The Art Of Hating

Chapter Thirty-One

XXXI. Introduce

I don't remember who stopped first.

What I remember was the purposely clearing of throat by Treyton in front of us. Who by the way, asking a really stupid question if he could sit with us and if he's not disturbing us or something.

With feverish feeling and irritated sigh, I rolled my eyes at my friend. Umayos na rin ako ng upo at lumayo ng kaonti kay Alexander. My awkwardness about what we did was overpowered by the heat I'm still feeling. It's still consuming me like a strong aphrodisiac. What the hell? I didn't know our make-out will make me feel this wanton. Kung hindi nang-istorbo si Treyton ay pakiramdam ko ay hindi man lang ako mag-aalinlangan na kumandong sa katabi ko.

Mas lalong nag-init ang pisngi ko at umayos ulit ng upo. Fuck. I feel like my dress now is offending my skin. Na para bang masyado iyong makapal at magaspang sa balat.

It's like I want to remove it and replace it with just his hands. . .

Shit. I think I've had enough of these drinks. It's already clouding my senses.

"Are you okay?"

Nagkasabay pa sa pagtanong si Alexander at Treyton sa akin.

Nagkatinginan ang dalawa. Treyton with that annoying smirk while Alexander with serious expression.

Tumango agad ako at tuluyang ilinayo ang baso sa akin.

"Dala mo ang kotse mo? I could drive you home." Treyton said.

Siya rin naman ang tagahatid sa amin noon pa man kapag may night out dahil malakas ang resistensya ng lalakeng 'to at parang mahirap malasing.

"No need, Trey," Alexander butted in. "Ako na ang maghahatid sa girlfriend ko."

Nagpalipat-lipat tuloy ang tingin ko sa kanila.They are too serious. Tss. What's the matter? Big deal agad?

"I can still drive, you know." I rolled my eyes at them.

Nagkibit balikat agad si Treyton na natatawa. "Alright."

Naramdaman ko ang magaang kamay ni Alexander sa balikat ko at ang marahang paghigit niya sa akin papalapit sa kanya.

"Can we meet my friends? It'll be quick." He whispered.

Kumunot ang noo ko sa kanya. Pero naintindihan ko rin naman agad kung ano ang pinaplano niya. He'll formally introduce me as his girlfriend. Kung hindi man direktang sasabihin, introducing me to them says a lot.

I nodded at him. This is a good start. And probably that Lucille will finally set her boundaries. I'm hoping she'll respect what we have. Iyon na lang sana ang ibigay niya.

We excused ourselves from Treyton and headed to his friends' couch. Nakaabang na pala ang karamihan at kumaway agad nang makitang papalapit kami. I don't know if I'll smile happily or just give them the civil smile I often use. Nevertheless, it turned out to be an awkward smile.

Gusto kong ilingan ang sarili. I know I'm not good in interacting with people. Madalas nga ay napagkakamalan pang mataray dahil natural naman akong seryosong tao lalo na kapag hindi ko naman close ang kausap.

Of course, I'm naturally mean with my friends. Hindi na iyon magbabago.

Lucille Guevarra was obviously in the table. Apat silang babae at lima namang mga lalake. Saglit lang itong nakikipag-usap sa mga babaeng naroon sa table bago lumingon sa deriksyon namin. Tumalas agad ang mga mata nito lalo na no'ng maramdaman kong dumausdos ang kamay ni Alexander patungo sa kamay ko. He casually held my hand while nodding at his friends. Parang may senyasan pang nangyari bago niya ako hinigit ulit paupo roon.