This Is Why I Love The Color Red

IDK

"Shit... Why are you crying?" Ran is drunk right now. He was twerking and dancing with me earlier, and now I'm drinking the shots that were supposed to be his. I wiped away his tears.

"EL... stop flirting and wasting your life over boys." I froze. His eyes were half-closed as he tried to talk to me.

"Hmm... I wish I could... If only someone would come to treat me the way I'm supposed to be treated."

"I feel sad... I don't know, for you. You're smart, cool, naturally funny, and you have the coolest style. Plus, you really are pretty. But I just don't understand how boys could break your heart. It pains me to see you hurting, as your friend." My heart softened for him. Having a friend who hates seeing you hurt is a lucky thing. I glanced over at Rio, who was currently pouring hot water for my Nissin cup noodles, while Renc and Page were drinking. Asia was asleep because he had already puked from drinking the tequila he bought.

"I can't do anything about it, Ren. This is the dark side of pretty privilege; I'll always be lusted over and not loved. They brag about the fact that they dated or 'tasted' me."

"I pray one day, EL... that you find someone who hates seeing you cry. Someone who hates hurting your heart."

That wasn't the first time Ren cried for me. When we went to Zambales, he also cried before becoming hysterical because he was drunk. Ren often asks me and tells me sincere, nice things about love. He always reminds me to stop flirting with guys just because I'm bored.

Ran is a "Going Bulilit" artist. His full name is Clarence. Back then, I used to watch him in the 'corny' segment of the show. He used to be chubby and cute. Every time we go out, people notice him and ask for pictures. I experience the same attention, partly as a writer but also because of my outfit.

I remember being stared at whenever I go to different places, and random people would ask for pictures with me or compliment me. It's fun to go out and have people stare because you look good, weird, cute, or cool. It's not the same when I'm with someone special. The only guy who matched my vibe was Law, and a little bit Tebi. My old partners had the opposite aesthetic from mine, making us look like the overdressed girlfriend and casual boyfriend type.

"Every single time you come back here to Zambales, you're always heartbroken." My sad smile welcomed Tita Mimi, who was currently carrying Adi.

"Yeah, I was supposed to introduce him to you, Tita, right?" Well, even if we were still together, it would still be impossible because he has work, and he exchanged our Zambales trip for the Puerto Galera one. He didn't have money for both trips, so it wasn't happening either.

Nighttime came. I was busy editing revisions for the work I was doing in the other house when Rio, in his silk pajamas, handed me a shot of alcohol. I laughed.

"Seriously?"

"You're that special, EL. Even if I have to walk two minutes just to get you a drink."

"Wow, if he wanted... he really would?"

"Just come outside when you're done, okay? Everyone's waiting for you."

I quickly finished the revisions. I couldn't do them outside because there was no signal, and this was the only place with Wi-Fi. After that, I walked outside, and they all made me do a three-second shot, like the ones Chie does whenever we're at bars in Manila.

"EL!" Tita Riz hugged me. As we were drinking, a fight occurred between Riz and her husband. I went to comfort Tita, and she began to rant to me. I sighed. I found out she was slapped by her husband since she was having too much fun being drunk during Adi's birthday.