Dos
The Clan
The
next afternoon I went to practice, there were new recruits, coach Dominic
introduced the rookies one by one and told us to warm them up. There were about
seven of us including Liam at the competitive level, I was the black sheep ‘coz
I never favoured competitions…I usually got nervous and stiffen up, so I could
hardly kick, but during practices, I was one of the best.
Anyway, I was tasked to lead four of the
rookies. There was JB, Skandar, David and Joey, the rest of the seniors taught
the rest. They looked fit in their tight swimming trunks, slender and well,
pretty for rookies, three of them were taller than me. At first they were
irritating, they didn’t seem serious with me, I felt a little disrespected so I
told them to plunge in. I signalled them to start swimming, turned out they
were already good, just needed a little bit of coaching on the right strokes.
So I let them swim and I had a few laps
myself. It was already around six when we finished exhausting ourselves, quite
early than the usual seven or seven thirty.
Me and
my team mates were already outside the pool when suddenly the rookies passed,
some of the seniors tried to make fun at
them, we just laughed. My four
boys bid goodbye…and there was the ever sincere and amusing line “see yah at
school” that I always found lovely.
Unexpectedly,
the following noon at the cafeteria, where a number of the students raid the
premises for good food, some good chats and loud giggles…I saw the boys again,
they were as thunderous as I first met them, they were all smiles when they saw
me, and I was surprised Ryan was with them, as it turned out, they happened to
be classmates…but they looked like they were in a boy band ‘coz they definitely
had the looks. They seemed cool and attractive. “Hey there’s our idol!” they
screamed when they approached me…they looked like they were going to attack, my
group were in shocked when this big bouncers came to me…it was unusual for us
to witness such untamed acts in our world of appropriate conduct and
intelligent monkeys. But I admit, I liked the attention, and was amused by the
reactions on the faces of my intellectual peers. But what really stunned me was
that behind the wild animals in front of me, Ryan was at the back, just smiling
silently. When I noticed him he nodded and looked at me…still I thought there
was something in him…I just said “Oh, your with them?”, “yah” he simply
said…”Ok, see you later” then I smiled back at them and he never spoke of
another word. The commotion ended at our table and continued all around the
dining hall.
I knew
my mates were curious by the look on their faces, “they’re rookies, the other
one goes to Mrs. Strum with me, and their sophomores” I simply explained…I knew
they were all familiar to them, but they
didn’t really cared much.
Classes
ended, another striving day for a Physics test, my classmates were estranged
by the seemingly unsolvable problem Mr.
Antonio gave us, you just couldn’t imagine the look on our faces that
afternoon, disappointed, and hopeless, that’s how conscious we were on our
grades.
I went
down to my locker, packed my large books , and at the hallway, I saw Ryan
passed, he smiled…but my mind was too occupied, so I may have unintentionally
ignored him…it was too late for me to realize It was kind of cruel, but somehow I knew I did the right thing.
It was
a Wednesday so I needed to go to Mrs. Strum again, I saw Ryan with his friends
downstairs, but I didn’t mind them, I had a lot on my mind, and needed the help
of my genius tutor. I realized I needed to get back to being the geeky nerd who
loves studying and stick with my smart friends instead of being the athlete.
I was
already reviewing my notes, and contemplating on my possible failure in
Physics…that was the only thing I could not seem to figure out amongst all the
other subjects, which made it very frustrating, and I definitely blamed Mr.
Antonio for making Physics the least interesting class, because probably,
that’s the only excuse I could think of. Though I usually find myself and some
of my classmates yawning, if not sleeping during his class. I know in my heart
he’s a good teacher, but I guess Physics and I just aren’t meant to be.
Mrs.
Strum was looking at my solutions, I knew that she knew it was a complex
problem, because usually, if it’s easy, she’ll recognize what I’ve done wrong
in a just a split of a second.
And I
suddenly heard someone panting behind me…it was Ryan, “Are you ok?” said Mrs.
Strum, “Yeah…just…catching…my breath…” he replied, “You’re late again” Mrs.
Strum asked, “I know, I’m sorry” he said while sitting beside me, “You know the
drill” said Mrs. Strum…so he did…I took a glance at him, just got curious of
the panting, man he was totally sweating, I could feel the rush he’s gone
through just to be on time. I found him funny, I mean, the thought that I saw
him earlier and surely he got off from class the same as I did gave him no
excuse to be late for our tutorial…well I didn’t bother to speculate. I just
studied back and made sure I still got Mrs. Strum’s attention, I badly needed
her. She got mad at me for being too stupid…well she usually did even with her
other students, I just rarely got scolded ‘coz I usually get things right,
though sometimes I tend to cheat just to get home early.
I
finally got it, I was enlightened…that night I left Mrs. Strum and Ryan alone
without giving them some treats, I guess I was too tired I just wanted to rest,
I still had another test the following day, and of course, swimming practice.
