Guitar Strings

Chapter 11: Later That Night

Stephanie Arcega's POV

"Happy birthday, Stella. Happy birthday, Stella. Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday, Stella!"

We're at Cafe Latte celebrating Stella's 16th birthday. We planned for this well, though nagtalo-talo pa talaga kami nina Tristan at Maur bago maayos 'to.

Here was the plan:

- Eileen was assigned to invite Stella sa mall, without letting her know about this 'surpise' for her.

- Rayce was supposed to pick them up. Kung may mangyari man para mag-fail si Eileen, siya ung sasalo.

- Maur and I were assigned to prepare everything at Cafe Latte.

- Sina Tristan at Uriel ung 'katagpo' ni Rayce sa mall, para may palusot si Rayce para sunduin sila.

This morning was really lame, though. Sira na agad lahat ng plano namin, kay Eileen pa lang. We really didn't expect to encounter such 'event'. Nagkasundo kami na tulungan si Stella para mahabol ung oras na pwedeng mawala kase mabusisi si Stella kapag naglilinis. Buti nalang medyo lusot kami, kahit nakahalata si Stella.

Anyway, I persuaded the whole barkada, kase I want to do something for Stella. We couldn't have survived high school without her. Well, I mean, she's been giving me moral support, love advice, and most of all, the respect that feels differrent when it comes from her. Those kept me going, and I'm sure, the others as well.

My plan was achieved successfully, though ung kay Tristan, hindi pa. Kaya pala parang ayaw niya masyadong ma-involve sa plano ko kase may sarili siyang plano.

Later that night, Eileen and I accompanied Stella going home. She prepared for their gig, and asked our opinion about her get up. Personally, I think ung suot niya, parang outfit ni Yamanaka Ino of Naruto, but conservative na rakista ung personality. HAHA I remember her nung binili niya to. Para nga daw kaseng damit ni Ino. Haist, kapag fan talaga. Basta, maganda siya, promise. Hindi ako magaling magdescribe, but I know fashion when I see one.

"You look good, Stella! Perfect!"

*ring ring*

Shoot, Maur! Pwede bang maghintay ka? Papunta na nga kami diyan eh, tawag ka pa ng tawag.

"Hurry up, Stella! Baka ma-late ka!

"Yeah, Eileen's right. Stella, we should really go. I want to see my Maur already!"

"Ang harot! HAHA Parang hindi nagkita kanina! Sige na, tara na, tara na."

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Tristan Colton's POV

Tonight's the night.

"Pare, kinakabahan ako bigla. Naputol 'ung string ng bass ko. Kapapalit ko lang nun eh! Paano nangyari un? Tapos nakakita ako ng itim na pusa sa likod bago ako pumasok. Bad, bad omen!"

"Uriel, hindi ka nakakatulong!"

"Eh kase, Rayce, pano nga nangyari un?"

"Para ka namang matandang ermitanyong naniniwala sa mga masamang pamihiin na yan eh! Tangna, kapag nahawaan kami ng kaba mo, baka pumalya ung plano. Di ba-- ARAY! Ang sakit!"