#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 13

"Oh, my gosh! Tapos na 'ko. Naiiyak ako, grabe... after all the hardships and sacrifices. Nakaka-proud... na after all, we finished it."

I stared at Epione who is now crying— not really, she was faking it. She was wiping her fake tears as she stare at her paper. I glanced at Lizzie who is with us, she looks so done— like she was wondering how did she become friends with them. We're at the school bench right now, waiting for the bell to rang.

"Manahimik ka nga, Evionna. Isang essay lang ang ginawa mo, 300 words lang 'yan." Ariell said, brows furrowed.

Epione rolled her eyes. "Epal naman nito. Nagpa-practice lang ng speech for graduation." she pouted.

"Third grading pa lang, Epione." Lizzie said with her soft voice. "Are you that excited to be a senior high school?"

"Hala, may narinig akong anghel!" Epione said, laughing. Lizzie shook her head then chuckled. "Anyways, excited ako syempre mag-senior high school. I mean... new experiences!"

"Mabilis na lang naman n'yan na lilipas 'yung mga araw." Ariell said. "Before we even knew it, moving up na natin." dagdag pa niya.

"Tapos sure na naman na hakot awards 'tong si Lizzie. Grabe, saan ba makakabili ng ganyang utak? Pa-send nga ng shop link nang makapag-order." Kiel said, making Lizzie laughed while shaking her head.

"Stop acting like you guys are not smart." Lizzie answered, still chuckling.

They just shrugged and continue what they are doing. We just stood up when we heard the bell rang. Bumalik na kami sa classroom, gano'n din naman si Lizzie. Saktong pagpasok namin ay dumating na rin ang teacher namin at binati kami.

I glanced at Kirk direction— he's looking at me with wide smile. I scoffed and looked away, biting my lower lip. I tried my best to stop myself from smiling— I even bit the inside of my cheeks but I still found myself smiling. Damn, why am I smiling? I shook my head and sighed calmly.

"Mapunit labi mo riyan," I heard Ariell whispered. Saka ko lang napansin na nakipagpalit siya kay Epione. "I wonder what's the reason... hindi ka naman gaanong pala-ngiti no'n." she said, teasing.

"I don't know what you're talking about." I answered, looking away to avoid her eyes.

"Kinikilig ka, 'no?" tanong pa niya sa 'kin habang malawak pa rin ang ngiti.

"I'm not. Shut up," I answered, still can't look at her. "Stop targeting me."

Mula sa gilid ng mga mata ko ay kita ko pa rin kung paanong bigyan niya ako ng nang-aasar na ngiti. I did my best to ignore that, aasarin niya lang ako lalo. Nang lunch time ay sinabi pa talaga niya 'yun kay Kiel kaya ngayon ay dalawa na silang nang-aasar sa 'kin.

"Huwag mo nang itago, Khaisia... May alam ako," Kiel whispered, laughing. Napatingin ako sa kanya, confused on what he mean. "Nahalata ko lang... Tingin ko tama ang hinala ko." he proudly added, smirking.