Torrecampo Series #1:
Elery Torrecampo, a cheerleader and aspiring fashion designer, embodies every trait a woman desires. Yet, the man she admires, Amiel, only has eyes for her brother.
How can she capture his attention and make him focus solely o...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
* * *
"Don't forget to warm up, everyone! We can't afford to be stiff; it will limit our movements on the field!" Orin reminded us, always the reliable captain.
"Kalma, Cap! Nagpahula ako kay Rubi Baldwina, mananalo raw tayo ngayon. Malakas ang pakiramdam niya, swerte tayo," Declan said, he earned a smack from Dante.
"Para mo na rin sinabi na nadadaan sa swerte ang skills natin."
"Gago, assurance lang naman 'yon!"
"Unahin mo muna ibigay 'yan sa shota mo!" We all laughed; that was too personal. They were all busy conversing, so I made my way out.
I tapped Orin's shoulder to get his attention. "I'll just buy some candy outside."
His face lit up. "Pasabay ako, Kuya. Gummy bears." I lightly chuckled. He'd always be a little boy for us despite his leadership skills.
I forgot to bring my pack of candies, so I had to buy some from the stalls outside.
But then I saw her... again.
Good thing she didn't notice me, but my conscience wouldn't allow me to let the food she dropped on the floor go to waste. She looked like she couldn't hold everything so I made a move.
"You dropped this," she gasped upon seeing me.
She wasn't surprised at all.
Definitely not.
I could see the glint of mischief in her eyes.
I internally shook my head. I'd pay millions to figure out her unpredictable plans so I'd no longer be surprised.
I averted my gaze because she was staring too much. It was heavy... She’s very good at this, and I know I’m at a disadvantage when my ears are always transparent without my permission.
Damn.
I was ready to leave her alone before she said something I wasn’t prepared to process, but Elery Torrecampo always had a way of making things unexplainable.
I had to help her because she seemed to be struggling with the food. It didn’t help that an adult was eyeing me like I was a scumbag for being this nonchalant.
I didn’t realize I had accidentally brought the food she insisted on giving me. "Uy, pahingi!" Declan said before grabbing the chips. I instinctively moved it away.
"The game will start. You can't have this."
"Luh? Ang damot, ampota!" I shrugged and put it in my duffle bag. "Hindi na ikaw 'yung Amiel na nakilala ko! Tandaan mo 'tong araw na 'to!" He was so dramatic.
I remembered her.
Despite that distracting encounter, I managed to perform well in our game. Our team would proceed to the next round, hopefully to the finals, and if not being greedy, win the tournament.
When the game ended, I saw her in my peripheral vision looking at our direction while my teammates are throwing confetti they found on the floor.
"Tangina, tama na! Nakakain ko na e!" Juno exclaimed, but his expression changed when he noticed Elery. He didn’t have a chance to talk with her when Elery Torrecampo pulled her twin away.
"Olats na naman si Juno!"
"Ganda niya gago!" Juno held his chest, completely ignoring the continuous teasing from our team. I followed his line of vision and saw Elery Torrecampo's figure walking away.
Her blonde locks flowed down her back, with noticeable highlights that suited her skin tone. She walked elegantly despite being rushed by her twin.
She had everything a guy typically wanted, so I wondered why me?
"You hungry?" Ada asked.
"Sana all may concerned best friend," Dante said.
"Best friend nga ba?" Declan added, as if insinuating something. I noticed Ada just laughed it off.
I hoped she wasn't uncomfortable.
Like what I've always said, she has been supportive of me since we were young. We're childhood best friends. Even when we left for abroad, she kept our communication intact. She's really important to me―like I had another sister from another family. I usually spoil her, even if I do it less these days.
So I didn’t really like the idea of people shipping us.
It feels illegal.
But it’s unavoidable sometimes, I know.
"You all need to normalize platonic friendships between a girl and a boy," I said.
Orin raised his hands. "I second the motion! Ako nga, kaibigan ko si Elery! But I don't have any romantic feelings towards her!"
Juno snarled. "Dapat lang!"
Dante scoffed at him in return. "Hoy, kung makaasta ka, ang possessive mo. Kayo ba?"
"Gago, pre! Be sensitive naman. Hindi nga 'yan maka-angas kay Elery, gawa laging rejected," Dante wouldn’t shut up when it came to dissing Juno.
"Mga tangina niyo!" Juno exclaimed.
"Ano bang nagustuhan mo sa kaniya?" Ada asked with her usual tone, but I noticed she was subtly hinting at something. I waited for her to add more, but she just chuckled when she caught my gaze fixed on her. "What? I'm just curious. Juno seems to be wrapped around her little fingers, that’s why..."
"Bulag na lang hindi magkakagusto sa kaniya." They all looked at me when Juno said that. "Bakit sa kaniya kayo nakatingin?!" All I could do was sigh.
"E, sino ba ang gusto?" Declan asked them.
"Si Amiel Quelloso!" they all said simultaneously, except Ada.
"Whatever! I'm gonna buy food. Ano'ng gusto niyo?" She insisted that she would buy us food.
It had become a normal routine for us to eat with Ada sometimes. She got close with my teammates too, and they got along well.
We looked for a spot in Jura Park. But the others had to leave for their next class. Juno was the only one left, but I bet he wouldn’t last with me for a second, so he also left.
While waiting for Ada, I slumped on the bench. My whole body ached, though I was used to it. There are times when tiredness dominates my body, and all I wanted was a good sleep―like taking a pill to sleep longer.
I'm not suicidal, but I tried taking pill when I became insomiac, kinda good if you'd ask me. That was the best sleep I had.
My eyes squinted when someone sat on the opposite side of the bench. I recognized her voice immediately. I didn’t want to pay attention because she might do something unexpected again.
But I accidentally smelled her scent, causing me to pour my water on her sketchpad. I had no choice but to talk to her.
"What are you doing here?" Her reason didn’t convince me, but it wasn’t like I should meddle with whatever she wanted to do with her life.
I sighed while looking at her now wet sketchpad. It was not my intention to ruin it. "I'm sorry about this. I'll buy you another one."
She pouted. "That's from UK pa."
Seems like there are very important sketches in that pad.
I'm fucked.
"Which store?" I asked, trying to make amends.
But she wouldn’t be Elery Torrecampo without her little mind games.
