FHS # 6 | Dubbed as the golden girl of Filimon Heights, everyone thinks Joana Cohen has everything a girl could ever want. However, what she has is the very thing that keeps her from getting what she truly wants.
With a life riddled with misconcep...
!!!trigger warning: this chapter contains themes relating to self-harm and bullying. if uncomfortable, please skip this chapter or read with caution.
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Nagsisimula na akong makaramdam ng pagod kaya umahon na ako mula sa swimming pool at kumuha ng tuwalya. Habang abala ang lahat sa kani-kanilang ginagawa, pumasok na ako sa villa at umakyat sa kwartong ginagamit namin nina Izzy at Argentina.
Pagbukas ko ng pinto, nagulat ako nang maabutan ko si Izzy na nagbibihis. Sumigaw siya nang napakalakas at mabilis na nagtakip ng kanyang sarili. Natakot ako sa reaksyon niya kaya dali-dali kong sinara ang pinto at paulit-ulit na humingi ng tawad.
"Okay lang kayo?" Narinig kong sigaw ni Cyprus mula sa baba kasabay ng pagbukas ng screen door sa sala.
"Yup! Nothing to worry about!" sigaw ko pabalik at narinig ko namang sumara ang screen door, hudyat na bumalik na ulit siya sa poolside.
"Okay na!" Izzy said from the other side kaya naman pumasok na ako at nadatnan siyang nakaupo sa kama at nagbo-blowdry ng buhok. Nakasuot na siya ng sweatpants at sweatshirt.
"Sorry, I should've knocked," I smiled and scratched my head. "Don't worry, wala naman akong nakita," I assured her pa.
Sa totoo lang ay nagulat ako sa reaksyon ni Izzy. Siguro ay dahil masyado akong nasanay kanila Megan na naghuhubad mismo sa harapan ko. To each his own nga naman.
"Sorry I screamed. Gulat lang," she flashed a reassuring smile, but I can tell there's more to it.
"Need help?" I walked towards her and extended my hand. However, my smile faltered the moment I laid my eyes on her bare right wrist. I quickly gazed over the left and realized it's the same. Her wrists... They are filled with horizontal scars.
"Izzy..." Tears filled up my eyes at the horrible realization.
"Oh God..." Izzy chuckled and quickly wore her wide-strapped watch and bracelet. Her eyes flickered with a hint of panic, but she tried so hard to smile and not make a big deal out of it. "Sorry you had to see that."
I wanted to cry and hug her tight. I wanted to assure her how precious she is. I wanted her to promise me that she would never harm herself again. In the end, I just froze, unable to figure out the right thing to do and say.
"Sabi ni Argentina may nakita raw siyang maliit na canteen sa baba. Titingnan lang namin kung may chips ba doon or ice cream. May ipapabili ka?" Izzy asked as she grabbed her jacket and wallet. Halatang nagmamadaling makaalis at makaiwas sa sitwasyon.
Ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay umiling at ngumiti, nagpipigil pa rin ng mga luha.
The moment Izzy left the room, I lost control of my tears. Naupo ako sa kama, mabigat ang loob lalo't bumabalik sa isip ko ang lahat ng bulungan at tinginan ng mga estudyante kay Izzy. Naalala ko kung paano siya pinag-usapan nina Mimi. Naalala ko kung paano naluha ang kanyang ama habang nagpapasalamat sa amin.
