"And the lucky girl is..."
"Sarada..."
The host's voice echoes inside my head.
Wait, me? Is it really me?
I can hear the crowd say "what?" in a disappointed tone.
I can't believe it. I didn't expect my wish could be granted in an instant.
I can see jealous eyes fixated on me. If I were a cube of ice, I would absolutely melt.
"Where are you Sarada? Can you stand up for you to be recognized?" I hear the host's request.
Even though my knees, no, my whole body trembles, I nervously stand up.
"What the hell? Why an ugly nerd like her could be drawn from that box. Agh, it should be me instead of her," one of the girls utters.
"Why her? It should be me or someone else with a style that should go out on a date with the winning Captain after this tournament," another girl says.
I feel my insecurities eating me again after hearing their bad comments about me.
I don't know if I should accept this if I would only hear such comments.
"She's the smartest girl in 12-A, I didn't know someone like her likes watching basketball I thought nerds like her only love reading books," the guy from behind talks about me. I turn my head halfway to see who he is talking to and I don't know them as I confirm.
"So, it's her. If I am not mistaken, she's the 12-A's top student. Well, the winning Captain sure is lucky to go out with her after this tournament," the host comments.
After hearing his statement, I get back to my seat and Chocho immediately whispers in my ear.
"You're a lucky girl, Sarada. Look at the girls, their stares almost cut you into pieces," she notices.
"I know this is causing me trouble. I can imagine myself being bullied right now," I tell her.
"It is not your fault if your name was drawn from that box. Well, now you have to pray that Boruto's team will win this tournament," she says.
Yes, or else my day will be a disaster.
"Their comments are killing me," I honestly tell her.
Chocho's eyes worry and she holds my hands right after.
"Jealousy kills stupid girls," she says and winks at me. I almost laugh at her statement.
Chocho always cheers me and gives me courage. She's indeed the best friend everyone wishes to have.
A whistle signals that the game is about to start.
The ball flies in the air and both Boruto and the jerk jump aiming at one thing, the ball.
"Yes!" I howl when Boruto gets the ball.
Screams from the crowd could be heard all over the stadium.
"Go Boruto! Go Boruto!" Boruto's cheering squad yells!
Other girls shriek too.
"It's fine Kawaki, you can always have the chance to steal," one of the jerk's supporters.
"Kawaki has already built his own fanbase here at school," Chocho remarks.
"That sounds like it, but Boruto's an ace player for the past few years. I think that jerk could not beat him easily," my positive response.
I am hoping Boruto will win this game. I have my fingers crossed.
Boruto passes the ball to one of his teammates to lure the opponent. His teammate fakes and passes it back to him and BOOM!
He scores!
A roaring scream echoes inside the stadium after Boruto got the first two points.
As I said, he's an ace.
Now, the jerks dribbling the ball. It's their turn to attack.
"Go Kawaki! Collect the points!" a girl shouts.
What an irritating voice. How could they cheer someone they only knew like a few weeks ago?
I shake my head in disbelief.
The jerk runs to the other side of the court and Boruto is there to defend. The jerk stops and keeps dribbling the ball. He lures him, he tries to shoot and Boruto falls for the fake move and jumps to dodge it but the jerk steps to the three-point line and shoots right after Boruto descended to the floor.
"No, please don't shoot!" I pray in my mind. I think I sound terrible praying for someone else's misfortune.
Damn it! It shoots.
They're one point ahead of Boruto's team.
Crazy girls shout and clang their plastic water bottles to make a loud noise showing support to the jerk's team.
"Kawaki is good. What a three," Chocho states.
"Come on! Boruto's team will immediately cope up it's just one point," I retaliate.
"Okay, okay," she tells me while shrugging.
One of Boruto's teammate is dribbling the ball now. He passes it to him and Boruto runs to attack. The jerk's running after him.
"Come on Boruto! Show him your real ability in the court," I say in my mind. I wanted to voice it out so he could hear my thoughts, but I'm scared he would change his impression of me and he might think I am one of those desperate girls.
Further, I don't want to sound bias. The two are actually playing for the tournament and the winning Team Captain will go out with me later. I can't imagine going out with Boruto and especially with that jerk. I think I painted a sour look right now thinking that jerk will win this game.
No, he will not. I have proven Boruto's abilities and they are going to win.
I still have my positive faith in Boruto winning this year's tournament.
I am just sitting on my seat without uttering words. I am just screaming in my head. I am cheering for Boruto in my head and it feels suffocating. My throat is dry and no voice coming out from my mouth.
I am jealous of the girls who loudly cheer for him. I know giving support can boost one's state of mind and courage but I am here struggling with my messy thoughts.
Arghh! I shake my head.
"Are you okay, Sarada?" Chocho asks me.
I fret when she speaks to me.
"H-Huh? Uhm... Well... Uhm... Yeah," I stutter and give her an awkward laugh.
She looks confused and unsatisfied with my response. I turn my gaze at the game and when I see the scoreboard, Boruto's team is led by five.
