Time and Fallen leaves

The Selection

"Keen, kalma lang"

Saad ni Erin as she look at Keen who's practically pacing back and forth in front of her. Pati ang ibang kaklase nila ay nasasabay sa pagiging anxious ni Keen.

"I'm trying!" Ngayon na ang araw ng selection, the day where the student council will announce who got in. There are only 5 slots available this year, but since Saki Nakamura is automatically a member, apat nalang ang natitira sa pwesto.

"What if hindi ako makapasok? What should I do?"

"Then you can try again next year"

"I might be dead by then...joke" it only took Erin's glare for Keen to suddenly shut his mouth. Alam ni Keen kung gaano ka seryoso si Erin when it comes to dark humor, death isn't something to laugh about. She witnessed how someone still wanted to live but isn't given a chance to live longer. She hates how people took advantage and make fun of life as if it isn't that important.

The bell rang indicating that it's leisure time. It's also the time for the sc announcement kaya nagsipagunahan ang mga estudyante papunta sa student council office upang silipin ang nakapaskil na poster. It was a list of names ng mga nakapasok.

Keen ran and squeeze his way through the crowd. Agad rin namang naalerto si Erin as she remembered how Keeana used to tell her that her twin brother is as fragile as glass. Baka bigla itong hindi makahinga dahil sa kumpulan, o baka bigla itong matulak at matumba.

"Keen, saglit"

Erin's mind went haywire. What should I do? Hindi niya alam ang gagawin kapag may nangyaring masama kay Keen. Nakahinga naman ng maluwag si Erin nang bumalik sakanya si Keen with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"ERIN! I MADE IT!!" Patalon-talon na saad ni Keen habang nakahawak sa kamay ni Erin causing Erin to jump along.

If you can only see how his smile brightens the whole place, Keeana.

"Congrats!" She was genuinely happy for Keen. Seeing him this happy is like seeing Keeana happy as well. Erin's heart skipped a beat, she didn't know someone could have this kind of aura, it's like the sun rays shone brighter because of his smile.

Erin only see Keen as Keeana's male counterpart kaya hindi nito nasuri ng maayos ang kanyang itsura, they look the same anyway. But seeing Keen gleefully hop around is something else. He looks intimidating especially with his sharp fox like eyes but when he smiles, no words could even describe how ethereal he look.

"And you're on the list too! Congrats!"

Erin suddenly stopped smiling. Agad itong napatakbo sa announcement board pushing a few students along the way. Hindi ito nag apply, she doesn't even want to be involved in the first place. She only wants her high school days peaceful — while looking out for Keen. One person suddenly pop out of her mind, isa lang ang may kakayahang gumawa nito.

"Congrats!"

It's like Milo could read her mind because Erin suddenly heard his voice behind her. Erin may not witness what kind of a man he'd grown into — but one thing is for sure, pilyo pa rin ito kagaya ng dati.

"Bakit nandito ang pangalan ko? I didn't sign up for this"

He shrugged, acting as if he wasn't the one who caused it — which, clearly he is.

"Hindi ako sasali rito" being involved in such responsibility — especially the student council is chaotic. Erin just imagined handling all the school affairs every day and the thought already made her dizzy. She only came here for one thing, to look after Keen. Hindi niya na kailangan ng isa pang responsibilidad.