Day Three - Micah

Even though Raya was a quiet person and liked doing things on her own, she uncharacteristically really really liked going to basketball games once she started attending college. There was something about the energy in the place that just felt so vibrant, even through the chaos. It was exhilarating being part of a fan group, and cheering together with the strangers around her was such a rush, especially when the game was close in score and exciting. The paradox of the carefully practiced marching band songs being performed amid the commotion of cheers and shouting and game breaks amused her to no end. All the noise almost felt like a hug in an auditory type of way, or a safe place, where everyone belonged and where the intentions were clear and the routines were expected. Raya could shout, cry, sing, and no one even noticed. Some game days that was even a bit cathartic for her. All that to say, she attended every game and it was one of her favourite things.

One day in her second year of college, she was sitting with her friends, waiting for the game to start when an older couple with two boys about her age slid in to the row in front of them. That row was usually taken by a group of guys from a club that snuck in alcohol and were usually obnoxious, so she and her friends exchanged knowing glances and a small smile that this was going to be a good evening.

The announcer spoke into the very loud microphone that crackled, and asked the crowd to stand for the national anthem. Everyone around them sang loudly with enthusiasm and Raya felt a sense of carefree joy at a Friday night with friends in what felt like the prime of her life. Part way through the anthem, her friend elbowed her and directed her gaze to the guy in front of them. He was standing, but he wasn’t singing and he didn’t even have his hand over his heart. Raya’s eyes opened in surprise and she scowled at her friend, mouthing in the word ‘rude’ to her before carrying on with the anthem.  Raya couldn’t keep her eyes off him, wondering what on earth he was doing or who he was. Was he a communist? She didn’t even really know what that meant but that’s the only thing she could think to explain why a citizen wouldn’t hold their hand on their heart and sing the anthem.

The game proceeded, but Raya was distracted, and the more she thought about it, the more it bothered her. Why was he even here if he couldn’t even show that much respect? Her friend leaned over and whispered, “this is driving you crazy, isn’t it? Why don’t you just ask him what’s wrong with him?”. Raya shrugged with a smile as she rolled her eyes and tried to pay attention to the game. But her mind couldn’t stop turning over ideas, and before she knew it, she had a whole scenario worked out in her head about him being a spy or working for the CIA and trying to infiltrate the community to discover secrets. Maybe there was a secret society that identified each other through the act of rebellion with no hand to the heart in the anthem.

Finally at half time, Raya did not care if he thought she was an idiot, she had to know. She stood up to stretch and bumped his arm, a bit on purpose. He turned to look at her and apologized for being in her way.

“No, it’s totally my fault,” Raya answered, “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

“Where are you going?” he asked as he looked around.

Raya looked around awkwardly as well. “Um, nowhere I guess, just getting up to stretch my legs.”

He smiled and she realized he was teasing her. She smiled back and reached out her hand as she introduced herself.

“I’m Raya, what’s your name?” she asked boldly.

“Micah,” he responded.

“Do you like to be called Mike?” she teased.

He again looked at her awkwardly and said, “Nope, just Micah.”

Ack, this could not have been worse, Raya thought. “Hey can I ask you a question?” she suddenly blurted out. She heard her friend kind of gasp beside her and sputter trying to hold in her laugh. He nodded.

“Shoot,” he said. Confused, Raya looked around. “Shoot? Shoot what?”

He laughed out loud, and explained, “no, it just means go ahead, shoot your question at me.”

“Oh, OK,” Raya nodded hesitantly. “I noticed you didn’t put your hand on your heart or sing for the anthem and I’ve never seen anyone refuse to do that before. Can I ask why?”

The older couple beside him heard her question and turned to look at them both with an interested smile and raised eye brows, as if to ask him the same thing.

“Sure, no problem, you can ask. But…maybe I won’t give you an answer until you go out with me tomorrow afternoon,” Micah responded with a laughing smile.

Now Raya was more flustered than ever, as that was absolutely not the response she was expecting. The other young guy and all Raya’s friends burst out laughing and started cheering her on. “He’s got you in a corner now, Raya. You have to say yes. This is going to be good.”

Raya’s tongue felt huge in her mouth as she tried to swallow and not look as terrified as she felt in front of all these people.

“Well, I guess so, sure.”  She wrote down her dorm location and number on a napkin from his brother’s hot dog and he said he’d pick her up at 3.

“You’re seriously not joking?” Raya asked. He winked and shook his head, telling her he’d see her tomorrow before turning his attention back to the game that had started back up again. Raya left to go use the restroom and get some air, shaking while feeling breathless, joyous and terrified all at the same time.