A Close Second

Seventieth

COURTNEY BEATRICE

I rolled down the car window, seeing Laiza and Aya na nag kukwentuhan habang hinihintay ako. Thea was already in the passenger seat, waiting patiently.

"Hi there!" I give them a smile, taking off my sunglasses. "Get in ladies. We're late."

Kinuha nila yung mga gamit nila. I picked them up at Laiza's at QC. Magkasama na kami ni Thea dahil galing kami ng school, our luggage already taken care of by Jacob and Andrew.

I was right saying that Thea and I would probably do virtually nothing in terms of planning the outing, with both of our boyfriends having done everything themselves.

"Ang taray ng sundo natin, si Ms. International pa." Aya says as she got in. "Si Niccolo at Jeth kanina pa nandoon. Hi Thea!"

"Hala! Nandyan pala si Bunso!" Laiza exclaims

The girl beside me gives her a smile. "Hi!"

"Sobrang lutang mo ba hindi mo nakita?" Aya questions the other.

"Di pwedeng magulat?" Laiza chuckled. "Kailangan lang pala biglaan para matuloy yung mga lakad."

"Jake promised me a roadtrip before, so here we are." Thea shrugs.

I glance at the rearview—Laiza and Aya are already deep into a story. Beside me, Thea's quiet. Not withdrawn, just watching, like she's waiting for something.

Even though she was trying to remember Thea, she still acted like Andy—talkative and open. I have come to realize being Andy for her was a stark contrast, but a welcome change to Jacob.

At least now, she was more open to people.

"Where are we going exactly?" Tanong ni Aya sa amin. "And why are you the one fetching us?"

I glanced at Thea, who was looking back at everyone.

"Jacob and Kuya Keith told me that we're going to La Union." She says excitedly. "We're meeting them at home."

Laiza grins. "Elyu, loves! Yes!"

"Parang di ako ready para mag swimsuit." Aya says.

"Pero halos sampung set ang dala mo?"

Natawa si Thea sa sinabi nila habang hinila ni Aya ang buhok ni Laiza ng pabiro. It's like being thrown back into how it was before, and it warmed my heart.

"Ready na ba kayong mag inom?" Tanong ni Thea.

Aya looks at her. "Weh? Ikaw mag iinstigate ng inom?" Natatawang tanong niya. "Ano bang tinuturo sayo nila Marco? Hindi ka naman ganyan."

"Kasi ikaw yung ganyan." Laiza chides them both.

"Wow ha, nagsalita." Aya rolls her eyes.

I chuckled while I turned left to avoid the traffic building up ahead. Hindi naman na ako bago sa traffic. Kahit na saan naman dito sa Manila, traffic talaga.

I'm surprised the boys were okay with always driving. I don't mind though, I like driving anyways. I thought.

"Are you convincing yourself, or do you really not have a choice?"Thea's words cut in, light but pointed.

I looked back to find the two others looking at me too.

I guess I spoke my mind out again.

"You did." Laiza says. "Are you okay?"

The cars ahead moved forward and I did the same. I chuckled at the thought. Yeah, okay is a relative term. I hear my own bitchy voice whisper in my head.