#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 10

"It's been awhile, Khaisia!"

I gave Hershey a small smile when she cheerfully greeted me. She ran towards me, inakbayan din niya ako. Khloe waved at me, she's holding a ciggarette. Anton, Renzy, and Yuri were also waving at me and giving me a small smile.

"Wanna try?" Khloe offered me a cigarette. I stared at it, thinking if I should accept it or not.

"Huwag na nga kasi, Khloe." Yuri immediately reacted. Tinulak pa niya nang bahagya ang kamay ni Khloe para mailayo sa 'kin ang sigarilyo.

"Come on, Yuri. She's already... what... like 4th year? You're 4th year already, right, Khaisia?" Khloe asked.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"Pwede na 'yan, minsan lang naman. Hindi naman araw-araw, hindi naman siya araw-araw na pumupunta rito." Khloe said, rolling her eyes at Yuri.

"Kahit na, she never tried smoking." si Yuri. "Huwag ka ngang makulit."

"Masasanay din naman siya. She already tried drinking alcohol, right? Kailan nga 'yun ulit? Last year, 'di ba?" makulit na sabi pa niya.

"Khloe." nagbabanta ang tono ni Yuri.

"Okay, I'll stop." Khloe answered, rolling her eyes. "Renz, you will really just stay quiet?" mataray na tanong niya sa boyfriend.

"Hayaan mo na 'yan si Yuri, babe. You know, ngayon lang 'yan nagbi-binata." natatawang sagot nito na sinabayan naman nila Anton at Hershey.

"Oh, right, Khaisa, may house party 'yung classmate namin. She said we can bring anyone sa party niya. Wanna come?" Khloe asked, her eyes are full of hope that I will say yes.

"Right, I was just about to tell you kasi baka gusto mong sumama. You know, to have a little fun? Don't worry, you'll be fine with us. Kami na lang din ang bahalang maghatid sa 'yo." Hershey said, smiling.

"When?" I asked, looking at them one by one.

"On monday at 7 in the evening. We can go there at 6 in the evening din naman. Pwede ka naman, 'di ba?" she asked again.

"Hmm... I think so." I just answered. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko na nasa bulsa ko at tinignan ang oras. "I need to go." paalam ko sa kanila.

"Ang aga naman." Hershey said, disappointed.

"Pumapasok ka pa pala?" Anton asked. I rolled my eyes at him, halata namang wala silang balak pumasok.

"Yeah, unlike you." I answered. He just chuckled before he sucked the filter of his cigarette.

"Suspended 'yan." natatawang sabi ni Renzy.