Thursday…
My boys
seemed to notice my lack of energy that afternoon, I knew I was, I couldn’t’
seem to take my mind away from the possibility of failing, I wasn’t used to
that. They tried lifting me up, but I didn’t dare to notice at all, despite of
their very lively attitudes. I dived in, and swam my worries away…the coldness
of the water rushing through my body felt nice, it was another one of those
“moments” where I didn’t mind the time, the speed, who’s ahead, I was just
pacing, daydreaming.
Adam!!
Coach Dominic called out, so I stopped and climbed up. He was about to give
instructions. “Ok, prepare your team, we’re going to have a relay, use your
specialty strokes”, everything got serious. I rushed towards JB, Joey, Skandar
and David, told them the rules and told them what stroke each of them should
use. In a swimming relay, all the members of a team must wait on each of the
opposing lanes on a pool with another member waiting at the other side and
using any chosen swimming stroke and immediately dives in and compete with the
other teams to get to the other side first until the specified number of dives
has been reached. Basically, it’s like a running relay.
I knew
they could do it. David was first to
dive, I heard some of the girls were screaming out his name as he
stepped on the diving board, Coach blew the whistle and the rookies went in,
some of them failed to do the right dive so some of us at the back laughed.
Each of the leaders were cheering for his team, I shouted my team’s names and
showed them the most overwhelming support a coach could give. They weren’t
exactly on the lead, but they definitely not slowing down. Finally it was
Joey’s turn, I was kind of nervous for him ‘coz in the group, he was kind of
the “chubby” one, but I just prayed for the best and shouted his name so he
could hear me even under water. I saw the clouds getting darker, the expressions
on the other coaches’ face, and the cold wind moving the water…Joey was fast
with his breast stroke, my heart was beating so loud I could hardly hear my own
voice screaming. “Joey! Joey! Joey!!!” I cried out Loud…unfortunately he only
finished fifth, of the seven teams, but I was still glad they were not last.
“Ok
seniors, it’s your turn, this will be the final lap for today, so make sure you
give your all, and choose your style” Coach Dominic said, I looked at Liam, he looked back, I knew what
he was thinking, we’re going to do breast stroke, it was our specialty. Aside
from us growing together, we also trained together, we know each other’s
strengths and weaknesses, and most of the time, we go head to head.
We climbed at the diving board, I prayed not
to feel cold and numb, as I usually feel in competitions, I needed to be as
flexible as I can. When at the diving board, nobody was talking, as if we
weren’t friends, everyone’s eyes were focused on the other side, we stretched
and relaxed ourselves, until coach gave the first signal, we bent down and got
to our launching positions, a swimmer needs to have the right form, like a
rocket to be launched diagonally
downwards. The right form, equates to the right amount of force, resulting to a
massive velocity, this is where I apply the little things I learned in Physics.
Three…two…one…Coach
blew his whistle, I did it, I just didn’t dive, I launched myself into the
waters…I was submerged, blew my first bubbles and kicked hard in striding
position, then finally I rose, gasp my first air and circled my hands towards
my chest to paddle. The waters seemed heavier because of the waves dashing
everywhere in the pool as eight swimmers race to the finish. Finally, I saw my
competition, Liam was about a meter ahead of me, I knew what I had to do, I
suspended myself into the water, held both of my hands forward and on top of my
head, and I swam underwater striding
fast like a jet stream to catch up with Liam, and when I knew I had him, I
changed back from my super mode to my
breast stroke, I knew I was ahead so I didn’t bother looking back, I was about
a meter to touch the finish line, I could hear the people screaming and bOOM!! I
touched the other side of the lane, I smiled and took my breath. Unfortunately,
it turned out that Liam was able to catch up and we touched the finish at the
same time, as usual. But we were happy as well.
In
competitions, Liam would be the one to cry when he gets nervous, but still
swims well, I however ends up being numb and turning into a heavy statue at the
top of the diving board, usually leaving me with no medals at all. I rose up,
and saw my boys congratulating me as if I had won on an official competition.
They were
so happy for me “winning” that they asked me if I could go with them for
dinner, It was after all already dark, around Seven I presumed well I said yes. Liam went with his other friends,
even though Liam and I grew up together, we sort of grown apart in high school,
when he had his first girlfriend, and when I embraced my geeky side, if we were
twins, he must be the cool one.
When we
got out of the sports complex, we decided to walk our way to a nearby barbecue
restaurant, I told them we weren’t suppose to eat rice, ‘coz it makes our body
heavier, but they pleaded saying “Just for this time”, so I gave in anyway…we
passed by the park, which seemed more magical at that night, it was my first
time to pass by there where lanterns and colourful lights lit up the place,
“It’s the town fiesta” I recalled…
It was
then when I got to know the “boy band” better…I learned that JB and Joey has to
commute daily as they reside about an hour away from the town…that Skandar’s
family isn’t really from the valley, but was one of the most feared “clans” and
David’s father works as a college professor in the University and that all of
them live at the opposite direction as I did, so I thought I would go home
alone after the dinner. But I was wrong…they insisted on walking me home, “We
had to make sure you get home safe” JB joked, I thought he was the sweet
one…but I was overwhelmed of their attention to me, I never had friends
who cared for me that much.
