One Day After School

17: Past lives

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Chapter 17: Past lives

“Who are you really, Solana? Or should we call you, Solace?”

My mouth went agape as I froze in shock.

“W-what?” Nauutal kong tanong. I furrowed my brows in confusion. Pinaglipatan-lipat ko ang tingin sa kanilang apat. The boys were just silently watching us, while Samantha is showing her bitch and bad side to me.

“Pati ba naman kayo?” I wanted to voice that out, but I don't have the guts to do so. Pagod na pagod na ako. All I did is to lookbup, gazing at the setting sun and the beautiful formation of clouds. The surrounding were changed into a more calm looking orange sunset, contrary to the chaos happening between us.

I can feel the shattering of the little hope within me. Wala na, tapos na talaga. Wala na talagang pag-asa.

Bumuntong hininga ako bago ibinaba ang paningin. I smiled at them, tiredly.

“Stop acting, Solace!” Samantha shouted furiously. I shook my head in response, keeping my mouth shut. Pagod na pagod na pagod na ako. Mapabahay man o school, ganito pa rin ang nararamdaman at nararanasan ko.

I wonder, bakit kaya lagi na lang ganito?

“Solace is already dead,” bulong ko, just enough to reach them. “And I am not Solace.” Iling ko habang nakayuko. I lifted my head and faced them. “Hindi ako si Ate...”

“At sinong niloloko mo?” Nicko smirked, obviously not believing me. It made my heart clenched in pain, making me speak my thoughts out.

“Hindi nga ako siya.” Nagtitimping ani ko.

“Don't lie in front of us!” Sigaw ulit ni Sam.

And with that, it made my last thread of patience cut on loose.

“Tangina, kamukhang-kamukha ko siya, pero hindi nga ako si Solace! Ano ba?!” I shouted. Emotions are breaking free.

“At sinong niloloko mo?” Nicko asked with that annoying smirk in his lips.

Kaya ba nila ako kinaibigan dahil akala nila na ako si Ate? Solace na lang sila ng Solace. Pwede bang ako naman muna? Humugot ako ng isang mabigat na hininga.

“Believe what you want to believe. But I'm telling you for the last time,” I seriously looked into their eyes. “I...” I seriously stared at Yuan's bored light brown eyes, na napagkamalan kong hazel. “Am not...” Ibinaling ko ang tingin kay Nicko. His chocolate brown eyes seriously gazed at me. But I know I look more intimidating and serious than him. I smirked before darting my eyes at Samantha's huntress eyes. “Her.”

I left them speechless.

There are sides of people that they don't show off to others recklessly, because it is meant to be hidden. Yet now they also saw one of my hidden sides, a part of me whose long been buried.

Gusto nila ng ganyanan, ha. Okay. Madali lang naman akong kausap. My face became more serious. I saw in my peripheral view on how Nicko gulped two times. Is he intimidated? I bet yes, he should because I'm not kidding.

Starting from now on, Solana Eurydice is also. . .

Dead.

Maglalakad na sana ako papaalis ng makarinig kami ng tatlong magkakasunod na malakas na palakpak. My sight instantly shifted towards someone. I curiously eyed him from head to toe. His stance looks powerful and sophisticated, you could tell in a glance that he's someone you shouldn't mess with. He have this small white beard and a grayish hair. He is also wearing a brown and white stripe polo, something you would wear in the 90.'s May sungkod din siyang dala-dala.