Pursuing from the Shore (Sun Rays #2)

Chapter 5

Redler's Archive

After feeling left behind for so long, somehow... I felt seen.

I don't know. I'm not overthinking it... well, not too much. I never tried fitting into different circles because I wanted to; mostly, it's because I didn't have a reason to.

Aside from myself, who else could be proud of me? That siren-eyed guy who gave me a token? And now, he'd drawn me (I assume) playing the guitar?

To be honest... unique style.

I mean, I've written about him before, usually with a side-eye, but this? This is probably the one time I can actually say something good about him.

But let's be real, that moment won't happen again.

— aredgate

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Chapter 5

"Red, kanina ka pa namumula. Okay ka lang ba?"

Hindi ako makatingin nang diretso kay Mama nang tanungin niya ako ngayong nasa hapagkainan kami. My cheeks are burning with embarrassment so I reached for a glass of water and pretended to take a sip, desperately hoping to repress the awkwardness festering inside me.

What the heck is wrong with you, Red? Get a hold of yourself. Stop thinking about that sketch. It has nothing to do with you.

It's all a pure coincidence.

Yes? Yes!

"P-Po? Mainit kasi, Ma. Kulang pa yata ako sa shower," I reasoned in a low voice matapos uminom ng tubig.

"'Yan kasi! Gan'yan ang napapala ng mga taong wisik-wisik lang kung maligo sa umaga—aray!"

I pulled Renz's hair aggressively. Magkatabi lang naman kasi kami kaya madali ko lang siyang maabot. Parang gusto ko tuloy ibuhos sa kanya ang lahat ng exhaustion ko para makapag-recharge.

"Kanina ka pa nananabunot! Mama, oh!" sumbong niya na parang bata nang bitawan ko siya. Hinawi-hawi pa niya ang buhok.

"Tumigil ka nga, Renzler. Kumain ka lang kasi r'yan," sita ni Mama na akala mo'y sobrang strikto.

Palihim akong ngumisi, pagkatapos ay mapang-asar na tumingin sa kambal ko. Akala mo naman talaga ay kakampihan siya ni Mama. Buti nga sa 'yong Renz ka!

"Sige, ang saya-siya niya, oh." He secretly stab me with a glare. "Mama, imbitahan nga natin si Davin dito," he fired back, which made me coughed upon my own saliva.

The smug face I had earlier completely disappeared because of what he just said. Renzler let out a gleeful laugh when he saw my response, as if he had just won a competition.

"Group yourselves into four members." Bumungad ang teacher namin sa Media and Information Literacy or MIL.

Nanatili lang akong nakaupo sa seat ko habang kunwari ay naghahanap ng makakagrupo. I was hoping that Edo would drag me out from my seat but she was yet nowhere to be seen. Hindi pa siya pumasok.

I guess maghihintay na lang ako ng mag-aampon sa akin sa grupo nila na hopefully ay mayroon. Ito ang hirap na kaunti lang ang ka-close sa room tapos absent pa. Kanino ako magpapaampon ngayon?

"Red! Dito ka na sa amin!"

I turned my head to take a glance at Claudia's group, nasa bandang dulo sila. Tatlo pa lang sila, kasama niya iyong mga girl best friends niya.

Hindi ko alam kung sasali ba ako sa grupo nila o huwag na lang. Claudia's circle was known as the meanie girl vibes inside our classroom. Although, it's not my place to pass judgment on them solely, from what I have observed of them, they seem to be the sort of people with whom I cannot sit at the same table.