"Wow!" I yell.
Chocho is surprised by my sudden reaction. She seems perplexed but she just ignores me and focuses her eyes on the court I know she already understands why I reacted that way.
The loud noise of clanking water bottles and screams from the crowd echo inside the stadium.
The players are panting. The Blue Team asks for a time-out. It's already second half and the only difference between their scores is five points.
Five is a big difference already if Boruto's team will keep that distance until the game is over.
I keep my fingers crossed that Boruto will win this game and I don't know what to do with him after but that's not what matters now. I must sure first he will win and I'll deal with my personal issues later.
A whistle signals that the break is over. Both teams return to the court and soon enough start the game again.
It's the jerk dribbling. He still looks relaxed. They still have plenty of time to cope up with Boruto's team with five points ahead of them.
I hate to admit it but the jerk is quite impressive, I mean his skills in playing basketball. No wonder why the team's coach chose him.
He keeps his time and I think gauging the situation on when to attack and get a solid point.
He's actually good at three-point shots while Boruto's good at a close distance making two points most of the time.
Members of both teams are skilled too so it's unpredictable which team is going to win.
"This game is driving me insane. Both Captains are good," Chocho says while putting her palms on both cheeks.
It's true this game is by far nerve-racking on my part. The winning Team Captain will have a meal with me and the idea is making me crazy. My heart also starts to race.
The jerk attacks in offense and Boruto's team is on defense mode. He smoothly dances with them making the members of the opposing team distracted and lose sight of him.
"Whoa!"
I can hear the crowd shout when he passes through them and head straight to the ring and Boruto immediately blocks his way. He pauses and keeps dribbling the ball. Boruto keeps his defense tougher. They look like talking to each other. Their eyes meet.
To my surprise, the jerk lets go of Boruto's guard and suddenly shoots the ball behind his back.
"Wooooooh! Nice one, Kawaki. Three to go," one of his fangirls shouts.
His teammate is about to give him a high-five but he simply ignores him. So rude.
How could he be so arrogant and act so cool at the same time?
"It's down to three and the third quarter is over," Chocho says.
The last quarter will start at any minute.
"So, who will it be? Boruto or the jerk?" I ask in my mind.
To my shock, Boruto looks in my direction. I don't know what does his gesture means. I think my cheeks flush.
"Did he just smile at you?" Chocho stirs me up.
"H-Huh? Did he?" I repeat while stuttering. I don't believe her.
I didn't see him smile at me. Maybe Chocho mistakenly saw him smiling in my direction. He usually smiles at everyone. Maybe there's no way for me to assume something like that.
It's the last quarter. Both teams are exchanging points but the three-point gap between them hasn't lifted yet. Boruto, actually most of them are panting running back and forth on the court.
Three minutes and thirty-two seconds left.
Oh no!
I cry when the Blue Team scores three. This time it isn't the jerk. Now, it's a tie.
A loud buzz reverberating inside the stadium. Girls are going wild when the gap of scores is finally closed.
It's Boruto dribbling the ball and the jerk is on defense. He is making hand signs I don't understand. Maybe signs to communicate with his teammates.
"Go Boruto!" the girl from the crowd shouts. I can see how Boruto smiles at the cheer.
My heart starts to race again. The time is fast approaching its end and the possibility of him winning is getting low. I didn't expect the jerk to be this good at playing basketball.
He throws the ball but gets imbalanced. What to expect? A failed attempt. The jerk gets the rebound.
One minute and seven seconds left.
The jerk dribbles in the direction of the ring and Boruto is running after him.
"Wow! Boruto overtakes him. He is so fast!" Chocho utters in amusement.
"He steals it!" I shout in joy.
Boruto steals the ball from the jerk and now is running back to their base trying to score breaking the tie.
"Kawaki runs fast too," Chocho yells. She almost stands up from her seat.
Damn it! Why is he even trying to take the win away from Boruto? I don't want to have a meal with that jerk. I can't imagine myself sitting on a chair facing his annoying grumpy face.
"twenty-five seconds left!" Chocho shouts.
Boruto passes the ball to his teammate he then shoots but he fails. Boruto still gets the rebound and runs to the three-point line.
Before he can position himself on the right spot, the jerk suddenly steals the ball away from him.
"No way!" a loud cry of disappointment comes out of my mouth. I completely stand up from my seat and get my hands on my chest.
I don't know but I am feeling lost. My heart is beating fast. My hands are cold and cold sweat dripping from my forehead.
Ten seconds left.
The jerk keeps dribbling the ball and Boruto strictly watching his movements and the chances of him getting a score. The jerk is surrounded by his opponents. He passes the ball to his teammate and the latter runs away.
When Boruto's team is about to stop the jerk's teammate, he suddenly passes the ball back at him. The jerk is already in the position and he immediately throws the ball in the direction of the ring upon receiving it.
Two seconds...
One...
BUZZ!
To be continued...