Star-Crossed Melodies (Echoes #1)

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Imprisoned

I heard the noise at the door of Craft Rock & Grill. I looked over and saw a noisy group walking out. It was clear they were already drunk. Some were staggering, and they were all laughing as they moved away.

"May Christmas Party sa bahay ni Alexandria Santiago! Punta ka, Austin! Naroon na si Zedekias!" sigaw sa akin ng isa, kasama rin nila.

Yeah. Another acquaintance of Zede who also knows me, but I don't know them.

I didn't respond and just shifted my gaze to the door. Another group came out. Natanaw ko si Ellis na luminga-linga habang lasing na ang kan'yang kasama.

"Invited ako sa party ni Alex pero lasing na ako! Iuwi n'yo na ako! Ellis! Iuwi mo na ako, please... Lasing na ako," si Leyla na binaba ang kan'yang fitted dress habang naka-akbay kay Ellis.

Kumunot ang aking noo.

"Are you going home? We're heading to Alexandria's house. Her mom prepared a lot. It would be a waste if we didn't go," a woman said and glanced in my direction.

That's when I noticed that Ellis was also looking at me. I straightened up and stared at him.

Why aren't you noticing me, huh? I took a deep breath. When you come over here, I'll bombard you with questions. Go ahead, come over here.

"Ang dami kasing uminom. Umuwi na kayo, Gomez. Sasabihin ko nalang kay Alex na lasing na si Ley kaya hindi ka na makakapunta,"

Alexandria? Hindi ko alam na kilala pala nila iyon.

"Babalik ako roon. Ihahatid ko Lang si Leyla, susunod ako." Ellis said, putting his hand on Leyla's waist before walking towards me.

At talagang susunod pa siya?

"Ingat! Baka magalit si Alexandria kapag hindi ka pumunta! Para sa 'yo pa man din ang party na 'yon!" pahabol ng isang lalaki at nag lakad sila palayo.

Confusion washed over me. Why would he shout that if it didn't mean anything, right? And I'm not stupid not to understand what he said.

Is Alexandria interested in Ellis?

In the past few weeks, there was no news about Alex dating someone new. Alex is famous at the university, so we hear or know even the slightest news. But there was nothing. Nothing about a guy.

Turns out, she has a new crush. And it's Ellis.

When I saw Ellis walking with Leyla leaning on him, I walked towards them. It seemed difficult for him as he was bearing all of Leyla's weight.

"Bukas mo na lang ibigay ang earphones ko. Ihahatid ko pa si Leyla," salubong niya sa akin nang makita na papunta ako sakanila.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Anong earphones?

"Naiwan ko ang earphones ko sa condo mo, 'di ba? Kung iyon ang ibibigay mo, bukas na lang." dagdag niya nang makita ang lito sa aking mukha.

Right. Naiwan niya nga pala. Si Reon pa ang nakakita.

"That's not what I'm giving you," I replied. He didn't answer and just walked past me. I followed them and saw them standing by the roadside, seemingly waiting for a ride.

"Where's your motor?" I asked.

"Mag co-commute kami." malamig niyang sabi.

"I'll take you guys home," I offered. He looked at me with sharp eyes.

"Lasing ka. Baka ibunggo mo pa ang sasakyan mo-"

"I'm not drunk," I interjected because I really wasn't. I was a bit dizzy earlier but after being outside in the cool air for a while, it went away. I didn't drink much earlier so I'm not drunk.