"Behind those smiles that we exchange is a harsh truth that shrouds our genuine sentiments."
A few hours later, we had lunch as well. We were all waiting for a minute. Author says, same time, same place. Everyone's past happiness is gradually being replaced by sadness and nervousness.
Sixzen and Aeith are stretching and exercising. Tenth, Sixth, Fourth just finished organizing the kitchen. Forzen and Twentieth joined Sixzen and Aeith have a body warm-up. We have no definite idea what game we are playing, but the chances are high that we're also going to play a physically intensive game. We'd better prepare our bodies than not. On the other hand, Aeizen, and Sectwen are in the living area sitting on the sofa.
I went to the living area and sat on a sofa.
"How are you, guys?" I asked Aeizen, and Sectwen. I smiled at them.
"I'm fine," a simple answer from Aeizen. She seems to be lost in her thoughts. She seems to think of something, but none of us can figure out what it is about.
I looked at Sectwen expecting a response from her. She is spacing out. After a few seconds, she looked at me. "Same"
"Why don't you join them for a body warm-up?" I invited the two of them to join the group of Aeith just to make a conversation because they don't socialize very much, even with the girls.
"I'll conserve my energy for the game," Aeizen refused, but she gave me a shy smile.
Sectwen was about to answer when Sixzen interrupted. "Sectwen! Come here!" she called her. Hesitant, but Sectwen stood up and joined Sixzen's company.
I shrugged and approached Aeizen and Forth. After a few hours and minutes of body workout, Third, our lone leader, speaks up.
"It's about time. Let's go."
Now that we only have one leader, I wonder what would happen to us now. Not that I don't trust Third's leadership abilities. He is a good one. But without Firstwen, it might be difficult without having a backup or a partner.
We went up to the fifth floor, even if it's a little early, it's okay to be sure. It is still dark and empty space. We just sat on the side and waited for Author. After a few minutes, we were not disappointed.
"Greetings! Everyone is already here in rendezvous. The results of yesterday's and today's matches will be announced after the girls' games. The game will begin momentarily."
And since we already had an idea of what was going to happen, everything changed, and the space transformed as it became a volleyball court. There are lines dividing between the two teams, and there is a net in the middle.
I didn't even notice or feel right away that we had transformed. We wear volleyball player clothes, mine is silver, and the others wear gold. The girls are wearing sleeveless top with embroidered ordinal number name, shorts, and white rubber shoes. I was immediately taken aback by our attire. I'm not used to wearing this kind of stuff where most of my skin is exposed.
"Whooo! Go girls!" Seventh shouted.
Fifzen whistled while Seventh was still shouting. I don't know if they're cheering or teasing us.
And because we were wearing sleeveless, I stared at the arm tattoos of others. Some are still pure black. Others are fading and being replaced by the color gold. Mine is a gold color but still, it dominated by black. It's almost like First's tattoo.
Just like yesterday, the boys from the silver basketball team were sitting in our bleacher seats. The opposite side of the bleacher is for the gold team.
"Are you all okay?" Third checked out on all of us, and I think it's my turn. After the passing of Firstwen, he's still doing his job. And he looks more eager today since he's our only leader.
"Worried?" I mischievously answered his question.
He shrugged. "Worried that you won't make it?"
I paused for a moment. I admit that I am getting nervous and not confident about this one. "Kind of. How about you?"
"Worried if you guys will fail to win this one."
Now he's kind of acting like a demanding one.
"You didn't even win the last game." Aeith teased him.
Our conversation lasted for a bit, giving the girls of the silver team some advice from him as a leader and someone who has played the previous game. Fifth and Seventh also gave us words of encouragement. Seventh even told us to 'break a leg' which I didn't want because its literal meaning might happen. First greeted me as well.
"Hey," He smiled at me calmly. Looks like he's not troubled anymore compared to yesterday.
"Nervous?" he asked me.
I nodded.
"How can I help you?"
I shook my head.
"Speechless?"
I nodded.
"I know a charm"
I looked up at him and was curious about the charm he was saying.
"Lend me your hand"
And I held out my right hand to him. He opened my palm.
"I can do this," he assured. He then raised his pointer finger as if he were writing something on my palm. After doing that, he cupped my hand and held it with his two hands. He brought it to his mouth, mouthing something and closed his eyes as if praying.
"Alright"
"Hahaha" I laughed at his behavior.
First believes in charms? For a person like him to believe those stuff doesn't suit him, but I find it c.
"Thank you," I responded. I hope this charm would work.
"Anytime"
I smiled at him, and so did he. The depth of the way he speaks is sometimes beyond my understanding.
Everyone is nervous, even though we practiced for a short period. What happened yesterday could happen again, and that's what we all fear the most. Maybe one of the girls will be the victim. The one who gets hurt or dies could be one of us… And it could be me.