Chapter 4: Waiting to Know You

"Are you sure, Mr. Sanders? Do you really feel that your team members will approve of this idea?" Mr. Gosling asked, unsurely. "I'm sure." I huffed with impatience and lack of energy. I could sense Riley looking at me like I was some bizarre species who came all the way from another galaxy! "Alright! Since you've done an incredible job with your team, I guess we'll stick to your suggestion. We'll inform the Dean of St. Mark's about it. They'll be more than happy, I suppose."

"Thank you so much, sir!" I chirped, my heart swelling with joy. The two of us walked out of the Dean's Office.

What had exactly happened? I didn't even know myself! I didn't know what overcame me but I knew I had to do this! I just had to! This was probably the first time in the history of Beverly High that the captain of the basketball team suggested such an idea! A victory party was only meant for the winning team, right? The people who had come to watch the match were either from our school or St. Mark's. What I had done was...I had insisted the Dean on inviting the students of St. Mark's as well to celebrate! Why?? Not because I was 'Mr. Very Compassionate' but because I wanted to find that girl.

I was sure she would be there...somewhere. I just wanted to talk to her. Have a conversation with her. Get to know her. Just like I had said, I was determined to find her and I would do anything to do so!

I ran towards the changing room as soon as I was nearing it. Why was it that when it came to sports my eyes acted like they could actually see?!

"What the hell's wrong with you, man?!" Riley began. "You've been behaving demented ever since you threw me that pass!" I chuckled while putting on my polo shirt. I had carried an extra pair of clothes because somewhere deep down, I knew it would be our victory!

Over confidence? What was that?

I was so excited for the after party! I couldn't wait to freak out! I just couldn't...

"Hurry up, Riley! Keep your speech for later! We've got a party to go to! Our party! The others have already gone, dude! We're the champs! The true heroes! Loosen up, man..." I cheered while patting his back as I made my way out. "Something's seriously wrong..." He murmured as he continued changing.

I felt him join me and the two of us walked towards the exit. Yo! The champs are coming...

+ + +

"Kevin! What an amazing skill, man! I totally salute you!"

"Superb, Kevin! Who taught you to play like that?!"

"Kevin, dude, you rock! To the core!"

"Such a gift! You'll do great in life, mate!"

"I'm a fan already...I so envy you..."

I could hear praises coming my way as I made my way. I could feel the increasing crowd. The party was going on in full swing and the music was blaring! So damn cool!

'I'm Gonna Live My Life' by Justin Bieber was on the playlist. "Get into the groove, baby..." I laughed out loud after hearing the voice. Christopher surely knew how to be an awesome DJ! "What is Chris doing up there?" Riley stated, amusedly. "He should be down here partying with us!"

"Oh, he's partying! He's getting the babes into the groove!" The two of us snorted. "Yo! Yo! Yo! Hey there, people!!" I recognised Samuel's, a friend of mine, voice boom over. The crowd cheered enthusiastically. Most of them were already drunk!

"Ha ha! You guys having a great time??" He yelled energetically.

The people whooped back. Wow! They were definitely having the time of their lives!

"That's cool! Anyway, we're now going to call the one guy who made Beverly High proud as always and also his team and without whom we wouldn't have been here partying!! Let's hear it for the guy who keeps it real...KEVIN SANDERS!!" He yelled and the music boomed louder.

My friends patted my back and whooped all the more. People were ruffling my hair, girls were giggling and Riley thumped me from behind. I walked up to the stage, took a ball and spun it on my finger. My signature step. I smirked with pride and arrogance as the crowd grew wild. "Woaaaahhhh! That guy is really something! Now for his team, people! The JAGUARS!! INTIMIDATING, CHALLENGING AND PERFECT!!" Sam added, loudly.

The crowd grew wilder as my team came up. They ruffled my hair and we posed like how normally the Jaguars did. The trophy was then lifted up and my team carried me all around the lawn. They yelled my name and all around I could hear people yelling the teams' and my name. I was just raising the trophy high up in the air. I wondered how the Knights must be feeling. Too bad they had to go through this insult when it wasn't them the main reason I sent that invite!

I didn't know which school she used to go to. I didn't think it was mine. Anyway...I had to hunt her down...But how would I? Trying to listen to the voices of every girl?!

