Love is, Stacey Sevilleja | Jhocey

Chapter 2

Stacey had a cutting voice and Jhoanna felt like she should bow down and beg for forgiveness from the girl. She was staring right into Jhoanna, that terrifying yet melting gaze.

"Tanga-tanga talaga kahit kailan."

Ano daw? Siya, tanga? Aba pasmado naman masyado ang bibig ng babaeng to. Jhoanna thought.

What was Stacey's problem? Was she this bitchy to all or just to her?

Taking a deep breath, Jhoanna replied. "Baka ikaw ang tanga, nagso-sorry na nga ako."

She didn't know where she got the courage to answer the girl. Her behavior is very far from her sister.

"Come on Jho let it go, We're very sorry, Stacey."She heard Sheena say next to her, as she held Jhoanna by the arm and pulled her away.

Sheena pulled her out through a small countryard area surrounded by blooming trees and rose bushes. They sat on a nearby wooden bench under the trees.

"Teh, natatakot naman ako sayo makikipag-away ka pa yata eh."

"Pano kasi ang sama sama ng ugali nung babae na yon."

"Katapid yon ng crush mo, bawas points kana teh."Her friend said teasingly and took out a lunchbox.

"Ano ngayon kung kapatid siya ni Ate Aiah ang layo naman ng ugali nila sa isa't isa."

"Maganda naman daw siya teh."

"Maganda nga di naman maganda ang ugali." Jhoanna answered annoyed.

She absolutely hated that there was no denying that Stacey looked good.

Very good, indeed.

But her personality blocked her beauty. For Jhoanna, it doesn't matter how good you look, if your personality is terrible, it doesn't even matter.

"Nakakainis siya! Bakit parang inis na inis siya lagi sakin. Napansin ko lang dati pa ganyan na siya saki—"

Her speech was interrupted when her friend suddenly fed her with Honey Garlic Chicken.

"Gutom lang yan teh. Ayan, eat well."

-

After classes were done for the day, their school has a picnic to celebrate completing the first day of classes.

Something nice about their school was that they could serve alcohol. And they serve plenty of wine at the picnic. But Jhoanna doesn't drink alcohol, because she has low alcohol tolerance. Less than half a glass, she immediately felt dizzy, that's why she doesn't like drinking. She's not used to it either.

She sat on a checkered blanket with Sheena, Colet, Maloi and Gwen. Like Sheena, Colet is one of her closest friends too, even though she's always angry, she genuinely cares for Jhoanna.
She met Maloi because of Colet, they were friends since they were young. Maloi is like her Ate, she's very clingy and sweet, someone who is pleasant, affectionate and endearing. Maloi is also one of the people she runs to when she have a problem. And she met Gwen because of Sheena. She is kind and always quiet, Gwen is the type of person you could say na Prim and Proper. She behaves in the correct way and never breaks the rules of etiquette. Malayong malayo ang ugali nilang dalawa ni Sheena. That's why Jhoanna wonders how they fell in love with each other. Because of the difference in their behavior.

Indeed, love is blind.

While they happily talked and laughed. She saw something that made her smile disappear. It felt like her heart was completely shatter and her eyes widen in disbelief.

She sees Aiah and Aki her 'rumored boyfriend' who are sitting together. Aiah giggles and pushes Aki as he continues to try to kiss her lips.

Maloi quickly averted Jhoanna's gaze from them.

"Hala bebe, hindi maganda ang masa-sight mo dyan kaya dito ka nalang samin tumingin."Even though it was a joke there was a trace of concern in Maloi voice.

"Okay lang yan, Jho. Agawin mo nalang si Aiah kay Aki."Sheena said that caused Colet to flicked her forehead.

"Aray! Bakit ba? They're not married yet pwede pang agawin yan. Ipilit natin."

"Piskit ka talaga, Shee."Colet said shaking her head while laughing a little. "Pero konting landi lang Jho bibigay din yon."

"Boang!"Jhoanna tried to smile. She also knows that her friends just want her to laugh.

But she couldn't get out of her mind what she just saw.

Mukhang sila na nga. That's why she couldn't admit her love for Aiah kasi alam niya wala naman siyang pag-asa, dahil unang una straight si Aiah, but she could love her from afar hoping that one day she'd find the courage to tell her.

She deeply sighed and turned to her side.

There she saw Stacey, with two other girls. And she kept on leaning in close and talking to one of them in particular, a girl with a long wavy red hair. If she is not mistaken, that's Mikha her neighbor. Jhoanna kept her eyes on Stacey and Mikha for a moment, finding herself unable to look away. And when Stacey saw her. She gives Jhoanna a smile for the first time that looks friendly. She felt her heart sink for a moment.

Why did she smile at her?

Is she just missing out something?

But she immediately snapped herself out of it. There's no reason for her to care.

Because Stacey behaved badly and she even called her a fool.

"Is Stacey into girls?"Gwen's voice snapped Jhoanna out of her trance.

Gwen was looking at her, expecting her to answer.

"Aba malay ko dyan at wala akong pake di ko nga kilala yan. Tapos tinawag pa akong tanga kanina."She said annoyed.

"Oh kalma teh." Maloi laughs.

"She seems awfully cozy with Mikha over there."Sheena said as Jhoanna took a sip of her Coke.

"You know what I totally get gay vibes from Stacey." Sheena said. "She gives top energy."

"I wouldn't mind if she topped me."Maloi said, that caused Colet to slightly hit her arm.

"Pisti ka bading!"There is a hint of annoyance in Colet's voice.

Jhoanna looked over at Maloi."You find her attractive?"

"Oo naman teh."Maloi answered quickly."She's a bitch, but look at her she's hot." She laughed and looked at Jhoanna, with a smirk." I know you hate her but Jho do you find her attractive?"

She immediately felt her stomach dropped at that question and felt her body get warmer than it was in a the August heat.

"No."She replied quickly.

But she knew to herself that she was lying.

"But she's pretty ha."She heard Sheena say.

"Yeah. Pretty ugly."

Okay, another lie.

"Hindi ko gugustuhin yon no. Ang pangit ng ugali."

"Sige sabi mo eh."Maloi laughed teasingly.

"Hoy tama na nga yan. Kain nalang tayo mga piskit kayo."Colet said annoyed.

"Napindot na naman si Anger." Gwen said which made them all laugh.