T.S. STORIES #4: Say Don't Go (Completed)

Chapter 8

The next morning, I found myself alone in my room. I was turning pages of the photo album I kept so long in my drawer. There, every picture brought back in my mind all those moments I spent with my friends during high school, but it only took me one particular guy to stop me from remembering any further. Definitely, he became a major part of my teenage years, which made me despise remembering my life back then.

I was young. I was naive. I was dumb. And, I paid the price of mindlessness: I endured the ache of reality after he, the one I admired the most, broke the young heart of mine. It was the greatest lesson I have learned, enough for me to lose my hope of returning to love.

Him turning his back at me was the greatest betrayal Eros has done to ones like me. I became a fool in the eyes of a guy named...

"Miranda, Raiver Angelo," our teacher called a long name, and a tall guy from the back seat stood from his seat.

You could tell immediately he's a head-turner from the way the girls reacted, but his face was just as blank as an empty paper. I thought nothing was special about him, but the moment he traveled his eyes on me, something fluttered in me.

I looked away, double checking what just happened. My hand reached for my chest, and all of a sudden, I felt a loud beat underneath my worn-out shirt.

"I'm Raiver Angelo Miranda, thirteen years old. My hobby is watching anime."

The girls sitting beside me were giggling and whispering, like they have found themselves falling for a guy they've just met.

So ironic that I find it cringe, but it feels like I'm feeling the same way they do.

"Najera, Icarus."

I panicked as soon as I heard my name. I stood and faced the class, as my seat was located at the front. "My name is Icarus Najera, thirteen years old. I like..."

The moment my eyes reached the seat of the guy named Raiver, I suddenly lost my words. I couldn't speak what was already at the tip of my tongue, and instead, I said something different.

"I like watching anime."

With that, I forced a smile before finally sitting back on my seat. I thought that was the end, but my teacher spoke. "Oh, you and Mister Miranda like watching anime."

No. The truth is I don't really watch anime. Why in the world did I say that? My hobby is reading books, not watching anime. Now, everybody would start thinking I do have the same interest as Raiver's.

I shook my head to get back my senses. Keeping my mind to all the things that happened in the past won't do much good to me in the present. What matters to me right now is the well-being of my family, and I have to keep everything going according to my plans.

About Raiver, I didn't show up. That's it. I didn't have enough energy to meet him again today. Also, I blocked his account, so he won't be constantly nagging me through chat. I hope he'd realize that I hate annoying people. It irritates me so much that I get so stressed about them and how they were able to exist in my entire peaceful life.

While cleaning up the mess I made from digging my old stuff, I received an incoming call. I grabbed my phone and saw it was coming from an unknown number. Hesitant, still I answered it.

"Good morning, I am Miss Venice from Green Beach Project. Is this Mister Icarus Najera?" a youthful voice of a woman from the other end.

"Yes, speaking," I replied, despite my confusion.

"Mister Najera has been endorsed to us to participate in our community project. We would like you to confirm your participation personally here at Marville Beach Resort, this afternoon, to finalize the initial stage of our project. We encourage you to come and we will also accommodate you with free dinner and drinks while we discuss the project. Is that okay, Mister Najera?"

My initial reaction was mixed. I was confused about what she was talking about that I am yet to be aware of. "Excuse me, I'd like to know who endorsed me in this project," I said.

"Ayaw niya po magpasabi para surprise, pero kinonfirmed niya po na friends kayo since then. And by the way po, this is not a modus. We do not have any grave intentions behind this call. This is a genuine invitation for the betterment of our seaside community. We have sent you an email po for you to check that everything is legit, like super, duper legit talaga."

When I took a quick check on my emails, there was one that was sent earlier this morning. It says, Green Beach Project.

"Okay," I replied to the call. "But I have to confirm who—"

"We'd take it as YES! Thank you for accepting our invitation, Sir Ike!" she excitedly said and ended the call.

Ike? She called me by my nickname. Definitely, one of my close friends during high school endorsed me for this hands-on project.

And aside from that, only my friends knew my personal contact number. They even sent the invitation to my personal email address.

Right now, I will assume the project is real, despite the feeling I'm having that there is a hidden agenda behind this sudden invitation. Maybe, a wedding announcement in disguise? Or a proposal? I really don't have any idea about this project.

Weird, but I'll still be going.

I tried calling Annie and Kristelle, but both of them can't be reached. They're not even online. I found it strange, until I realized they might have some business to do. I'm the only one here spending a vacation.

By four p.m., I left home in my best fit. Thanks to my brother, I was able to convince him to take me to the venue through his motorcycle. He had no choice; I bought this motorcycle.

It took me twenty minutes upon reaching the beach. When I wore off my helmet, someone immediately pulled my arm. "Good afternoon po! I'm Miss Venice!" she greeted in her biggest smile.

She must be the one who called me earlier, and is now dragging me towards the venue. "Wow, true nga talaga! Super pogi mo pala in person, sir!"

I winced upon hearing her exaggerating compliment. "Who endorsed me in this projec—"

"Naku, sir! We have a bonggang dinner para sa inyo! What do you want, sir? Lechon? Lumpia? Pansit? Menudo? Afritada? Caldereta? Kare-Kare? Charing, I don't even know anong difference ng mga 'yon!"

It seems that she's dodging my question. She's still keeping that person's identity a secret until now.

As we arrived at the venue, I saw some guests chatting at their respective tables. I don't even recognize anyone here, but I still composed myself until she brought me to a table with a reserved sign, which she grabbed after I took my seat. "Your dear friend will arrive sooner! But, first, have some drinks!"

With a clap of her hands, someone quickly came with a tray of glasses filled with colorful drinks and gave me one. "That one's for our special guest," she said.

I took a glance at the drink, which I found odd. Because of hesitation, I just let the glass sit on the table, and looked around. The sun was setting, the sky's orange, and the sound of waves was reaching the shore.

In front of us was the mini-stage with a tarpaulin about the Green Beach Project. I guess, the sponsors are the guests on the other tables around mine.

All of a sudden, someone appeared in the seat across from mine. He's wearing sunglasses, but I immediately recognize him.

"IKAW?!"