We might as well have called it Eric’s Day for all the difference that it made.

I stepped into my cousin Eric’s house this afternoon, as I just arrived at his house since I was coming with him to watch his game that day, with his little sister Elizabeth, seemingly cheerful because today is his basketball finals in a few hours. In his hand was his basketball given by his dad for his 17^th birthday. He was extremely excited for the finals [ he’s a LA fan I might add ] since he’s been making sure everyone comes to his game. I guess everyone got the message via phone. 

“Lizzie! Rhi! You guys better be supporting me at my game. It’s the finals. My basketball finals,” Eric declared, eyeing both me and his sister.

He looked up from his bag as he finished packing his sports bag with his basketball gear. “Of course, of course! We’re gonna be there!” Lizzie said.

The car ride felt like forever since Eric’s been telling us to watch the game for the hundredth time.

Basketball. Every guy (and girl) loves to play as a sport [ if you do play it ]. I’ve always played basketball with my big brothers all the time growing up. I know the game, the rules and how to play it. Yes, I keep up with NBA since the whole family does. We watch it all the time just for the fun of it. We have popcorn and scream at the TV. Who doesn’t? 

Funny thing happened. We got sick of Eric rambling on about the basketball we decided to out our iPod ear phones in at the exact time. Zoning out. Finally we arrived at the courts. Eric looking good in everything as always. Him in his basketball uniform, hair all messed up with his black hair fallen over his right eye.

I laughed at his clumsiness, since I’m the clumsy one but as he got out the car he tripped on his basketball shoe laces. That morning, I didn’t to go but I ended up going for the sake of it. I only had to look at my reflection in the window to know why. Sure, there was nothing wrong. I wouldn’t say that I had any plans today but I just went with the flow. Quite the reverse, I might even venture to say that I could get out of the house — enjoy watching my cousin Eric’s game and cheer on his team. I, on the other hand, thought I should call Jason or Erick to come watch as I came back to reality after Mark, Erick’s little brother put his hands on my eyes to surprise me and I smiled. Still, his brother and I are on the mending/healing process of our friendship. What’s left of it to be exact?

A whole crowd was there. Hanging out outside the gates of the court from all over, hoping to catch a glimpse of the basketball team, especially the girls of course. I guess you can say Eric and his team were cute and stuff since they’re tank and popular with girls. Jason and Erick took off their hoodies revealing Eric’s basketball team. “Mark, Erick. What are you guys doing?” I yelled out and tried to run after them till Mark grabbed my wrist pulling me back. 

I turned to him, worried. “Why? He has a sprained ankle. He can’t play”

“Ate it’s okay. He’s a tough guy and you him too well not to know” he said calmly.

We laughed as hard as we gave each other a high five. And while waiting for the game to start, I thought, maybe there really isn’t any reason to stress. Sure, I didn’t get worried about Erick since his ankle is still healing. I made sure nothing bad happened. Sure, I’m like that. I worry about everyone. Sure, that the other team doesn’t start a fight or anything really. I realized that they’ll be okay and the game will be one the day to remember.

I barely finished that train of thought before I heard a boy behind me say, “Rhian! We won.”

“You won?”

And I turned to look.

Sincerely,

Rhian

So today is an okay day night till this afternoon, so thanks to Steven and Jaycee who I saw today since they made my day. They’re so nice buying cake fro my mom’s birthday (well Steven did). That’s so sweet of him to do that and of course Jaycee too. I keep staring at Steven’s necklace from time to time while I talk to him as we all walk around. I’m glad he’s wearing that necklace with the ring on it. It means a lot to me and that he’d promise to wear it. It’s just a simple silver ring and not over the top. Jaycee, I promise to give you your present and I know it’s taking a while but yeah I’m still going to give it to you, promise. As we arrived at home, dad dropped of me and mom by the house while he picks up family at the airport. I decided to change into my hoodie, oversized shirt and trackys since that’s the clothes I feel comfortable with. After changing I decided to open my Macbook to go on Tumblr, MSN and iTunes. A knock on my door startled me and it was Colin with his older brothers Edison and Brendan who I was so happy too since this morning. They knew I was feeling better since they could see me smiling and they gave me a hug just in case. They wore similar to what I was wearing just different colours *laughs* Walking down the stairs as Edison put his arm around my shoulders making sure I’m okay. That’s so nice of him and the others too. Family is the one of the most prized possessions that I keep. Walking through the hallway I see so many familiar faces of my family members both from Hong Kong and the Philippines on this very day for a loved one. I greeted them all one by one. I got to see my cousins from overseas again since I see them once or twice a year, ever year. Some of my family couldn’t make it because of work or university. It was really nice seeing them all here, well most of them. The thought that counts right? All my cousins are in my room watching Boys Over Flowers, the Korean version of course with me on the TV. It’s so intense to watch since it’s the 54th episode we’re watching at the moment.

