Sweet Deceit

Chapter Three: The Path that Leads to Nowhere

Soundtrack: Pit of Vipers - Simon Curtis

Excited si Gracie.

Eating at the cafeteria was postponed, dahil agad kaming bumalik sa dorms. As soon as she put the books she was carrying at my desk, pumunta siya sa kaniyang closet at naghanap ng damit na masusuot.

"Oh my gosh, it's very rare to get invited to a party Rome hosted! We're gonna have so much fun!" she says happily.

It hurt my chest to say I'd rather stay here than go with her. So I didn't. Masisira ko ang sinabi ko kanina when I said 'sure'. Ngumiti ako at nilapitan siya nang may binigay siya na dress. Napatitig ako roon na parang hindi ko mapaniwalaan na kailangan ko itong suotin.

Inangat ko ito ng mataas gamit ang dalawang kamay para mas matignan ng mabuti.

"Do I really have to wear this?" I hesitatingly said.

It's a pretty black dress. I know it would hug my body, but it was laced. Nothing could make me more shameful than showing people scars that never healed on my skin.

Gracie's mood died down a bit, as if sensing I didn't want to wear it. I smiled apologetically, but I'd really feel uncomfortable wearing this.

She nodded understandingly. Nakita kong bahagya siyang nalungkot but she tried cheering up. "Oh, then..."

Sandali siyang nag-isip at muling naghanap sa closet. She gave me another black dress, more simple this time, and it had a long sleeves and a pretty pleated skirt. Siya naman ay napagpasyahang suotin ang laced dress na binigay niya sa akin kanina.

"Uhm... what's usually happening on the parties they hold? And is it... legal?" I asked, striking conversation between the two of us.

Bahagyang ngumiti si Gracie. The look she gave me made me think she appreciated that. "Well," ma-drama niyang sabi.

"It's illegal in every way." Natatawa niyang sabi.

"Huh?" Gulat kong sabi. "Why?" I added, perplexed.

She then motioned me to go closer and I did. "The parties are only known to selected students. It's held in Nowhere."

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Nowhere?"

She grinned widely. "Nowhere," she affirmed.

Nalilito akong tumingin sa kaniya and she only burst into a fit of giggles at the enjoyment of seeing my confusion.

"You'll see," she mysteriously quipped, and I was left wondering.

When dinner time came, naka-civilian na kaming pumunta sa cafeteria but not the actual dresses yet. It's actually amazing to see students in their own house outfits in the crowded cafeteria. Siyempre ang iilan ay nakauniporme pa rin at kahit kumakain ay nagbabasa ng libro.

"Oh, my favorite spot is right there." Turo ni Gracie sa isang malayong corner sa cafeteria.

The cafeteria was more modern looking but still vintage. Tables in deep brown wood with chairs every where. Punong-puno at maingay sa loob. Mahaba rin ang pila, kaya sabi ni Gracie ay dapat maka-secure na kami ng mauupuan bago pumila.

"Oooh, I can get your order! You can sit there at that table," aniya, hindi na ako binibigyang oras para humindi. She pointed an empty table at the farthest corner.

"Are you sure?" I hesitatingly said.

Gracie nodded. "Yup. What do you want?" She smiled.

Tumingin ako sa menu na nakapaskil sa taas ng counter, like those I see in fastfood chains. Malayo-layo kami kaya hindi ko makita ng maayos. Baka sadyang malabo lang talaga siguro ang mata ko pagdating sa malayo.