SLAM-DUNK LOVE

"Treize!" I giggled as he splashed water onto my face. He laughed. We were in the Peacecraft mansion, having fun in the pool. I'm having fun with my boyfriend.

My closest friends, Sally and Noin seem to be having enough fun themselves. Well, especially Noin because she's with Milliard. As always.

It was so fun to have the one you love with you most of the time…An older guy works for me cos I feel secured. But it wasn't like this way back then. It all started like this…:

I entered the gym together with Sally and Lucrezia, my closest buds. We all belong to the cream class. We are all fourth year high school students. As we walked towards the bleachers, I noticed two familiar guys standing with their back at us---seemed to be planning about something, I don't know.

"Mill!" Lucrezia called as she ran towards them. Oh, yes. Of course, our classmate, the richest guy in the school, and most probably in the city, Milliard Peacecraft. He turned his head and smiled as he saw her approach him. He slid his arms around her waist and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. Obviously known to whole academy, she was his best friend. His fiancee to be more exact of their relationship. Quite young, but they had made a pact. Sally and I use to think it sweet, well yeah, up to now.

It was only when he turned that I noticed who his companion was. His closest childhood friend, Treize Khushrenada…I felt my cheek blush red at the sight of him. I had an instant crush on him when I first saw him during Relena's---Milliard's sister---party. He was like four years older, which meant that he's in college, but my high admiration never faltered.

Milliard then pulled Lucrezia to sit on his lap as Treize patted her shoulder, telling her how lucky she is to have him. She laughed softly in response and wrapped her arms around Milliard's neck. And I envy her for being able to get close to Treize since Treize is her bf's friend. They'd like, ruffle each other's hair, give each other playful jabs and stuff. Call each other names…And I'd just let out a small sigh for myself. I shook my head. We were not in the gym to go flirting, anyway. We were there to have our basketball practice. The three of us are members of the women's basketball team, and we are the best you would find in any school. Especially, Lucrezia.

She's our captain, the ultimate athlete. The ultimate honor student. And I admire her. She could pass any tests, she is the fastest and most graceful swimmer and runner, the highest- ranking cadet official, the tallest and prettiest among all fourth year students, and she is close to perfect. The smartest, too. The top---no one could ever beat her to the top. No one in everything. Well, Milliard could. They'd give each other chances, especially Lucrezia---she'd let Milliard be the first. Heck, she'd let anyone be the first! But she is the most kind and grounded person you'd ever meet. Always there to lend a hand…or a shoulder for you to cry on. She's so good, she'd even allow you to make a punching bag of her whenever you feel outraged. Well, of course, no body had done that to her. Nobody dared.

"So, what are you two losers doing here?" she asked, jokingly. "Nothing. Just hanging out. Waiting for you girls to assemble so we could start with the practice." Treize replied with a plain, obnoxious grin. I looked around. "Why?" I asked quizzically, noticing the absence of our coach as I approached them, with Sally following. Treize waved a hand and sighed. "Your coach would be out for a couple of months to handle some pretty serious job in his hometown." He replied. I nodded. Well, at least I got to talk to him.

"Did he say anything before he left?" Lucrezia asked, concerned. "Nope. He just told us to start practising for the upcoming Victoria Inter-School Tournament. For Valentine's Day." Milliard replied. "And he had to leave? Can't take that." Sally muttered, leaning back on the steps. "Unfair." Treize agreed.

We waited for a few more minutes for the remaining five team mates of ours. The two lovebirds cuddled each other, while Sally and I read notes. Treize just went on, telling us about his college life. Sally kept on rolling her eyes while I just sat there, listening to him---It was quite interesting, his story. "Treize," Milliard called. Treize gave a "Huh?" and turned his head only when Milliard asked him if he already had a date for Valentine's Day. "Um, no." Treize replied, deadpanned "Got any recommendations? I'm so in need." He added with a smirk.

