Bruised (A Thomas Torres Fanfiction)

Eleven

The playful banters with Thomas seemed to be getting better each day that passes. Unknowingly, my feelings were starting to grow as well. Despite our heavy schedules, we end up finding ways to meet as much as we can. My teammates and the Blue Eagles were also able to notice that and they never failed to point it out whenever they can. Lalo na si Kiefer! Akala mo naman hindi sila lumalabas palagi ni Mika. Tsk. From what I can remember, Kiefer always made the effort to watch all of the DLSU games so far. Iba talaga si lover boy e. Natamaan ng archer. Iba.

The moment when things seem to be going really well, shit just has to happen. It's starting to feel like it's an unwritten law in the rulebook of life. The feeling of disappointment is an absolute understatement. It's not just because we were almost there at that point when a "we" could have happened. It's actually because I lost someone because I was insensitive. I guess I never really did consider others when it came to my family affairs. I never thought about the intensity of his worry. I guess I only thought about me and how strong I am as an individual to handle everything.

I've refused to step out of my room for almost 2 days straight, cut off all means of communication, and basically just lived like a hermit. I still ate, when I knew everyone was asleep. That would be at weird hours of the day (or night) though. That was the first time I locked myself up in my room. I had to go home for a party organized by my dad and Tommy's family. It was a good thing that both Angel and I don't have any games this next few days. It's already the second elimination round and the competition has grown tenfold. I have no solid idea as to why but I just ended up feeling Lovely's heavy palm on my cheek after she barged into my room after the party. I wasn't able to react at all, causing me to get heavily beaten. If I didn't know her, I'd think she'd have some boxing or sparring experience. A busted brow and lip along with the usual canvas of black and blue, she stopped when Angel quickly came into my room. It was her who asked her mom to stay away and to stop. I couldn't do anything. God, I felt so weak. I hated it as much as I hated the metallic taste of blood in my mouth.

 

The whole time I've been locked up, I never figured out why I ended up that way. I just attributed it to possible stress on her part or maybe she got insecure at some point because people weren't minding her as much as she perceived she should be. Baka naman kailangan niya lang maglabas ng frustrations at ako nanaman yung nakita niya. But I never opened it up again, in fear of it getting repeated. Baka namiss niya rin kasi ako kasi matagal akong di nakauwi. Wala siyang stress ball. I scoffed. Do I look like a fucking stress ball to her?

 

"Tina,"

 

What the...?

 

"Open the door, please,"

 

"No," I firmly answered even if I wanted to. I don't want him to see me badly beaten up. I know he'd just worry even more and I can't have that. I'm scared too that he'd get mad. "Go home, Thomas,"

 

"Tins," he whined, but I can hear the slight irritation in his voice. "Come on, you need to get out. Angel told me that you haven't left your room for days,"

 

"That's not true. I've left my room a couple of times already to get food when they were all asleep," I answered like a smart ass.

 

"Tina naman," he groaned. "Buksan mo na, please. It's just me. I'm not going to hurt you or anything,"