Gravity

4

"Dude, we're all out..."

"When has that ever been a problem to James? Order another round, right dude?"

This was their 3rd round of drinks. He said he'll see if he could catch up and might just stay. Instead of being where I'm clearly not wanted.

He caught up alright. And because his anger didn't subside when he was already in the bar, he said that drinks were on him.

It was their third round. But he didn't drink at all. Not even a drop.

He was surrounded by some of the most prettiest girls in showbiz. But he didn't glance at them. Not an ounce of interest at all.

He was in a trance when someone nudged his elbow.

"Dude.. alam mo, you're here nga, pero yung isip mo naiwanan mo dun sa condo ni Nadine.. Come on, you said you wanted to forget? Talk, drink, dance.. have fun.."

His first thought was to go back. To make sure that nothing's happening that he doesn't want.

Who am I to tell her what to do?

He shook his head at his thought and Sam's invitation.

"She's slowly getting a life away from the limelight.. from you.. 'bout time you should get your own too.."

It's not much of a life without her

"Yeah.. I get it dude.."

"She could be getting the best of it-"

"Yeah, I know.."

"She could even be getting laid as-"

"Sam! Bro, I said I got it. Back off.."

Sam raised his hands up, surrendering to a now angry James.

"I'm just saying, dude... Wouldn't hurt you to have fun..."

James paid no attention. Getting all riled up wasn't worth it. He tried to get up and start dancing. A few seconds into the song, a couple of girls started to dance next to him.

For a second he was enjoying himself, then after a while, he didn't want it anymore.

He walked back to their spot, sitting down, frustrated.

He took out his phone, about to text an apology to Nadine, when he decided to check instagram first.

And lo and behold. The first picture was from Bret.

Nadine was fast asleep, blanketed all the way up to her neck, leaning against Bret. If it was someone else seeing this picture, they would go 'awwww'.

But that was far from what he was thinking right now.

"You know, they're right when they say you're the lone wolf.."

He looked up and saw one of the girls that was dancing with him. She was from a different network. But a mutual friend of Sam's.

He went back to his phone, closing the app and moving on to composing a text.

"Himala ata, you didn't drink or dance tonight..."

As if his silence wasn't enough, she sat next to him, peeking at his phone.

"I was just..." he started, moving his phone away. "...not in the mood"

"You? That's a first..."

"I guess.."

"Well, let's atleast try to have fun. You didn't buy all these drinks for us for nothing. Come on, let me atleast try to make you have fun.."

James shook his head. "You really don't have to.."

"No.. I don't. But I want to. Okay, fine. Sa ayaw mo at sa gusto mo, I guarantee you, your friends and I will try our best to make you smile. Kahit once lang.."

"Well, you can try.."

A few minutes passed and the night was about to be over. The group opted for a picture, something to remember their good times. As if there weren't enough good times already.

They teased James, telling him to put his arm around the girl next to him. Telling him na bagay sila.

He cracked a small smile after hearing that, looking at the girl next to him.

His friends thought he was finally enjoying himself.

Not knowing that, that smile, was a smile of regret. One that thought of someone else. Wishing he was somewhere else.

A/N:

I know this one is short. But I just really wanted this scene to happen separately in terms of chapters. Don't worry, chapter 5 is posted alongside this one