The Camera

That night, after basketball practice, Mike returned home tired and sweaty. But instead of resting, he found Eva standing stiffly outside his room, hands behind her back like she was guarding a secret.

“Why are you standing outside my room? Move!” he said grumpily.

Eva didn’t move. She spoke in a firm, serious voice.

“Just one last time—will you take me to the tournament or not?”

Mike didn’t even think. “No!”

Eva pulled something out from behind her back and waved it in front of his face.

“Then I’ll have to show this to Mom and Dad,” she said. It was his report card.

Mike’s eyes widened. “Hey!” he hissed, and before their mother could hear them, he quickly pulled Eva into his room and shut the door.

“You went into my room? While I wasn’t even here? How dare you!” he snapped, trying to grab the report card from her.

But Eva held it tight.

With no other option, Mike groaned in defeat. “Fine! I’ll take you to the tournament.”

Eva raised her chin proudly. “Not just me. Debby’s coming too.”

Mike threw his hands in the air. “Fine!”

As Eva turned to leave, he shouted, “Wait! Give me the report card!”

Eva smirked. “No. I’ll return it after the match. And don’t try to steal it—I already took a photo.”

She walked away, leaving Mike frustrated and defeated.

Saturday, March 15, 2015

The day of the tournament finally arrived. Eva and Debby took their seats in the middle row of the school’s basketball court, where the view was perfect. Debby brought a placard that read: “Play well, Jin!”

Eva noticed it right away and raised an eyebrow.

“You made a board for him?”

Debby grinned. “Yes, I did. We’re friends now. He’s a good guy. I love good people!”

“And you love teasing me,” Eva muttered with a smile.

The match began soon after. The court came alive with cheers and the sound of bouncing basketballs. Eva’s eyes searched for Brutus immediately. He stood out in his team jersey—tall, focused, and confident. Every time he made a move, Eva’s heart skipped.

Mike played well too, and Eva proudly cheered for both of them. Next to her, Debby started chanting Jin’s name while waving her placard.

Eva glanced sideways and shook her head. “Unbelievable,” she whispered, laughing.

During the break, players came out for water. Mike walked out first, wiping sweat from his forehead. Eva rushed over to him with a bottle in hand.

“I brought water. Here,” she said.

Mike looked at her suspiciously but accepted it.

Just then, Brutus approached with an empty bottle in hand. Eva nudged Mike quickly.

“Call him!” she whispered.

“I can’t!”

“Report card…” she warned, raising an eyebrow.

Mike sighed in surrender. “Senior!”

Brutus turned and walked toward them.

“Hey Mike, what’s up?” he asked, before noticing Eva.

He paused and looked at her.

“Who’s this?” he asked.

“My sister. Eva,” Mike replied.

Brutus gave a slow nod. “Oh…!”

Eva smiled warmly. “Do you remember me?”

Brutus studied her face for a second. “Yeah. The restaurant. Instagram ID?”

Eva nodded quickly. “Yes! That was me.”

Brutus gave a small smile. “Hi.”

“Hi,” she replied, trying not to look too excited.

“So Mike’s your brother? He’s a good player,” Brutus said.

“Thank you,” Mike replied, a little shy.

“You played well too,” Eva said to Brutus.

“Thanks,” he replied, then looked at the camera hanging around her neck.

“Nice camera.”

“Oh, my parents asked me to take pictures of Mike,” Eva said. She didn’t mention her secret plan to photograph Brutus.

“If you want, I can take some pictures of you too,” she offered.

“Really? Alright then. Take some good ones!” Brutus said, smiling before jogging back to his team.

Eva stood frozen, heart racing. She hugged Mike suddenly and bounced with joy.

“Stop it! Stop! You’re embarrassing!” Mike shouted, trying to push her off.

But Eva didn’t care.

For her, this was more than just a photo. It was a memory. A moment. A feeling she didn’t want to forget.

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