Capítulo 21: Inspired

Skyler's POV

I was in high spirits even if I knew I was in big trouble. My coach called my attention, and I didn't care. Yeah, for how many times I have taken good care of my reputation being the golden boy of Santa Clara Academy.

Because of Selena, I broke so many rules I ditched practice and gave my coach headaches.

"Alcarazo, what is wrong with you? I haven't seen you like this," my coach declared when I got inside his office.

"We are in the finals, and hopefully, we will win the game to advance to the regional cup, and I was wondering what is going on with our captain ball these days." He added as he looked at me without taking his gaze away from my face.

"I gave you a break when you told me you wished to visit your father's coconut plantation, and I couldn't believe the rumors circulating in the academy." He continued, and I couldn't look him in the eyes, and I didn't know how to respond to him.

"Come on, Skyler, answer me." My coach stated and let out a heavy sigh, and I could see the disappointed look on his face.

"I am sorry, Coach Larry, I knew I made a mistake, but I promise you, I will do well this Friday night," I responded, and he grunted as he stood up from his seat.

"Son, I know you've got the talent; you are exceptional, but as your coach, I was worried if you would be affected by what is going on with your love life." He said, and I frowned.

"Come on, Skyler, I saw you are holding hands with that girl, and I could tell you got it, bad buddy. Do you know first love can be deadly?" He asked with a wide grin, and I shook my head.

"You don't need to worry about me, coach, because this is nothing. I can assure you it is not serious, and the word first love is overrated." I answered.

"Be careful with what you are saying, Skyler. I knew how you looked at her; be careful, son; I knew how much you love basketball." My coach responded.

"I know what I am doing, coach; please, allow me to be excused from our practice this afternoon, and I promise this will be the last time I ask something like this from you," I said, and I didn't expect he would be laughing at me.

"Look at you, Sky; you denied you got it bad, but you were begging me to allow you to be absent again? How am I going to defend you with your teammates? Many of them wanted you out because they were jealous of you." Coach Larry said with seriousness, and I looked at him in awe.

"Sky, when you are good, you can't stop other people from being envious of you, even if you thought they were your friends. You have to be alert at all times." He added.

"Thank you, coach," I mumbled.

"If you are not only that good, I will automatically get rid of you, but I knew we can't win without you, but this is the last time I will allow you to be absent, Sky." He replied.

"I will suspend you if I have to, I am a coach, and I have a reputation to uphold. I don't want my credibility to be questioned by your teammates." He stated, and I beamed at him.

"Thank you so much, coach," I responded, still wearing the same smile.

"I just couldn't believe a girl would make

you like this; you are used to being surrounded by hot cheerleaders; I guess this particular girl captured your heart." He responded, and I couldn't stop blushing.

"You better leave now before I change my mind," he added, and I got out of his office with a happy face, but my happiness ended when I reached my classroom and found Erika sitting on my chair.

"How could you dump me because of that kind of girl, Skyler?" She asked in more than a whisper after she stood up from my seat while I could see the hurt all over her face.

"Erika, you don't know what you are saying," I whispered back since I didn't want our classmates to hear our conversation.

"I saw you were holding hands with her this morning, Sky, but I am telling you, it is not yet over between us; I will do everything I can to win you back." She whispered back as she put her arms around my neck, and I am sure my classmates would think we were whispering sweet nothings.

I could smell her expensive perfume, and I suddenly remembered Selena's intoxicating scent. She was only using ordinary shampoo and body wash, but I love how she smelled, and being so close physically with Erika made me miss Selena more.

"You don't need to win me back, Erika; nothing is going on between us. Leave Selena alone." I warned as I took her arms away from my neck and I sat on my chair, and I had never felt so relieved when I saw our teacher gets inside our room.

Erika retreated and stomped her feet as she returned to her chair. I wasn't paying attention to our teacher since I couldn't stop thinking about Selena, and I hated that I needed to deal with the school director's daughter.

I know it wasn't my forte to confess to a girl, but as I think of Selena, maybe it wasn't wrong to tell

her how I felt. I was so excited to see her that I hadn't realized our class was over.

"What do you want?" My brother asked when he found me waiting for him outside his classroom.

"Can we talk?" I asked.

"About what?" He asked, and I could feel the irritation in his voice, and I wondered if he was jealous of me.

"Your best friend," I replied, and I could see how his eyes widened, and I could tell I got my brother's full attention.

"I only have fifteen minutes break; you should not waste my time, big brother," he said, and I nodded my head.

"What do you want now, Skyler?" He asked.

"I want to take Selena home after class, and she told me you asked her to accompany you to the mall," I answered.

"And why do you want to take her home, Skyler?" He inquired as he looked me in the eyes. I could hear the loud beating of my heart against my chest, and I had never been so sure in my entire life about how I felt.

"I like her, Stanley, I fucking like your best friend, and it felt like my heart is in pain if I couldn't see her," I responded, and I could see the surprised look on my brother's face as he looked at me with mouth hanging open.

"You like Selena?" He asked, and I smiled like an idiot; confessing my real feelings to my brother was the last thing on my mind, but he was the only one who could help me win her heart.

"And why are you telling me this?" He added, and I could tell he looked pale.

"Because you are my younger brother and her best friend, and I need your help," I responded.

"Help? Are you kidding me? A popular and handsome guy like you doesn't need any help." He replied and chuckled.

"Selena is different; when I am with her, I am happy, and I couldn't express the raw emotions that I felt, but I couldn't read her, Stanley. I don't know what is inside her heart and who she was crushing on, and I want her to like me." I honestly said.

"I will only help you if you promise never to hurt her, Skyler, and you are leaving for college; how will you make your relationship work if ever she will give you a chance? Besides, you don't do the girlfriend thing." Stan replied.

"I guess there is always an exception, and I want it to work. Besides, I've got holidays, and I will come home on special occasions." I declared.

"I don't think you can do that, Skyler; you will only break her heart if you can't keep your promises." He answered as he looked at me.

"Bro, let us not worry about the future; we can video call; we are now in a new era where technology is handy. What I need is now; I want to spend more time with her as possible; please help me." I begged my brother, and I could see the amusement on his face.

"I could tell you are serious; you never begged me before. Make sure you will never make Selena cry, Sky." He responded, and I raised my right hand as a sign. I promised my younger brother that I would never hurt her best friend.

"Deal!" Stan added as he offered his right hand to me to seal our deal, and I went back to my classroom feeling hopeful that Selena Castroni would become my girlfriend before the inter-school league was over.

I felt more energized, inspired, and motivated to play the second game this coming Friday night, knowing Selena would be there on the bleacher cheering for me.

I was fidgeting as I waited for her to get out of her classroom, and I could tell this was the first time I would take a girl on an actual date, and I had planned the night to be perfect since I wanted to make it memorable for us.

But the moment Selena got out of her classroom and saw me, she turned around and ran away from me, and I had no choice but to run after her and wonder what was wrong with her and why she looked so angry and horrified to see me.

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