#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 12

I glanced at my side when I felt someone poking me, it was Epione with brows furrowed. I raised my left brow, giving her a questioning look. Instead of answering, she tilted her head a bit and stared at me for a moment. I looked at Ariell, also giving her a questioning look.

"What do you want, Epione?" I asked.

"Wala naman, nagtataka lang kasi ako." she answered. "Kanina pa kasi ako nakatingin sa 'yo, parang–"

"May gusto ka na sa kanya?" Ariell cut her off.

"Hindi! Huwag ka ngang epal, wait lang kasi!" asar na sagot nito sa pinsan. Ariell laughed at her to tease her more. "Anyway, Kha, napansin ko lang na kanina ka pa tahimik."

"Gaga ka, Evionna! Kailan ba 'yan naging bungangerang katulad mo, ha? Lagi naman ding tahimik 'yang si Khaisia. Lagi pa ngang masungit kapag nagsasalita." sagot naman ni Ariell sa kanya bago tumingin sa 'kin, giving me a small smile and a peace sign.

"Oo, Ariell Khalia, alam ko 'yun. Pansin ko lang kasi na sobrang tahimik niya ngayon tapos kanina nahuli ko pa siyang nakatulala." she answered, defending herself.

I watched the both of them argue in front of me. Hindi rin naman ako nagsalita at hinayaan na lang 'yung dalawa. I leaned on my seat, closed my eyes and tried to ignore the two. Wala pa si Kiel n'yan, kung nandito lang 'yun ay paniguradong mas maingay sila.

As I close my eyes, the memory of what happened that day suddenly flashed on my mind. The day that Kirk told me... he likes me. I shook my head— trying to get that out of my head. I still don't know what to feel about that confession.

Hindi ko na alam kung ilang araw na ba ang lumipas simula noong araw na 'yun. Noong araw na 'yun ay tumakbo lang din ako palabas ng music room at hindi sumagot sa kanya. I don't know why... I just feel like running away. Besides, hindi ko rin naman alam kung anong meron sa 'kin at nasabi niya 'yun. I mean, I may look okay outside but I'm a complete mess inside.

"Khaisia," I felt someone poked me again and that made me snapped back to reality. "May problema ba?" Epione asked, looking directly at my eyes— like she was trying to read me through my eyes.

I looked away. "Nothing. Inaantok lang ako," I answered. "Aren't you busy? I thought you're doing something..." sabi ko pa sa kanya.

"Oh, shit! Oo nga pala. Gagi! Wait lang, ha? Ibibigay ko lang 'to kay Miss Rivera sa faculty." she said, panicking a bit.

"Hala ka, gagi! Lagot ka n'yan!" Ariell tried to scare her and Epione just glared at her, making Ariell laughed.

"Oh, saan pupunta si Epione? Bakit nagmamadali?" Kiel, who just entered our classroom, asked.

"Faculty, kay Miss Rivera." Ariell answered. "Saan ka galing?" tanong pa nito.

Kiel sat down beside her. "Kay Lizzie, nanghiram lang ako ng notes niya." he answered.