Dying Embers

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Three: Party

ᯓ★ play this while reading: the spectre — alan walker 𝄞 ⋆ˎˊ-

Sabado. Today's the day of the Hawkeye Baseball Team's victory party, Chance's team.

Nag-text si Jilliana kanina. Sabi niya, sasabay na raw siya sa'kin papunta, kaya sinabihan ko si Chance na kay Jill na lang ako makikisabay. Pero ang sagot niya, "Susunduin pa rin kita." So ayun, wala akong nagawa kundi sabihan si Jilliana na dito na lang siya sa apartment ko dumiretso.

Kagabi pa ako nagpaalam kina Mom at Dad na hindi ako uuwi ngayon. Sabi ko, may party lang kina Chance. Okay lang naman sa kanila, basta raw hindi ako iinom o magbibisyo. Napangiwi ako nang marinig ko 'yon. As if gagawa ako ng ganun. Ang sabi naman ni Chance, it's just a tame safe friendly party, since mga minor pa lang naman kami. Pero kilala ko 'yong mga 'yon. Give them the chance, siguradong may maglalabas ng alak.

By the way, hindi lang victory party 'to, kasama rin sa celebration ang pag-uwi ng Mom ni Chance at mga kapatid niya. Kaya parang double celebration na rin. Kaya bukod sa mga players, invited din ang ilang teachers at schoolmates namin, at syempre mga friends ng Mom ni Chance. Kahit papaano, medyo formal pero still chill enough to have fun.

6 PM ang usapan. It's already 5:31.

Nasa tapat ako ng salamin, nag-aayos. I'm wearing a cute puff-sleeve top with a daisy print and a tie-front detail that gives off a sweet girl vibe. I paired it with a white midi skirt na may high slit. For sandals, I chose white sneakers to keep the look casual and comfortable. It's such an easy outfit to throw together, but it still looks fresh and stylish. I love how versatile the skirt is, I could totally pair it with so many other tops.

While I was clasping my bracelet, tumunog ang phone ko. I glanced at the screen, si Jilliana.

Sinagot ko ang tawag.

"Hello?"

"Nasa labas na ako," sabi niya sa kabilang linya. Matagal ko na ring hindi naririnig 'yong boses niya. Hindi kasi siya nakapunta sa City Meet, nagkasakit daw siya that day.

"Akyat ka muna," sabi ko. "Wala pa rito si Chance."

"Coming," and she ended the call.

A few minutes later, bumukas ang pinto ng kwarto ko. And the first thing that came out of her mouth—

"Woah! Ganda mo!" she gasped, eyes wide, grin playful.

I rolled my eyes but smiled a little, continuing to fasten the thin gold bangle on my wrist.

"I missed you too, Jill," sabi ko, and she laughed.

"Sigurado akong may tutulo ang laway mamaya," she teased, plopping down onto my bed.

"Huh?" I frowned, meeting her smirk in the mirror.

"Wala," she said quickly, but the teasing glint in her eyes said otherwise.

Hindi na ako nagsalita pa; abala ako sa pag-aayos sa harap ng salamin. I brushed a few stray strands of hair behind my ear and clasped the necklace around my neck, silver, simple, yet it shimmered softly against my skin. Sakto namang tumunog ang phone ko.

I looked down, and when I saw Chance on the screen, a smile tugged at my lips.

"Hello?" tawag ko, trying to sound casual kahit medyo kinakabahan ako.

"Hey, nandito na ako sa baba," he said, voice low and a bit husky, like he'd just woken up or maybe practiced saying it a few times before calling. I bit my lip, trying to hide the smile forming.