Tough & Classy

Chapter 11

Chapter 11: "I was walking away, but then you looked at me again."

"Ano iyan? Wala ng uwian?" Xander asked as he eyed my LV luggage and carry on. "Ang alam ko two days lang tayo sa Caliraya."

I rolled my eyes. "Girls need options. I only packed a few nga lang eh. And of course, some essentials."

He gasped with exaggeration then turned to Andy. "Did you hear that? Hindi ka nga babae, Andeng!"

"Siraulo ka talaga! Si Katie din naman isang backpack lang ang dala ah! So meaning, hindi rin siya babae?"

We all turned to look at Katie. Her face flushed. "Kung may alam ako sa fashion baka marami din akong dala. Kaso medyo sablay eh," she said with a shy smile.

"There's nothing wrong with being simple," Chester said. 

She pursed her lips. "The downside though is that I only have a few friends. Hindi ko kase masakyan yung trip ng iba which is fashion nga. Maybe I should try harder to learn."

I bit my lower lip; feeling bad for her and at the same time, guilty for how I mistreated her last time. It took me some time to admit that I was indeed bitchy towards her when we first met, but in my defense, it was only out of jealousy. 

I know it doesn't justify my actions; No one has the right to mistreat someone under any circumstances. Maybe I could help in improving her fashion; That's the least I could do.

"Why would you wanna be friends with superficial people who think that the world revolves around fashion?"

I gasped as I was flabbergasted with what he had said. I glowered at him. "Excuse me?" I said, raising my perfectly shaped brow, and putting my hand on my waist. "Just because we are voguish doesn't mean our world revolve around fashion. It's not our fault if it comes naturally to us, and it isn't our fault either if there are people who are ignorant in fashion!"

His mouth set in a hard line. "Wala akong sinabi na shallow ka. But as they say, if the shoe fits, who am I to say otherwise?" he said sarcastically.

My lips parted, completely taken aback. I felt a pinch in my heart, but I would never dare show that to anyone. I raised my chin and crossed my arms. 

"Huy, ano iyan? Biru-biruan lang tayo dito," awat ni Xander. "Masyado kayong hot! Pagdating sa Caliraya ihahagis namin kayo sa lake para mahimasmasan kayong dalawa!"

Yu took my luggage and carry on. "Get inside the van. Isasakay ko lang sa likod ang mga gamit natin," he said, giving me a soft smile. 

I nodded and turned my back. As soon as I got inside the van, the tough mask I had put on in front of Chester faded, and was replaced with somberness. I hate how his words could hit me hard so bad. I don't wanna be like this. 

All of us, girls, would be sleeping in one room. Fortunately, the bed is big enough for the three of us. Nagkanya-kanya na kami ng ayos sa mga gamit namin. Katie excused herself as soon as she finished. 

"G na, Claire." 

"Huh?"

"I know you wanna talk to her."

I deliberated whether I should do it or not, but in the end, I found myself going out of our room and heading towards the kitchen. Naabutan ko siyang inaayos ang mga dala namin pagkain. 

I took a deep breath. "Need help-"

"There are only two potatoes. Are these enough?"

Natigilan ako ng makita ko si Chester sa may tabi ng refrigerator. I didn't notice him right away. Natihimik din siya ng makita ako. I looked at the two of them. Obviously, he was already helping her. My mouth snapped shut.