Break Fresh Ground

32: 'HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION'

I updated it because I'm not in a good mood today, and I thought that maybe someone out there could have their mood lifted when they read my update. I'm happy when I write and see how all of you interact with Scarlett and Artemis' story. Thank you so much, and happy reading! Also, happy 3k reads to this story!❤️❤️❤️

----------

Our heads turned towards the entryway of the rooftop when we heard hushed whispers, only to find Violet, Piper, Eli, and Juliette, who, from the looks of it, were spying on us. As the rooftop grew darker and the lights came on, revealing their presence, they quickly scurried away. However, Artemis called them back, making them reluctantly approach like scolded children.

"Anong ginagawa niyo?" Artemis asked them, her voice carrying a hint of strictness.

"Itong si Eli kasi mapilit," Violet responded, pointing her finger at Eli. All eyes turned to him.

Eli pouted sadly. "Sorry."

"Eh kayo?" Tukoy ni Artemis sa tatlong babae.

"Pinilit kami ni Eli, Sienna," Piper explained. "Sabi kasi niya, siya daw maghuhugas ng plato for one week kaya... napilitan kami." Artemis raised an eyebrow. "Promise! 'Di ba, Jul?" Paghingi nito ng tulong kay Juliette.

Juliette nodded. "True ang sinabi ni Piper. Hindi nga sana kami aakyat, kaso andaming entry ni bakla, kesyo siya daw ang may sagot sa almusal bukas."

I shook my head, silently laughing at the situation. Paano ba naman kasi? Parang batang nangupit ng limang piso sa wallet ng nanay nila kung makayuko si Eli eh. His hands were fidgeting nervously in front of him.

"Elliot?" Artemis called out to him. Eli looked at her, waiting to hear what she had to say. "Pakilinis dito. Itapon mo ang mga basura at ibalik mo sa higaan ko ang mga ginamit naming dito," she commanded, taking charge, which made the rest of us laugh.

"Per--"

"Gagawin o gagawin?" Artemis interrupted him.

Eli rolled his eyes dramatically. "Oo na, gagawin na!"

"Deserve," Piper teased Eli, expecting a witty response from him. However, before Eli could reply, Artemis intervened.

"Maglinis ka na."

"Tapos na ang date niyo?" Tanong ni Eli.

"Sinira mo daw," pang-aasar ni Juliette dito.

Eli looked at me apologetically, but I reassured him with a smile, shaking my head. "You did not ruin anything. Tapos na talaga kami no'ng saktong nakita namin kayo." He said sorry again. "Apology accepted. By the way, gaano kayo katagal nakasilip?" I asked curiously.

"Hindi naman gano'n katagal. Nakita lang namin kung paano kayo kasaya tumingin sa isa't-isa. Akala ko nga may lalabas na mga hantik sa sobrang tamis niyo magtitigan eh," Violet replied, rolling her eyes playfully while sporting a smile on her face.

"May copy ba kayo ng prayers niyo diyan, Sienna, Scarlett?" Piper asked. Artemis and I, almost unbelievably in sync, shrugged jokingly and exchanged smiles.

"Ay, wow! Sabay na sabay." They reacted.

Artemis gestured for me to take her hand, and I did, intertwining our fingers. We shared a contented smile before turning our backs to our friends and leaving them with our artworks.

"Aba, hoy! Dalawang 'to! Ganiyan kayo ah!" Rinig kong sabi ni Violet.

As the crickets serenaded us with their nocturnal symphony, Artemis and I strolled towards my dormitory. The soft glow of the streetlights enveloped the surroundings in a warm ambiance. With every gentle stroke of her thumb against the back of my hand, a delightful sensation coursed through me.