Lagonoy High School's gymnasium always smelled of sweat, rubber shoes, and plastic shuttlecocks—but for Noel, it was heaven.
Noel was a first-year student, newly admitted to the star section. He'd made the badminton varsity team in his first tryout, surprising even the coaches with his precision and footwork. But his real reason for showing up early every morning and staying long after the lights dimmed wasn't just his love for the game.
It was Jessa.
She was a second-year student, captain of the badminton girls' team, and one of the most composed players in school. Everyone respected her. Noel, however, looked at her with something more.
Admiration. Affection. Maybe even the beginnings of love.
"You're here early again," Jessa said one morning as Noel entered the court with his racket.
"You too, Captain," he said, trying to play it cool even as his heart tripped.
She smiled, ruffling his hair. "Still can't believe a kid like you can smash like that."
Kid.
It stung every time. But Noel didn't let it show.
After practices, he would linger to help her clean up. Pick up shuttlecocks. Fold up the nets. She never asked, but never turned him away either.
He watched her practice tirelessly. Her steps were sharp, her smashes lethal. She moved like a gust of wind through the court—steady, graceful, strong.
He knew he was just a junior. Just a first year. To her, he probably looked like some eager apprentice.
But that didn't stop him from feeling what he felt.
He found a confidant in Levi, his classmate and fellow star section student. Levi, as it turned out, had his own little story playing out—with Rina, a girl from another section.
Noel noticed how Levi waited after school near the science wing, where Rina usually passed.
"You're waiting again," Noel teased one afternoon.
Levi shrugged, grinning. "Practice makes progress."
"You think she notices?"
"She does. Just pretends not to."
Noel nodded. Maybe it was the same with Jessa.
One day, after a long practice, Jessa offered him water. "You've improved," she said.
"Because I want to catch up."
"To whom? Me?"
"Yes."
She raised a brow. "You don't have to impress me, Noel. You're already a good player."
He smiled. "I'm not trying to impress you. I'm trying to reach you."
Jessa blinked. Then laughed. "You're adorable."
Adorable.
Still not the word he hoped for.
That weekend, the team traveled to the district tournament. On the bus, Noel sat across from Jessa. She was reading a novel, earphones in, her bangs falling slightly over her glasses.
Noel couldn't look away. She caught his gaze and offered one earbud.
"Want to listen?"
He nodded. Their shoulders brushed as he leaned in.
It was a quiet moment. The kind that stays with you.
They didn't win gold, but they placed high. Everyone was in good spirits.
After the awarding, as the team sat on the grass waiting for the bus, Jessa turned to Noel.
"You always look at me like you're searching for something."
"Maybe I am."
"What do you see?"
He hesitated. "Someone I admire. Not just as a player. As a person."
She blinked, then smiled. "You're sweet. But I'm older, you know."
"Not by much. One year doesn't mean I feel less."
Jessa sighed softly, watching the clouds. "You remind me of my little cousin. He's full of energy too."
Cousin.
Little brother.
Kid.
Noel almost gave up that day.
But he didn't.
Instead, he trained harder. Faster smashes. Sharper footwork. He even joined mixed doubles to improve his court awareness.
Every week, he'd still help her pack up.
"You don't have to do this, you know," Jessa said one day.
"I know. I just like being around you."
She gave him a look. Not annoyed. Not confused. Just... thoughtful.
It was the interschool exhibition day. The school gym was packed. Students from various year levels came to watch the varsity face visiting teams.
Noel was scheduled to play Singles B. Jessa was opening the exhibition with Singles A.
Before her match, Noel approached her.
"You're nervous?" he asked.
"A little. You?"
"Terrified."
She laughed. "Then we're even."
He handed her a note, folded in half.
"What's this?"
"Open it after your match."
She pocketed it, smiling.
Jessa played beautifully. Every move calculated. Every shot confident.
Noel couldn't take his eyes off her.
After she won, she opened his note:
You said I'm like a little brother. Maybe I am. But little brothers don't stay little forever. They grow up.
And when I look at you, I don't see someone to admire from afar anymore.
I see someone I want to stand beside. Win or lose.
If you ever see me the same way—maybe after this match—I'll be waiting.
Jessa read it twice.
Then watched Noel step onto the court.
He won that day. Barely. But he won.
Later, as they waited for the debrief, Jessa sat beside him.
"That note," she said.
"Too much?"
"It was honest."
He nodded. "So... you don't hate it?"
She smiled. "Noel, I've been thinking about you a lot lately. You're not just some kid who tags along. You've got your own fire."
He turned to her, surprised.
"You're still younger. And I still feel like an upperclassman when I'm around you," she added.
"But...?"
"But that doesn't mean I didn't start seeing you differently."
He grinned. "You did?"
She nodded. "You made it hard not to."
From then on, their dynamic changed subtly. Still teammates. Still practice partners. But there were longer conversations. Secret smiles.
After one evening practice, Jessa waited for him.
"Walk with me?" she asked.
He did.
As they reached the school gate, she said, "I'm not promising anything quick. But... I think you're worth the time."
He squeezed her hand gently. "I'm patient."
They kept it lowkey. No grand declarations. Just silent support. Jessa would cheer louder when Noel played. Noel would lend her his hoodie during rainy morning practices.
Levi noticed first.
"So the captain finally sees you, huh?" he said with a grin.
Noel shrugged, smiling. "She always did. Just not the way I hoped. Until now."
And sometimes, that's how love starts.
Not with fireworks.
But with patience.
With rallies and rallies until the right moment comes to smash.