Lena didn't like staring games, but it's always like that with Lacey. Her sister's still glaring silently. She didn't like confrontations either, but it seemed like she needed to be the first one to speak up. Mukhang walang balak magsalita si Lacey.
"So... hi?"
And just like that, Lacey's tongue loosened. "What are you doing here?"
"You're not answering my calls," she answered, her expression pained.
"Obligasyon ko bang sagutin ang mga tawag mo?"
"Lacey..."
"Go home, Lena." Lacey's voice was laced with irritation. Salubong na salubong ang kilay nito.
"After we talk."
"I don't want to talk to you."
"You're already talking to me," she pointed out, grinning sheepishly. Lacey scowled. She reached out to hold her sister's arm. Umiwas naman ito. "Lace, mas maniniwala ka pa ba sa interviewer na 'yon kesa sa 'kin?"
"Well, he's not wrong. Martin admitted that he liked your gift better."
"Kahit na. It doesn't mean that he's in love with me." She hoped that she made her statement ridiculous enough. "Lace, hanggang kailan ka ba ganito, ha? When will you stop feeling threatened?"
Lacey's face contorted, but she didn't answer. Humalukipkip ito at sumandal sa pader, saka ibinaling ang atensyon sa nakabukas na laptop. Her gaze followed.
"Have you been reading bad comments about you again?" She sighed when Lacey didn't answer. She folded the laptop and held Lacey's face. Napansin niyang may nangingilid na luha sa mga mata nito.
Fame is both a blessing and a curse. May panahon na masayang maging sikat. Pakiramdam mo, mahal na mahal ka ng mga tao. Pero isang pagkakamali mo lang, maybe a bad outfit or a grammatically incorrect statement, the people will turn on you.
Lacey had been dealing with this for years. Kung siya ang masusunod, patitigilin na lamang niya sa pag-aartista ang kapatid. But Lacey loves the craft. She's not in it for fame. Gustong-gusto talaga nitong umarte. She could be anyone. She could walk in anyone else's shoes. This is freedom for Lacey, an escape from being herself.
"What did they say this time?"
It took Lacey a while to open up, but she waited patiently. If there's one thing that she knew better than anyone about her sister, it was to always look passed the anger and recognize the pain behind it. Most of the time, Lacey gets angry when she's hurt. Kung sasabayan niya ang galit nito, hinding-hindi na sila magkakasundo.
"They say that you're prettier than me," sagot nito. Lacey wiped her tears gingerly. "T-They say that you and Martin look better together."
"And you believe them?"
Simangot itong tumango. "Mas maganda ka naman talaga, Ate, e."
She made a disgusted face. "Hindi totoo 'yan."
"It's true. Kahit naman noon pa, mas maganda ka na talaga. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit ako 'yong pinatulan ni Martin, e. Siguro naawa lang sya sa 'kin."
She swatted Lacey's forehead. Tumama ang ulo nito sa pader. Napasapo ito at sinamaan siya ng tingin.
"What was that for?!"
"I'm knocking some sense into you," she said grimly. "Martin loves you that's why he chose to be with you. Huwag mo namang insultuhin 'yong tao by thinking that he only went out with you because he pitied you. He's better than that."
