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