Rule #3: Changing The Rules

[12]

"Uh, is this okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be okay?" mabagal na galaw ni Beau at nakahawak sa baywang ko.

My debut is in a few days and we had to do dance practices for a smooth transition of the event. Everyday, ramdam ko ang kaba sa dibdib ko sa bawat araw na ginagawa namin 'to. Most especially with Prince.

"Your girlfriend won't be mad, right?" I asked Beau, while we're dancing in the middle.

"I don't have a girlfriend anymore, Ems." he answered and chuckled. "Baka ang boyfriend mo ang magalit? He's been glaring at me
since earlier."

Napatingin ako sa gawi ni Prince dahil alam kong siya ang tinutukoy ni Jaxton.

"He's not my boyfriend," agad kong tanggi.

"Then what? Suitor?" nakangisi niyang sabi.

Ngumuso ako kay Beau. Nilapit niya naman ang labi niya sa tainga ko. Something that he does, back when we were together.

"Want a comeback?" he asked playfully.

Muntikan ko na siyang mahampas dahil sa binulong niya. Damn him!

"Urgh! You're still annoying as ever!" bulong ko pabalik.

He smiled and held me closer to him, looking at Prince's direction. Tumingin rin ako doon at nakita ko ang madilim niyang titig.

Beau smiled before he left. Iba naman na ang kasayaw ko ngayon at gaya ni Beau, inaasar rin ako nito.

When it came to Prince, I couldn't look at him in the eye like I did with Jaxton. Hindi ko pa rin makalimutan ang nangyari dun sa kotse niya. He almost freaking kissed me! I felt it... but what's holding him back?

Hindi kami nagimikan hanggang sa natapos na ang practice. I left immediately and went to Lia's house. I caught her watering the plants outside her house with her hair tied in a bun. I slowly walked towards her for a surprise.

"Boo!" I said that almost made her jump.

"Puta—" Napapikit siya at akmang hahampasin ako. I laughed and avoided her. She removed her airpods and placed it on her pocket. "Emma! Bakit hindi mo sinabing pupunta ka?"

"I texted you, hindi mo ba natanggap?" sabi ko at dire-diretsong pumasok sa bahay nila. Binaba niya ang hose at pinatay ang tubig. She followed after me as I sat comfortably at their couch.

"Wala si Tita?" I asked.

Umiling siya. "She's with Tito Remy. May date ata."

I nodded. Her parents are separated, that's why I often check up on her to see if she's okay. I could never imagine what it would feel like to have my parents separate. I'm glad that Lia is strong and she doesn't feel as hurt as she did, back then. Unti-unti na rin daw niyang natatanggap si Tito Remy, her mother's boyfriend.

"Why don't you go on a date too?" I teased.

She scoffed. "Kanino naman?"

"Prince!" Mabilis kong sambit sa kanya.

Kumunot ang noo niya at umiling.

"Diba crush mo siya? Why would I go on a date with your crush?" sabi niya at nagtaas ng kilay sa akin.

I chuckled. "Ex-crush. He's no longer my crush, Lia."

Her brow raised again.

"Like I'd believe that..." Umiling ulit siya at inayos ang mga nakakalat sa paligid. "You like him a lot, Emma. Bakit hindi ka pa kase umamin gaya nung pag-amin mo dati kay Jaxton and Alex? Don't tell me, nahihiya ka?"