Part 8: SPORTS FESTIVAL AND THE ONE WHO RUINED MY LIFE

**Scene: The Sports Festival Grounds**

The sun shone brightly over the school’s sports field, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement as students gathered for the annual sports festival. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy filled the air. The principal stood at the podium, ready to kick off the event.

“Welcome, everyone, to this year’s sports festival!” he announced, his voice carrying across the crowd. “Today, we celebrate camaraderie, sportsmanship, and the spirit of teamwork. Remember, it’s not just about winning; it’s about enjoying the journey together!”

**The Soccer Field**

The atmosphere was electric as students filled the stands for the soccer match between sections 2-A and 2-B. Excitement buzzed in the air, especially since Jake had his sights set on revenge for the embarrassment he felt during the basketball game.

As the whistle blew, the game kicked off with intense energy. Jake was determined to prove himself and took every chance to challenge Roy, who gracefully maneuvered across the field with an impressive skill that left the crowd in awe.

Lily stood on the sidelines, cheering enthusiastically for Roy. “You got this, Roy! Show them what you’ve got!” Her voice rang out, and Roy flashed her a confident smile, feeling buoyed by her support.

During a crucial moment in the game, as Roy dribbled the ball past several defenders, he glanced over at Lily. Inspired, he blew her a playful kiss. The crowd erupted into laughter and teasing cheers directed at Lily, who blushed and smiled, clearly flattered by the gesture.

“Look at that!” someone shouted, pointing. “Roy’s got skills and charm!”

As the teasing continued, Roy felt a rush of joy, feeding off the crowd’s energy. He deftly maneuvered around Jake, who was desperate to reclaim some pride but found himself outmatched. With a swift move, Roy scored a beautiful goal, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

While everyone celebrated, Danielle watched from the sidelines, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She felt a pang of sadness seeing Roy so effortlessly connect with Lily, yet the pain that once consumed her began to fade into something more manageable.

“I’m happy for them,” she told Max, who stood beside her, still caught up in the excitement of the game. “I just want to be friends with him again, like we used to be.”

Max nodded, sensing the turmoil beneath her calm exterior. “You can still be friends, you know. It might take time, but you don’t have to lose him just because he’s with someone else.”

Danielle sighed, watching as Roy celebrated with his teammates. “I know. It just feels complicated now. I miss the simplicity of our friendship before all this.”

As the game continued, Roy remained focused, his joy radiating from him. Despite the competitive tension, he seemed unfazed by Jake’s attempts to outdo him. The match culminated with a final score that further humiliated Jake, sealing Roy’s reputation as a soccer prodigy.

The crowd roared, and as the players left the field, Roy sought out Lily, who rushed to congratulate him. In that moment, Danielle felt a mix of longing and acceptance. She yearned for the old days but realized that even if things had changed, she could still strive for a friendship with Roy, one built on understanding and support, free from the complications of romance.

As she watched them, the pang in her heart dulled, replaced by a resolve to reconnect with Roy in whatever way she could, hoping to rediscover the bond they once shared.

Cheers erupted from the students, their enthusiasm palpable. As the principal concluded his speech, he quoted, “Sports do not build character; they reveal it.” The crowd roared in agreement, ready for the competitions ahead.

Danielle, sitting with Max and their classmates in section 2-A, scanned the field for familiar faces. Her heart raced as she spotted Roy warming up with Lily in section 2-B. They looked confident and in sync, ready to take on the competition.

“Look at them,” Max said, gesturing toward the 2-B team. “I bet they think they’re unstoppable.”

“Roy’s good at sports, you know,” Danielle replied, trying to sound indifferent, but she felt a twinge of pride. “He works hard.”

The basketball game began, the boys from 2-A facing off against 2-B. The tension built as the whistle blew, and the players darted into action. Roy showcased surprising agility, dribbling the ball with finesse and skill that belied his nerdy reputation.

As the game progressed, it became clear that Roy was a force to be reckoned with. With an impressive ankle breaker, he spun past Jake, leaving him stumbling in disbelief as Roy made the shot. The crowd erupted in cheers as the score climbed to 60-40, sealing the win for 2-B.

After the game, the players gathered to congratulate each other. Danielle felt a rush of nervous energy as she made her way toward Roy. This was the first time they had the chance to speak without the weight of their previous distance looming over them.

“Hey, Roy!” she called out, her heart pounding.

“Danielle!” He turned, surprise lighting up his face. “Thanks for coming to watch!”

“You were amazing out there!” she said, genuinely impressed. “I can’t believe you just broke Jake’s ankles like that.”

Roy laughed, a sound that felt both familiar and comforting. “Yeah, I guess I surprised myself. It’s been a while since I played like that.”

They stood for a moment, a sense of ease settling between them. “I’m really glad to see you back,” he continued, his eyes softening. “It feels like it’s been ages since we’ve talked like this.”

“It really has,” Danielle replied, her voice almost a whisper. “I’ve missed our conversations. I was worried things would never go back to normal.”

“Me too,” Roy admitted, his smile genuine. “But it’s nice to see you again, to just… be us.”

In that brief exchange, something shifted. The distance that had grown between them felt a little less daunting, as if they could finally begin to bridge the gap. The moment was simple but profound, and Danielle felt a sense of hope blossom in her chest.

As the celebrations continued around them, she realized that perhaps this was the start of something new—an opportunity to reconnect and rediscover the bond they once shared.

