Game Plan (COMPLETE)

09

I stepped out of the hotel room's restroom wearing a black one-piece swimsuit with a wrap-style front. It has wide shoulder straps, a bit of ruching along the sides, and a neckline that crosses over in a V shape.

I saw that Quiane left a white sarong that I can use to cover up. I decided to tie it around my hips since I am not really comfortable showing that much of my legs yet... especially to more or less seventy people.

I walked towards the balcony where I saw Ven, his back facing me. He was now wearing a white short-sleeved polo and black beach shorts. He was looking down so I did the same.

"Woah..." I uttered as I saw the pool area right below us. It was clear to see because we were just on the second floor. There were strobe lights, foam cannons near the huge pool, sound system, a damn DJ, and there were two mobile bars—one on the left and the other on the right. It's not even the typical mobile bar that I usually see at debut parties because it's larger than those.

"First time?" He asked, then his eyes went to me and... down to what I was wearing. He immediately looked away and I could see how he gulped.

I nodded, still staring at the party that was just getting started, and returned the question. "Ikaw?" Though I feel like he's not really the type of guy who enjoys parties.

"I've been to some parties but I don't really drink... I've only tried beer. Mas gusto ko pa pati mag-football practice kaysa manatili sa isang lugar na maraming lasing." He chuckled.

Turns out, Quiane's brother helped her with hosting this party as he is the founder of a well-known nightlife collective in Manila. They're basically a group that throws parties, people can sign up to be a host or a guest, and just... get drunk together.

Quiane is the primary host, as I would describe it. But some of our other batchmates also hosted this party.

And Quiane's family owns the resort. The place had around four three-story buildings, each filled with rooms. Our batch only occupied one building. Each floor likely had about five rooms.

Sa gitna ng mga building at iba pang facilities ay ang swimming pool... kung nasaan ang karamihan ng tao ngayon. I combed the surroundings, trying to look for Ace. When I saw her wearing a maroon two-piece swimsuit, the upper half of her hair tied in her claw clip, and downing shots like there is no tomorrow—I rushed to go downstairs.

Ramdam ko na nakasunod lang sa akin si Ven hanggang sa makarating ako sa mobile bar.

"Hey," awat ko sa isang taga-ABM C, if I recall correctly, na akmang aabutan nanaman ng alak si Ace.

"Arrie!" Both of Ace's hands flew up in the air. She hugged me and I didn't have a chance to deny. Sa likod niya ay kita ko si Aden, ang laki pa ng ngisi ng gago. Nang kumalas siya sa yakap sa akin ay hinanap niya 'yung shot niya. "Huy, PJ, akin na shot ko!"

"Mamaya na ulit siya." Kontra ko bago kuhain ang shotglass kay PJ na taga ABM C at diretso itong ininom. I felt its burn–warm, slightly sharp, and... enough to remind me that it's tequila.

Maraming tao ang nagulat at natuwa sa ginawa ko, they even cheered for me.

"Arrie, ganiyan ka pala?!" One said which made most of them laughed.

"Lakas!" Sus, sinasabi lang iyan kasi gusto pa akong painumin. Hindi ako uto-uto.

"Isa pa!" Sinasabi ko na nga ba. I shook my head and pulled Ace away from them. Nililigtas ko lang naman ang kaibigan ko na gusto na yata nilang patayin sa alak, mukhang ako pala ang gusto nilang isunod!

From behind, Ven handed me a newly-opened bottle of beer. I took a light sip from it, it served as my chaser from the tequila.

I opened one of the empty rooms on the second floor and pulled Ace with me. Inupo ko siya sa kama, at si Ven ay inabot sa kaniya ang tubig na wala nang takip.