The Last Rule

Chapter 24 - Sleepover

Days have passed since that dinner, and strangely, nothing has changed. Dos still calls me every night, still sends his sleepy "Good morning sunshine," and my days still look the same. My friends had their exam week kaya sobrang busy silang lahat maliban sa amin ni Cleo, dahil laging nauuna ang university namin. Dahil medyo free ako, I decided to focus on my readings, my notes, and my nightly calls with Dos.

Friday afternoon, I met Cleo at the covered walk of the university. We planned to go to the supermarket first before heading home because the girls wanted to have a sleepover after their hectic week.

"Hindi ka niya susunduin?" Cleo asked casually.

I shrugged. "Wala naman kaming lakad." We rode a tricycle on our way to the supermarket. And when we arrived, she took a cart and sabay kaming naglakad on to the aisles.

We reached the beverage section. I grabbed a Pepsi and a Sprite, turning to her.
"Pepsi or Sprite?" I'm the one picking the things that we need and she remained on her cart duty.

"Juice," she said, already reaching for two boxes of Four Seasons.

Of course. Between the two of us, she's always been the decisive one. One thing that's different between me and Cleo is that, I'm a very indecisive type of person, if it's all about a decision for a group you can never hear an answer from me, unlike Cleo. She's always clear on what she likes. I returned the bottles with no choice.

"Dapat ito," someone said behind our cart. Sabay kaming napalingon to look who it was.

Kalo.

He dropped a bottle of alcohol into our cart with zero shame.

"Seriously?" I was about to put the bottle back into the isle but he took it, laughing. I glared at him.

He laughed, reaching for another brand. "Sa bahay mamaya. Chillnuman lang."

"Ako pa talaga, huh?" As if I drink.

"Hindi ikaw. Papayagan ka ba?" he chuckled, then turned to Cleo. "Pwede kang pumunta, marami kami." He winked before leaving with two bottles of Alfonso and a Coke.

I sighed. What a clown.

After the supermarket, Cleo and I went home first. I prepared for the sleepover with my complete sleepwear, an extra pillow, a blanket, and all the groceries. Pete even helped carry everything because I looked like I was moving out.

When I arrived at Teby's house, only Cleo was in the living room. Teby was still in the shower. The other girls, sinundo si Raela because she wasn't allowed to leave, especially at night. Kailangan pang ipaalam kahit magkakapait-bahay lang naman kami.

While waiting for them, my phone buzzed.

Dos: Pupunta ako kila Kalo, okay lang?

I exhaled.

He always does this. He always asks for permission whenever he's going somewhere with his friends. I always agree, but it feels unnecessary. If I said no, would he really stay home? Why would he even need my go signal?

He sent me a picture next. It's a bottle of Alfonso, empty Boy Bawang, and Gelo in the background holding a glass.

I replied by sending a video of the pancit canton we are now cooking.

Dos: Pahingi. Ang sarap ng iniinom namin pero tignan mo 'tong pulutan.

Another picture of the empty Boy Bawang bag.

I laughed quietly.

But then—

"WUSHOO! Ang niluluto pumapait na, nasusunog na girl! 'Yong nagluluto ang tamis ng ngiti!" Teby snorted behind me.