RIVER AND THE WALLFLOWER

66: Manu Forte

𓂃🜲𓂃

River

I had a drink with Harris, Daven, and Oswald last night. They supposed to spend New Year's Eve with their families, but with my selfishness and foolishness, I forced them to join me. Hindi rin naman nagpalipas ng gabi si Mom sa bahay kaya wala rin akong makakasama sa pagsalubong ng bagong taon.

I told them everything that had happened between Clayton and me. In the middle of our conversation last night, Harris left the mansion and I didn't know where he went. He didn't even bother to tell me.

Lalo pang sumama ang aking loob dahil sa pag-alis ni Harris. Gusto kong maramdaman ang pakikiramay niya sa sitwasyon ko, ngunit mas pinili niyang umalis sa hindi ko malamang dahilan. It gave me more reason to drink.

We were partying the whole night, partying as if I was celebrating my break up with Clayton. Hindi ko mabilang kung ilang bote ng beer ang aming naubos kagabi, ngunit ramdam ko ang bigat ng aking katawan at sakit ng aking ulo kinabukasan.

I took my phone beside my bed and my screen was flooded with notification from Pixietalk greetings. I didn't bother reading all of it because I knew that most of it came from the girls of Rio Grande University.

Bumangon ako at nagtungo sa aking banyo. While lying in the bath tub, Clayton's face kept flashing in my head. I tried weighing my situation, contemplating if my decision to break up with Clayton was the best thing to do. It might not be the best for us, but it's the best for him.

We must go back to how we used to be. That way, Clayton would have a peaceful life. Magiging mahirap, ngunit alam kong ititigil na ni Mom panggugulo sa buhay niya.

After dressing up, I took my keys, I went to my car, and I drove going to Fortune Manor. Alex called me for a get together before the school start again.

"Happy New Year everyone," I greeted as I reached the living room of the manor.

All eyes turned to me, and I was confused why they looked at me with unusual expressions. Tila naghalo ang pag-aalala at pagtataka sa kanilang mga mukha. 

"What's happy with the new year?" Alex asked, and I didn't know if she's trying to be sarcastic.

"Maupo ka," seryoso namang sabi ni Beatrix.

"We need to interrogate you," Thara followed.

I could feel the intensity in their eyes, so I managed to sit on the couch. Sina Oswald at Daven naman ay tahimik lamang na nakatayo sa gilid. Based on their expressions, I got a hint on what the girls wanted to talk about.

"Now speak," said Alex. "Why did you break up with Clayton?"

"Is it because of your mom?" Thara asked.

"Kapalit ba 'yon ng paglaya ni Clayton sa kulungan?" sunod na tanong ni Beatrix.

"Sumagot ka," sabi pa ni Alex.