The sports class started. This week was basketball, and my team was losing. I wasn't helping much, to say the least.
At least it was the first class, and the sun wasn't bothering us. The weather was cool, though the physical activity made that less of a problem.
The bounce of the balls and the squeak of sneakers on the gym floor filled the air, mixed with shouts of support or advice from classmates resting on the bleachers.
"Alina!" Leah called, trapped by the opposing team, trying to pass the ball to give us a chance to score.
I stretched out my hands as she threw the ball toward me. It hit my palms lightly, and thank God, I caught it. I started dribbling toward the basket.
I have enough space and time. I can do this.
I aimed at the basket like the coach taught us, eyes fixed on the hoop, trying to picture the arc and strength I needed.
I shot, and it hit the backboard, then bounced back onto the court. The coach's whistle echoed.
"Game's over! Take three sips from your water bottles and get ready for your next class," her firm voice ended the session.
No way. It was our last shot, and we lost 15 to 40. I sighed, running a hand through my hair in frustration. Do I really have to suck at sports? Can't I do something right?
"Well, well, some things never change," a shrill, familiar voice came from my left. I turned, trying to act like I didn't know what she meant… Alondra, sadly, lived nearby. I escaped her in middle school, but ran into her again in high school. "Your sister's great at every sport, and you? Failing as always."
Leah's voice snapped from my right.
"At least she has a heart and plays with all her effort, unlike you, Alondra, acting all high and mighty." Leah rested her arm on my shoulder. "Skipping practices with excuses."
Alondra looked indignant at her comment.
This brought back a memory…
I was at a mixed relay race, waiting for Kael to reach me. I was one of the last runners, ready to grab the baton. My blood rushed, tension building, while I tried to calm myself with deep breaths. It's just a few meters. You can do it this time. I tried to motivate myself.
The sun beat down on my skin, and my uniform shone, practically new because my dad surprised me with one that wasn't handed down from Melissa.
Heavy footsteps of the second-to-last runners echoed. I braced myself to sprint the moment I had the baton, opening my right hand in a V behind my back.
Kael reached me and passed the baton, my hand closing tightly around it. "Run, Alina!"
My body reacted instantly, but soon I was a bit behind a teammate, even though I got the baton first.
My heart pounded against my ribs, my breathing turned uneven, and my legs started to ache.
I pushed harder, nearing the finish line, catching up to my teammate, with the others a few steps behind.
And then I tripped, losing my balance, my body heading toward the ground… Everything moved in slow motion. I heard Kael shouting to be careful, catching a glimpse of him running toward me from the corner of my eye. My teammates yelled they knew I wouldn't make it, wondering why they expected anything different. I braced for impact, covering my face with my arms.
Pain flooded my senses as the gravel scraped my skin, making me groan. I skidded half a meter before stopping.
Sadness hit me, knowing I didn't cross the finish line again, and my uniform—don't even mention it—probably had tears now.
Kael reached me moments later, kneeling beside me.
"Alina! Don't worry, I'll take you to the nursery." He turned to the teacher and shouted, "I'm taking Alina to the nursery!"
He lifted me effortlessly, holding me against his chest, strong for his age—not surprising, given his constant training since we were kids. My body ached, especially my arms and knees. I looked into his eyes, seeing my messy reflection in their blue-green color, like my sister's. His worry was clear on his face.
He didn't wait for the teacher's permission and rushed to the nurse's office.
"Don't worry, Alina," he said with certainty. "You don't need to win races to be special."
I have to admit, his words made me feel a bit comforted. I smiled inside.
Back in the present, I heard a huff from Valeria, who stood beside her annoying best friend, Alondra.
She was the prettiest girl in class. A lot of guys asked her out since I know her, but she only had eyes for one guy.
"Leah, how naive," her melodic voice made my best friend roll her eyes, always defending Alondra. "She doesn't need to come to every practice to do well. It's funny how your dear friend tries so hard and still fails at every class."
She turned to the rest of our classmates nearby, some drinking water, others watching our argument—some uncomfortable, others mocking, and only one indifferent from the bleachers.
"I propose something," Valeria continued, pausing. "Let's tell Coach Ortiz to give her other activities during sports, ones that don't involve teamwork. So the poor thing doesn't keep messing up the courts and lets us train seriously."
Laughter erupted from several classmates, Alondra's the loudest. Some agreed, others criticized Valeria and Alondra's cruelty.
Kael, returning from the next court, stood by my side.
"Being a cheerleader for the football team doesn't give you the right to make others feel bad," he defended me, while some classmates whistled softly. I glanced at him. How is it that always is someone defending me?
Valeria looked surprised by his presence, her expression almost hurt.
"Kael, sorry… I just want to help her avoid more embarrassment," she tried to justify, softening her image in front of him. "I didn't mean it… Can you forgive me, Alina?"
His gaze was fierce, jaw tense. I hadn't noticed his jaw isn't as soft as when we were kids. He's starting to look more attractive… It makes sense he's popular with girls. And now that I think about it, does he look more muscular? I studied him curiously. I usually take his presence for granted, but the sports uniform gave him a certain presence. I shrugged and sighed. Let's see the bright side: he can get someone like Valeria to apologize without me asking, though I doubt she means it.
"Your apology isn't sincere, Valeria. Besides, she's a great team member. She just made a mistake," Kael justified me. Leah nodded beside me.
Alondra looked exasperated, while Valeria stepped toward me, seeking forgiveness.
"Will you forgive me, Alina?" Somehow, she made puppy eyes. Great actress. She should consider joining the theater workshop. "I said it out of frustration. Several of us have been affected by your mistakes."
Whatever. I'll say yes so she stops insisting. It's not the first time, and it won't be the last something like this happens.
"No worries, I understand." I turned to the class, clearly listening to the gossip. "Sorry, everyone. I don't mean to mess things up. I'll try harder next time so it doesn't happen again."
I noticed some looked at the floor, others smiled awkwardly. They've lost faith in me. My brow furrowed. I'll ask Kael to practice with me.
Valeria smiled happily and left with Alondra, clearly not regretting her decision, and everyone started to disperse; there wasn't much time to get to the next class.
"Don't worry, Alina," Leah said, walking beside me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You didn't have to promise anything that might stress you out more than now. Just have fun in sports class, okay?"
She lowered her hand and gave me a playful nudge with her shoulder.
"I held back from saying everything I wanted to those two," she added, sounded exasperated. "They should keep their venom to themselves and focus on their own lives. They probably say that stuff because things aren't great at home."
Kael nodded beside us.
"Jealousy, Alina. You're good at lots of things, even outshining them," he paused, "Like in swimming class—nobody beats you there. Sometimes Melissa does, but she's been a swimmer forever. In our class, no one, not even me."
I smiled genuinely at their words as we neared our classroom. They smiled me back.
Then I felt a stare at my back. I turned, focusing my gaze. A few meters behind us, a guy was walking, his figure matching the student who stayed in the bleachers without a sports uniform, eyes fixed on his phone.
Is the new guy in my class? Oh no... Will the 'hottest' guys in school be in my class? I wonder how Kael will take this. Something tells me it's not going to be fun.
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© NATLAR, 2025