I was nervous. Very, very nervous. I never did well in front of crowds – it was a trait that I had carried on from childhood. Lin wasn’t doing any better.

The bubbles bobbed around slothfully, and both of us were quiet.

Cricket just watched us with interest, his glasses glinting every now and then.

I wondered when he’d become angry and surprise us with another facet of his undiscovered personality.

It was eerily silent, and I could hear my breathing as if it were a helicopter landing.

“Don’t look so gloomy, ‘li,” Cricket murmured, but I just kept my head down.

“Leave me alone.”

I was left alone, and I decided to sulk a bit more – I hate it when things don’t go my way. Aunty always said I take that trait from my mom.

Eh, I don’t remember her, so how will I know?

Perfect time to get depressed.

I still kept my head bowed, and waited for the match to begin. This was going to be a hard day.