"I had just finished another horrible day at school, Ger. You know, the kind where you barely make it out without being shoved into a locker or wall, or getting nasty comments thrown your way." I said sarcastically as I sipped at my juice.
When the bell rang, I didn't stick around. I immediately grabbed my bag and decided to meet up with Geremy.
"Same old stuff?" He asked, probably getting tired of hearing the words. Loser. Freak. Worthless.
"Tapatin mo nga ako, Ger." I confronted him, which made him furrow his brows.
Tinaas niya ang dalawa niyang kamay at parang natatakot na sa akin. "Please, Beau, straight ako!" He burst out laughing.
Umirap ako at mahina siyang sinuntok sa braso niya. "Gago. Hindi kasi 'yan! Pangit ba ako? Kaapi-api ba ako?
Huminto siya sa katatawa niya at seryoso akong tiningnan, sinusuri ako habang palipat-lipat ang mga mata niya sa buong parte ng mukha ko.
"You're not even ugly, Beau, trust me. They are just insecured because you got the looks." He winked at me and I rolled my eyes.
I laughed. "Then why?"
We passed by the same old streets. Eventually, we also passed by the old tree—the one that had always been there. It stood towering and massive, its branches stretching high into the sky like the arms of an ancient guardian. As far as I can remember, this tree had been here, rooted firmly against its place. Nothing ever changed. And then just a bunch of houses, cracked sidewalks—that I know for a fact, was already fixed days ago, and now has cracked again—and the same stupid corner store where the cashier always tried to make small talk like we were friends. Yeah, I don't have friends. I don't let myself get one. Besides, I hate small talk.
"That would be five hundred and thirty pesos," ang cashier at inabot ang binili ko para sa amin ni Ger.
Ngumiti pa siya sa akin pero hindi ko na iyon pinansin at lumabas na ng store.
"Nakabusangot ka na naman?" Natatawang tanong ni Ger nang makalabas ako. "I guess it's because of Kian? The part-timer? The dude wanna be your friend, let him."
I rolled my eyes. "Kaibiganin mo na. Kawawa naman, mukhang walang kaibigan, e." sambit ko at binato sa kaniya ang paper bag na agad niya namang nasalo.
"You sure know how to talk based on experience, huh." He laughed.
I shrugged before turning my back to him and started walking. But then, the sharp sound of a bang sliced through the air, followed by the unmistakable thud of something heavy hitting the ground. My anger raged through my core as I looked back, only to find Geremy laying on the ground, his body twitching in pain.
"Hey, Beau," the bastard who had done it was still standing there, his smug grin wide as ever.
Malalaki ang hakbang ko nang lapitan ko ang lalaki, at walang sabi-sabi na binigyan siya ng isang malakas na suntok sa mukha niya. Nawalan siya ng balanse at mabilis na natumba sa lapag.
"Don't touch him, you bastard!" I shouted, ready to throw another punch, but before I could react, his foot shot out and connected sharply with my chest. The impact knocked me off balance, and I grunted in pain as my back hit the ground.
Mabilis akong tumayo at sinubukang ilagan ang ambang suntok niya, na nagawa ko naman ngunit hindi ko nailagan ang isa na namang sipa niya sa dibdib ko.
"Matapang ka, ah!" mayabang niyang sambit at sinuntok ang tiyan ko.
I felt my stomach twisted in pain. I groaned and fall onto the ground in a second.
