THE UNWANTED (COMPLETED)

6-The First Friend (Liliana Asquilla)

   "S-sigurado ka po ba M-miss Natasha?"

Napangiwi ako. Miss Natasha pa rin tawag niya sa akin. I guess it's not that really easy.

"Yes, I am. I wanted to be your friend." Malawak ang ngiting ibinigay ko sa kanya.

"P-pero d-di dapat kayo n-nakikipag-usap sa akin?" Napakunot-noo ako.

"And why is that?" Seryosong tanong ko sa kanya. Nagitla siya. Sabay tumaas ang mga balikat niya.

'She's so nervous'

"K-kasi po Miss N-natasha, baka po mapa-sama k-kayo. Di niyo p-po dapat kinakausap a-ang mga t-tulad kong s-schoolar lang." Kinuyom ko ang kaliwang kamao ko. I should change her mindset. This is unreasonable.

"There's nothing wrong with what I'm doing right now and don't call yourself a 'schoolar lang' because you're studying here to chase your dream. If I want to talk to you, it's my choice. I don't care about the people around." As I said those last words, inilibot ko ang paningin ko sa paligid. There, I saw how they avoided my eyes.

"P-pero---"

"No buts, Lily. From now on, you and I are friends, period!" I immediately change my mood into happy. Di na siya nagsalita. Yumuko na lang siya at kumain ng mahinhin.

'Hay naku.' Umalis kami ng cafeteria na magkasama. Hinawakan ko siya sa braso para di siya makatakas. I know she's scared. I can even feel her shaking. She's not an attention seeker person, kaya natatakot siya sa mga matang nakatingin sa kanya. Nanghuhusga. Nangliliit. If only she knew na parehas kaming nararamdaman kapag nasa bahay ako. Ang pinagkaiba lang is mas may confidence ako sa kanya and I can fight.

We're walking silently papunta sa garden ng school. I love this part of the school. Dito ang tambayan ko when I'm nowhere to go.

Napatigil ako as I heard Harper's name.

"Really?" Girl 1.

"Yes, Harper's birthday is coming. I already have a gift for him. I hope he accept it. The last time I gave him a gift, he didn't accept it huhuhu." Girl 2.

Nakatingin sa akin si Lily. The school knew that I'm into Harper. Lantaran ko kasing pinapakita ang interes ko sa kanya. I don't care what people think about me. I just want to express my feelings for him.

Nagsimula na akong maglakad at tumigil sa harap ng dalawang babae. I smiled.

"Hey, you're talking about Harper right?" Tanong ko sa kanila. Their eyes formed into letter O.

"A-ah y-yes!" Utal na sabi ni Girl 2.

"Okay, do you know where he'll celebrate his birthday this year?" Tumango sila pareho, still amazed that I'm talking to them. "Where? Please!!"

I'm still smiling. It's a real smile. Hindi naman ako hipokrita. Lumunok naman si Girl 1 at siya ang sumagot.

"At the Clark's!" Tukoy niya sa isang bar na kilala dito sa amin. Tumango-tango ako.

"Okay, thank you so much girls. Bye." I waved as I started to walk with Lily. We also heard them say "Ehhhh!!" napangiwi tuloy ako.

Nagmamadali akong umupo sa favorite spot ko. Tinignan ko si Lily na tinitignan ang dalawang babae.

"K-kinikilig sila!" Mahina niyang saad. Napangiti ako.

"Let them be, Lily. And oh, isasama kita sa birthday ni Harper. Pupunta ako." She immediately look at me and rounded her eyes.