Chapter 2 Practice

Chapter 2

It was seven o'clock when I got home to our subdivision. The bodyguards almost didn't let me in because they thought I was who I was. Fortunately, they immediately realized that I am from here in the Vandeleur subdivision. The bodyguards are awake because it's a bit floaty.

I was walking up the stairs leading to our house. Our house is at the top of a not very high mountain, while the houses of my uncles, aunties, aunties, and uncles are at the bottom, or just on the side.

The biggest house in the Vandeleur subdivision is ours. This house is our priority now when grandfather and grandmother were alive. Daddy's siblings were jealous because the house did not go to them. Well, Daddy is the youngest and the favorite of their grandparents, and I guess Daddy's behavior is more sensible compared to his siblings.

Mommy is also rich. He does have a mansion in Cagayan de Oro, but he prefers to live here with us in Manila. Because her company with daddy is also here.

I'm not a spoiled child. I'm not addicted to expensive things either, but of course I'm also a bit artistic sometimes. I even prefer to use normal value objects. Maybe I inherited the simplicity from daddy. Mommy wants everything to be perfect, so almost anything that can be worn will be loved. Maybe I inherited only about 20% of Mommy's behavior, but if I look at my face, I can say it will reach 80%. I look exactly like Mommy! Others even say that I am the young version of it now. Even though Mommy likes to spend, we don't complain about what she wants because she's used to it since she was young and apparently she doesn't spend Daddy's money, she only uses her own money.

I turned the door of our house. Upon entering, the clean living room immediately greeted me. I continued walking into the house until I reached the cushion. I found only two of our helpers fixing the dishes and placing freshly cooked food on the table. They are mid 30's and are both kind.

Ate Lana turned to me. "Uh good evening, Fhior!" it greeted with a smile. Sister Kally greeted me.

I smiled at them. "Good evening too!"

"You arrived just now?" Ate Lana while busy preparing the dishes we will use today.

"There aren't many tricycles, eh" I answered and scratched the back of my neck. I sat in the usual seat.

"I'm really sorry, Fhior! Uncle Gorgeo didn't come to pick you up because he was busy picking up your Mommy and Daddy" said Ate Kally.

After a while I heard weak and slow footsteps towards the cushion. I immediately smiled as I was immediately greeted with a hug from my brother.

Yes! I have a little brother. He's just adapted but we consider him real family. He is only 7 years old. Daddy and Mommy adopted him when he was just 2. It was only seen on the side of the church. We don't know who his biological 'cruel' parents are. We didn't look for his real parents because why else?

I was 12 when I brought it home crying. I was not sad because I was still happy. It's boring when you don't have a brother. Little by little he grew up with us well. Mommy and Daddy were also happy when they heard that this 3 year old called them "Mommy" and "Daddy" for the first time.

"Vincent!" I greeted my brother and immediately hugged him. We hugged for a few seconds before he let go and sat in the seat next to me. I support him.

"Sister! Mommy and Daddy called just now. They're on their way here!" he said. I nodded and smiled.

It's still a good feeling when I hear him call me "Sister". Of course, Mommy and Daddy weren't the only ones who were happy. Me too. My heart felt warm every time he called me "Sister".

Around 7:30, Mommy and Daddy arrived. We ate right away at the table.

"Fhior, how's school? I heard you are practicing dance tomorrow for intramurals?" Mommy while we eat. I chewed the food in my mouth before answering.

"It's okay, my. Hm yes, tomorrow is our practice for dance presentation. I guess, I'll be home tomorrow for longer."

Our conversation is over. I continued eating until we all finished together. I presented that I will wash our dishes but Ate Lana and Ate Kally did not agree so I let them do the washing.

My brother and I went upstairs together. I even brought it to his room before I went straight to my room. I also took a half-bath right away and dressed in my pajamas.

I lay comfortably on the bed and scratched myself. I also opened my messages on my cellphone and I immediately saw my friend's name. I clicked her name.

Karen:

There will be no classes tomorrow because they say it's just practice for dance and those who will play sports. Also cleaning afterwards.

I just saw it. I didn't reply because I immediately fell asleep.

I put my cellphone down on the bedside table and closed my eyes and went to sleep. I took it a long tiring day...

The next day I woke up early but I still got to school late. It didn't bother me because there were no classes.

