The Nutcracker Project [Gen L Society #3]

Chapter 1

Heaven

"Your face looks so round. And gosh, it's so oily. Ayusin mo naman yang mukha mo, Ballerine," the voice beside me was loud enough for me to hear my insecurities.

Kitang-kita ko sa salamin ang pangit na mukha sa aking harapan. No matter how many times I put on concealer and foundation, it still wouldn't change the fact that my face was full of scars... physically and emotionally.

I lost ten kilos in a snap after the operation. I was already skinny as hell... and yet, I still had no confidence in myself. Hence, never akong nagka-boyfriend.

Kaya naman ngayong college ay iibahin ko ang istoryang ito. I'd make sure that no one would belittle me anymore...

"Bee, bilis na! Maglalaro na sila ng 7 minutes in heaven. Join tayo!" The high-pitched tone of my classmate, Melody caught my attention as she pulled my hand out of the washroom.

Nasa isang party kami ngayon kung saan in-organize ng isang sorority ng Fotheringham University. Kakastart pa lang ng school year at wala pa akong masyadong friends from other departments kaya naman naisipan kong sumama sa party kahit na first party ko ito ever.

"Bee, dito tayo!" Melody tapped the seat next to hers as she squatted on the floor along with other people.

Umupo na rin ako sa tabi niya habang inaayos ko ang palda kong pilit na tumataas sa aking hita.

"Okay, guys! Ready to play?" A girl standing in the middle of the room announced, raising a bottle of beer and waving it in the air.

"YES!" Everyone shouted, kaya nakisabay na rin ako sa hype ng crowd.

First time kong maglaro ng drinking game. But, I knew how "7 minutes in heaven" works. Maybe this time I would finally have my first kiss.

As soon as the bottle stopped in front of me, a surge of excitement and anxiety rushed over me. Panay ang hiyawan ng mga tao sa aking paligid, lalo na noong huminto ulit ang bote sa harap ng isang lalaking nakasuot ng kulay pulang varsity jacket.

My eyes stopped at the guy being teased by his friends.

Tanned skin, toned arms, chiseled jaw... Even just standing there in the corner of the room, strobing lights hitting his emotionless carved face, he still looked mythical... like a God of some sort.

Lorenzo Reigan Maxwell...

The infamous cleanup batter and baseball captain of Fotheringham University, MVP for two consecutive years, and the guy who used to make fun of me because of my weight and my looks.

My nightmare was suddenly in front of me. Who would've thought that we'd meet again?

"Bee, go na!" Melody pushed me to the side, prompting me to stand up.

Inayos ko ang aking sarili bago ako tumayo at naglakad patungo sa kung saan nakatayo ang lalaki.

"Okay, first couple, you only have 7 minutes to enjoy inside the room. You're free to do whatever you want..." sabi pa ng babaeng MC habang tinutulak na kami papunta sa hallway kung nasaan ang silid.

With heavy steps, I entered inside the dark room first. Rinig ko ang pagsunod ng lalaki sa aking likuran. Turning around, the room lit up as soon as he switched on the light inside the room.

And right there, standing more than six feet tall in front of me was him.

"Hey," unang pagbati ng lalaki sa akin. His eyes glinted hazel up close and I swore my heart skipped a beat for a second. It shouldn't. He's my freaking nightmare.