Capítulo 32: Getting to Know More About Taylor and Erin

It was early Thursday morning and I accompanied Michelle for basketball practice. My next class does not start until 11:20, so it was a perfect opportunity for me to see Michelle sweat it out with her teammates.

This was my first time to observe Michelle up close in practice throughout my college life. In the past, Charissa fetched me from home at 6:00 a.m. but after I joined Michelle for a ride, the call time was now 30 minutes earlier in order to accommodate her basketball team duties.

"Let's go team. Push harder," Michelle's coach shouted from the sidelines.

She sported short, black hair, wore a white polo shirt, green gym shorts and white sneakers, and stood just as tall as me. The coach may possess a tough girl demeanor, but her coaching style was mostly casual in nature and allowed her players to share their own input.

I was no basketball fan but from my observations in practice, Michelle's team loved to run and shoot. Their defense was also formidable, with more pressing and trapping involved.

It was no secret that they have won championships with Michelle as their leader. Her strong motivational tactics, high basketball IQ and athletic abilities were key to their excellence.

The league basketball tournaments were still two months away, enough time for Michelle and her team to build chemistry and camaraderie. So far, they have been off to a good start.

As soon as practice ended, Michelle and I walked straight to media ethics class. The mood that morning was a bit more cheerful but upon walking to the classroom, we were greeted by some light rain showers.

Good thing it stopped after only a few minutes. Just then, the media ethics professor arrived and he was also in a jovial mood.

"Good morning students," the professor opened.

"Good morning sir," the students responded.

As the professor began his lecture on the history of media ethics, Michelle and I were joined by two familiar faces: Taylor and Erin. They had arrived five minutes late and were thoroughly exhausted.

"Taylor, Erin, it's great to see you again," Michelle softly greeted both of them.

"Sorry if we were a little tired. There was an unfortunate accident near the Quiapo area earlier that's why we're late," Taylor whispered.

"That's all right," I positively assured to Taylor and Erin. "At least you're safe and not absent for class."

As class went along, I took notice of Erin's left cheek.

"What was that in your left cheek?" I sought Erin.

"It was a scar, a permanent one," Erin pointed out. "I'll explain to you after class."

When media ethics class came to a close, Erin approached me and narrated the story of how she earned a scar on her face.

"Christine, I got this scar back in first-year high school," Erin recalled. "I got hit by pieces of broken glass during a New Year's celebration many years ago when someone shot a soft drink bottle in the air and the glass cut a deep gash on my face."

"I was rushed to the hospital bloodied and nearly unconscious. It took around 40 stitches to close the wound and from that point, This scar remained on my face for the rest of my life."

I looked deeply at Erin's scar and was appalled at the extent of it. But as Erin continued with her story, things only got worse for her.

"Unfortunately, the hideous scar represented a source of personal humiliation for me. Each time I showed up my classmates laughed bitterly at me. They mocked my face and personal dignity. I couldn't bear the uncomfortable feeling of being scarred on the outside."

"That was so horrible," I commented on Erin's negative experience. "But were you able to overcome these issues?"

"Somehow I did thanks to Taylor," Erin tearfully recalled. "He arrived in sophomore year and we remained classmates and study partners since. Taylor didn't care about my visible or mental scars. All he recognized was a woman who was humble, kind and conservative, and he endeared to me in more ways than I can fondly imagine."

"You see Christine and Michelle, Erin never cared about becoming pretty or sexy," Taylor added. "All she desired was to be a low-key, down-to-earth person. They can tease me every time, but I don't care. Erin was the ideal woman I wanted to hang out with, right?"

Pleased by Taylor's testimony, Erin made a bombshell announcement to both of us.

"In fact, Taylor and I are in a serious relationship," Erin excitedly revealed to me. "We've been dating since fourth-year college."

"That was... good to hear?" Michelle reluctantly commented on Erin's status. "But there will be some roadblocks along the way, so better stay the course."

"Hope you stay together forever," I advised them.

"We will Michelle and Christine," Erin and Taylor assured us. "Right babe?"

Erin and Taylor encountered each other. They began kissing in front of us.

"How adorable," I commented favourably on their blossoming romance. "Good thing we found both of them. They look so compatible together."

After a final embrace, Erin and Taylor waved their hands goodbye while Michelle and I headed directly to Ella's unit. There were still two classes to go, including one taking place at night.

Ella's unit was a studio type which can only fit two or three people in the same room. It was adequately equipped with a double-deck bed, cable television, wireless internet, a telephone, electric kitchen appliances and a hot shower.

Ella originally wanted to go to and from her charming house in Greenhills on a regular basis. Unfortunately, she could not afford a car nor endure the harsh commuting conditions, so she rented a dormitory unit and lives here five or six times a week, going home only during weekends or holidays.

"Looks decent enough," Michelle remarked on Ella's condominium unit. "You have very cool digs out here."

"That was an amazing complement," Ella answered affirmatively. "Why not stay here for as long as you want? We can even study here often."

"Thanks for the generous offer but we'll pass," Michelle refused Ella's proposal. "However, Christine and I would be happy to come in to your unit every once in a while."

Michelle and I took a brief nap while Ella worked on her assignments. Then it was off to television production class where we would remain for the next three hours.