Sincerely,

Rhian

We were cracking up because we looked so ridiculous: Jason, in his poreotics shirt with a red zipped up hoodie, black jeans, black lace-up vans; me, a hello kitty hoodie with a jacket over it with skinny black jeans paired with black vans; both of us ending up turning red after so much laughter.

Then Jason texted me, “rhian jaye (: take care and see you soon. it was a blast” I bit my lip, feeling myself blush to the roots of my hair. He was talking about that day — in the city — when I looked like a little kid eating pocky sticks. I had some left over from our outting.

What a long day it has been. City was pretty much fun today. Counting the days to Urban Funk this month and Tic Tic Tour in October. Thanks to Anthony and Steven the two awesome promoters. So I got VIP tickets for Urban Funk and Gold tickets for TicTic Tour.

The problem is that how can I pay for Steven when he’s busy with school stuff. I already paid for the ones by Anthony since I went to his house on last night webcaming with Raych from America [ she lives in California now, man I miss her so much ]

He chuckled, “remember all them times at the dance studio dancing to Falling Out choree” he said. “Or the way you looked serious all the time,” he added.

I quickly ran down the list in my head: Funny. Friendly. Nice. Pro dancer. Cute beyond words. Killer smile. Riveting eyes. Great skin. Tall. Broad shoulders. Unbelievably long lashes. Athletic build. Dazzling personality. Sense-of-humour. Pretty good taste in shoes. That’s four words and twelve phrases. I could go on.

I nodded. “Wish I dance like him since he’s been dancing for so many years now,” I said before thinking. He was quiet for a while, and I turned what I just said over and over in my head, regretting I said it, certain he’d think I was styling. He sat up excitedly, “Dancing’s fun because it’s easy. I can even teach you more moves one time, when we’re both free.” We laughed, I soared. “Dance is easy for you Anthony,” and he gestured as if he did that thing with his foot the skidding move  [ I forgot what it’s called ] “And when I teach you more moves, just don’t let me get by you.” “I seriously doubt that that’s possible,” I said in mock seriousness, “as you can very well see, I’m the one learning from the pro.”

“You’re being too humble. I’ve seen your fancy footwork.” I must’ve looked at him in disbelief because he added, “I’ve passed by the gym on one of your practices. I remember telling my friends there’s more to you than meet the eye,” he said softly. I just sat there, dumbfounded.

“Wanna go get a drink?” he followed up after a while. I nodded, relieved we had something to do that would give me a breather from thinking of one witty comeback after another. We stood up at the same time, Anthony and I went to the pantry to look for some food. Guess what? We found a pantry full of goodies.

As we slowly made our way out of the pantry, Lisa and William were right behind us, “This is what you guys get up to.” I could’ve sworn he said, “You and my bro are inseparable” although why I thought he said that will always be beyond me. “You. Me. Theatre room. Wii. Let’s dance ?” William asked, surprised we had that in common. “I’m gonna beat you bro” I declared. He glanced at me, brows furrowed with a quizzical look, and it dawned on me that he had said something else completely. I looked away and cringed thinking he was probably insulted. “Never mind.” I said, almost whispering.

Theatre room. The place that their parents loved to hang out. A hang out for adults most likely. We Lisa loaded the disk and waited for a short while. Since William [ I call him Liam and only me *yay* ] is the oldest he chose a song. Unbelievable. ‘Can’t Touch This’. Why? Anyways we danced and danced. It was a close round. He was beating me so I put all my effort into it. Danced crazily. In the end I won the game. Hands down.

His hand on my shoulder telling me that I was a good competitor. I pretty much jumped up and down along with Lisa. “Don’t rub it in Rhi” he said shaking his head. “Sorry Liam.” I smiled. With that he hugged me. “Good game” he whispered. 

And I wished we could play more games like Mario Kart but I had to go home since Dad was here to pick me up.