A white tank top and a denim skirt that hit just above my knees. Over my top, I wore a lightweight unbuttoned jacket, adding a rugged touch to my outfit. I laced my white shoes to complete the look, giving myself a casual yet stylish appearance.
"Ano na, Raine? Tagal mo naman."
I looked up from what I was doing and rolled my eyes at Aries, who was lounging on her bed, looking bored out of her mind. I invited Aries to come watch the Battle of the Bands with me, knowing she was a fan of Sage. Aries would mention how cool Sage looks whenever she plays and how her fingers glide up her electric guitar.
"Pakibilisan please." Pagpaparinig niya.
I gave myself a final once-over in the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of my clothes and checking my makeup. Once I was satisfied with my appearance, tumayo na ako at lumapit kay Aries.
"How do I look?"
"You look fine."
Aries didn't even bother to look up from her phone as she replied, deeming my appearance satisfactory. She pulled on her shoes and heading out the door without another glance in my direction. I rolled my eyes at her lack of enthusiasm and followed her.
"That's it? You look fine?"
Aries stopped her tracks and turned to me. Pati ako ay napatigil na sundan siya.
"Ano pa ba dapat kong sabihin? Lagi ka namang maganda."
I smiled and flipped my hair. Inunahan ko na siya maglakad papalabas ng bahay niya.
We took a tricycle to the venue, the small vehicle snaking through the narrow streets of our neighborhood. The ride was bumpy and unpredictable, swerving through traffic and narrowly avoiding other vehicles.
The venue was situated inside the school's outdoor basketball court. The usual empty space was now packed with people and filled with a sense of anticipation. It seemed that most of our classmates were in attendance, eagerly awaiting the performances of the bands. I noticed that there were also students from other schools, all gathered to showcase their musical talents. The atmosphere was electric, with murmurs of excitement and the occasional nervous cheer from the participants.
Our school advisor, Ms. Bernadette, was also in attendance, eager to show her support for Sage's band. She had a wide smile on her face as she made her way through the crowd, stopping to chat with other teachers and students.
I couldn't help but notice the way Aries' eyes lingered on Ms. Bernadette as we navigated through the crowd. Her expression was a mixture of shyness and admiration, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Bading." I scoffed at her.
"Shut up." She stifled her smile as her gaze stayed on Ms. Bernadette's spot.
The venue was transformed into a makeshift stage, complete with musical instruments and flickering lights that bathed the area in a kaleidoscope of colors. The instruments were all arranged neatly on the stage, waiting to be played by the performers. The stage lights, casting a soft glow over the area, bathed the performers in a warm hue. The colors shifted from cool blues and purples to warm yellows and reds, creating a beautiful backdrop for the bands' performances.
Amidst the buzz of the crowd, we suddenly heard a familiar voice call out our names. We turned to see Alyssa, a classmate of ours, waving enthusiastically at us.
"Raine! Aries! Dito kayo!" she yelled, gesturing for us to come and sit with her and her friends.
Aries and I followed Alyssa leading to the place where they were seated which were conveniently located in the front row.
