ETB #1: Lost in Blank Stares

Chapter 06

Chapter 06

Stefano Valentino sent you a friend request.

v.stefano started following you.

"Gago?!" I exclaimed, staring at the notification on my phone. "So he was serious when he told me to message him?"

It was already the early hours of the morning when Wesley and the others dropped me off at my apartment. I decided not to tell them what had happened earlier with Zeus. I was sure they would just try to get back at the guy, and I didn't want any more trouble-Stefano scaring him off was already enough.

Kahit antok na antok na ako, hindi pa rin tumitigil ang utak ko kakaisip kung dapat ko bang i-message si Stefano para sabihin sa kanya na naka-uwi na ako nang maayos. Pero baka naman tulog na siya. Siguro makakalimutan niya din naman yung nangyari kanina, 'di ba?

Binalewala ko na lang ang pag-iisip na i-message siya. At kahit antok na antok na ako, tinapos ko pa rin ang skincare routine ko.

I was glad I didn't drink too much, so I didn't have a hangover the next day. Pero yung mga kaibigan ko, sinusumpa na naman ang alak sa group chat, complaining about how they were never drinking again, like they always do after a night out.

And of course, of course! They'd ask to go to a party again. Mga mema lang na kesyo hindi na raw iinom, sus! It's always the same cycle-swearing off alcohol one day and then planning the next party like nothing happened.

Pero totoo naman, minsan lang talaga, kasi busy rin kami lahat sa pag-aaral. It was always Angelo who was asking to go to the club, convincing everyone that we needed a break. Palibhasa mahilig maghanap ng thrill at kalokohan sa buhay, kaya ayan, siya lagi ang nangunguna sa mga ganyan!

I remembered Stefano's follow and friend request last night. Chineck ko pa ulit ang Instagram ko para siguraduhing hindi lang ako naduduling sa antok kagabi.

v.stefano

22 posts | 8,209 followers | 32 following

Stefano Valentino

"Dedicated to the science of skin and the art of healing."

His icon was a close-up shot of his face, slightly angled to highlight his sharp features. Stefano's slightly long hair, which falls just above his eyes, is styled effortlessly, with a few strands loosely framing his forehead.

Overall, ang gwapo niya.

Sa bio pa lang, halatang subsub din siya sa pag-aaral. I already expected na marami siyang followers; we almost have the same number of followers. Mas marami lang ako ng konti dahil sa mga kaibigan kong varsity na fina-follow din ako ng mga nagfa-fan girl sa kanila.

Tiningnan ko rin ang following niya; puro mga kaibigan niya at ang iba ay mga celebrities.

His posts were mostly pictures of himself studying, often with his books. May iba ding posts na nakahawak siya ng electric guitar, and he also has a few shots of himself while training in taekwondo.

Maalam din siya sa electric guitar? Right! Tumugtog siya nung nakaraan sa isang event namin sa school, at marunong din siyang kumanta. Ang talented niya!