I had just wanted to stand up and tell him that I could go with him and then, well, build up a relationship or something…Dream on! Why would a college sophomore like him be interested in me? Well, I just hope so…

"I don't know." Milliard said in a soft reply. "But good for me I wasn't you." he added mockingly as he kissed the tip of Lucrezia's smooth shoulders. She giggled. "I won't go with you." she quipped. "Oh, yeah. Let's just see about that." Milliard laughed, tugging on her tanktop. "Shit!" she cried, backing up from him.

"Cut it out!" Lucrezia yelled, clutching her top as she struggled to push him away. Treize laughed. Sally and I decided that it was funny, too, and started laughing. But we didn't do anything. We just sat there on the bleachers, minding our own business. The couple had composed themselves after a long while. Lucrezia brushed away stray strands of her short ebony hair from her face, and went, "I thought you'd never let go." Milliard laughed, "I wouldn't." And went back to teasing each other.

I envied them for being that way. She always tell me that I'd find that special someone I'm waiting for…Of course, she knows that I only like Treize. Sighing, I turned to look at Treize who was reading a digest. He's so everything I want in a guy, I thought. If only he'd see…

"Une!" he suddenly called out. Even though my back's turned, I knew it was him. I always do. I turned in a hurry to meet his smiling face. He said, "I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I think you should call the others." He said. My heart immediately raced, shaky. I could barely reply. "Hey, Une!" Sally nudged me out of it, and I surfaced back to reality. "Oh, yeah! Sure." I got up to my feet and ran outside the gym.

"Nice girl." I heard Treize mutter as I went out. I felt my cheeks go red all of a sudden. Treize…

A minute later, I came back with the rest of the team, who apoligized for being late and stuff because they were busy filling up their activity sheets. Treize, he just smiled and nodded. I felt my mind go soaring into space when I saw his dazzling smile… "Earth to Une, Earth to Une. Hello?" Lucrezia had started whispering into my ear just as I cut off from my observing trance. I slapped my forehead. "Oh, I'm so sorry." I muttered as she laughed and patted my shoulder. I nodded in silent embarrassment.

We were practicing for thirty minutes already when Treize decided for a break. Lucrezia went off for a snack with Milliard. Well, they spent half of their break kissing and the other half for the snack. I thought it was cute. "So, what are you looking at?" Sally asked as she joined me on the bleachers. "Huh? Oh, nothing." I replied confusedly, popping an M&M™ into my mouth.

She laughed. "Really? You were just staring at them." she pointed out to the couple who took turns on the sandwich. I slapped her hand. "No I'm not!" She looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you are! I know how much you want your love life to be like that." she laughed. "Sally!" I hissed. She could be pretty obnoxious at times. "Sally, I believe you're thinking of Wufei even more." I said in innocence, and she started going like, "What? FYI, Wufei's younger than I."

I laughed at her. "But isn't it that you two have, like, this mutual understanding?" I could have sworn I saw her cheeks go on fire when I said that.

"Cut it out, Une!" I heard Lucrezia call out from the upper part of the bleachers. I gave her a oh-come-on look, and she waved her hand in resignation.

I went back to teasing Sally, who wasn't at the very least happy about it. "Oh, come on! Don't tell me you're mad at me." I told her but she just shrugged. I saw Treize make his way up to the steps, and sat beside Lucrezia.

They started a conversation and well, enjoyed it. Treize was like, "Oh, really? As if I don't know that you two are planning about it." And Lucrezia just had to dump a bag of Doritos™ unto his head to silence him. Milliard just chuckled at that.

"I'm surrounded by maniacs!" Lucrezia blurted out and we all started laughing. Treize…I just love those blue eyes…Treize went down and called for another practice, with Lucrezia telling him to find a girlfriend as soon as possible, or she'd get him one herself. I knew just who she's talking about because she looked at me when she said that. Treize just thanked her and told her to do so.

