My eyes were closed as she felt the cold air blowing in from the window, a light breeze dancing around the curtains. I sighed and opened one eye. As I looked at my ceiling, I thought about the day before. It was the same everyday routine since I got here. Wake up, do My morning exercises, get ready for school, do homework and then eat lunch. I could never get enough. In fact, I couldn’t even remember ever feeling so fulfilled and full. This is something else entirely. I still hide my identity even I quit being a professional player. But my fans want to know Who is MidSky behind the mask.
They all knew I played professionally but no one could guess my true personality.
“Mid… Sky?” A voice echoed in my head. “Why are you so secretive? Your real name is Skylar Costa, isn't it? You're the younger sister of a famous pro player! The former mid laner “Cloud Costa .” Why don'cha just tell people your true identity?" I look away to the cameras and Called my cousin Gio. I felt dizzy that time after we lose in our game.
He was right though. If someone found out my true nature, they would go crazy trying to figure out who I am. I'm sure everyone in the Philippines knows me by now, but what would happen to them if they somehow manage to find out my true identity? What if I have to live an undercover life forever?
"Hey Gio, where are you?” He answered the call with a smile on his face. “In front of a vending machine on the first floor near the office!"
“I'll be there soon!” I say. Then ended the call. Once I stood up, my feet felt heavy. I tried to walk forward but my body couldn’t keep going. Suddenly I felt nauseated and had to bend over. After several minutes, the nausea subsided and I finally stand straight. I take deep breaths to calm myself down, and then walk slowly towards the office door. Suddenly the door opened, Gio caught me when I lost my balance. “What happened Skylar?” he asked with a worry face.
“It's nothing Gio," I smiled. "Just a little dizzy from walking too much." He nods, understanding how I feel. He close the door and we walk towards the elevator. We both rode the elevator together in silence.
When we step out of the elevator, but suddenly I fainted out. The next thing I knew I was in the hospital. When I woke up I immediately recognized my surroundings. This is not my room . It looks like an actual hospital room. The nurse quickly came in.
“Ms. Costa, how are you feeling? Is there anything that hurts or bothers you? Does any part of your body hurt especially your head or chest?” I just shake my head. “We run some test and we find out you took some sedative aren't you?” she asked, I just raise my eyebrows. “What, I didn't take any sedative.” She frowns.
She gives me another look, “Ms. Costa we ran multiple tests in case this happens. Even if you claim you haven't taken any drug, your system will automatically react against the drugs to try to prevent them from happening again. So unless you've taken drugs before, this means you're drugged. Don'cha understand? You can't fool us , Ms. Costa." My eyes widened. Drugged? What happened to me? How did I drugged? Before I could ask these questions, she turned back and walks into the other room. "You have a visitor Skylar," a lady said to me. I look up, but didn' t see anyone besides the nurse, and she left me alone. The door opened slowly. I was stunned, it was Mom. Her eyes widen when she saw me. "Oh my God," she whispered. She quickly runs to hug me. "What happened to you?" I was shocked how she know I am here? She pulls back. "Your cousin Gio called saying you've been unconscious for several hours." I was surprised.
"I'm sorry mom, I...” She cut me off. "Don't apologize. Are you okay, Sky? Don't you know what will happen if the media finds out you're drugged? They will find out the truth..." Mom pulled away tears in her eyes. I grab her hands. "Mom please don't tell dad. I don't want him know that I playing professionally. I want to be a pro player. I just wanted to be like kuya. I want to be a professional player." She hugs me tighter, crying. "Mom...please," I cried.
She let me go and pull away. I looked at her and I could see that her anger was building up. "No Sky. No matter what happens you have to promise me that you won't continue this path of yours. You need to stop and focus on your studies. Not playing esports."
"But mom, why? What if I fall? What if I fail?"
She looks directly in my eyes, "Then at least you'll be safe. Promise me Skylar. Just give it up Sky. I promise I’ll protect you as long as I live. If I can help it, you won't ever play professionally again."
"Promise mom." I held her pinkie finger and promise me.
She smiles softly and kisses my forehead. "Good girl," she says, ruffling my hair. I look away blushing. "Now rest. I'll send the doctor in." She leaves leaving me alone in my thoughts. I lay on the bed and stare at the ceiling. I'm tired, yet I don't want to sleep, I feel too restless. I close my eyes.
Suddenly, I hear someone enter my room.
It's was Gio, holding some paper bags. He puts the bags in the couch and sit beside my bed. “ Tita will comeback tomorrow and about the issue leaking your true identity, I'll deal with it. " Gio whispers. I nod and he pats my shoulder, "Rest well Sky." I turn around and shut my eyes hoping that I'll fall asleep soon. After a day I was discharged, Gio working for the mess done by someone who leaking my true identity. The news is anywhere I hope this will never reach to dad.
********
I shake my head and I get off out on my bed. I get dressed and make my way downstairs to get breakfast. My mom and dadi already waiting for me, I sat down and ate my food quietly until I saw my picture in front page of the newspaper that my dad reading . My heart stops when I saw the headline. It reads 'Breaking News: Local Top Mid laner from Team Agila thrown the Game in the National League Cup '. Everyone in the world seems to know about it now. But then, what does that have to do with me? I think.
After eating my last bite of breakfast, I walked upstairs and went straight to my computer. I open up Google and typed "MidSky". There's a lot of results. One by one they showed up;
Team Agila vs Underdogs .
Team Agila vs Dauntless PH: Top 3 Rivals for E-SPORT.
My team has won two consecutive championships and we made it to the finals and incidents happened. We lose in the finals because of me. I sighed and closed the computer. This doesn't help. Then my phone rings. I check caller id, it was Gio. I pick up the phone,
“Gio?”
"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
"Yes Gio. I'm fine. I was just checking the news that happened yesterday," I say. I put my phone back to my ear. "And what happened with Team Agila?"
"The media released a statement saying that you were throwing the match. A reporter is already on her way here to interview you. Don't worry Skylar. I'll handle it. Just don't worry about it. I'll talk to the press later."
"Okay. I trust you Gio. But thanks anyway." “And by the way, your mom called me about you resignation. Let's talk about it tomorrow in the boot camp.”Gio gave me a small smile, before hanging up.
I hang up my phone, trying to calm myself. After taking deep breathes I decide to go out of the house, I decided to wander through the streets of Manila, looking at all the people passing by. The people look happy as always. I sigh and try to convince myself that everything is ok.