[ 12th February 2015 ]
[8 years later]
It was Morning 5:00.
And like every day, Charlie was already awake before anyone else.
— Now he was eighteen.
But he still lived here. For almost eight years now.
Mrs. Mital also cared about him a lot these days.
And Geone — he was Charlie's only friend.
Today's morning was bitterly cold.
Though the window was shut, frost decorated the glass like silver beads.
Charlie sat on the floor beside the bed, leaning against it.
The cold made his body feel stiff, almost frozen —
but somehow… it soothed him.
Beside him, Geone slept deeply, completely lost in dreams.
Charlie stood up and glanced at the clock — 6:00 AM.
He brushed his teeth, then started making breakfast.
He was a surprisingly good cook —
so sometimes he prepared breakfast for everyone, like today.
When Mrs. Mital entered the kitchen, she stopped and smiled."Oh! Charlie you are already Up!"
"Good morning, Aunty. Did you sleep well?"
Charlie asked with a polite smile, handing Mrs. Mital a cup of coffee.
"Yeah, Charlie." She took a sip of her coffee and said, "Your coffee is the best, you know!"
Charlie nodded as he added an egg to the sandwich.
Mrs. Mital walked from the kitchen to the dining area and sank onto the sofa. "Charlie, isn't Geone's match today?"
"Yes, Aunty, at 8:00. But he won't wake up before 7:30."
Mrs. Mital glanced at the clock—7:30 already—and let out a weary chuckle. "He'll be yelling any minute now, just like always, before a match."
"Charlie!! Charlieeeee!!!"
Geone's shout exploded through the hallway like a fire alarm.
Mrs. Mital switched on the TV, shaking her head.
"There he goes again… probably lost something again."
Charlie quickly washed his hands and marched toward Geone's room.
The moment he opened the door—
WHAM!!!
He was dragged inside by a blanket monster—
aka Geone.
Wrapped tightly, Charlie could barely breathe.
"You always wake up at 4 AM! You sleep like a stone ...huh!....today you didn't wake me up!"
Geone complained dramatically, squeezing him harder.
Charlie twisted around, trying to escape.
"Geone— I— can't— breathe! And hey, I always call you! You never wake up before 7:30!"
"Oh yeah?"
Geone grinned mischievously.
"Then today you're not waking up either!..he...he.."
He started tickling him like a maniac.
Charlie burst out laughing. Way too loud.
They rolled onto the floor, giggling like crazy, making the whole room shake.
Geone ended up lying on the floor inside the blanket, kicking his legs and laughing nonstop.
Charlie finally managed to free himself.
He stood over Geone with the most serious expression ever—
That only made Geone laugh harder. Tears streaming.
"You think that's funny?"
Charlie grabbed the blanket and wrapped Geone up like a burrito.
"Now laugh properly!"
He tickled him back.
Geone shrieked, his laugh turning into a loud dolphin noise.
Suddenly—
"Boys!! Breakfast! You have a match at 8! MOVE!"
Mrs. Mital yelled like a coach with a whistle.
Charlie instantly stood still, trying to look innocent.
Geone rolled out of the blanket, still wheezing from laughter.
Charlie patted his back.
"Come on. Food."
But Geone froze mid-step.
His smile vanished.
"My shoes! My jersey! I don't know where they are!"
His eyes widened in pure panic.
"I'm doomed."
Charlie pointed calmly:
"Your shirt is here — Auntie ironed it.
And your shoes… right next to the bed.
You didn't even try to look."
Geone grinned and tapped Charlie's head.
"I was just messing . Boo!"
Charlie sighed.
"ohh! Very funny. Enjoyed?Auntie is calling us, come."
They went down to eat breakfast together.
🏀 School Basketball Court
After breakfast, Geone tightened his laces and headed to the school court, ready to show everyone his skills.
He bounced ahead with excitement.
"Today, just watch me Charlie! how good I am....OKAY?"
Charlie nodded, quiet but confident in him.
The girls arrived one by one, dressed in their school sports tracksuits, ready to represent the school.
When they spotted Geone, a few of them rushed over immediately.
"Geone, do you want some water?"
"I brought juice! It's cold!"
They offered him everything—water, snacks, encouragement.
Everyone seemed to love him.
Even the girls sitting in the audience waved and called out his name.
Some were there only to watch the game… but mostly to watch him.
Well—who wouldn't?
A good-looking athlete who dominates every match?
Yeah… half the school had a crush on him.
Charlie didn't say a word.
He just quietly walked to the audience stands and sat down.
Both school principals and teachers filled the judges' seats, eyes sharp and serious.
The whistle hadn't blown yet…
but the whole atmosphere already felt like a battlefield.
On the court, Toha — their captain — gathered everyone.
His voice was strict:
"We play our best today.
This match is about our school's reputation.
City Hall School must win. Got it?"
Everyone shouted agreement.
Minasi nudged Suga,
"We barely have backup players… but Geone alone is like a whole squad."
Suga smirked,
"Hey! I'm good too, right Geone?"
Barun laughed,
"Well, we'll see how legendary you are today."
Geone shot him a sharp look but stayed silent.
Toha stepped closer and leaned toward Geone, whispering something only he could hear.
Geone nodded with a confident smirk.
From the side, Braun's expression darkened.
He tugged Harry by the sleeve and muttered,
"Always treating him like he's the only star.
As if the rest of us can't play at all…"
A couple of teammates shifted uncomfortably,
their faces tight with the same quiet frustration.
No one disliked Geone — he was talented, friendly and popular.
But sometimes… it felt like the spotlight never moved away from him.
Even when this was supposed to be a team.
Toha clapped loudly:
"All right! Take your positions!"
Geone tightened his shoe laces again.
Charlie watched from the sidelines —quitely.
The whistle was about to blow.
Geone looked over at Charlie and signaled with confidence,
"Watch me."
Then he winked with a playful smile.
Charlie didn't speak — he just raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded,
as if saying, "Let's see."
The match had begun.
Geone played well.
Suga played well too.
But the Macro School team was just as strong.
The score stayed neck-and-neck.
Toha kept shouting orders from the center of the court,
"Hey! Catch the ball! Pass it to him!"
He was doing great — already 20 points.
Geone had 21.
The total score was 70–70.
Final round.
Tension everywhere.
Students were screaming from the stands ,"Geone...! Geone!....Toha.. Toha...!""Rijbi...Rijbi.....!"
Geone waved wildly to Barun, "Here! Pass it here!"
But Barun threw the ball to Harry instead.
Harry was just about to score when Macro School's captain, Rijbi, gave him a little push from behind.
Harry's shot missed.
Frustration spread like fire.
The game ended in a tie.
The referees checked the scores — Equal.
Continues.....