Invisible

Chapter 4

I slumped myself on the bench, the following day in school with Parry beside me since we both have vacant for third period.

"You looked so..." she struggled to get off a proper word as she sat down beside me. "Disturbed."

I shrugged uncomfortably. Who wouldn't be? There was a sick bad news that came just this morning plus my hang over from drinking tequila last night was a slob. Oh and don't forget to add the fact that Darren Espanto kissed me last night and the fact that he could have forgotten about it because of his drunk state last night is such a big ugh. "Parry, I have bad news."

"Shoot," she chuckled as she bit her lip and ran her hand through her long dark hair.

I inhaled as I started to narrate the things to her.

Earlier this day, I was in the house of course. I went to the kitchen to eat breakfast with my mom as I usually do but I found her on phone which is weird because despite her good position in work, she never gets phone calls in mornings from work. That's so I decided to eavesdrop.

"I don't know sir... my daughter, she doesn't like the idea about it..." she stops momentarily as the person on the other line, her boss, spoke. "That's a good thing too, but sir... yes... I understand sir..." she exhales in exasperation. "Okay sir... I would... yes, I would talk to her... thank you sir." Then she declines the call.

I decided to show up to her. "What was that supposed to mean?" I asked her. Her face looked a little puzzled. "I meant your boss's call." I clarified.

She sighed as she massaged her temples. "He wants to send me to the branch of our company in Philippines, Nicole." She told me, instantly taking me aback. "We have to go home."

"But we're home!"

"I know." She sighed again as she slumped herself on one of the stools set by our dining. "I told him that but he won't agree." She explained, taking a glass of water and slowly downing it swig by swig. "So you're probably going to get back her in Canada earlier than me if that happens so. But for the start of summer, you have to come with me in the Philippines so your Tita Madelle can watch over you." she looked at me. "So you have no choice but to come with me for the summer in the country."

I sighed. "Fine," I rolled my eyes. "A summer won't kill." I think.

Parry's eyes widened as I finished telling her. "You're going to Philippines for the summer?" she asked.

"You just heard my story," I told her a little agitated, still having some hard time because of my head ache. "Sucks to be right now," I complained. Suddenly my phone buzzed and revealed Darren's caller ID. "How the hell can you call me when you're not in a vacant for third period?" I answered instead of saying 'Hello'.

"I was excused in class," he said in the other line. "MsRoberts called me for something and she asked me if I could call you too." He explained. "But I have no idea where to search for you in your vacant."

"Okay," I said, "What does she want from me?"

"I don't know," I could imagine him lifting his shoulders in being clueless. "Where are you now?" he asked me. "I'll go get you; I'm just by the library."

"No," I told him. "I'll just... meet you up by the library." I told him. "Bye."

With that, I declined the call and stood up, bringing my pack with me. I excused myself from Parry and walked my way to the library.

Small particles would crunch to bits once my feet collide with the ground as I walked. Finally, I reached the building where the library is and started to climb the stairs. I found Darren leaning on the wall, his left foot leaning on the wall while his right was on the floor. If you ask me, he looked like a model. Suddenly, I remembered his kiss on my lips last night. I blushed at the memory.

He turned to me, seeing my tomato-like situation. "Oh, there you are," he smiled. "You're... flushed... what's wrong?"

"I would tell it to you later." I told him, leaning on the wall beside him.

"Why not now?" he pushed on.

I ignored him as MsRoberts suddenly showed up. "Oh there are you." she smiled at both of us. "Please follow me, MrEspanto and MsAguilar. I have something to discuss with the two of you."

I shot Darren a what-did-we-do-now look and he just shrugged, obviously as clueless as I am. "I don't know." He mouthed.

I shrugged as we both followed MsRoberts to her office. Okay, this is creepy. I swear, I haven't ditched classes so I am so clueless of why I am in the office of a teacher. Once in, I asked MsRoberts. "Is there something wrong?" I looked at her blonde hair that was neatly pulled into a bun, "Did we do something wrong or offensive or something?"

She laughed. "No, MsAguilar," okay, so what is with my surname that people in Canada can't pronounce it so well? "You were the ones that the teachers appointed to sing for the graduation which would happen in days or something."

I sighed in relief. Well, that was a relief, I say. "Well, are there some song line ups already? I can suggest some if you want."

"No," Darren protested. "You're going to suggest a One Direction song again!" he whined. "Please MsRoberts, I'll just suggest a song. Don't let Nic get in the way!"

MsRoberts smiled. "You two look good together." She said while shaking her head in amusement. "Anyway, I like that boy band," MsRoberts nodded to my direction, "My young daughter likes that. Anyway, too bad that your Music Teacher already have a song and I'm sorry to say, it was a One Direction song."

I stuck my tongue out to Darren's direction. "Directioners rule!" I laughed.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes playfully.

"Anyway, that is all I want to tell you guys." MsRoberts says. "I hope none of you would decline the suggestion. You two are the... I don't know. Highly recommended by means of singing." She smiled. "So I definitely hope you accept it."

"That's flattering, believe me." Darren laughed. "Anyway, I would love to give it a go." He said. "I don't know about my best friend, she gets to do the final say."

"I don't mind." I said with a smile. "I mean I wasn't given a good singing voice for nothing, right?"

MsRoberts smiled. "Thank you, you two really did a favour for us."

After discussing some more about the singing in the graduation, MsRoberts finally let us go and went on with our respective classes. Darren said he's fourth period was a vacant and my fourth was an elective. But my elective adviser was absent, giving me an extension of vacant time.

Darren and I climbed the rooftop, since Parry has her fourth period that's why I didn't bother to get back to the garden. And don't small the rooftop, because it's not just a rooftop. It's a rooftop with plants around the place, making it attractive.

I went straight to the pile of potted stargazer lilies by the side, while Darren stood by the edge, enjoying the cool wind. It has always been like this. Things seemed to be lighter with Darren. I don't know if he feels the same, but that is how I really feel when I'm with him. It feels like there is nothing to worry about coz he'll be there to help you.

His company is already enough. His existence in my life is a blessing. And I would forever be thankful for having someone like him to be my best friend. Although I still hope for something more, him being there for me is already good for me.