Becoming The Man (COMPLETED)

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

"So, what do you wanna talk about?"

I curled the tip of my hair with my fingers while looking at Santana and Valerie dead in the eyes. I raised an eyebrow and popped my bubblegum nang hindi sila sumagot. Gosh, they're wasting my time!

"Hello?" I snapped. "Double time! Magre-recess pa kami ni Claudia."

I saw Santana's forehead crease. "Sabay kayo ni Claudia?"

Tumango ako. "Well, I figured that even though we've been arch-enemies for the longest time, she's still got my back."

They shared a look for a few seconds before returning their gaze on me.

"Huy, ano na?" I asked again.

Sila 'tong nag-chat sa akin earlier this morning na makipag-kita sa bleachers nang recess tapos now that we're here parang mga ayaw naman mag-talk.

Santana sighed. "Una sa lahat, sorry... Sorry kasi 'di ko agad sinabi sayo 'yung totoo, Debbie. Dapat pinaalam ko agad sayo 'yun kasi bestfriend kita at alam mo namang nasa 'yo 'yung loyalty ko diba?"

Her eyes began to water. Ugh, she's such a crybaby talaga!

"You're right," I replied. "I gave you my trust, but you broke it. Hindi ganun kadali ibalik 'yun, girl."

"Alam ko... Kaya humihingi ako ng sorry," she said.

I pursed my lips. Biglang nag-flashback sa akin 'yung piece of advice ni Claudia the other day.

"Kung tunay mo silang kaibigan, magiging honest sila sayo. Bina-backstab ka na pala tapos parang wala lang silang alam? Friends ba talaga 'yung mga ganun?"

She was right. Kaya mas lalo akong hindi nagi-guilty na sungitan silang dalawa right now.

I know, I know. I also have an atraso kay Val, but that doesn't excuse her from being held accountable. I felt betrayed and my feelings are valid. And as much as possible, I didn't want to talk while I'm still mad.

"Sorry din, Debbie," Valerie said as she emerged from behind Santana.

She was wearing a floral cardigan sweater on top of her uniform at kanina ko pa napapansin na she kept on pulling the sleeves down. I couldn't help but point it out.

"What are you covering?" tanong ko, my eyebrows arched.

"Ay, wala..." she replied sabay tago ng kamay niya sa likod niya.

Mas lalo lang akong na-curious. "Let me see," I said and reached for her hand but she stepped backwards. "Patingin ako, Valerie!" I shouted and grabbed her wrist, only to see some scars.

I gasped. My eyes widened in shock.

Valerie quickly pulled her hand back. She was biting the bottom of her lips as she shy away from me again.

"What did you—" I was cut off when I saw na papalapit si Claudia.

"Debs, nag-kita na pala kayo ng squad mo. Sasama ba sila mag-recess?" Claudia asked.

Nobody answered her. The three of us were exchanging serious glances at walang maka-imik dahil sa gulat. But it was as if I was the only one shocked.

I gulped.

Hindi ko alam kung anong appropriate na sabihin.

I didn't want to force Valerie to open up because if she wanted to, matagal na sana niyang ginawa. I also didn't want to say anything more that could possibly contribute to the problem.