Perfect Silence (JhoLet)

VIII - Internal Struggle

Mackenzie was standing just by the exit of the school with her arms crossed looking at Calliope who looked defeated heading towards her which made her concerned.

Mackenzie: "Hey, what happened? Why did you ran off all the sudden and headed towards the parking lot?"

Calliope thought fast and hard trying to think of an excuse that would satisfy her best friend's curiosity because she did acted weird a few minutes ago.

Calliope: "Huh?! Eh, akala ko naiwan ko ang susi ng motor ko sa ignition kaya nagpanic ako at napatakbo ako sa parking lot. Tapus nung palapit ako, nakapa ko ang susi bigla sa likod na bulsa ng pantalon ko pala." she faked a sigh of relief just to add emphasis on her explanation.

Mackenzie had a good feeling her best friend wasn't telling the truth because she had known Calliope for a few years now and she can tell if she is fibbing or not but she also knows not to bombard Calliope with too much questions or irritate her or she goes in a foul mood and shut down on her completely. She cares for Callie because she is her best friend and she knows that she is one of the very few handful of people Callie trusts and open up to when she wants to, so she doesn't want to break it. 

Mackenzie: "Ok. You got me worried for a second." she answered patting her shoulder to show comfort in which Calliope nodded signaling she acknowledged she best friend's concern.

Calliope: "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Mackenzie knows that statement all too well. It usually means the opposite.

Mackenzie: "Ok Callie." she gave her a reassuring smile silently telling her best friend she understands. "Let's go back? I still haven't talk to Principal Igo yet."

Calliope nodded and they slowly went back up the stairs towards the principal's office not without drawing attention from numerous students as usual.

"Hi Callie! Hi Mackenzie!" 

Both girl turned around as they arrived on the 3rd floor to a distinctive voice that greeted them and they knew whose it was.

Mackenzie: "Hello Shannen." she greeted the bubbly girl who skipped towards them.

Shannen: "Kamusta summer vacation ninyo?" she asked both girls as she got closer to them.

Mackenzie: "It's good."

Calliope: "Ok lang naman."

Mackenzie: "Ikaw? How was your vacation?"

Shannen: "Ang enjoy! 1 week kami nagbakasyon sa Alaminos kung saan nagnonstop beach and island hopping tapus naghiking kami at nagcamping kami ni Ate Maia for 3 days sa Rizal." she said enthusiastically.

The two best friends nodded at Shannen's storytelling. People usually don't approach them and talk to them nonchalantly but not Shannen who has always had a friendly attitude towards others and never having bad blood to any student or teacher accompanied with so much energy same as her older sister. They are not fazed by the Intimidating Trio's status in the school and always greet them and talk to them when they can and treat them like any other student in school because they don't care about being categorized in school and treats everyone equally. So the trio of friends have a soft spot for the siblings.

Shannen was suppose to tell them more about her trip when Gillian suddenly exited the principal's office and looked around spotting the three girls talking to each other.

Gil: "Ui, nandyan pala kayo. Hey Shannen." she came closer towards them with Shannen waving at her joyfully.

Shannen: "Hi Gil, kamusta Canada?"

Gillian: "Masaya naman, malamig. Hehe. Kamusta outdoor summer niyo nina Maia? I saw the pictures online."

Shannen: "Sobrang enjoy. Feeling ko maeenjoy niyo rin tatlo ang camping and swimming. Next time sumama kayo saamin nina Ate, ok?" she smiled looking at the Intimidating trio.

Gillian: "Sana clear scheds natin lahat. hehe. Kasama ba ni Maia si Aubrey?"

Shannen: "Uhhh.. Yeah, kakatext lang niya saakin na mag-mall sila kasama ata pinsan ni Aubrey na magiging new student dito."

Gillian: "Ahhh.. Ok ok.. Text ko nalang siya mamaya. Nga pala, Kenz." she noticed Kenzie was looking at the ground with a worried look in her face before paying her attention towards her. "Principal Igo's looking for you pala."

Mackenzie: "Oh, ok thanks Gil. Hintayin niyo ako right?" looking at both Gillian and Calliope who both nodded before bidding Shannen "goodbye" and entered the principal's office.

Shannen: "Well, kailangan ko na imeet ang crewmates ko sa sayaw. See you guys!" She waved at both Gillian and Calliope then began skipping down the stairs not before glancing back at the two girls and gave them one more smile before she was fully out of their sights.

Gillian: "Minsan iniisip ko na Red Bull and iniinom nila ni Maia sa umaga kesa kape or hot chocolate." she jokingly whispered at Calliope.

Calliope shook her head on her barkada's joke before leaning over the rails once again like what she did earlier with Gil following her.

They looked at the sea of people in the courtyard silently observing them with Calliope secretly searching for the mysterious girl with glasses hoping she returned at the quadrangle.

Gillian: "Mom has been asking how you're doing."

Calliope froze from what Gillian said.

Gillian: "You haven't visited her in a while, she just wanted to make sure you are doing well."

Calliope: "Tell her I'm fine." she answered quickly.

Gillian: "I think it's better if you tell her that personally."

Calliope looked at her close friend with slight irritation. She knows out of the two of her closest friends; Gillian is more vocal and pushy than Mackenzie in regards to her personal issues. She knows both are just concerned about her and what Mackenzie is not saying to Callie, Gillian does it for them which sometimes lead to disagreements towards each other.

Calliope: "Sa tingin ko, isang simpleng message na ganyan pwede ipasabi lang diba? Hindi naman kailangan ng personal apprearance for that." she replied in a deadpan tone before looking away again towards the crowd below.

Gil: "Alam mo kung ano ang ibig kong sabihin Callie." she replied as softly as possible without trying to trigger her best friend's anger.

Calliope sighs deeply doing her best not to bite back a response.

Gil: "Cal, it's our Senior Year. Mom just wants you to prepare for it and see your progress since the last time you met. She cares for you and so do I."

Calliope glanced a look at the girl beside her and she felt guilty for Gillian was just trying to be a good friend to her.

Calliope: *sighs* "Dadaan ako kay Tita soon." she looked straight towards the distance and away from Gillian's stare.

Gillian: "Talaga?" she smiled.

Calliope: "Talaga." she simply answered.

Gillian: "Thanks Cal. You know I'm always here and I'm sure Kenz is too."

Gillian reached out and put her right hand above Calliope's left one and squeezing it a bit to show comfort since Calliope isn't much of a hugger or an affectionate person but Calliope accepted the sweet gesture wholeheartedly.

----------------------------------END OF CHAPTER-------------------------------------------------

I apologize if this is a slow progression story but I appreciate the votes and views :) 

I try to cover up as much backstory as I can for all characters before the main storyline of Calliope and Jordyn. <3