For Once

Chapter 3

"Hala, Lana! You said something bad on your own na." 

Unsa daw? Unsa ako na ingon?

I looked at my bestfriend's face who looked surprised and confused at the same time.

"Lana, is he the smart guy from the other section? Didn't know na he had friends diay. I thought he is the typical smarty who's an introvert, the kind of man that looks cold and treat others hard but if you're his lover, he is a softie to you. Looks like he is not that kind. Different breed of smart guy.", said by AJ.

"Unsay "different breed", AJ? Unsa siya, iro?", KJ commented and laughed so hard. That made me smile though.

God, I don't know why you gave me AJ and KJ, but I will always be thankful to you for letting them invade my life.

During break in between classes, I often read books. I brought the first book that me and my mom bought in Cebu. That was the time I deeply fell in love in books.

The smell of the pages, that nostalgic feeling when the first time you touched it in person, the relaxing feeling while reading the words in paper... those are the feelings I live for.

"Lana, practice na arnis!", my partner in MAPEH class for arnis shouted.

Oh my, I haven't changed into my PE uniform.

"Wait! Change lang ko uniform."

"Okay. I'll wait near sa locker, kadto open space."

I nodded and ran to the comfort room. Along the way, I lightly hit someone on the side while he's tying his  shoe lace. I said sorry without looking back. I hope he was not mad, wala man gi tuyo.

"Right first then back imo foot."

When I purposely moved the wrong foot, Gab, my partner, hit my leg with his arnis stick.

"Agay! Gab!!!"

"Since when did you mess up, Lana? I know you already know the pattern and posture."

I looked at him, a bit surprised on his statement. We've been friends with Gab since the day he is friends with AJ and KJ. We joke often times but I did not expect that he would respond this way. 

Is this the consequences of achieving too high that people would expect much of you?

"I'm sorry, Lana. Maybe na trigger lang ako gi keep na emotions from our problem at home."

Maybe he noticed the sadness I felt inside.

"It's okay. We can talk it out, but first, librehi ko for compensation sa imo pag bunal."

"Burger and apple juice?", he asked.

I looked at him in accusing eyes. How could he know the usual snack I have every dismissal?

"Gab!"

This guy walked away without saying anything. Maybe, that's the reason why a lot of his girl friends fell in love with him. He's observant and thoughtful. 

I walked towards my locker and got my extra shirt. My body felt weak as the loneliness creeps in me. The hallway looks and felt empty.

I sat on the floor with my legs stretched and my back rested on the locker.

When will I be treated the same way as normal people? Who will treat me in a way that they would not expect high of me? That, I too, will make mistakes?

I closed my eyes and hugged my knees.

"Excuse me. You're blocking my locker, miss."

A familiar voice.

"Sorry."

I slowly moved aside without looking at him, remaining still with my position. 

Kadugay ba ni Gab uy. Gi gutom nako.

I felt the guy closing his locker and sat beside me. I moved a bit farther than him.

"What are you doing here all alone? Okay raka?"

"Hmm.", I didn't lift my head while responding.

He suddenly grabbed my arm and made me face him. His face looked confused and worried? I don't know.

"Are you crying?", he asked.

"No. I think I fell asleep."

He raised a brow and tilted his head.

"You can open up, I have time.", he said and shifted his position, looking away from me.

"Why would I? Dili man ta friends."

"We are."

Huh?

"Since when, Lopez?"

He looked at me blankly. Ka friendly ba ani niya to the point where he would assume that he's friends with anyone.

He stood up and cleaned his clothes then walked a few steps away.

Azure looked back and said, "Now. We're friends since the day I started talking to you now."

"You don't have to stalk my account every night, so I requested your socials. Accept it and message me anytime if you feel like talking to me about your problems.", and he walked away, leaving me speechless.