How to Get Out of the "Bestfriend Zone"

Chapter 23

"Sa'n na sila?" tanong ko sa kanya nang makarating na kami sa labas ng mall.

            He shrugged. "Aywan. Sabi, nandito na raw kanina pa, eh." Then, something caught his attention. I followed his eyes. "O, ayan na pala sila."

            They walked towards us while grinning. They did this handshake na I would like to guess exclusive na ginagamit ng barkada nila.

            "Mia, I'd like you to meet Jonah, Aaron, and Tristan. You know Patrick of course."

            I've known Patrick even before I met Lance. Magkasama kami noong sophomore year namin sa varsity.

            "I know him, of course." I beamed at Patrick, then the other three. "It's nice to meet you guys."

            "It's nice to meet you too, Mia." Sabi ni Jonah. The others smiled back at me.

            Only one out of the four wears glasses. And that is Tristan. Whenever I see him at school, nakikita ko siyang parating nakangiti. As if wala siyang kaproble-problema.  Si Aaron naman, he's pretty good-looking. Masasabi ko nga'ng mas gwapo pa siya kay Lance ko kaya lang, parang mahiyain siya. While Tristan, on the other hand, is almost as tall as Lance. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, kasali siya sa debate team ng school namin. Nerd din, katulad ko.

            "So, sa'n tayo ngayon?" tanong ni Patrick.

            "Karaoke tayo habang kumakain? Gutom na ako eh." tanong ni Aaron.

            "Parati ka naman gutom. Himala nga'ng hindi ka tumataba, eh." Hirit pa ni Lance.

            At tumawa kaming lahat.

            "Sige. 'San ba 'yan?"

            "Sa may Laguna lang. Mga 20 minutes from here."

            We all walked towards Lance's car. "Okay guys. Hop in." Sabi pa niya. He opened the front door of his car. "Mia, after you."

            Nginitian ko lang siya. Nakita kong nagkatinginan ang barkada ni Lance sa isa't-isa. I'm guessing nakita rin ni Lance 'yun. Napa-iling lang siya sabay ngiti.

            Ag ingay-ingay nila while we were on our way. Pero 'yung tipo ng ingay na nae-enjoy mong pakinggan kasi nakakatuwa. Minsan nga lang, hindi na ako nakaka-relate kasi nga, mga lalake sila.

            "And, we're here." Lance said as he stepped on the brakes.

            They ordered food good for 7 people. Good thing, iced tea lang din in-order nila. I must admit at first I was a bit worried na baka umiinon sila. You know, just like most barkadas nowadays. Pero siyempre, alam ko din naman na Lance is not that type of guy. Napaka-sabay din sa uso ng mga kinakanta ng mga singers. Apparently, mag vo-volunteer lang kung sinuman ang gustong kumanta tapos tatawagin na on stage.

            "Okay. Sino'ng gustong sumunod?" tanong ng host.

            "Ui. Patrick. Punta ka na 'dun." Sabi pa ni Tristan.

            "Oo nga. 'Di ba makapal ang mukha mo?" pabirong hirit naman ni Jonah.

            Mabilis na ininom ni Patrick ang iced tea niya as if beer ito pampalakas ng loob. "I accept the challenge."  At tumayo pa siya.

            Nagpalakpakan kaming lahat.

            "Galingan mo!" pahabol pa ni Lance.