A Hundred Days With You

T W E L V E

DISMISSAL came, my classmates waved goodbye at Venice while completely ignoring me.

"Hi Venice! Me and my friends will go shopping later. Do you want to join us?"

"Ah, no thanks. I already have plans for later eh."

Nagpatuloy ako sa pagbabalik ng notebook sa bag ko. After that, I carried it on my shoulder at tumingin kay Venice na nakikipag-usap pa sa kanila. They're too talkative.

Sumulyap saglit si Venice sa akin. "Uh guys, I really have to go now. See you tomorrow!"

"Bye Venice!"

"Take care, Venice."

Venice then pulled my arm as we walk on the hallway. There are still many students greeting her. She became an instant celebrity here, huh?

Nang makalabas kami ng gate ay saka lang natahimik ang paligid, though marami pa ring tao dito na nag-uusap. Hinarap ko si Venice na nakangiting naglalakad.

"So masaya ka na niyan?" I raised my eyebrows. Matalim na irap ang isinagot niya sa akin.

"Why? Are you jealous? Envious?"

"Nope. Why would I be?"

"Hm, maybe because I got the attention you once had?" Tumawa pa siya.

"Nasa kalahati lang yan ng pagiging sikat ko."

"I don't care. As long na nandyan ka, wala kang magagawa. I'm more famous than you."

"Psh. Attention-seeker."

"Psh. Feeling maganda."

We stared at each eyes then rolled our eyes at each other. Grabe mang-irap ang babaeng ito. Sometimes, I'm doubting her. How did she became an angel when she have an attitude like that?

"Hey, I'm only like this when I'm talking to you. I'm just giving you what you deserve." Nginiwian ko lang siya.

Nang makarating kami sa tapat ng primary campus ay nasa tapat na ng gate ang dalawang batang susunduin ko. They ran towards me but immediately stopped when they saw Venice beside me. Venice was just staring at them while smiling, again.

She smiles a lot and it creeps me out. Hindi ba siya napapagod kakangiti?

Leang and Esteng slowly walked towards me while staring at Venice like she's some sort of alien. A chuclke escaped my lips when Leang tripped because of a stone na hindi niya nakita dahil nakatingin lang siya kay Venice.

Sinamaan ako ng tingin ni Leang dahil sa pagtawa ko. I just smirked at her. What? Are you annoyed now?

"Hi kids! Ako si Venice. Best friend ako ng ate niyo." Nakangiting saad ni Venice sa kanila. Ngumiwi ako nang sabihin niyang best friends daw kami.

Yuck. Eww. Duh?

"Leang at Esteng. Yan pangalan nila." Ako na ang nagsalita dahil mukhang wala silang balak gumalaw. They're just staring at her like some statue. Are they starstrucked? Why? Venice's beauty is just ordinary.

"Ate! Hindi Leang ang pangalan ko!" Leang immediately shouted at me that almost made me jump. Nang humarap naman siya kay Venice ay naging maamong tupa siya bigla.

So, what's that? She's being mean to me but a good girl to Venice? Wow, she's really something!

"Ah eh ate Venice, ang pangalan ko po ay Leandra." She said. My lips formed an O.

So Leandra is her real name! And Leang is her nickname. But what about Esteng?

I looked at Esteng and she seem to not breathe while looking at Venice. My eyes rolled. Ano bang meron kay Venice at napapatulala sila? Paano pa kaya kapag si Crisa na ang kaharap nila? Baka mahimatay na lang sila bigla.