Today is Wednesday, the last day of our ball tournament. Brice will play 2 billiards this morning. After lunch time naman ang finals ng basketball at ang finals ng women’s volleyball. Next is the finals for women’s and men’s tennis, sabay iyon kaya hindi kami makakanood.
“Another trick shot made by Sir Lewis!” Sigaw ng commentator at humiyaw naman ang mga kaklase ko.
We’re watching Brice positioning himself to shoot his 8th ball. If he wins this, finals na ang lalaruin niya!
“Go Brice!!” Sigaw namin.
Actually, the staff told us to lessen our voices. We can cheer if it’s a crucial time. Well, we humbly believe that everything is crucial kaya sumisigaw parin kami pero mas mahina sa kahapon.
The 8th ball went in.
“What a play by Sir Lewis!” Sigaw ng commentator kasabay ng aming palakpakan.
“Finals Brice!!” Sigaw namin.
We heard that the other students scoffed.”That alpha is our school’s representative. Don’t think about winning.”
Napa ismid na lang kami sa mga sinabi nila. There will be a 30 mins break at finals na ng billiards. We didn’t leave our seats dahil mahirap na kumuha ng pwesto.
“Alam mo ba kaninang umaga kaagaw namin Alpha dito sa upuan.” Biglang kwento sakin ni Ayer.
Napalingon ako sa kanya. “Bakit?”
“Kasi syempre kami lang ni Aldo yung dumating pero ang nireserve namin na upuan 15.” Tawa niya habang tinuturo yung mga nireserve na upuan.
Lumapit na rin samin si Ely. “Oo nga Aiby. Grabe yung tawa ko pagkita ko sa mga upuan.”
“Ano nakita mo?” I asked dahil tumatawa pa rin siya.
“Si Ayer nakahiga para 5 upuan ang makuha si Aldo naman nakabukaka kaya 3 yung nasakop niya. Tas yung ibang upuan may bag, damit, sapatos, bote at towel.” Tawang tawa na naman siya habang nag kwekwento.
Natawa ako nang maimagine ko na ganun ang ginawa nila. Hindi ko kasi naabutan yun dahil madalas akong late. Sumali na rin si Blanca at sinabi kung gaano siya kainis na may sapatos sa upuan niya.
We all decided to stop talking when we saw Brice starting the game. He’s the one who’ll do the breaking shot.
We tried to hide our laughs when we saw Brice break the ball but didn’t scatter the balls, the white ball is even in the middle of the balls!
His opponent just shook his head at masamang tumingin kay Brice. Even though that’s the situation. His opponent managed to shoot 2 solid balls.
“Brice, wag mo na patirahin!” Sigaw ni Claud habang si Brice ay umiikot sa billiards ball.
Binatukan siya ni Fabian. “Ang lakas!” Sita niya kay Claud.
Claud frowned. “Di ka na cute!”
“Hoy anong hindi cute? Alaga ko yan!” Sumingit naman si Asra sa kanilang dalawa. Kay Asra naman nakatingin ng masama si Fabian.
“Shh.” Ayan sinita na sila ni Ella.
Brice shot 2 striped balls. 3 balls and 4 balls.
We clapped our hands until we could feel the hotness of our palms. It’s his opponent's turn. Nakashoot ito ng dalawang bola.
He shot his last ball at 8th ball na ang sinisilip niya. Malakas ang sigaw ng mga Alpha, cheering for their classmate. Luckily, hindi ito pumasok.
Ang masakit nga lang, the 8th ball is on the left side. Malayo kung nasaan ang natitirang mga bola ni Brice. He’s on the right side.
Brice continued to shoot his remaining ball. Gaya nga ng inaasahan ko, malayo ang white ball sa 8th ball. I saw him stood up straight habang nakatingin sa dalawang bola na natitira.
He took a deep breath and bent over. He gently placed his hand on the table, he pushed and pulled the cue stick.
He took a shot. The white ball hit the 8th ball, hard.
The 8th ball went to Brice’s side and hit the right side. I thought that it was the end for Brice but the ball returned to the left side because of the impact.
The ball continued to roll.
Slowly.
Until it reached the lower left pocket.
“W-What a shot made by Sir Lewis!” The commentator stuttered.
We even stood up and clapped our hands. We shouted his name and called him. He shook hands with his opponent pero agad itong lumabas ng hall. The Alpha class also gave us a death glare. We only looked at them with a smug look on our faces.
Hugo Brice Lewis is the champion of the Billiards.
Nasa canteen na kaming lahat as in kaming lahat. It’s the first time we’re all eating in our canteen. Just like I always say, everyone is effin looking at us!
“Brice, galing mo ah. Natalo mo Alpha tapos representative pa ng school yun sa billiards!” Tuwang tuwang sabi sa kanya ni Ely.
Brice is sitting beside me. He looked at Ely and said. “Thank you.” Tinuloy ni Brice ang pagkain niya.
“Payback.” He mumbled to himself.
“Oh, look who’s here?” We all looked where the voice came from.
It’s Jessica Lopez with her baby chicks.
The boys scoffed and we, the girls rolled our eyes.
“You won the championship for the Billiards so you decided to celebrate in this fvcking cheap canteen, huh?” She smirked and turned around calling for other’s attention.
No one answered her.
Blanca looked at me telling me that I should shut Jessica’s mouth. I shook my head, declining her request.
I don’t want to spoil my appetite.
I finished my last bite and saw Keith stood up while holding his plates. As a fellow leader, I wiped my mouth with my tissue and stood up while holding my plates.
“Rats.” She whispered but still, we heard it.
“Stop it Jessica, let them have fun. Matatalo rin naman sila sa basketball.” Niccolo joined the conversation. There’s a smug look on his face while he’s pulling Jessica to their side.
Iris stuck her tongue out nang nakatalikod na sila. Siniko naman siya agad ni Rave at nagtawanan kami pero mahina.
Palabas na kami ng canteen but we stopped when Brice stopped walking and faced the guard of the canteen.
Brice pointed Jessica to the guard. “It looks like you let a wild animal enter the cafeteria…. Po”
It looks like he realized that he’s talking to an adult. Nakapag po siya bigla hahaha.
The guard’s eyes widened and struggled to think what he would reply. Before he could open his mouth, we walked past him.