After putting me down, the team got together for a few more photos and chats with the others before we parted ways. We couldn't stick together for the whole party! Their girlfriends wanted to show off to their best friends when it came to my team mates.

Just then, I heard the sound of passionate kissing. For God's sake we were on a lawn with the lake surrounding us and it wasn't a very big place either! There were no rooms, so why be desperate?! Riley and I were quite sensible actually. We hadn't come to grind into anyone's face but just celebrate our victory!

"Oh...Riley..." I could hear a girl whimper.

Holy cow! Was I wrong! I guess I spoke too early.

"Hey, Kev! Meet Laura, my girlfriend!" Riley introduced, happily.

I stuck out my hand. "Hey, Laura! What's up?"

She shook my hand excitedly. "You played awesome! And so did you, Riley! Will you come and meet my friends, Riley? Please..."

I sensed her pouting and merely chuckled. "Go, dude! I'm not a kid. I can manage myself." I stated. "Sure." He replied sarcastically.

"Go...Shoo...Have fun..." I chirped before hearing him leave.

"It's the first time I watched Kevin up close. He's really hot! God bless him!" I heard Laura whisper to Riley. I chuckled and took a swig of wine. I had to find that girl. But I didn't know how! Confused, I walked towards the fence, away from the crowd.

I rested my elbows on it and gazed straight, feeling the cool breeze lashing against my face. The noise died down as I got lost in my own reverie. Would I ever meet that girl...

"I guess I'm not the only one who wanted a distraction!" I heard someone say towards my far right.

I stood rooted to the ground, my body frozen. It was the same voice! The same voice who gave me hope and a chance! The voice of the girl I was looking for! She was right here! Oh my...what was I supposed to do?? She was initiating the conversation here. Did she even recognize me??

"I guess I needed some time alone..." I replied, calmly. I turned to face the voice. "Kevin? Kevin Sanders?! Oh my God! It is really you! What're you doing here? You should be out there partying!" She stated, rapidly.

My name sounded so good on her tongue! I could hear her coming closer. My heart beats were suddenly increasing as she neared me. I felt her arm brush against mine. We were that close! Not dangerously close, but yes, close enough to make my palms sweat! Why was she affecting me so much?! I seriously couldn't understand myself!! I had to agree with Riley! I was seriously demented!! Hell! I didn't even know anything about her and she was already making me feel so differently! I had never behaved like this with any other girl before even when I was kissing them! Could someone explain to me what was happening?!

"Nah, I kind of got bored with the attention. Besides, I wanted a change in the atmosphere. Something calm..." I lied. "Why is it that most of you guys are arrogant?! Especially you with your "Nah, I kind of got bored with the attention." statement!" She said, mimicking me. It sounded really cute! I wish I could tell her that. 'Get a grip, Kevin!' I warned myself. I chuckled at her. "You didn't hear the latter part of my statement?" I asked while quirking my eyebrows. "Oh yeah. I did. I love nature too!" She added, dreamily. Her voice was so sweet and calming. I wish I could see her!

"Cool...but how many guys do you know who love nature, huh?" I pushed on. "Not many." She stated. I smirked. "Oh, get that smirk off of your face! Desperate to get into my good books, yeah?" She questioned with amusement. She caught me red handed. Smarty pants!

"Gosh! I'm so not courteous! I didn't even introduce myself!" She blamed herself angrily. I chortled at her antic. She stuck out her hand for me to shake. "I'm Caroline Stewart and I'm from St. Mark's."

Caroline...what a beautiful name! It just suited her so well! I shook her hand, smiling. "Kevin Sanders. Call me Kev."

"You can call me Carol." She chirped.

"You belong to such an influential family, Kev! You must be considering yourself really lucky?" She asked.

"Nope. Not even the least bit! My family considers me a burden. I can sense it. They're ruined by the fact that I'm blind." I confessed, sadly. I felt like I could be so open when it came to her. I seriously felt like telling her all my worries!

I felt her hand clutching mine tighter. I looked at her and could sense her comforting me silently. "It's not the end of the world just because you're blind. In fact, look at you, Kevin! There's no reason I can find for them to think of you as a burden! You're an extremely talented and fantastic basketball champ! You're a great person, I can say that though I barely know you and I'm sure there are many more undiscovered things about you that people are not trying to notice! You're much better than any of us who have sight, Kevin! Much better!"

