Chapter 3

Late akong nagising pero ayos lang naman 'yon. Our class for today starts at afternoon anyways since today is Saturday. Kahit Sabado ay may klase pa pero isang beses lang din naman sa isang buwan. I guess, you can see it as a monthly review? Since it happen at the end of the month. Well, what can I say? Our school is quite the prestigious school here. 

I was blinking while I was dressing up. Hindi talaga ako sanay na late magising. Kahit kakabangon ko lang kanina ay gusto ko na ulit matulog dahil parang ang bigat ng katawan ko.

One can assume that I did not have my sleep early because of Isaiah Thomas but no. Sobrang naconfused lang talaga ako sa pinanggagawa nilang magpipinsan. Minsan nga ay napapaisip ako kung may sakit ba o depekto iyang si Isaiah sa utak niya. But also, I can say that he is partly the reason, just a bit though. I listened to ONE OK ROCK's songs because I was reminded of the song he sent me. I like their music. Para sa akin, ang musika nila ay parang kaguluhang nais maging isang kagandahan sa iba o p'wede ring kaguluhang kayang maging maganda. That's how I perceive their music.

"Won't you be late for school?" Nagulat ako nang makita si Mommy sa sala, may papel na binabasa. Hmm, work na naman niya?

"It starts after lunch, Mommy," sagot ko. Tumango lang naman ito kaya lumabas na ako para pumunta sa CIS. Hindi na ako magpapaalam, mukha rin namang busy siya.'t hindi pa kayang madisturbo.

I was driving in a normal pace at papasok na ako sa gate ng school. I looked over my right and saw people gathering around like there's a commotion going over there. I am not the nosy type but when I saw Isaiah Thomas standing over there, I was intrigued. Sa pagkakaalam ko, he never was the type to suck teas for a living so it must be something, right? 

Nang nakapark na ako ay dinalian ko ang pagbaba at lumapit. I tried to not look to eager so I won't look desperate. My reputation as the uptight and maldita schoolgirl has already been worse, and I don't have plans to damage it more.

When I tiptoed my way, nakita ko si Rill at isang hindi pamilyar na lalaki sa harap. Parang magkaaway ata sila base on Rill's glare. When I looked over them, I immediately figured what the situation's about. It's either Rill or that guy carelessly bumped their car to each other, causing this minor accident.

"Rill," Isaiah said which made me look at him. He paid me a glance when he noticed I was just near them. I looked away. I did not want him to think I was a gossiper or anything. But wait... why would I freaking care what he thinks? Right?

"Shut up, Sai! If you just handled your friend carefully, I may have someone to photograph na!" Rill shouted. Wala naman siyang sinabi pero naguilty ako ng kaunti dahil hindi ko alam na gusto niya talagang magkaroon ng model na makunan ng mga litrato.

"It wasn't my fault, Ein," kalmadong sabi ng lalaki.

"Damn you, Eli. Bakit ka ba kasi nandito?!" Iyon lang ang sinabi ni Rill at umatras. Dahan-dahan na ring umalis ang mga tao nang tignan sila ng masama ni Rill bago pumasok ng building. Kaming tatlo na lamang ni Isaiah at ang nakaaway ni Rill ang nanatili. It was awkward so I left too. Saka parang magkakilala ang dalawang 'yon base sa sinabi ni Rill. 'Friend' daw, eh.

"Hey, you fine?" I checked up on Rill nang nakapasok na ako sa room. Nagulat siya sa biglaang pag-usap ko sa kan'ya. Ganoon na rin ako. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ko pa siya nilapitan ngayon, eh, hindi naman talaga ako sobrang awang-awa sa kan'ya. Saka hindi naman siya nasugatan, eh.

"No, but if you were to say yes on my offer, I will be," her voice and face instantly changed to being cheerful.

"Good try, but you know, as much as I want to, I am not a great model. Worse, to be exact and the worst when paired to your cousin," I said to end her hopes. 

"Why'd you went up to me then?" she said and rolled her eyes. I rolled my eyes at her too and sat on my seat but she followed.

"Can you do me a favor nalang?" she asked.

"Ano?"

"'Di ba, you and Sai are each other's date for the next, next week's social ball? The thing is, that psychopath, Eli, will be writing the magazine for the guests' looks and I'll be the one providing the photos. Will you say yes to be the cover of that magazine? You will, right?" she suddenly asked.

I feel like I just did an analysis on Rill as I was listening to her while I am unloading my notes from my bag and arranging my pens on my desk. Rill have some drops of manipulation in her blood. She asks others things like they owe her something and you wouldn't even notice that. That's why even when the class started, I did not know why I said yes to her. Ugh.

It was our break time when my phone beeped. Tinignan ko ito at nakitang nagmessage si Isaiah sa akin. 

Isaiah Thomas

to me ↓

Rill told me about the front cover. I believe you did not consult me about it.

I looked over him and saw him looking at his phone with his wrinkled forehead. Cute.

Ay, what? Not cute but weird, I mean.

I typed a reply.

From [e-mail]

To [e-mail]

- I assumed she told you already. 

I looked at him again and saw him reading it then his eyes went up to mine. He raised his brow and shake his head. I shrugged. It's not my fault Rill did not tell him. At saka, para namang sobrang lugi niyang kasama niya ako sa front cover. Duh, baka siya pa nga ang maging sobrang awkward sa aming dalawa.

