HAYWOOD'S POV

I lost track of time.

Spent the longest time staring at the ceiling of the Choc Lodge. Staring, but not really seeing. I can't even remember what was on that ceiling, or what color it was. All I could feel was my head throbbing from too much crying, and yet as much as it hurt, the tears were uncontrollable. I even tried to lean my head off the edge of the bed so that the tears would back flow into my eyes. But they simply flowed down the temples of my head and into my hair. Pretty bad move as all the blood rushed to my head and made it much harder to breathe.

"You look ridiculous." Jae Hee had commented. "And frankly a little scary. A bit like the kind of ghost that appears in Korean horror movies. Now lie down properly." 

Why, why or why.

Why did I have to be so rash.

Why, why or why.

Why did it end in a crash.

I tried so hard over these years to open the door to his heart.

Ironically, the door to the Choc Lodge burst open at that instant.

"HAYWOOODDD???"

Tasha.

"ARE YOU OKAYYY? COME HERE YOU." I felt her envelope me in a tight embrace. I didn't respond. Just couldn't muster enough strength to reassure her and tell her I'm okay.

Probably because I really am not okay. And won't be for quite some time.

"I hate seeing you like this." Tasha's voice quivered.

Poor Tasha. But I just don't have enough capacity in my heart or bandwidth in my brain to care about her now.

"I have to return to the orientation group. Remember to bring her for the school activities fair soon. Some of the clubs are holding interviews and trials." Jae Hee instructed Tasha before leaving the Choc Lodge.

It hit me like a sledgehammer to the head.

I don't want to join band or CSC. In case Tyler joins either. I need something completely new. Anything. I'll join swimming and drown trying if I have to.

"Tasha? Let's go to the fair." I grabbed her and ran to the Great Hall.

==

I went for the floorball trials. It was Chad's idea. ("You'll be so cool Haywood! You'll have a stick longer than most guys!" To which Tim said, "What do you mean by MOST guys? Who's got a stick that's longer than 90cm? Who've you been hanging out with man?") He was so enthused about the idea he signed me up.

The trials were a little nerve wrecking considering I've not done much exercise other than chasing after the bus or chasing after cute dogs (or cute boys for that matter) my whole life. Got outstripped by some girl whose stride length is twice of mine during the sprints. But I wrecked some other girl during the pushing exercise so I got that going for me, which was nice. Retrospectively I feel quite bad for getting hyper competitive during that segment. I used her as an outlet to relieve all that pent up anger and sadness within me. And I did feel better.

I realise I forgot about Tyler when I stepped in the floorball court. I suppose I was just too busy chasing the ball and shoving everyone else out of the way.

Guess what?

I made it in.

New Haywood, here I come.

==
Ma isn't pleased to hear I joined floorball.

"What if you get injured? Huh? It's a contact sport. Why couldn't you have gone for badminton? Or astrology club?" She nags. "And what happened to band? That flute cost me $1500! Now it's just gonna sit there and collect dust..."

This is gonna take a while.

"Now you say you're only going to come home late from training three times a week? This is unacceptable. Do you even have enough time for your studies?"

A longggggg while.

"Thought you had enough sense to make the right decisions now that you're 17. I have half a mind to relook at that contract..."

A pang of guilt smacks me right in the gut when she mentions the contract.

Number 4 is no dishonor to the family... Number 5 is say no to every guy who chases you... Technically I haven't broken any rules considering I was the one doing the chasing.

"You march right up to that coach of yours and tell him you're quitting."

I really don't want to see Tyler any time soon.

"No." I say defiantly.

Ma looks taken aback. I can't recall the last time I've said no to her. Apparently neither can she.

"Roger? Back me up here!" Ma looks to Dad for support.

This is a tense moment. If Dad backs Ma up, I might as well be calling Coach Landon to tell him I quit right now. I just don't think I'd be able to stand them nagging me together day in day out. Dad sighs and puts down the newspapers he'd been trying to hide behind, rubs his forehead with the palm of his hand before he clears his throat. He wants no part in this argument.

"Ambrose?"

"Roger, quick, tell Mei she can't ruin her future by joining some silly sport that'll take so much time away from her studies."

"Ambrose, calm down."

Dad's voice is deep and slow. He's approaching her as cautiously as he would a sleeping tiger. One wrong move and it's Mr. Couch for the week. Maybe two weeks, seeing how worked up Ma is.

"Ambrose? Let's just take this as an opportunity for Mei to explore her interests. She's 17, almost an adult, and perhaps it's time for her to start making her own decisions and shoulder the consequences of her actions like every responsible human being. Still, I don't think there's much to worry about. She has a great academic track record, I'm sure she will manage fine. I used to play basketball competitively in high school and look, I made it to Harvard medical school didn't I? In fact, basketball was what caught your attention in the first place, remember?"

Dayum Dad, well-played.

Silence ensues.

"I'm watching you closely young lady." Ma finally manages. "One B for your mid-terms and you're out."

As I lie in bed, I can't help but feel that the day has been extremely long and surreal. Things have changed so drastically in the span of one day. The sadness I've been suppressing since the floorball trials implodes and leaks onto my pillow in the form of tears.

Why doesn't Tyler like me?

Maybe it's my plain looks.

Maybe it's my tiny breasts.

Maybe it's the way I dress.

Maybe it's the way I talk.

Imma have to work on the image and the flirting before I approach Tyler again.

Imma show him a different me.

...

Imma need some poor souls to practice on.

Or maybe... I should replace him.

I'm soon engulfed by sleep.

***
This chapter mainly summarizes what happened on Haywood's end!

More updates coming up soon!!