all laughed at her antics.

Piper hand the number and leave us to attend to other athletes. Just as we're about to head to the dorm, we heard loud cheers coming from the cheerleaders outside the common room. The group is getting ready to start their full dress rehearsal along with the school marching band, a routine for both as it become a tradition for them to perform for Sports Day's opening ceremony. It is also 'officially' become our 'tradition' to take this opportunity to pick up girls. We both turn to each other with a huge grin plastered on our face and in a flash, Nicky pulled me and shoved everyone away to get to the corridor. As the marching band starts playing the first song and the cheerleaders perform their routine, Nicky's eyes zoom to no one other than the brunette, dressed in tight skimpy cheerleader's outfit. I smirked but was soon wiped out as my eyes caught Silvie blowing kisses to me from the crowd.

"Erghh.. You coming?" I queried, suddenly losing interest. She didn't answer but fix her gaze on Lorna.

"Stop salivating on my dorm mate Nick!" I laughed as Nicky gave me the death glare.

I can see that our 'tradition' will lose its spark soon as Nicky no longer paid much attention to other girls as she is insanely smitten with Lorna. No words spoken about her infatuation but even blindish people could figure it out. I walked away leaving Nicky and her loved-up eyes when it promptly hit me. Didn't I suppose to pick someone from the group? Wait, how about Piper? She didn't seems to take any interest in me, isn't she? I mean, all the time here, whenever I get closed or too closed to anyone like we did that night, it'll always lead to another thing. Granted she's unwell but didn't the touches and closeness mean anything or something to her? She fits alright when she lay her head on my chest. Isn't that comfortable enough for her? How about the time when we're in training sessions? No one around is visually impaired to not witnessed the playful nudges, stolen glances, heard the banter and name callings, or the way the background seems to fade when we're in our own 'element'. Does that meant nothing to her too? Was she done with experimenting period? Did any of the stares or rather death glares from people around provoke her to conceal her feelings?

"Strange! Why did I even bother to know all these as she seems blase about it? What's wrong with me?" feeling defeated as I slammed the door.

I changed to the usual rock band t-shirt and lay down on my bed but all I could do was inhaling the smell of Piper from the same t-shirt I worn when I nursed Piper the other day. Instead of taking the t-shirt off, I pulled it up, covering my face, inhaling more and more of Piper.

"Are you horny that you have to watch your own tits under the t-shirt?" Nicky yelled.

"Fuck off" I turned to my side.

"So, anyone in mind?"

"Nah"

"Ok geeky-lover" Nicky duck as I throw a pillow to her.


The mini stadium was buzzing with roars as supporters from each blocks getting vocal to lift up the spirits of the athletes. Our block is now leading by 2 gold medals with Vee's trailing closely. I am on the roll to add another silverware as there are only 3 of us left to compete in the high jump event. This morning, before the team head out to parade around the stadium, Piper came and hand me a good luck charm bracelet.

"I owe you want" she took my right hand and clip the charm as I stood with my mouth hanging.

"Gotto go. Good luck!" she winked.

"Morello, could you please pull me outta here, so I could get away with this geeky-loving-drama?" Nicky sarcastically asked.

I couldn't fathom what else was said as I raise my right hand looking at the bracelet like a piece of chocolate I could devour.

Pranggggg... the sound of the high jump bar hit the floor startled me from my thought as my fierce competitor failed to complete her final attempt. I was left alone by the 7th round as I broke the 15 year old, school record to astounding sound of cheers and whistles from the crowd. I was overwhelmed and absentmindedly kiss the charm bracelet only to land my eyes on Piper watching from the starting line to compete in 3000m event. I blushed but recovered quickly and mouthing good luck to her. She nodded shyly.

I stood there watching Piper and the rest of the contestants as the air pistol goes off. It was a close competition as Piper and Janae exchanged first and second position round after round. It was on the 2nd last round when it happened, it was so quick that the only thing I could register was Piper took the tumble and another contestant overrun her. Her face scrunch as she hold her ankle. She tried to get back to her feet but her attempt failed. I sprinted towards her to help but was block by the marshall.

"Get off me.." I yelled at the marshall.

"Piper.. Pipes.. Pipes.. Look at me. Do you need the medics?" I asked whilst my attempt to dodge the marshall failed. She looked up with tears in her eyes and I could feel my chest tighten to the view. I finally managed to get away as the marshall got distracted when Nicky crossed the field. I quickly position myself near Piper but carefully not to let myself step over the track for fear Piper could be disqualified.

"Pipes. It's okay. Can you try to stand up? Can you do it? Let's finish it together. I'll run with you."

Piper still look down.

"No pain no gain Pipes. Come on. Let me help you" With this, Piper slowly lift her head, wipe her tears and begin to stand up as the crowd roars.

"Come on Pipes, they are behind you" She slowly jog as I mirror her action. The sound of the bell indicating the final round can be heard from the distance. Piper was about 100 meters away from it and suddenly, she sprinted away and I struggle to mirror her action.

"Come on Piper. You can do it" I shouted. The crowd was getting edgy as everyone in the stadium gets behind Piper. It was one of the best moment I've witness. "You go Pipes" I decided to wait for Piper at the finishing line but never let my eyes off her. The grand stand was now packed with people standing, jumping, clapping and shouting getting behind their team. Piper managed to catch up with the group and reclaim 2nd position with 200 meters to go. I wasn't the only one amazed with her determination as the cheers get louder and louder. Red, Nicky and Lorna, joined me at the finishing line waiting anxiously for the race to end. Another 100m and Piper is now running side by side with Janae. I don't know how she did it but she cut Janae and cross the finishing line first to the roar of the crowd. All of us run to her as she fall straight to my arms.

"I got you Pipes. I got you" I feel her breath heavily as we were joined by others for a massive group hug.

"Ehem.. I hope you don't mind if we join" Said Red.

Piper blushed as she steadied herself.

"No, they don't. Way to go blondie. You got yourself a hot coach" Nicky yelled as everyone laugh.

Whilst everyone celebrate the epic win, Piper looked me in the eyes as the background begin to slowly fade. Strangely, I don't mind having to go through the same over and over again as long as Piper is here with me, in my arms.