In the men’s washroom, Tyler splashed some cold water onto his face before staring at his own reflection in the mirror with reddened eyes. He knew he didn’t perform well during the competition, nor did he unleash his full potential.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do that, but he just couldn’t bring himself to do that as soon as he recalled the fact that none of them came to watch him compete. That drained him of his enthusiasm, so he felt no passion toward the competition.
“Liars! They broke their promise even though they told me they would come!” Tyler punched the marble wall beside the mirror as tears rolled in his eyes. Suddenly, his phone began ringing in his pocket. After taking a deep breath, he suppressed his anger while retrieving his phone. “Hello?”
“Fuller, the third section of the match will be starting. Are you ready?” his teammate asked.
Tyler seemed a little down as he spoke. “Okay.”
“Come back then.” With that, his teammate hung up.
Tyler tucked his phone away to walk out of the washroom. As soon as he got out of it, someone detained him. “What’s occupying your mind?”
That voice! Tyler’s pupils contracted as he whirled around. When he saw the man who was leaning against the wall beside the washroom, he was overjoyed. “Toby! You’re finally here!” After Toby grunted in response, Tyler sniffled. His voice broke a little when he said, “When did you arrive? I thought you weren't going to come.”
“I will come since I already promised to watch you compete. However, I got delayed because of
a traffic jam. I’m sorry.” Toby rubbed Tyler s hair.
step back, Tyler complained, “I’m not a
Taking a kid anymore. Don’t rub my hair.
A smile tugged on Toby’s lips. ‘Alright, I won’t do that. However, I need you to tell me why you performed so poorly. I know you can perform way better than that.”
“It’s all your fault.” Tyler huffed. “You didn’t watch me compete.”
Toby arched his brow. He thought Tyler underperformed because something was bothering him, but he didn’t expect that Sonia and his absence was the reason behind it. “You’re childish for underperforming just because Sonia and I are absent.” Displeased by the answer, Toby had a sullen look on his handsome face.
Upon hearing that, Tyler shot back, “This is my first ever official competition, so I was really looking forward to your attendance—Hold on, how did you know I also invited Sonia? I don’t recall ever telling you that. Could it be—" Tyler’s eyes lit up, and joy was evident on his face.
Toby found his reaction amusing. “It’s just as you thought. She’s here.”
“Great!” Tyler started clapping.
“So, during the upcoming section of the competition—”
“I get it! I will do my best and win the competition!” Tyler cut Toby off resolutely.
Toby nodded in satisfaction before putting on a stoic expression. “Great. Remember what you said. Other than that, I hope this will be the last time something like this happens. If you’re going to be so crestfallen over our absence again, you should just listen to Mom and quit playing basketball.” “That won’t happen again.” Tyler made his promise while sticking his chest up. He was so overwhelmed by dejection because it was his first competition. However, that would never happen ever again.
“Alright, let’s go. The competition will begin soon.” Toby gave Tyler a pat on the shoulder.
“I’ll be leaving then, Toby.” Tyler waved his hand before running away. It wasn’t until he disappeared into the distance that Toby wheeled around to return to the auditorium with his hands shoved in his pockets.
When the third section of the competition began, Tyler was no longer as depressed. Instead, he was so full of energy that he managed to miraculously break through the opponents’ defenses to quickly score a point for his team.
As soon as he did that, he jumped up to wave at the audience. The audience began cheering when their passion was lit once again. Sonia smiled at the sight of it. “It seems like he has regained some vitality. What did you tell him?”
Taken aback that Sonia would initiate a conversation, a look of surprise crossed Toby’s face, but he immediately schooled his expression. “He was like that just now because we weren’t here. Now that he knows we have come, he’s feeling better.”
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