Time and Fallen leaves

Too far gone

"May sinat ka nanaman?" Keen asked the moment his hand landed on Erin's forehead. Lahat nagsitinginan sa pwesto nila dahilan upang mailang si Erin.

"I'm fine, idadaan ko lang 'to sa tulog" mahinang sagot ng dalaga, careful not to catch too much attention. But she already did, because the moment they heard Keen ask if Erin is not feeling well, all eyes were already on them. Milo doesn't even hide his concern dahil agad itong lumapit sakanya at hinawakan ang kanyang noo.

"You have a fever" seryoso nitong saad at akmang bubuhatin ang dalaga nang biglang nagpumiglas si Erin causing her to stumble on the couch.

"Anong ginagawa mo?"

"I'll bring you to the clinic" walang emosyon na sagot ni Milo — as if what he almost did was normal.

"Ay, kailangan may pa karga? May sinat siya, hindi pilay" kulang nalang ay rumolyo na ang mata ni Chrys because of the sudden act of affection. Jake let out a snicker and Saki laugh, his deep baritone echoed through the room. But Milo's face remain stern, as if he's willing to move mountains just to bring Erin to the clinic.

"You two are treating her like a princess. Kaya hanggang ngayon di pa rin niyan kaya ipagtanggol ang sarili niya" Yuna cut them off — her legs crossed while applying some lipstick. Her presence screams dominance, and all Erin could do is feel small with her around.

Keen and Milo gave her a dagger look, halatang hindi sila natuwa sa sinabi ni Yuna. Ngunit hindi man lang nagpatinag ang dalaga, it's she isn't scared nor bothered by the looks she's receiving. Padabog niyang ibinaba ang nakapatong niyang binti at umirap bago tumingin sakanila.

"Don't tell me you don't see it too? Na lagi nalang may knight in shining armor 'yan si Erin? And no, i'm not insecure, heck i'm way better than her" she look at Erin from head to toe "If your demure act is working on the others, well not to me. It's time for you to act tough and show me why you belong here in the council 'cos with that personality of yours? You won't get anywhere, darling" inis na saad ni Yuna at padabog na lumabas ng student council office. Erin's shaking, not with fear, but with extreme pain. Tila natamaan ng ilang pana si Erin dahil sa sinabi ni Yuna. Never had she met someone who told her that they don't like her. Keeana was so gentle, Milo and Keen was so patient in helping with her low self-esteem. Yuna, being upfront about her is something she hadn't expected.

Inilibot niya ang tingin sa mga mukha ng kanyang katrabaho sa loob ng sc office. They've been working together for almost a year now, ngunit hindi niya alam kung anong tingin nila kay Erin. Do they feel the same way? Do they hate me too?

Negative thoughts flood her system. Alam niya naman na mahina niya, na wala siyang ni katiting na confidence sa katawan, that she's not good at anything. But why does it hurt when she hear it from others?

"Are you seriously going to believe her? Insecure lang 'yon" Keen immediately assured Erin as soon as he see the eyes of the lass watering. Ito ba yung tinutukoy ni Yuna? That she's being treated way different compared to the others?

"I mean, she's right though. The council needs someone who knows how to lead, not just another pretty face" sagot nang isang nilang kasama na natatandaan ni Erin na hindi man lang umimiik at sumasangayon lamang sakanila tuwing may mga meeting at discussion. Erin look at her, pain is clearly visible in her face. The lass evaded eye contact and looked at Milo instead.

Is this how they really me?

Pinandilatan ng tingin ni Milo ang nagsalita kanina dahilan para manahimik ito. But what Milo did triggered the others.

"This is exactly what Yuna is talking about. You're shutting us all, suppressing our opinions. Well this is what we think, Milo; not because you're the vice-president doesn't mean you have the authority all the damn time" inis na saad nang isa nilang member. "Akala mo ba hindi namin alam na kaya mo lang naman nirecruit si Erin because you wanted to get to know her better" The lass quoted in the air using her fingers.

"Hindi ganyan si Milo" sabat ni Chrys and gave Milo a look asking him to deny such allegations.

"Milo would never do that. He's a man of integrity" Jake butted in. Erin wanted to yell at them and stop them from talking, but she doesn't have the courage to do so.

"Why are you even listening to them? They're just a waste of time" pag-iirap ni Keen at akmang aalis na.

"Shut up, Keen. Plus one ka lang naman, you couldn't have made it if wasn't for Erin telling Milo to accept you as well" said one of the sc member.

"Anong sabi mo?" Akmang susugurin ni Keen ang nagsalita kanina ngunit pinigilan ito ni Saki. Who does she think she is? This is Keen's dream ever since he step inside the big fancy gates of Evergreen Grove Academy. This is his dream — together with Keeana — that they will be the leader that everyone looks up to.

"Calm down, Keen" Saki warned Keen not to let the woman get into his head. Ngunit hindi siya makakatulog hangga't hindi sakanya maii-explain kung bakit siya tinawag na plus one. He auditioned for the council using his own efforts. He is where he is now because of he, himself alone. No one has the right to tell him that he made it because someone pity him. Hindi siya papayag na makasama siya sa council out of pity, hindi iyon tatanggapin ng kanyang pride.

"Why don't you tell him, Erin and Milo? O gusto niyong kami na mismo ang magsabi? I still remember how the two of you were all nostalgic and shit as if it's just the two of you inside the room" sabay na nanlaki ang mata ni Erin at Milo. No way they still remember their first conversation. Their reaction was enough to convince Keen. Unti-unting namuo ang luha sa mga mata ng binata, unable to say anything out of shock. All this time he thought he made it because he's capable to be in the council. Ngunit nakapasok lang pala siya because Erin made a deal with Milo.

He was stabbed in the back. Being a member of the council gave him so much pride and ego. All this time, he actually isn't cut to the team and only made it because of Erin.

"Keen" mahinang pagtawag ni Erin sakanya, her eyes watering as well. Ngunit umiling si Keen and stop the lass in her attempt to get near him. Nahihiya siya, the embarassment is eating him.

"Don't" agad na tumakbo palabas ng sc office ang binata. Saki go after him, Erin was about also about to go as well when Jake told her not to.

"Ikaw ang pinakahuling gusto niyang makita, Erin" Jake said, his strong aussie accent betrays his attempt to speak native. If they were in a light mood, Erin would probably laugh it off and call him cute. Ayaw man tanggapin ni Erin ngunit tama si Jake. Running after Keen would probably make things worse.

"Where's our president when we need him?" Asar na tanong ni Parker na kanina pa tahimik at nakikinig lamang. "Yung peace officer pa natin ang nagsimula ng gulo"

Erin doesn't even have to look for Leeon inside the room, because he already went out the moment Yuna did too. Mas lalong sumikip ang dibdib niya, hindi siya makahinga.

No closures, no goodbyes, no proper conversation before they became total strangers again.
Leeon is too far gone, he is once again out of her reach.
And now Erin is afraid that Keen might be one too.

A/N: A short update