Krist starred when Singto was talking. He smiled when their eyes met and he felt his heart jumped. He was still trying to keep his heart from bursting because of a few encounters they had in the court before. It didn't help when they had to work together as Singto was giving them a brief explanation on some of the skills he managed to create during his time with the national team. To be honest, Krist wasn't the type to fall in love that easily. He did not even have any interest in guys before so why does seeing Singto makes his heart jumps? Krist prefers to call it as admiration. Maybe it was because Singto is a basketball prodigy and Krist loves basketball. Maybe Krist was just admiring Singto because of his skills and talents in the game they both love. Maybe Krist wanted to learn a thing or two from Singto so that he would get into the national team too. After all it was his dream. Yeah Krist was positive that that was the reasons. What more reasons could it have if he always feel excited seeing Singto around everytime they bumps into each other in the hallway when Singto was going to the office to meet his father? Or when Singto was just waiting outside the car waiting for his father to finish work?

"Krist!"

Krist was surprised at the loud voice. He was so caught up with this thoughts that he didn't hear the coach calling his name.

"Yes coach?"

"You wanna say anything?" the coach repeated his questions. Krist blinked a few times before shaking his head. He wasn't even paying attention, how would he even say anything? He grinned sheepishly and bit his lips in embarrassment. He felt eyes looking at him and he knows it was Singto's so he didn't even plan to look up to the eyes as he was embarrass enough.

A few other words from the coach and the practice for today ended. As Krist was collecting his stuffs, he felt someone standing besides him.

"You okay?" he turned to his side and saw Singto who was searching for something in his bag beside Krist. Krist was startled but he nodded after a few seconds.

"Yeah.. Sorry I was just thinking about my grandma at home. I wonder if she had her dinner yet." he replied without thinking.

Sorry grandma. He apologised in his head. He was afraid that Singto would catch his lie but he was relieved when the latter just nodded as his statement. They didn't say anything to the other after that so that kind of saved Krist from further embarrassment. Singto pulled his bag straps and was on his way to leave the gym when his father called him and they left the gym together after bidding goodbye to Krist who decided to stay in the gym to work out some free throws. Krist watched as the retreating back of the two people vanished behind the door and he starts dribbling the ball again.

*******

It was pouring rain when Krist stepped out of the shower. He looked at the window from the locker room.

Oh darn it! He curses.

It was a bad decision not to bring the bike to school today. Blame the weather forecast for telling him that it was gonna be a dry day. Krist changed into his fresh pair of clothes as he thought of the way to get his ass back home. He was thinking about just staying in until the rain stops when he heard footsteps nearing the locker room. He frowns as he thought no one was supposed to be there at that hour since the school was over and it was almost 8 o'clock. His heart beats faster than a bullet train. He was always a scaredy cat since he was a little boy so this kind of encounters can easily make his heart drops. Weird how he could manage to stay behind after everyone left the school everyday. His passion in basketball is really something.

As he was tiptoeing to see who it was, all the lights were off. Suddenly everything was dark.

Fuck my life....

A lot of weird thoughts came into his mind all at once and he was trying so hard not to tremble in fear. He sat at one of the corners and just waited silently until the footsteps he was hearing fade away. Thanks to his unlucky ass, the footsteps was louder indicating that it was nearing him. Krist clasped his hands together and prayed to god that he would survive this night. He started to apologise to his grandma, his mother, his father, the coach, the team, his siblings for all the wrongs he had done to them before.

"Hello?"

The voice. Oh no, please stop. He prayed harder so that the voice would go away.

"Krist?"

The ghost knows his name? Well, thats not weird, its a ghost, of course it will know his name. But still...

"Krist??"

That voice. That oh so familiar voice. He recognise that voice. Krist opened his eyes slowly and lifter his head to look at the person as he felt warmth in front of him.

"What are you still doing here? I thought you went back already." Krist quickly stood up when the person offers his hands to help him up.

"I just finished practice. I was having fun playing alone. I guess I just lost track of time. I wanted to go back but I didn't bring my bike today and well..." he looked at the window way up the gym's ceiling, "... its raining. So I can't go home yet." he paused when the other person nodded understanding his explanation. "What are you doing here? I thought you went back with coach?" he asked.

"Yeah I did.. But dad left his file that he needed to turn in tomorrow. I was going to the convenient store so I thought I'd drop by to collect it." he said gesturing to the blue file he was holding in his hands. Then there was an awkward silence between them.

"You want a ride home?" Krist looked at Singto, surprised at the offer.

"I don't wanna be a bother." Krist said eventhough his heart was about to burst out.

"Ah Don't worry about it. We're going the same way anyways. Its fine. Really." Singto said and after a few moment of hesitation, Krist accepted the offer.

One thing he learned about Singto is that he wasn't much of a talker. The whole ride was only filled with the radio dj talking about the unexpected weather and some other things that Krist couldn't really get into his big head as he was only trying to calm his weak heart the whole ride. They arrived at his house 15 minutes later and Krist thanked Singto before entering his house. He waved to Singto and watched the car drove away swallowed into the dark of the night.