Your Lucky One

Chapter Fifteen: Reveal

Trese Anaya's Point of View

I was jolted awake by a sudden flash of light.  Even though the brightness was irritating, I had no intention of opening my eyes. Not yet. But there she was, my sister, Deuce, standing beside my bed, arms crossed, staring down at me like I had done something criminal.

"You've been like this for two weeks straight, Trese," she said, her voice cold and demanding. "Ano ba ang plano mo sa buhay? What's happening to you?"

I groaned, grabbing my pillow and pulling it over my face to muffle her out. It was too early for this kind of interrogation. I didn't need her grilling me with questions that, honestly, I didn't want to answer.

"Ate, ganito naman na ako dati," I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep. "Di ka pa ba sanay?"

"Yes, pero hindi ganito... You were never like this, Trese. You've been absent for two weeks—two! And you should've been dropped from your classes by now kung hindi ko lang ginawan ng paraan!" She sat down at the edge of my bed, her tone softening as she added, "Tres, what's happening to you?"

I sighed, knowing I wouldn't get out of this conversation so easily. "Wala. There's nothing wrong." I shifted under the blankets, trying to sound indifferent. "Don't worry about me, Ate. It's no big deal. If I get dropped, I'll just transfer to a new school."

Her eyes widened at that, shock and concern flashing across her face. "What? Last  last week, galit na galit ka sa'kin kasi hindi kita pinaalam na hindi ka papasok sa klase ni Le—"

"Stop," I cut her off sharply, sitting up in bed, glaring at her. I didn't want to hear that name. Not now, not ever. "I'm transferring. I need a new environment. Ayoko na dito."

She opened her mouth to argue, but I was done talking. I stood up and headed straight for the bathroom, brushing past her.

"If that's what you want," Deuce sighed behind me, "then I'll help you process your papers. I'll let Len—"

I slammed the bathroom door harder than I meant to, the sound echoing through the room. "I can handle it on my own, Ate," I snapped, standing just inside the bathroom, breathing heavily. Stop mentioning her.

"Nagdadabog ka ba ?!" She yelled from outside, her voice laced with irritation.

"No!" I yelled back, struggling to keep my voice steady. "My door is broken!" I lied, gripping the sink, trying to calm myself down.

There was a brief silence before her voice broke through again. "Don't forget about the family dinner tonight. Uno and Lenore have a big announcement."

That hit me like a punch to the gut. I leaned against the door, the weight of her words sinking in. Uno and Lenore. An announcement. The thought twisted in my chest like a knife. I didn't need to guess what that 'big announcement' would be.

They were probably going to announce their engagement officially—their future together. I let out a bitter laugh. After everything that happened, after I had laid my heart bare, they were going to flaunt it in front of me.

Yeah, as if I'd actually attend that dinner.

After what happened that night—the night I made the biggest mistake of my life, my confession, her rejection—my universe had stopped. My life had become a cycle, sleep, wake up, drink, party, gig, repeat. The routine numbed me and dulled the sharpness of the pain for a little while. Somehow, it was the only thing that made me feel at ease, even if it was a false sense of peace.

But deep down, I knew I couldn't keep this up. 

After finishing my bath, I dressed casually, throwing on a simple shirt and baggy jeans with a leather black jacket—nothing fancy, just enough to feel like I was part of the world outside. I went downstairs, drawn by the sound of laughter and conversation coming from the dining room. As soon as I stepped into the room, there they were—my mom, my dad, and of course, the root of all my pain, my brother Uno. They were having breakfast, clearly enjoying whatever they were talking about, their voices light and happy. I didn't need to guess why they were in such a celebratory mood.