Tough & Classy

Chapter 25

Chapter 25: "In the heat of the moment, you think that we're broken. I could see my whole life with you, but now you got me thinking that I'm crazy because you're out the door." 

-Thick and Thin by Lany

I looked at them hard, thinking why I let myself suffer this way. I should've known better than to fall for my own illusions. He didn't really like me from the start. It was always me who'd chase him. Maybe he just felt pressured to like me back. I felt so bitter that I could already taste it.

My mouth set in a hard line as my eyes went to Katie then to Chester who was staring at me. Looking at the two of them together made me realize how pathetic I have become. My love for Chester has turned me into a loser that my parents never raised me to be. 

I scoffed, shook my head, and walked past them.

"Claire, where are you going?" takang tanong ni Katie sabay hawak sa braso ko.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa braso ko. Then I looked at her and raised my brow. Her mouth parted and let me go fast like she was burned. I raised my head and walked away. 

Pagdating ko sa may parking lot kung saan nakaparada ang sasakyan ko ay napabuga na lang ako ng hangin ng hindi ko makita ang driver. Bahagya pa akong nagulat ng biglang may humawak sa braso ko.

"Claire," I shut my eyes tightly then took a deep breath before I turned to face him. "Let's talk."

I raised my brow. "What for?"

He bit his lower lip and brush his fingers through his hair; He seemed frustrated over something. "I'm sorry."

Ironically, hearing him apologize hurt me even more. I scoffed. "Five days," I uttered which made him look confused. "It took you five freakin' days to realize that you wanted to make things right between us? Five days!"

He breathed out harshly. "I just wanted to give us time and space to cool down before we talk."

"Space and time? Bullshit!" I scoffed. "I didn't need any of those. A simple apology was all I wanted, Chester. All I wanted was that and for you to make me feel secure! But what did you do instead? You went to Katie. You went to her instead of coming to me!"

His forehead creased. "What the hell? What are you talking about? I only went to see Katie because she needed my help for her school performance, and you know that." He brushed his fingers through his hair and looked away. After a while, his eyes looked into my eyes. "Are you jealous of Katie? Claire, you know that we're just friends," he said calmly.

I swallowed hard. "You said you'd only teach her how to play the guitar, not sing with her!" His mouth opened, but it seemed words left him, and that disappointed and hurt me. "You promised that you would never sing for anyone. You promised that you would only sing for me! What happened to your promise?"

He looked torn. "She needed my help," he uttered helplessly. 

"She needed your help?" I smiled bitterly. As my eyes stung, I looked heavenward and took a deep breath to fight back the tears. "What about me, Chester? Paano ako? You broke your promise to me just so you could help her. How do you think that would make me feel? I am your girlfriend, but why do I feel like I don't matter at all to you?"

Marahas siyang napaangat ng tingin sa akin. "That's not true!" He held my arms. "You know that you are important in my life."

I scoffed. "Am I? Then why do I feel like I'm just an option?" 

His mouth parted. He looked like I physically hurt him. "I make you feel like you're an option? So, yung lahat ng ginawa at ipinakita ko sa'yo, wala lang iyon sa'yo?"