I don’t
really know how I appealed to them, all I thought I was nothing special, well
maybe because I usually gave them
advices taken from my own experiences…except love and girls because I’m sure
they know a lot more about that than me, basically, I was more of like a
brother to them, and they to me. They never failed to flatter me ever since
that night.
Days
passed…and “Parent’s Day” came, it’s a day in a year where the students are
given the chance thank their parents in front of their teachers, they write letters and give them
cards or stuff. After that, the teachers
usually talk to the parents about their child’s class standing, and usually, more
students get nervous than excited, including me. As ever, My parents were
present, though I wished they weren’t so I didn’t have to be cheesy and all,
but I had to. I gave them a card with a heart in front, I just bought it at a
store and read the message on it out loud. I wasn’t that expressive of my
emotions, especially the “love” stuff. I was the spoiled, hard headed black
sheep of the family, I am the youngest though, that’s why I never liked myself.
After
all the thank you being said, we were asked
to go out of the room so the teacher can have a private meeting with our
parents and give them our grades, all my classmates were nervous, we feel each
other, that’s how close we were. To relieve my tension, I decided to go to the
toilet.
When I
got out from the toilet, I saw my boys, JB, Skandar, Joey and David along the
hall, Skandar was leaning on the white wall with sunrays touching his face, he
looked cherubic with his tall structure. I greeted them “Hi, where are your
parents?”, “Oh, they’re not here” Skandar said, I noticed the disappointment on
his face, “Hey, Adam, can you do us a favour?” JB asked, “what” I replied, “Can
you like, ask for our grades, since you’re our friend, and you’re a senior,
maybe our teacher would give you our class ratings” Joey said, “Please Adam”
David pleaded with puppy eyes, how could I have refused that…
“Well,
ok, I’ll try” but I was positive I could get them, since I knew their teacher…I
talked to her inside their room, and got out carrying their class cards where
their grades were, it was disappointing though, they were mostly below average,
a few Bs, more Cs and Ds, but they were glad and seemed satisfied with those
grades…so I had nothing to worry about, except my own grades…
They
thanked me and offered to treat me for lunch since they had no parents with
them…But I said had to go back to my room first to know my grades…when I
arrived, I already saw my parents outside the room carrying my class card, God
they looked disappointed…I approached them, “You got a C- on Physics…” my mom
said…that’s close to an F, I thought, I
asked for forgiveness and promised to do better next time, I know how much they
have sacrificed just to pay for my school, my tutor, and my sport…I was guilty.
They
immediately went down, “Are you coming?” My father said, with a slightly
authoritative tone., Well he’s always like that. Despite of them being very
gregarious towards people, what others don’t know is that they were solemn and
deep people, they take almost everything seriously, that is why I usually
locked myself in my bedroom where I had a T.V instead of staying outside where
it was quite boring and we’d talk about the news or the TV drama my mum watches every night.
“Hey
pa, maybe you should go ahead, we still
have something to talk about a project” I couldn’t possibly told them that I would
have lunch with some Sophomores…for the longest time all they know is that my
only friends were my classmates whom I’ve been since I was in kindergarten”
I
waited for them to get in the car first…when they did left, I went straight to
our rendezvous…just at the lobby…so we had a very fascinating lunch, They
bought sodas, and packed lunches, I thought we were going to go somewhere, but
they decided to have lunch at the soccer field…they felt it was better…
So we
went to the soccer field and had an interesting picnic under what seemed as a
dead tree at the corner of the dry field
where we had the best view of the school…I felt at ease, and relieved from
being a great disappointment…I heard small giggles, not the usual irritating
cackles I usually hear when I’m with the boys…I also felt their discontent…but
I know it wasn’t about their grades, I knew that somehow, they wanted their
parents’ there, for moral support…we were eating, but it seemed though that the
food didn’t taste good…it didn’t taste anything at all…there was something
lacking…joy.
“So
what’s up?” I noticed the silence…no one answered, so I began talking…’I got a
C- in Physics, my parents were very disappointed”…Skandar followed by talking
about his deepest feelings about his family…the remaining three seemed to
contemplate on our sharing and expressed their thoughts as well…I never knew
they had it in them…I never knew that these happy go lucky boys were capable of
opening up…of jerking tears, of being sensitive…of being sweet.
We were
already lying down as I try to cover the light of the sun with my fingers in
front of my eyes...I looked around, there was no one there…except for the four
boys lying beside me on the grass…I rose up, watched them sleeping as the sun
illuminates their godlike figures, when Skandar suddenly talked with his eyes
closed…
”Let’s
form a clan, us, together…”
From
that moment I knew I was already a part of something…
a
family…one I could rely on…
