The Crimson Curse

Chapter Four

"We live in a world full of broken hearts and judgemental hypocrites"

Chapter Four: Cynosure

"Are you going to try out for the team?" I blurted out nang maka labas na kami ng limo. I don't want to feel awkward while walking dahil alam kong may mga nakatingin sa'min.

Lyndon shrugged, he's handling this way calmer than I am. Good for him. "Nope"

I'm talking about NTEA's Lacrosse team. Alam kong matagal na nilang gustong mag try out si Lyndon but wala naman siyang interes, he's good though.

"Why not? I've seen you play with Brandon noon"

Tumikhim siya and started to look around, hindi ko naman iyon ginawa. I want to avoid their eyes as much as possible. Hindi naman sa uncomfortable ako, I just don't want people looking at me. Sino ba ang matutuwa doon?

"I don't want to be part of the wrong crowd" His eyes landed on a group of guys that were huddled next to their sports cars. Bago ko pa man matignan sila ng maigi, inakbayan na niya ako at pumasok na kami sa loob ng building.

Kayla followed us like a puppy hanggang sa makarating kami sa locker. Siya pa ang nag ayos ng gamit ko, nag volunteer kaya hindi ko na pinigilan.

"Just tell me if anyone's giving you a hard time" Lyndon murmured as a group of girls passed by.

Violet Hemmings' stare lingered on my brother hanggang sa makalagpas sila.

"That won't be necessary," I replied. Alam ko kung bakit niya sinabi iyon, kahit naman Castellan ako sa tingin nila, I'm not safe from bullying. Violet being the number one pain in the ass. Lyndon took a lot of advanced classes this year kaya iba ang schedule niya kaysa sakin so it'll be just me. Kung suswertihin ako then kasama ko si Kayla but I know she's a genius too so she probably has advanced classes with Lyndon.

"If Violet starts spreading rumors that you're adopted again---"

"What? What could you possibly do if she starts the rumor again?" I answered, sounding exasperated. "It's true anyway" My voice lowered at napa tungo rin ako.

This is high school, rumors are normal. It's the students' source of entertainment. Before I went to NTEA, I was already a hot topic. Apparently the news died down sa ibang tao but not to the teenagers na bumubuo ng NTEA Student body. Of course they were interested with the new Castellan. At nag iisang babae pa ako.

"You're not adopted" Hinawak niya ang baba ko to make me look at him. "You hear me, Tine? You are not adopted. Hindi ka namin inalagaan para maramdaman mong hindi ka namin kapatid."

Napangiti ako sa sinabi niya. Once in a blue moon lang lumabas ang sweet words sa bibig ng kapatid kong 'to. Ngayon pa ang napili niyang oras to make me feel better.

Still, reality is reality. Mangyayari parin ang pangamba ko but I should learn not to care dahil ang mga kapatid ko lang naman ang importante sa'kin.

Hinalikan ni Lyndon ang noo ko bago ako yakapin. Aware ako sa mga naka tingin sa'min. A lot of people would kill to be in my place right now. Ginawa lang naman ito ni Lynd para asarin sila. Minsan lumalabas rin ang pagka maloko niya. Habulin siya ng babae like his older brothers and he damn well knows it.

Ang bigat agad ng simula ng araw ko.

"You shouldn't be afraid Miss," muttered Kayla. "You are a Castellan, your surname holds a power they cannot have. That makes you higher than them"

All of the Castellan brothers graduated in North Thampton Empire so they're pretty well known. Kung hindi tumigil si Lyndon ng isang taon then graduate na dapat siya. Brandon was the captain of the Lacrosse team nong time niya dito sa NTEA, Dom was the resident playboy and golden boy -- hindi na bago sa'kin iyon, while Dame... well Dame ignored everyone. Kind of like what Lyndon's doing now.