I spent the days of the last week before the ball glamming. Mom accompanied me too. Si Mommy pa, eh, despite her clerical work, she's very outgoing and girly. I sometimes think that Mom is capable of so many things, like she can graduate under a different course. It's just that maybe Daddy's profession also got her into law. I heard they were lovers ever since high school. 

"Should I paint my nails pink? Or maybe nude?" she asked me while I was having my facial. 

"Pink, Mommy," I answered. Anything would look good on her naman. And who pays attention to nails that much when meeting a person anyways?

"Are you excited to be with Isaiah?" she asked again. She's trying to have a girl to girl talk with me, huh.

My breath hitched. Bakit niya na naman dinadala si Isaiah sa usapang 'to?

"Hmm," iyon lang nasagot ko.

The morning before the ball, handa na si Mommy at Daddy para mamayang gabi habang ako ay pinagsasabihan nila dahil lutang pa talaga ako. Saka hindi ko alam kung bakit ngayon lang ako kinakabahan pero grabe iyong tibok ng puso ko ngayon.

"Your dress was sent by Isaiah yesternight. Ask Cin where she put it, she'll be assisting you," bungad ni Mommy sa akin. Tumango lang ako at hinanap na si Ate Cin. She's a close friend and she's a fashion designer, I heard. She is my Mommy's person way back in highschool. I should call her Ninang as what Mommy asked but Ate Cin insisted not to.

"You chose this or he lets you choose?" Ate Cin asked while putting my make up on. She was pertaining to the dress hanging on my side.

"I chose it, Ate," I answered.

Tumango lang siya at nagpatuloy sa pagpapaganda sa akin. Nang matapos ay kinuha ko na ang dress at isinuot ko na 'yon. It is really nice when I saw myself on the mirror. I feel so empowered and classy. Ate Cin gave me a high heel with a thin strap on its ankle. I really love my look despite being a little bit conscious of the dress being sleeveless.

When I went down the stairs, I could see the back of my parents and Isaiah's. Ang awkward, I feel like the girl in the movies walking down while the guy was waiting. I had to keep my face serious since I don't want my parents to think weird ideas if I happen to be too comfortable with Isaiah.

I looked at Isaiah and raised a brow at him. Somehow, bitching out and raising brows at each other had become our sign of approach. It's quite funny when I think about it.

Mommy and Daddy went first since Isaiah brought his own car which was to be expected. 

He led me to where his car is. The car was silent on our way but it is not awkward though. Only at first.

"I was supposed to wear a dark blue tuxedo," he striked a conversation.

"Oh, tapos?" I asked genuinely.

"Are you being sarcastic or you are just bitter in demeanor?" he asked with his taunting voice.

"Shut up, the night hasn't even started yet." I rolled my eyes when I looked at him. Our eyes met and I don't what was funny but we chuckled. 

"But you look good, quite bearable," he annoyed me once again.

I picked up my bag and slightly hit his shoulder. "Angas ng compliment mo, ah. Lasang insulto." And with that, we laughed again.

We look close if I think about it but honestly, I can feel him talking only because I feel like he thinks I am THAT upset about this night. Kaya naman sumasabay nalang din ako. Over the time I was preparing for this ball, I realized din kasi na hindi naman niya kasalanang masiyadong epal ang mga magulang ko.

Nang nakarating na kami sa venue ay nakita ko agad si Rill. And dang, she was with the guy she fought last time? Eli, I think, was his name. I was shooked and was even more when I felt Isaiah's arms on my back, guiding me to walk towards the carpet. Rill and Eli were waiting for us as we were being photographed. When we were done, inagaw ako ni Rill kay Isaiah and we walked first while Eli and Isaiah were talking behind us. 

"Quite a night, right? Anyways, see that place over there? That's where I'll take your photo with Isaiah for the cover," she said as she was pointing her finger at the center with a fancy fountain. Rill's the life of a conversation. I mean, see? She asked me a question and she did not even let me answer it before moving to another topic. I chuckled a bit.

We sat down and I simply listen to the emcee while the other three had their own business. I learned that this ball is a collaborative project, a charity to be exact, between two big companies which I forgot the names. I looked around to look for my parents and saw them talking with other people. 

"This night is boring," Eli uttered that made Rill smack his chest. Agad niya namang prinotektahan ang sarili. He was even laughing a bit. 

Eli looked at me when he noticed my stares then offered his hand.

"Elliot Clift, Rill's fiancee," he introduced himself. I was shocked! I thought Rill had no time for boys, what the hell?!

"Kendall Lin," I said after. 

His brow went up and looked at Isaiah then me. 

"His girlfriend, perhaps? Or his friend?" tanong niya ulit. Bagay din sila ni Rill, tanong nang tanong.

"No, not girlfriend."

"Will be."

Tinignan ko si Isaiah nang sabay kaming sumagot. Mas nakakagulat na naman ang sinagot niya. Like anong will be?!

"Will be what?" Elliot teased but Isaiah didn't get to answer. He chose to ignore that and pretended to listen. The hell?! Paano ako? Bigla tuloy akong naconscious dahil hindi niya iyon sinagot. 

Tinapik ko siya para makuha ang atensyon niya.

"Anong will be?" tanong ko.

He just shrugged at raised his brow, teasing. He did not answer and looked at the person talking in front again. Wow. 

I think I'll be on another level of overthinking when this night ends, damn.