Airplanes and Airports

Chapter 10

We were on top of a hill, sitting on the hood of her black Mazda 3. It was already 4 in the morning, and nasa labas pa kami ng mga bahay namin. I guess, I just needed some 'fresh' air after nung incident earlier. I just... didn't want to see him or listen to his explanations right now. I will listen to them, but... just not now.

"Papasok ka pa ba mamaya?", Kat asked.

I called her right after I tended to my stupid brother. She's the only one I know who can pick me up from my house, after all. Besides, sya lang naman kasi talaga kilala ko dito eh. I couldn't call or text Colton - my newest friend - because, I didn't want to bother him or something. He might even judge me with the things I do; it's too early for that.

I shrugged, "Maybe? From 1 to 7 ung class, right?"

"Yeah. Hmm, how about, we go to school and drink after class?", she suggested.

I liked the idea. Well, I'm still disappointed sa ginawa ni King, so... I guess it's alright if I stayed out after school. Besides, ano bang gagawin ko sa house? Cry myself to sleep or something? I'm tired of that.

"Can I, like, sleep sa house nyo na lang? Please?", I begged.

She nodded. "My uniform would fit you naman siguro, diba?"

I looked at my chest, "Uhh, mine's quite bigger than yours. Pano un?" I laughed.

"Bahala ka. It's not my fault that they're bigger than mine."

"C'mon! That was a joke!" I laughed again. "Hey, do you have something stronger than this?"

I was referring to the cigarette; I actually wanted to get high and forget all the things that I've been thinking of since yesterday. If I don't get the chance to forget them kahit ilang hours lang, I swear, I'd go nuts. Besides, I haven't smoked weed for almost a month now. The last one was when I went to my ex's house party; you know how rich kids are - referring to my ex, by the way. That stoner.

She went to the passenger side of the car and opened the glove compartment. She was digging through the stuff na tinatago nya dun. I'm betting half of my monthly allowance na most of the stuff na nandun, trash - candy wrappers, scratch paper, and other what-not - or stash nya ng weed. She may be OC, but... minsan, super kalat naman ng car, bag, at room nya. Confusing din eh.

After a few more minutes of digging through her 'garbage can', she finally found her stash. Meron din syang rolling paper na dala pagbalik nya beside me. She handed it to me and I started rolling one.

I lit it and inhaled the smoke, savoring it as it fills my lungs. I exhaled and smiled. I wasn't high yet; I wasn't even close to being high.

"Sometimes, I really wish that you're my sister. You know that?", she said out of nowhere.

I passed her the joint. "Why?"

"Because, you're my sister from another mother.", she smiled and shook her head.

"I wish he was alive.", I shrugged and inhaled another dose of the intoxicating smoke.

Sometimes, we wish for the things na impossible naman talagang mangyari na. Even if we know that they can't happen anymore, we still wish for them. We hope for them. But, what's the use of hoping for something that can't happen anymore?

Mary Jane tickled our insides more and we couldn't help but laugh. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Kat placed her Zippo sa hood ng car nya, we just stared at it and we laughed. We laughed because one moment it's there, then it's gone. A few seconds later, nandun nanaman.

"Kitty, I'm hungry." I said trying hard not to laugh.

Nauna syang tumawa, "HAHAHA. I'm hung--HAHAHAHAHAHA--hungry--HAHAHAHAHA--na din! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA."

We went inside the car and just started laughing again. Dun lang kami, laughing like hyenas. Little things made us laugh. May nakita kaming turtle, flying and chasing a whale. Sobrang nakakatawa kasi the turtle's flying! Tapos, funny thing is, super small nung whale, tapos giant ung turtle! HAHAHA!!

Next thing I know, I was somewhere soft. I don't know where this is, but I just want to stay here because the place smells like freshly brewed coffee and newly toasted bread. I opened my eyes, only to find out that I was on the couch. I sat up, in panic, and looked around. And then, I saw Tito Mike, Kat's dad. I sighed in relief; I am somewhere safe.

But, what the hell? How come nasa house nila ko? Pano kami nakapunta dito? We were high as fck. Did she drive from where we were to their house? If ever ganun, I'd have to say that she's an amazing driver.

Tito Mike noticed that I was dumb-founded and just staring into nothingness. He walked towards me with two mugs of coffee in his hands; everybody knew that I want my coffee brewed, without milk and without sugar. He smiled at me and handed me the other mug. He sat beside me and just stared at me, like how a father would look at his daughter when he's wondering how fast time flies.

He shook his head and tsk-ed. He scratched the side of his head before asking, "Will I tell your mom about this?"

"Tito, I'm sorry if I pulled Kat into this. Okay lang po na --"

"Iz, alam ko naman ung kay Kat eh. Alam namin.", he said with a hint of disappointment. "Don't apologize."

I took a sip of my coffee. "Tito, I guess, it's alright if you tell Mom about this."

My parents know everything I do - from flunking every possible subject that I can flunk to getting high at a party. How can I hide something from them when there are paparazzi everywhere? Buti nga dito sa Manila, I'm not that hot sa eyes ng media eh. But in New York? I usually make it to the broadsheets. Kulang na nga lang, magpa-plastic surgery ako to change my face para di na  ko makilala ng mga tao dun eh.

I've always disappointed my father. Ever since that day, from being the Princess everybody loved, I've downgraded to be the biggest disappointment. The moment I woke up a few days after that day, I immediately knew that... everything would change. And, it did. Everything changed, even I did. It's part of the cycle - changes, I mean.

"No. I won't. Alam ko naman kasi kung anong mangyayari sa'yo pag umabot pa 'to sa Daddy mo eh."

"Thanks, tito.", that's all I could muster.

He sighed and stood up, "I was a teenager once. Escape isn't the solution to every problem that you encounter. Sometimes, you just have to face your inner demons and fight them," he messed my hair with his free hand. "Remember that, okay?"

I nodded. I know he wants me to stop running away and stop looking for my 'fire exit'. Lahat naman sila un ung gusto, eh. I must admit, even King wants me to stop escaping and just start facing reality. Nagawa naman daw kasi nya eh, I can also do it, if I just... learn to let go of the things na hindi ko na kayang baguhin.

I checked my phone. No text from my brother; it was 10:30am. I placed the mug on the cofee table and plopped back down on the couch. I stared hard at the ceiling, wondering if someone, out there, is doing this exact same thing at this very moment. Is there a possibility na meron nga? If ever meron, why is that person staring at the ceiling? Is that person also wondering if dapat pa ba syang maghanap ng 'fire exits'?

Classes start at 1pm. I'm too lazy to go to school. No, not really lazy. It's just that, a few hours ago, I was high. I just need to get it out of my system.

I need to get it out of my system.