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...
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The convenience store has become our little rendezvous spot, and today I saw her opening the store's door.
I hadn't seen her around campus; she must have been busy, because otherwise, she'd be roaming around like a supervisor. Her sleepy eyes were evident; she didn't even notice us and went directly to her brother.
Speaking of her brother, he's been glaring at me like a lion ever since we first saw each other.
Seriously...
I don't think I've grown up being insensitive that I wouldn't notice if I'd wronged someone.
What fault do I have this time?
He happened to forget his wallet, so I offered to pay, not thinking he'd be offended.
"Miss, pwede balik na lang ako? Sige na, hindi naman ako mukhang nagwa-one to three!" The cashier eyed him, her gaze dropping to his clothes covered in dirt. They're diligently practicing.
Anzai noticed the look and went on the defensive. "Uy gagi, mukha lang akong pulubi ngayon, pero naiwan ko lang talaga wallet ko!"
We were next in line, so I chose to speak up. "I can pay for you."
"Weh? Thank―" He immediately turned his back and tried to convince the cashier again after seeing me. I looked at Orin with a questioning look, but he just shrugged, totally lost regarding his hostility.
I remember Juno.
What the hell is wrong with these people?
But he had no choice in the end and accepted my kind offer. "Sandali, nag-offer ka 'di ba? Magdadagdag ako!" Then he went to a different section, getting everything he wanted.
I seriously don't understand him. Is being a Torrecampo that depressing? He's just like his sister.
I didn't talk much with Mine because I thought Anzai might shoot me dead on my spot. I really want to know the root of his deep-seated ill will.
We exchanged numbers, though I wasn't able to call her to tell her I made it home safely when we met at their dorm. I was out for practice early. The game against ZFU occupied my mind.
"Good luck again! Lampasuhin niyo si Mei ha!" I unconsciously crept a smile. I was resting on a bench when she suddenly called.
She keeps me entertained because, to be honest, I don't have confidence we'll win this game.
She calls every minute, but I can't answer right away. Also, I don't want to get her hopes up. I just don't know how to communicate with her since she has her own vocabulary that I usually don't understand.
I feel like I'm dumb whenever she does things I have no clue about, so I just let her be.
I want to be her friend... But no, she likes me, and that's unfortunate.
She's hard to understand and I don't know what's real and what's not for her. Sometimes I'd seen her smiling to everyone but her eyes doesn't reflect the same.
It makes me want to help her release her true feelings, it might help her ease up.
"Truth!" Juno screamed, making us frown. We're playing Truth or Dare with Ada. She's been frequent here recently, and her godfather, our coach, always lets her.
"Dare na lang. Alam natin gagawin niyang truth."
"Yes or no. Ano'ng sabi niya, may pag-asa ka o wala?" Killian asked just to annoy him. He immediately wrestled with him.
We all knew well who he was referring to. I know that from the start, which is why Juno always has a bad spot for me. Though I can feel it's nothing serious. He's civil sometimes.
The game continued, but the bottle didn't point at me, so I was relieved―until Dante purposely pointed it at me.
This fucking cheater.
"Dare, dare, dare!" They synchronously said, so I had no choice.
"Tell Elery that you like her." It was something that silenced the team. My forehead creased at Ada.
What the heck is she thinking?
"No." I firmly replied.
"Dare lang naman." Juno glared at Ada.
"I know she likes me, and it's not a good idea to do that." She chuckled and just shrugged her shoulders. I didn't look at her even though she was trying to talk to me. I expected she'd be sorry, but that didn't happen.
She's changing. There are many times I chose to let her off the hook because she must've been stressed, but I can't do it this time.
They noticed how my mood was off, so they changed the topic. But when they asked me to call Mine, I sighed deeply.
I prayed she wouldn't answer, but the opposite happened. It seemed she had a lot of time on her hands and could still tease me by moaning. All of them laughed except Ada. I immediately ended the call and got my bat.
My teammates left my room while laughing when I shooed them away. Then I drove Ada home without saying anything.
"Ami... I'm sorry... Bati na tayo, please?" I looked at her; she was bowing. I sighed before nodding.
I accepted her apology, though I couldn't skip giving her an earful. It's good that she listens to me, though it rarely happens because I always tolerate her. Now, I realize I probably contributed to her behavior.
Our team has been practicing, but maybe it's not enough for us to go home without losing the semifinals.
I've been preparing to hit Mei off, but I failed again this time.
His winning shot... changeup is a pain in the ass.
I didn't want my team to notice the disappointment I was growing, so I tried hard to maintain my usual composure.
Something I thought I could do.
It was worse enduring every first games we had. A piece of candy couldn't take the frustration away.
I saw Mine was about to get near me, but I hastened my walk. I didn't want her to see me like this. She believed I could do it; I knew that. She was consistent in cheering me up, but I lost the chance.
I was so disappointed in myself.
But I was more disappointed because I thought the person who went beside me was Mine... turns out it was Ada.
I knew right away that I had to face something more than this lost game.
