Break Fresh Ground

20: SAN NICOLAS

As I opened my eyes on that gloomy morning, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the peacefulness that surrounded me. The gentle pitter-patter of the raindrops outside created a soothing symphony, making everything feel serene and calm. Despite the lack of sunshine, a radiant smile adorned my face, and I knew it was going to be a wonderful day.

With a steaming cup of hot cocoa on the table beside me, I curled up under a soft and snugly blanket on the sofa, lost in the world of Grey's Anatomy playing on the big TV in the living room. Suddenly, my head turned quickly as a group of footsteps approached me. France, Paris, and Ivy draped a large blanket over their shoulders, snuggling together for warmth. Meanwhile, the other five of us were bundled up in thick hoodies and pajamas, shivering in the cold.

"Sino ba ang nagbukas ng aircon sa Pangasinan? Ang lamig!" Piper exclaimed, her teeth chattering.

We all laughed and nodded in agreement, feeling like we were in Tagaytay's icy weather. The heavy rain had made it worse, and we were all like freezing little children, wrapped up in layers of warmth.

"Baka convo na nanlamig na relasyon ang biglang nabuksan kaya tayo nanginginig sa lamig ngayon," Eli joked, taking a sip from my cup of cocoa. As soon as he realized what he had done, he froze, slowly turning to me.

I just chuckled and handed him my drink, listening to his friends' teasing remarks.

"Scarlett, pagpasensiyahan mo na itong si Eli. Minsan kasi nakakalimutan niyang uminom ng gamot talaga kaya kung anu-ano na lang ang nagagawa niya," Juliette spoke, teasing her friend.

"Naubos na ba resitang gamot mo, accla?" Ivy teased Eli, unable to resist making a joke.

"Naubusan na daw ng supply 'yong nag-iisang supplier ng gamot niya," Violet chimed in.

Artemis burst into laughter at Eli's comical expression, feeling amused by his friend's predicament. Eli pouted and fell silent, sipping on his drink that he took from me.

I was sitting on the corner of the sofa, watching my friends find their seats. When Ivy attempted to sit next to me, Paris and France quickly pulled her to their side, leaving Artemis as the only one left standing.

"Ay, sorry, sorry," Ivy chuckled mischievously, giving me a playful look. I raised my eyebrows at her in response.

As we all settled in, a hush fell over us as we became engrossed in the television show. I was so absorbed that I didn't notice Artemis leaning on my side. She hugged her feet up to her chest, shivering from the cold. With a gentle poke, I caught her attention and lifted the blanket so she could be warm as well.

She murmured a soft "thank you" and went back to watching the series. Now that she was so close to me, without anything between us, I could feel my heart racing. I tried to play it cool, but the warmth of her body next to mine was making it difficult.

I reached for my phone when it chimed. Seeing a message from France with three sus emoji. My brows furrowed and looked at her. Three pair of eyes are already ready to meet mine. Then, they smirked with their eyes giving me mischievous glint.

Hindi ko na lang sila pinansin at sibukang ituon ang atensiyon sa pinapanood. But trying to focus my attention on the series is worthless when I felt her scooching in and held my arms to hug it. I first glanced at my three friends and their eyes are on TV, before looking at the lady on my side.

She's focused on the scene where Christina can't stop crying in front of her friends and mom. I heard my friends laughing to that scene but this lady beside me captured my attention. She's laughing while comfortably leaning on me.

"Pero tenemos un evento al que asistir esta semana. ¿No podemos irnos antes de las vacaciones?" I heard Mamila talked to someone in her phone. My brows furrowed when she sighed like she has a big problem. "Bien bien. Helton y yo vamos. Solo asegúrate de que es un gran problema, Luisa, que necesitas llamarme y hacer que mi esposo y yo vayamos allí." With the mention of Luisa, one of my grandparents trusted people, and my grandama's tone while talking, I knew something is up.