Break Fresh Ground

19: ADMIT

As soon as France and I heard that loud question, we both spun around in alarm. My heart raced in my chest, and I felt my blood drain from every other part of my body. With quick, determined steps, the person who had asked the question made their way towards us, their unyielding gaze locked onto me like a predator stalking its prey. My nerves were on edge as I braced myself for whatever was to come.

My heart raced as she spoke, "Is that true?" her question hanging in the air like a weight. I looked into her eyes and saw the same disbelief I felt reflected back at me. It was as if we were both waiting for someone to confirm what we had just heard.

Without a word, I slowly nodded my head, confirming that what we had heard was indeed true. As soon as I did, she burst into a round of applause, her hands clapping together in excitement. Despite her enthusiastic reaction, her expression still held a hint of doubt, as if she couldn't quite believe what I had just said.

The sound of her hands clapping echoed through the room, each collision like a burst of energy that filled the space around us. I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at her reaction, knowing that I had truly surprised her with my revelation.

As her applause subsided, she spoke again, her voice filled with awe. "Wow!" she exclaimed, her eyes still fixed on mine. Her amazement was palpable, and I could feel it wash over me like a wave.

"Damn, Ivy, hinaan mo nga 'yang bibig mo," saway ni France sa kaniya. "Mamaya may makarinig sa iyo."

Ivy apologized and took a seat next to me, the two of them now surrounding me. "Anong feeling?"

"What?" I asked, confused.

"Ng mahalikan... ng babae?"

My heart was pounding so hard that I could feel it in my ears as I struggled to find the right words. My mind was racing, trying to make sense of the conflicting emotions swirling inside of me. All I could think of was the sensation of Artemis' lips on mine, the electricity that had coursed through my body at the time.

"It's..." I trailed off, my voice catching in my throat. I could feel my cheeks burning hot once again, a telltale sign of my nervousness. It was difficult to put into words what I had felt during that moment, but I knew that it was something that I would never forget.

"It wasn't bad," I finally managed to say, my words stumbling out in a nervous rush. My mind was still reeling from the intensity of the experience, and it was all I could do to keep my composure.

"So, it's good then?" Ivy prodded.

"I don't know, Ivy! I can't think of any words to describe it!" I frustratedly said. When she laughs, my shoulder fell. "You're disgusted by me, aren't you?"

Napahinto siya sa pagtawa. "Huh? Hindi ah! I'm happy for you, Scarlett."

"What? Why?"

"She's gay." Lahat kami napalingon sa biglang nagsalita. Paris is standing in front of the open fridge while getting some water.

"How long were you standing there and listening?" I asked, slightly shocked.

"It's not important." Lumapit siya sa amin habang dala-dala ang pitcher at baso niya. "So, what's the tea beside you kissing Ate Sienna."

"I didn't kiss her, she's the one who kissed me."

"And you kissed her back, it's just the same," she retorted.

I sighed. Now, I feel so exposed in front of them "Wait, you're gay?" I turned to Ivy. Masaya itong tumango, not afraid to reveal her true self. "Paris knew, and we didn't?"