Two days more…

We were on the cafeteria that morning. Having our daily break. Lucrezia had suggested that we eat outside, in the quad, since it's a fine day. We just have to wait for her because she has to make a run to the library. I shook my milk, as usual, and watched enviously as couples went around. True, some guys had tried their luck on me, but there's only one guy I like. Treize. "Hey, you look glum today." Sally quipped as she sipped her mocha milk. I shook my thoughts off and looked at her, askance.

"What?" I asked her confusedly. Sally rolled her eyes and shook her head. Her long strawberry-blonde twists making her look more like a child as she did so. "Are you with me or are you somewhere off in space again?" she said in mere annoyance. I smirked.

"Duh!" was all that came from my mouth. "Duh!" she said back in the same tone as mine. "As if I don't know! You were thinking of Treize!" she half-shouted, and I just have to shut her up before someone else hears her. "Who you talkin' about?" a male voice asked. We turned our gaze to see Milliard sit on an empty seat. "Where's Luc?" I asked him, as he set down his tray of burger and iced tea.

He smiled wryly; no wonder Lucrezia went totally nuts over him. That smile was just too much to take. "She's on her way. She bumped into Professor Oslo and he kept on asking her about the project." He said with a roll of his eyes.

"Hey, guys!" she greeted, settling beside Milliard. He passed his arm around her waist and pulled her close. "How's the conference with the professor?" he asked. Lucrezia stroked his long flaxen hair which was now tied up in a loose knot. "Fine. He was asking if we'd be able to give it by next month just in time for the National Exhibit." She replied, looking at us. "We could start on it after the game." I said, nodding my head. Sally agreed with my idea.

After a while, Treize called for a practice so we don't have to attend our third to fifth period. Goody, so now I could spend loads of time with Treize…In work, though.

We practised, practised…And then break. I spent most of my time looking at him. And as usual, Lucrezia was the star. With both Milliard and Treize cheering out in the bleachers. How I envy her…

"Nice performance, sis!" Treize laughed, patting her cheek. "No doubt we'd be winning." Milliard said proudly, giving her a high-five. "Don't we just love Lucrezia?" Treize laughed, ruffling her short hair. And she just had to slap his hand to quit it. Poor Treize, if he'd ruffle my hair, then I'd let him do it until he gets tired. Pathetic me…

The big day has arrived…!

I went out of the showers just after Lucrezia and the others. "Don't tell me you gave yourself beauty bath or something." Sally had joked as she wore her jersey. Lucrezia laughed. "Beautifying for who?" she asked as if she didn't know. "Shut up." I muttered as I set down my stuffs on the bench. "I'm so excited!" Sally exclaimed as she brushed her strawberry blonde hair and fixing it in her usual twist. How could she do that…?

We went out after some time, and Treize met us in the lobby, giving us last pointers and everything just like what a real coach would do. Milliard and his team joined us in the same spot, with Coach Blanche. He was on the men's basketball team, and also the star player, the captain.

The tournament started at exactly 10:30 , and all the competing teams from different schools were already assembled in the school gym.

We started with the volleyball game. Milliard's sister, Relena was the captain of the women's volleyball team. The Victoria Falcons. Lucrezia's cousin, Hilde Schebecker, who looked as much as her, was the other star player. The two belong to the popular group like the three of us girlfriends, including two of their co-players Cathrine Bloom and Dorothy Catalonia. Now I wonder if their equally popular as the three of us because we were the first ones and the fact that Lucrezia's committed to the richest guy, or is it that they have their own charisma and stuff. Sigh. I just need to get away from these stuffs.

After a heated six-round game, our, I mean, their team won (like always). The next one was the ice hockey game wherein Treize's younger cousin was a member of our Victoria Slashers. Trowa Barton, Cathrine's S.O., considered as the most quiet guy in the school. He has a seven-year-old sister, Mariemaia who I really grew attached to. She was so cute and charming. She could get nasty sometimes, though. Again, we won.

