Days passed by quickly and it was now Saturday. I was in the school gym watching the girls’ volleyball club practicing after lunch. I was invited here by Za. When I entered the gym, I received doubtful gazes, but Za quickly explained to them that I was her classmate and a transferee.

After a thirty minute warm-up, they finally had a practice match. Za was a substitute member, probably because of her height. She sat beside me as the game went on, describing each player’s strength and weakness, who she admires and who she envies. I think to her, even though she couldn’t participate much in the games, she was happy just being here.

“You love volleyball, don’t you?” I mentioned.

“Yes. Since I was small, I have always been interested in it.” Her eyes shone as she watched the club members play. “I was sickly and frail as a child. I always sat out during PE classes, and my grades weren’t that good because of my absences… but when I entered high school, I was given a second chance…”

“A second chance?” What she said as her voice trailed off caught my interest.

“Huh? Ahaha… It’s nothing.” She dodged the topic. “I’m just being sentimental.”

It was a bit outside of her usual cheery character, but I didn’t force the matter.

After a while, she was called to join a game. I cheered for her, and her team manage to win after some effort. Jumping with joy, she ran to me and posed with a V sign and a really bright smile. It was nice to see her cheerful attitude back and running in full gear.

“Hey, do you have anything planned after this?” she asked as she wiped her sweaty face and neck with a small towel.

“Nope, not really,” I replied.

“Then let’s go hang out at the mall!” Her bright smile didn’t give me an opportunity to say no. With my agreement, she told me to wait at the school gate.

Half an hour later, we were sitting side by side in the bus. A faint shampoo fragrance wafted from her hair, and it roused my senses. Her skin was slightly red, and a slight touch revealed her slightly hot temperature from the exertion earlier. It seemed like she took a shower first, that was why she told me to wait.

“Hmm? What’s wrong?” She noticed my uneasiness.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.” I looked away to hide my blushing face. I’m two years older, but it seems like my lack of interaction with people other than my family had decreased my social skills. Well, if I had good social skills, I wouldn’t have been bullied that badly back then.

“You’re acting weird. Haha!” She laughed at me. Does she know, or is she just playing dumb?

After another half hour, we arrived at our destination. Since it was a weekend, the mall was already packed with people.

“Come on, let’s go!” With her sports bag on her left shoulder, she grabbed my hand and dragged me toward the crowd. We pushed our way through, and she asked, “Where do you want to go first?”

“I don’t really know. You chose!”

There was a small contest going on in the activity center in the middle of the floor we were in. It was really crowded in there, but we still joined in to watch. Children of age five to ten were performing on the makeshift stage. Some of them danced, some sang, some did both, others acted, and some even did a musical play. We watched and cheered along with crowd.

If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

We then went to the gaming center and played on the arcades. I managed to show off my gaming skills and defeated a lot of players who came to challenge me. A lot of money was spent on the crane game, as Za wanted a specific stuffed toy. It was a pink teddy bear.

After that, we walked around the shops and checked out the new items for sale. Even though it just the two of us, it was really fun. I never had so much fun like this before.

I felt really glad that I let Ms. Sanchez persuade me to return to school.

A music ring tone disturbed my thoughts. It was Za’s phone. She looked at the display and said, “Sorry, I have to take this.”

I nodded and we walked toward a location that was less noisy as she answered the phone.

“Yes… I’m in the mall… No, sorry… Yes… yes… Alright… I’ll meet you there…” She hung up and looked at me with an apologetic expression. “I have to meet up with someone.”

“Is that person here in the mall?”

“Yes… by the entrance.”

“I’ll take you there.”

“No, you don’t really have to. You can just go home ahead of me.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll just take you there, then I’ll go home right after.” I made my point, and she soon accepted. As we walked, she had her head hanging down, as if really depressed. When we reach the entrance, I was surprised.

The person she was meeting with was a classmate. The same student I met in convenience store.

“Hey,” I greeted him.

He walked forward and passed by me. A dry sound came from behind. I looked back and saw Za with a red mark on her face. It didn’t took me long to realize what happened.

He slapped her.

“What do you think you’re doing!” I exclaimed as I rushed to Za’s side to check if she was okay. The people around stopped to look at what was happening.

“I’m okay…” Za said, pushing my hands away. She smiled at me, but it was forced. There was a trace of blood on her split lips.

Confused and angry, I turned to the perpetrator and dashed at him with a punch. He caught it simply without even looking at me.

“Do not interfere with matters that does not concern you,” he said dryly.

“Wha!?” He then twisted my hand and pushed me to the side.

“I am warning you. She is my property. I do what I want to do with her. If you value your life, keep your hands of my things.” He then turned around and walked away. Za followed behind him.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered as she passed me. “I’ll email you later, okay?” She gave me her usual smile as she left.

The people around us left while murmuring words like, “A lover’s quarrel?”, “It’s so nice to be young,” and other stuff. The guard approached me and asked if I was okay, as I was sitting there on the ground for a long while.

“I’m fine,” I said, more to myself than to the guard. I picked myself up and walked away.

That night, I waited for her message… but it didn’t come.