Stars Around Her Scars (Friend Series #1) | ✓

Chapter 14

Anastasia's POV

On the following days we just submitted our research presentation and luckily na approved agad ng teachers and we gain a massive applause from everyone.

I smiled at Xaven and hugged him for the first time, and maybe the last.

Mukhang natigilan siya pero agad ding gumanti ng yakap. Agad din akong bumitaw ng tinukso kami ng mga kaklase namin kaya bahagyang namula mga pisnge ko.

Weeks passed by in a snap and the first semester exam is already waving.

I am still distancing myself to Xaven but we still interact yun ngalang may boundaries na. We didn't talk often recently, we're both getting busy reviewing for the upcoming exam.

"Hindi pa din kayo masyadong nag-uusap at nagrarambulan ni Xaven," malungkot na sabi ni Iraia. Nakatambay kami ngayon sa may round table dito sa field ng campus.

"Oo nga, tas antamlay tamlay ni Xaven sa bahay parang lantang gulay na hindi nadidiligan," pagsang-ayon ni Amaris.

"Kulang lang pala sa dilig edi diligan mo Asia!" natatawang sabi ni Iraia at pinalo palo pa si Athalia na may ginagawang assignment.

"Miss mo na ba?" pambasag na tanong ni Amaris na nagpatigil saaming lahat.

Miss ko na ba siya?

Agad ko siyang inilingan, "Masyado akong busy para alalahanin pa siya." mahinang tugon ko.

"Coping Mechanism." ani ni Athalia.

I glanced at Tiffany kasi kanina pa siya tahimik eh.

Suddenly I saw a ghost smile appeared on her lips kaso nawala agad yun nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kanya. At binigyan ako ng hilaw na ngiti.

Ipinasawalang bahala ko lang yun, baka kasi namalikmata lang ako. I just focused myself on reviewing for the upcoming exams at para nadin mawala ang isip ko kay Xaven at sa mga kakaibang kilos ni Tiffany.

On the day of the exam I was mentally and physically prepared. I've been studying for weeks and I am confident that I'll perfect and ace this test.

Bago magsimula ang exam tinignan ko muna si Xaven na nasa kabilang bahagi ng room sa may pinaka likod. Nakayuko lang siya.

Nakaramdam ata siguro ng tingin kaya binalingan niya ako. Nagulat ako sa kanyang paglingon kaya nginitian ko nalang siya. A good luck smile.

During the exam I was glad na yung mga tanong is nandun sa nireview ko kaya kampante akong mapeperfect ko itong exam.

I quickly glanced at Xaven who is seriously answering the test.

I smiled to myself. He looks more handsome whenever he's serious.

My cheeks turned crimson red just by the idea that crossed my mind. I shook my head and focused on the exam.

After the whole day of exam napagkasunduan naming magkakaibigan na lumabas at gumala sa mall. We always have this tradition na kapag natatapos ang exam or any small achievements sa school or buhay we always celebrate with each other.

That's why I love them so much. They have always been with me through thick and thin, in any circumstances in my life they we're there. Maybe one of my greatest gift from HIM was having my friends.

Life is emotionally abusive but in the midst of grief and sorrow we will encounter people who will embrace you by just being you. When dad turned his back and support at me they we're the ones who hugged me, including mom. They wiped my tears when no one could. Hugged me when I was losing myself. All those kinds highest of highs and the lowest of lows, pain, self-doubt, fear, and disappointments, they made me feel that life is still worth living despite it's cruelty.

Simply because they believe that I can do it and keep on reminding that they would always have my back incase I fall. That I am ment for greater things, maybe not now at this moment but some day. They are there during the progress.

I would do anything just to keep them with me until the very end. The world can take all of my luxury, money, and simply anything just not them. Not my friends and mom.

We just wondered around the mall, going on arcades, food courts, bookstores, and shopping spree. Taking goofy pictures and chaotic videos but there we're some decent since they are planning to post it on IG.

Tiffany didn't come with us since may importanteng pupuntahan daw.

We spent the whole afternoon there, laughing like maniacs, some people would look at us especially at Iraia but none of us give a sht.

Lalabas na sana kami ng Dior store dahil bumili si Athalia ng bag na matagal na daw niyang hinihintay ng mahagip ng mga mata ko si... Dad?

I immediately stopped walking and squint my eyes to make sure kung siya yun. Based on the body and posture parang si Dad. Napansin din ata nila na tumigil ako kaya nilingon nila yung tinitignan ko.

"Tito?" Iraia whispered.

"Si tito nga, but what is he doing in a women's clothing store?" tanong ni Athalia na parehas lang din sa katanungan sa aking isipan.

"Baka he's with tita Clarisse?" tanong ni Amaris.

He was standing inside the store, since it has a glass doors and windows nakikita namin siya. My heart sank when a woman suddenly ran and hugged him. He then smiled at her. Hindi namin makita kung sino dahil nakatalikod ito. But one thing is for sure.

She is not my mom.

Nagulat kaming lahat ng biglang humarap yung babae. I heard gasps at laglag panga ko silang tinignan.

"OMG! what is he doing with Tiffany's mom!?" mahinang tugon ni Amaris.