**The Cheerleading Competition**

The atmosphere in the gym was electric as students gathered for the annual cheerleading competition. Colorful pom-poms, bright uniforms, and enthusiastic chants filled the air, creating an exciting buzz. Both section 2-A and 2-B had been practicing tirelessly, and the day had finally arrived to showcase their hard work.

Danielle and her team from 2-A took the stage first. With synchronized movements, high-energy chants, and impressive stunts, they dazzled the audience. Danielle led the routine, her confidence shining through as she executed each move flawlessly. The crowd erupted with cheers, and she could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Following their performance, it was 2-B’s turn. Lily and her teammates burst onto the floor, radiating energy and enthusiasm. Their routine was equally impressive, with intricate formations and powerful chants that had the audience on their feet. Danielle felt a sense of pride watching Lily shine, even amidst the competition.

After both performances, the tension in the gym was palpable as the judges deliberated. Finally, the announcer stepped up to the microphone. “And the winner of this year’s cheerleading competition is… section 2-A!”

The crowd erupted into applause as Danielle’s heart soared. She couldn’t believe it; all their hard work had paid off!

Max rushed to her side, sweeping her into a tight hug. “You did it, Danielle! You were amazing!”

“Thanks, Max! I can’t believe we won!” she exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.

As the cheers continued, Danielle noticed Roy making his way through the crowd toward Lily, who looked momentarily crestfallen but was still smiling for her team. He embraced her gently, offering comfort. “You did great out there, Lily. I’m proud of you.”

“Thanks, Roy,” she replied, her smile returning as he pulled back to look at her. “I really enjoyed performing with everyone.”

Danielle watched the two, feeling a sense of bittersweet joy. She was happy for her win but also grateful for the camaraderie among them all. It was a reminder that they could still support one another, even amid competition.

As the celebrations continued, Danielle felt a wave of warmth wash over her. This moment, surrounded by friends and the spirit of teamwork, was what she had longed for. She resolved to embrace this feeling and nurture the friendships that mattered most, hoping to keep the lines of communication open with Roy and Lily as they all moved forward.

** The Restaurant**

Roy stood outside the restaurant, his heart racing as he recalled the text from his father. It felt surreal to be meeting him after all this time. He had always imagined this moment, but never like this—never with a sense of dread creeping into his thoughts.

As he stepped inside, he spotted his father sitting at a corner table, looking out of place amidst the bustling crowd. The moment their eyes met, his father’s expression shifted from surprise to a forced smile.

“Roy! You’ve grown up,” he said, feigning enthusiasm. “You’re looking good, son.”

Roy felt a knot in his stomach. “What do you want?”

“Let’s talk,” his father replied, waving him to sit down. “I’ve missed you. It’s time for us to reconnect. I want you to be part of my life again.”

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. “You want me to just forget everything? The way you left?” Roy shot back, his voice cold.

His father leaned back, his demeanor shifting to one of arrogance. “You don’t understand, Roy. Your mother was boring and plain. She took my life away. You could have a better life with me. Just think about it.”

Something inside Roy snapped at those words. Anger bubbled to the surface, and he couldn’t contain it any longer. “Don’t talk about her like that!” he shouted, his fists clenching.

His father shrugged dismissively, smirking. “What’s so special about her anyway? She’s the reason I left. She’s the boring part of your life.”

With a surge of fury, Roy stood up, leaning over the table. In a swift motion, he punched his father square in the face, feeling the satisfying crunch of bone as he broke his nose. Blood splattered, and chaos erupted in the restaurant.

As his father reeled back, Roy felt a rush of adrenaline. “You’re not my father! You lost that right the moment you walked out on us!” he yelled, fueled by years of pent-up frustration.

Roy’s father grabbed for him, and in a flash of instinct, Roy retaliated, breaking his father’s arm with a swift motion. The ruckus drew attention, and within moments, the restaurant staff rushed to intervene.

**Police Station**

Later, Roy found himself sitting in a holding cell, the reality of his actions crashing down on him. The adrenaline faded, replaced by a heavy weight of regret. He could hear murmurs from the officers outside, and he buried his head in his hands.

After what felt like an eternity, his uncle arrived, looking worried and angry. “Roy, what were you thinking?” he exclaimed, shaking his head as he stepped closer.

“I couldn’t let him talk about Mom like that,” Roy replied, his voice shaky. “He’s always made me feel like I’m nothing because of her. I just snapped.”

His uncle sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I get it. But fighting him like that won’t solve anything. You have to find a better way to deal with this anger. You can’t let him control your emotions.”

“I just wanted him to understand how much he hurt us,” Roy said, frustration bubbling in his chest. “He thinks he can just waltz back into my life and act like nothing happened!”

“Listen,” his uncle said firmly. “You have to let go of that anger, Roy. It’s only going to drag you down. You need to focus on your life now, not on someone who clearly doesn’t deserve a place in it.”

Roy nodded, tears stinging his eyes. “I know. I just feel so lost.”

“Then let’s work through this together. You’ve come so far, and I believe in you. But you have to channel that anger into something positive, not destructive.”

As his uncle spoke, Roy felt a flicker of hope amidst the turmoil. Perhaps this was the turning point he needed—a chance to reclaim his life and move forward, not just for himself but for his mother, too.

Chapter end