CHEERLEADER SERIES - JULIE

Chapter XVII

She was on her way out of school for the day and it's been three days since she last saw Brad.

Medyo humupa na din ang disappointment niya ngunit hindi pa niya ito nakikita ulit.

Just when she got out of the school gate, she received a call. It was Chloe.

"Chloe? It's been a long time."

"Julie!!!"

She desperately missed her. Kahit hindi na sila masyado'ng nagkikita nito ay gustong-gusto na niya ito'ng makausap.

She's the only woman she has ever been comfortable with.

"Talaga? O sige. Saan mo gusto'ng magkita?"

Sandali siyang nag-alangan nang marinig ang pangalan ng cafe. It was Daniel's coffee shop.

Still, she smiled.

"Sure. I'll see you there in five minutes. Sure. I can't wait."

Matapos i-end ang tawag, ay napabuntong-hininga siya. She is not ready to face Daniel yet especially with how they last saw each other.

Nagkibit na lamang siya ng balikat at nagsimulang maglakad. The coffee shop was literally a five minute walk from her school.

Sa isip niya ay nagliliparan ang lahat ng pwede niyang sabihin kay Chloe at pati na rin kay Daniel kung saka-sakali ma'ng magkita sila nito.

After what seemed to be the longest walk she's had, natanaw na niya ang coffee shop.

Pagbukas pa lamang niya ng pinto ay natanaw na niya ang nakangiting si Daniel na nakatoka sa cashier. Her eyes roamed around the coffee shop looking for Chloe.

Nakaupo ito sa table for two malapit sa bintana. She automatically walked towards where she was unaware of the two eyes that were following her.

"Hey!"

Mabilis na tumayo si Chloe as soon as she arrived and gave her a hug.

Matapos ang sandli'ng yakapan, muli sila'ng naupo.

"How are you Juls?" she was gleaming with joy.

She stared at the woman sitting across her. Tila may nagbago dito. Mas naging blooming ito at tila mas naging passionate ang mga mata.

"I have been well eh ikaw? Parang nagiging blooming ka na."

"Naku hindi ah."

She saw how instantly her cheeks turned pinkish. Saglit itong nagblush sa tinuran niya.

"Does this have something to do with that Zac guy?"

Marahan itong tumango.

"But it's just a crush you know. I am not even sure if he's courting me or anything. Pero palagi na kaming magkasama. His friends already know me too and they all are really good people."

"Well I'm happy na may iba ka na ring kaibigan. At least even if I'm not around there are those other friends."

She smiled. Maya-maya lang ay naramdaman niya ang pagdapo ng isa nitong palad sa sarili niyang palad.

"How about you?" bigla'ng nag-iba ang tono nito. "How have you been? I heard about what happened with your parents. I'm really sorry Juls. Hindi kita nadamayan."

Payak siyang napangiti. She didn't want anyone to come to the funeral. Ni isa sa mga kakilala ng pamilya niya ay hindi niya pinadalo. She burried her parents ashes just a day after they were cremated.

Not even Brad got the chance to see her mourning. At least not during.

"I'm okay." she pressed on her palm. "I'm getting by Chloe."