LOST IN JAPAN, Lindtsey Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja

10. Jhoanna

  

     "Are you sure that it's fine with Jhoanna na malate ka?"

Ace worriedly glanced at the passenger seat where Stacey's sitting, half asleep. It was already nearly midnight and they had yet to arrive back in Manila. They still needed to travel for one more hour before they could arrive at Jhoanna's apartment complex.

"Yes. Huwag kang mag-alala. She's used to staying up all night," Stacey assured before yawning.

"You can sleep there, Ri. I'll wake you up when we're there." Ace said, eyes now fixed on the road she's driving in. Mabuti na lang at walang masyadong mga sasakyan na bumabyahe sa oras na 'yon kaya hindi matraffic.

"Hindi na, baka mainip ka." Stacey replied. "Eh, ikaw pala? Delikado nang bumyaheng mag-isa mamaya. I can talk to Jho na doon ka na rin matulog."

"Huwag. I don't want to be a bother." Ace said as she shook her head.

Stacey furrowed her brows, "Hindi naman maaabala 'yong baliw na 'yon eh. Maiintindihan naman niya. Ako nga, palagi akong natutulog don kasi wala siyang kasama."

"That's 'cause you guys are friends," Avrielle chuckled. She spared Stacey a glance through the rear-view mirror and the latter hurriedly flashed her her puppy eyes. Avrielle smiled, finding her adorable. "I need to be early tomorrow—"

"Oh, edi sabay tayo!" Excited na sabi nito. "Come on, Ace!"

Ace was still hesitating but deep inside, she was already considering Stacey's offer. She didn't answer at first. She just kept her eyes on the road.

Stacey noticed her furrowed brows— an indication that she was in deep thought. She already noticed this cute habit of Ace since earlier since the girl can easily space out. Ginagawa niya 'yon kapag mananahimik si Stacey.

"Isipin mo na lang na makakatipid ako kasi hindi na ako magbabayad ng Grab bukas if sabay tayong aalis," Stacey joked, gathering Ace's attention once more. Ace snorted at her statement. "What's really stopping you, Ace?"

"Some people might recognize me there." She confessed. The spacing out quickly turned to nervous finger-tapping. "Being out in such a public kanina was already a risky move, so, I'm not really—"

"We can hide you naman," Stacey said, face falling worried. She reached out to touch Ace's arm, tugging on it slightly so that she'll stop tapping on the steering wheel. "Pero kung ayaw mo, hindi naman kita pinipilit. I'm sorry kung 'yon ang naging kalabasan non sa'yo but you can refuse, Ace. I'm just worried na kung ano pang mangyari sa'yo pag umuwi ka ng mag-isa ng ganitong oras."

Ace took a deep breath as she tried her best to calm her nerves. Stacey's touch was a big help. It sent her comfort and assurance that someone was there— that she wasn't alone.

Making decisions, specifically, ones that need her exposure to places where there are people, had been difficult for Ace from the start. Since she had no choice but to become exposed to the public due to her father's job ever since she was young, she had to think things thoroughly before she did it. She needs to watch her decision and actions or else everyone will come after her and might draw conclusions from her actions and paste it on her father's name.

And the last thing Ace wants is for her father to call her a disgrace for the thousandth time.

Noong makarating na silang dalawa sa parking lot ng building ni Jhoanna, nakatulog na si Stacey sa pwesto niya. Her seat was already reclined and she was already in comfort with Snow— Ace's white and pink cat plushy.