I wore our PE uniform. The top is white with a red edge, as well as the round neck of the top has a red design. The bottom one is also red while the two lines on the other side of the design are white. Like me, other students are also in PE. Others only wear t-shirts and pants, because maybe they don't have another PE uniform to wear in intramurals. I have two PE uniforms so I'm not worried.

Every intramurals here at school, everyone is invited to wear a PE uniform, except for swimmers and athletes who have to wear their own jerseys or uniforms. If there is no PE, others are made to wear sports. A lot can happen. Our school is so big that's why competitions with other athletes from other schools are always taking place here.

To be honest, I don't like sports. I really prefer to just lie on the soft bed and entertain myself on the cellphone. But what can I do, we students who are not involved in sports need to have a presentation! It's just a dance, but what I'm complaining about is that I'm the representative of our section, so I'm expected to be the mirror in the dance, or in other words, I'll be the one in the front with the other representatives.

I'm confident on my dancing skills, but I'm the type of lazy girl. I also didn't like to play games when I was young because I would get tired and run out of breath very quickly. Until now, I don't know anything about playing sports. It should be a beauty contest because I have pretty looks and a nice body, but because I'm lazy I didn't participate. Because I saw the first time in the gym how to practice to compete in the beauty contest.

"All the non-athlete students, proceed to the oval ground." we heard it on the speakers.

The students started running towards the oval ground, while I just walked and ran. I breathlessly approached the line of our section. As expected, Jerson and Karen were not there. Of course, they have practiced the sport they participated in.

I have many friends but mostly boys. I don't like a lot of girls, especially and they often hate me. Most of my friends are in college, so we only see each other occasionally, so I became closer to Jerson and Karen, adding that they are also my classmates.

I'm in grade 11. Sometimes people who don't know me mistake me for a college student. It's understandable because I look like a matured dresser. I'm tall too.

The arrangement has begun. The dance instructors guided us to our seats.

An elderly teacher pulled me to the front and center. My face was hot. I have no choice! This is where I really belong because the grade 11 department is placed in the middle and our section is the middle so I am also in the middle and in the front.

The arrangement is over. The dance moves are now the pi-nrac-tice. The music is a kind of hiphop so the movements are a bit difficult. Some time passed and the movements became memories. Your dance almost took 5 minutes!

I'm already sweating because of the hot sun.

"Do you get it?" asked a couch into the mic. We students nodded.

"Yes ma'am!"

"From the top!"

We settled in our seats. My eyes landed on the front where the covered court was. The group of the basketball team came out there, probably just coming from their practice. They walked towards us and sat on the empty benches there. My face got hotter when Ellandro and I met our eyes.

I immediately looked at Elyse who was on the other side in front, which is one of the representative of college department.

I looked back at Ellandro. I thought he was looking at Elyse, but it was clear that Elyse's place was far away from what Ellandro was looking at. His eyes are in my direction! I was suddenly conscious of my sweaty appearance.

My hair is tied in a high messy ponytail. My neck felt sticky so I knew I was sweating there. Ever in my life, I have never been insecure about my appearance but now that I almost only see beautiful women, it seems that I am suddenly down with my own appearance.

The music started and I started moving. I just look straight at the couch as you guide us in stepping. I still feel that someone is staring at me and I know who it is. I didn't even glance in his direction.

The dance ended leaving me breathless. A teacher came so I immediately called him.

"Ma'am!"

"Yes, Ija?"

"Can't I just be on the side?" I asked hopefully.

"That is your final position. I noticed Ija that you are good at dancing and your facial expressions are also attractive, so the position here in the middle is just right for you." he said and left immediately.

I breathed heavily. Intramurals are open!

The students left the oval because they were already close to their water bottles that were just lying on the benches. I thought twice if I should approach the bench because I was still paying attention to the men who are part of the basketball team, who were also sitting near the bench where I put my things.

Later I came there. By ignoring them.

I took my water bottle and drank. I almost fainted when my eyes landed on Ellandro who was staring at me. Not even embarrassed! Or am I just assuming that I'm being stared at?

His gaze lowered to my sweaty body until his gaze landed on my neck. I quickly swallowed the water and turned my back towards him who was apparently sitting on the bench.

To Be Continued...