The next game was of Milliard's team. The Victoria Red Comet. Lucrezia had kept on cheering all the while for her dearest like what Sally did during the hockey game for Wufei. And again, we won.

Then, came our turn. The Victoria Tigers. That, I guess, came up only in stronghold when Lucrezia took over. As usual, the crowd cheered, specifically for my dear bestfriend, who was scoring most of the time. We were on the fourth round of a five round game and Blue Ridge was close to catching up. Of course, they had to play rough in order to win. That's exactly what happened. Their point guard, who-cares-what-her-name-is, knocked purposely on Lucrezia! She was curled up in pain, holding on to her ankle which was twisted badly. She didn't cry. Just wincing.

I had the instant reaction to glare up at Milliard who was all in shock. I saw him ran to her side and help her up to the bench. I know, that he had wanted to confront that woman right then and there. He doesn't want Lucrezia to be hurt. But he did called out a foul to the referee who immediately did action.

"Does it hurt that much?" I heard him ask as I approached them. Treize called for a time-out because of the accident. We are so influential. But for the good reasons. She shook her head and bit her lip. "No. I think I'd be fine after some time. Maybe some time after this game" She half- whispered. He took her in his arms, as we waited for a nurse to come for first aid. Luckily, she said that it's only a minor sprain and should be okay in three days. At that, I began to feel Treize's hand upon my shoulder, and I wished that I wasn't blushing or something.

"You're one of the best I've got." I heard him mutter. And I cocked my eyebrows at him and went, "What? Me? But I'm not even Lucrezia's half." He had smiled at that and nudged me. "Une, come on. You can do it. I believe you can. We all do. Now get out there and do it for us." He said, almost pushing me into the court. I bit my lip and turned to Sally. She just smiled at me and mouthed a silent "You're blushing." So I had to shake my head off it. Lucrezia held my wrist. "You can do it. Just believe." She said softly. I looked at her with understanding and concern and she motioned for me to come closer. "I told you so." She giggled into my ear I had to cover it cos it tickles my earlobe.

"Do it, Une." Milliard encouraged, and so did the others. "Well, I guess…" the break had timed off, time for the game again. "Alright! We'd get on with this game even without our captain. Let's show them who's boss around here." Treize said with great determination and confidence. "Une, we're depending on you." he said, as we gave each other low fives. I never felt so much importance in the team but then…

I got to the center of the court, and did as they told me…At first I thought I can never do it, but with the constant encouragement of my team, my best friends…and Treize…I still couldn't I believe I did it. I did it! Although the only difference is one point, it all felt good to win for the team…I immediately ran to Lucrezia, sobbing. I told her how much I appreciate her deed. She just laughed and told me to approach Treize. Milliard had helped her up, holding to her waist. Milliard held my shoulder and told me that I can do just about anything I want…And then they both went out of the gym, leaving me and Treize…behind.

"Happy Valentine's Day! Have a nice date!" I called out to the two who just waved their hands and called out to me saying "Good luck!" I was on the verge of leaving myself when he spoke up. "Nice game back there, Lady." I turned to look at him, "Really? Geez, thanks." I said, blushing. "Hey, do you have a um, well… date?" he asked of me. And I just felt my jaw hit the court floor when I heard that. Treize? Asking me on a date? Heck, he was only asking me if I have a date, it doesn't imply anything.

"None." I almost choked.

He drew an exasperated sigh then took my hand. "Well, then, what if I ask you on a date? What do you say?" I was all stupefied. "Me?" I asked in disbelief. He let out a soft chuckle and replied. "Yes, you. Why?" I suddenly felt my cheeks go on fire at that, and he held my wrist tighter. "Nothing. I'd love to go out with you…"

"Great! Cos I have reserved a table for two---"

"Nani?" He looked at me, then blushed. "I'm sorry. But I wanted to surprise you…I really want to tell you that I like you…" Now where were those stretchers when you need to faint?

For the first couple of seconds I wasn't able to speak. But I said, "Really? Oh, gosh! I had to tell you something…"