Chapter 13: Cold Ice Cream
Cheers of victory echoed loudly around the concrete court as soon as the final whistle blew. The scoreboard showed a decisive win for 11th-Grade Science 2 over 12th-Grade Social Studies 1. Kevin wiped the sweat from his neck with his basketball jersey, breathing a sigh of relief as he stood with his hands on his hips.
"We won, guys!" Dimas shouted, enthusiastically high-fiving Aris.
Nayla walked over to the team with a wide smile on her face. "Great game, everyone! Congratulations!"
Kevin immediately struck a ridiculously cool pose, straightening his back. "Well, Nay? My strategy as Captain was awesome, right? This victory was specially dedicated to making our Class President happy."
Nayla gave a soft chuckle and briefly patted Kevin on the shoulder. "Yeah, good work, Captain. But today's real star was obviously our striker."
Nayla walked right past Kevin and headed toward Rey, who was sitting at the edge of the court with an ice pack pressed against his shoulder.
"Rey, this is for you," Nayla said warmly, handing him a fresh cup of cold chocolate ice cream. "A little appreciation gift for hanging in there after getting elbowed earlier."
Rey looked up and gave her a faint smile. "Thanks, Nay. Perfect timing with it being this hot."
"You're welcome. Go on, eat it. It'll help with those sore muscles," Nayla replied sweetly.
Kevin, watching the scene from two steps away, immediately widened his eyes. The heat in his chest suddenly burned even more fiercely than the blazing midday sun. He hurried over to the two of them.
"Whoa, Nay? How come Rey's the only one who got some?" Kevin complained indignantly. "I'm the Captain who scored the most points! Am I really not getting anything?"
Nayla turned toward him casually. "Well, didn't you say you were only playing for class pride?"
"Yeah, but I'm still thirsty, tired, and in need of appreciation!" Kevin rambled defensively. "Why does the new kid get something and not me?!"
"I only bought one, Vin," Nayla replied without a care. "If you want some, buy your own from the cafeteria over there."
"That's so unfair!" Kevin muttered irritably, then shot a sharp look at Rey, who was starting to enjoy his first spoonful of ice cream.
Rey glanced back at Kevin with a mischievous look. "Want some, Captain?"
"No! Who would stoop to begging you for some?!" Kevin quickly refused, crossing his arms over his chest.
"You sure you don't want any?" Rey teased again, scooping up some ice cream and lifting it slightly into the air. "It's cold, you know. Might help cool down those emotions of yours that have been blowing up all this time."
Dimas and Aris, having just finished drinking their bottled water, came over to the bleachers.
"What's all the commotion about?" Dimas asked curiously.
"The Captain's jealous because he didn't get any ice cream from the Class President," Aris remarked flatly, without a hint of expression.
"Who's jealous?!" Kevin snapped instantly, his face turning bright red. "Aris, you really just say whatever pops into your head!"
"My observation accuracy is ninety-nine percent, Vin," Aris replied casually, taking another sip of water.
"I'm just hungry! Not jealous!" Kevin insisted.
Rey chuckled softly at Kevin's panicked reaction. Then he stood, took his cup of ice cream, and walked over to Kevin.
"Fine, you can have this," Rey said, holding the cup out in front of Kevin's chest.
Kevin frowned, looking back and forth between the spoon and the cup of ice cream. "What is this? Are you making fun of me?"
"I'm not making fun of you," Rey said calmly. "My shoulder starts aching if I hold the spoon for too long. Better than letting it go to waste. You eat it."
"I don't want your le— I mean, you've already eaten part of it with that spoon!" Kevin stammered.
"I haven't touched the right side yet," Rey replied, pointing to the untouched portion of the ice cream. "Or... is the Captain afraid of germs?"
"Who's afraid?!" Kevin shot back, his pride going into overdrive.
Without thinking twice, Kevin snatched the cup of ice cream from Rey's hand and grabbed a new spoon from Nayla's plastic bag. He scooped up the ice cream roughly and devoured it in one huge bite.
"Good?" Rey asked with a faint smile.
"It's nothing special! Way too much sugar!" Kevin lied, even as he chewed it enthusiastically.
Nayla and Maya could only shake their heads at the antics of the two boys in front of them.
"Kevin is so weird," Maya whispered to Nayla. "He was going nuts when Rey got shoved by the opposing player, and now they're fighting over ice cream."
"Just let them be, May. It's cute watching them get along, right?" Nayla giggled softly.
"I'm not getting along with him!" Kevin cut in firmly, as if he had heard their whispering. "I'm just saving food from someone who can't finish it!"
"Yeah, whatever, Vin," Rey replied casually, patting Kevin on the shoulder. "Thanks for helping me finish it."
Kevin froze for a moment when Rey's palm touched his shoulder, then snorted roughly and turned his face away. "Whatever. I'm going to change!"
Kevin hurried off the concrete court toward the locker room, leaving his friends laughing at the sight of their basketball Captain's flustered back.