I stayed silent. My lips curved into a smile as I clutched her hand tighter. Such words those were! They were falling on me like the dewfall. Her words were so comforting and they came out of her mouth like she really cared for me and the only thing that she wanted to do at that time was comfort me. How could a stranger like her move me so much?! Even Jon and Riley couldn't do that! From the very beginning, my intuition had been right. She was someone special for me and I wouldn't ever let go of her even if the world tore us apart!

I felt the need to protect her, care for her, love her. I took her to be someone more than a friend and I wanted us to get to know each other. I wanted her to feel the same way I felt towards her! Was she my ideal girl? Well, I couldn't say but I hoped so...

"Yeah...I guess you're right. Thanks! It's just that my life's all fucked up! Only my dad, my sister and my butler Jon know about my basketball frenzy. Anyway, I'll need time to heal." I murmured. Her action caught me off guard. She caressed my cheek, her soft fingers soothing it. I loved what she was doing! It was so relaxing! She was really close to me now. I could feel her breath on my lips. "There's more to life than cursing it all the time." She whispered and it sent tingles down my spine. She pulled apart and I got disappointed. Damn it! I felt the need to kiss her!

I cleared my throat to make things seem less awkward. "Um...where do you stay?"

"Times Square. You?" She asked.

"Manhattan."

"Oh...nice! I really want to congratulate you on your victory! You played too good! You play like a basketball God or something!" She praised and I grinned at her. I wanted to tell her that it was because of her we won and that she was the reason why I was looked up to so much and if it wasn't for her encouragement back at the court, I wouldn't have been falling for her right at this moment...

No. I couldn't tell her that! It would only make things more complicated and weird.

"Thanks! I guess it's in my blood. Dad's an awesome player!"

"Wow...you're one lucky guy!" She awed.

I waved my hand in denial. "Who did you come with?" I asked her.

"My friends. They're drunk dancing." She giggled.

"Didn't you drink?" I asked her.

"Nope. I don't drink. But I wouldn't mind wine." She quickly took a swig from my cup. Holy macaroni! My cup! We had indirectly kissed! 'Kevin, don't put too much meaning into everything. Stop behaving like a love sick puppy!' I instructed myself. This girl really knew how to make me tipsy!

"Bleh! I still don't like wine!" She handed me the cup quickly.

I laughed and she punched my shoulder, giggling too.

It was so peaceful and amazing! I wish I could stay like this with her forever!

She was different from all the other girls I had met before...in a good way.

"Do you've a boyfriend?" I couldn't help but ask. I was so eager to know! I prayed for her answer to be no. Please...

"No." She said.

Ah! Thank God!

"What time is it?"

"Summer time...It's our vacation!" She sang High School Musical 2's song.

I laughed.

"It's 10:45."

"Shit! I seriously need to go or else my parents will kill me!" I gasped.

"Oh oh! Cinderella has got to go away?" She teased, sounding slightly disappointed, or maybe it was in my head.

I chuckled.

"Hey, can I get your number?" She asked.

"Sure." We exchanged phone numbers and we even had each other's photos saved as our caller IDs.

"Bye then, Caroline..." I started quickly but felt really sad to leave her. God alone knew whether we would stay in touch or meet later.

"Hey..." She clung onto my neck and kissed my cheek. She then hugged me tightly. I beamed and pulled her closer. Her hair smelt so nice. Everything seemed nice about her! I kissed her forehead. Why did I get a feeling that she too was seeing me a bit more than a friend?? Or was I over thinking stuff like the usual?

"I want us to meet again. I want to spend time with you again. Will you forget me?" She whispered.

Forget her? What was she saying?! "Never can I forget you. Keep in touch, Carol..."

With that, I slowly pulled away from her and kissed her forehead. I wanted to see her reaction but obviously couldn't. Sight was so damn important during such situations! I smiled at her and waved until I walked farther and farther. On the contrary, I felt our bond only growing closer and closer, stronger and stronger.

I guessed she was the girl I was waiting for allthis time! I loved everything about her! Absolutely everything! Her laugh, herway of talking, her open mindedness, her comfort, her care...everything! I didn't want any obstacle coming our way!She was the girl on my mind and I hoped things wouldn't change because I had toadmit...I was slowly falling in love with Caroline Stewart...the girl with the mostmagical voice...