Sincere Lies

Thirty-One

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I finally made the comeback I promised Chris. I finally returned to Dreamers' Gallery, the only place that looked and felt closest to Town in a Building. The neon lights of Dreamers' Gallery hit my white t-shirt as I walked down the aisle leading to my station, Stephanie IV's station. I was dressed so simply—white t-shirt and black jeans, and it was because I wanted my mask to be the one drawing people's attentions.

Oh, yes, I just decided that I will wear a white masquerade mask, and it'll be a part of my identity as Stephanie IV.

Back then, I was also a secret within my team. I just went to Dreamers' Gallery whenever there were no people yet, when no one could see me. But I'm not going to do that now. I will just wear a mask to hide my face. I also feel more genuine that way.

And it was hard setting myself apart from any mask. I always remembered Chris, and by wearing a mask, I realized that I would not be drifting away from the concept of Town in a Building, making it hurt less when I remember him. Does that make any sense?

"Good morning, guys," I smiled and stopped in front of the same group of people assigned to my artworks. It took a while for them to recognize me.

"Miss Stephanie the fourth!" Melissa squealed, hugging me, leaving her paperworks behind. "OMG, ikaw ba talaga 'to?"

"Oo," I smiled, hugging her back.

"OMG!" Lilac jumped to her feet, waving at me as she came closer. "Miss Stephanie! We missed you!"

"I missed you, too, guys," I said, smiling as I pointed to my mask. "I got a mask instead of hiding—yay!"

"Yeah," Melissa and Lilac smiled like the team we were.

"Pero parang maga po ang mga mata niyo, Miss Stephanie," Lilac said.

"Maga?" I almost took a step back when I heard that. Lilac noticed my eyes. I cried a whole lot last night.

"Ah," I smiled and lied a little, "hindi kasi ako makatulog kagabi. Excited na akong bumalik dito, e. At saka, nagpuyat ako kasi bakasyon na, finally."

"It's good to have you back here again, Miss Stephanie," Melissa smiled, shaking my arm.

"Thank you," I said.

"Nako, Miss Stephanie," Lilac whispered, "mayroon na pong nagtatanong kung may bago po kayong mga drawings or i-e-exhibit, tapos ang sagot lang namin, hindi namin alam kung babalik ka pa."

"Oo nga," Melissa said. "Buti bumalik ka na, Miss Stephanie."

"Ganoon talaga," I said, smiling bitterly as I remembered how I went to Dreamers' Gallery only because I wanted Chris to see more of my drawings. I already gave him my pseudonym, and I reckoned he knew how to find me in this place. Kahit na hindi na kami.

"Miss Stephanie," Lilac called happily, "ano nga po ulit ang meaning behind your pseudonym?"

" 'Stephanie the fourth'?" I asked.

"Yes po," ang sabi ni Lilac nang makaupo na ako sa upuan kong matagal-tagal ko nang hindi naupuan. "Nakalimutan ko na po sa sobrang tagal niyong nawala."