Strawberries and Cigarettes

Kabanata 5

Kabanata 5

"So baduy talaga that man." Harper voiced out suddenly. It's our last subject for today but our professor is still nowhere to be found. Natigil ako sa pag lalagay ng highlighter sa notes ko ng biglang itutok ni Harper ang cellphone sa mukha ko. It was a picture I already seen last night—Alvarado's ig story.

"Imagine this being your first post in your account of four years." Harper scoffed and took back her phone.

"God, and bitches swore they prefer their men without social media presence? Hmpp! I like mine with social media excellence! Yung hindi nag s-story ng ganyan!" Dagdag pa niya na bahagya kong kinatawa. She's really the only one that isn't scared to talk badly about Alvarado.

I looked back down at my notes and blinked slowly. I don't think it's that bad. I actually think it's pretty nice. I just shrugged my shoulders and continued on putting highlights on my notes. Mommy wasn't able to drop me off earlier since she was busy with catering. So Reese and I took a cab with Reese taking the lead. Kase ang ate niya ay ilang beses pa lamang nakakasakay sa taxi at lagi pang may kasama. I smiled sadly.

"Oh my god. Some bitch will lose her newly installed hair extensions today." Bumaling ako kay Harper ng magsalita ito. Muli nitong hinarap sakin ang cellphone. She shook her head while laughing loudly.

My eyes bulge with how explicit the picture was! It's a selfie of a girl with half of her face and almost all of her bosom with only a little portion of it covered by a white duvet. I diverted my gaze. But her background is familiar. It's the same glow in the dark towers that I saw from a story of a certain... Man.

"That's one of Tatiana's girl friends. Wala talagang pinipili yong lalaking yon! I told you right? He's bad—no! he's the worst. He makes Connor look like a saint." Ani Harper. I pursed my lips.

"Is he Tatiana's boyfriend?" I asked. Suddenly feeling curious. Harper rolled her eyes.

"She wishes but no. Ross and her messed around for a bit, which I warned Tati not to! Thank you very much! But the bitch wouldn't listen! Kaya ayun, she fell down bad. Ayaw ng tantanan yung isa." Harper answered. I nodded, suddenly feeling bad about Tatiana.

"Anyways! Enough with them! This coming Friday. Me and my girlfriends are going to go clubbing! Sama ka, Remyyy. Pleaseee." She said excitedly. Kinuha pa ang mga kamay ko at itinaas baba yon.

"We're gonna have so much fun. I'll introduce you to them! I swear you'll have fun." Harper added. I shook my head and laughed.

"I don't want your friends to feel awkward around me. Saka magiging KJ lang ako dun! You know I've never been in a club." Sagot ko. Ngumuso si Harper at tinitigan ako. Hilaw ko siyang nginitian.

"Fine! Fine! But please think about it pa ren! We still have four days pa naman. I really want you to join us." Suko niya bago pinalupot ang kamay sa braso ko at humiga saking balikat. Hindi na ako nakasagot pa dahil dumating na din ang aming professor.

Inipit ko sa aking tenga ang buhok kong tinatangay ng hangin. I am currently walking across the field of the university to go to the cafeteria. Harper is not with me since she attended a meeting with her club. Kaya ngayon, ako lang muna. Mommy hasn't replied to my text yet so I decided to have a quick snack.

Tumingala ako at nakitang medyo makulimlim pero wala namang bago. Tag ulan talaga ngayon. Tinulak ko ang pinto ng cafeteria at lumapit sa counter. I looked up to see the menu. Busog pa ako kaya ayoko ng kanin dahil mabigat sa tiyan. Siguro ay yung garlic cream cheese bread na lamang ang bibilhin ko at syempre ang aking strawberry milkshake! Pumila na ko at bumili.

With the goods on my tray I looked for an available table. Wala namang masyadong lamang studyante ang cafeteria kaya madali akong nakahanap. I set my tray down and put my tote bag on the table. Nilabas ko ang aking ipad na may keychain na pink na dinosaur. Ito ang nakuha namin ni Reese sa claw machine noon. I pursed my lips and opened Instagram. Nag scroll lamang ako at nakakatuwa dahil ngayon ay mas may laman na ito.