Another shot(ON HOLD)

CHAPTER IV: What now?

The next day gave me a lot of annoying surprises. Naglalakad pa lamang ako papunta sa classroom namin ay kinukutuban na talaga ako na may mangyayaring hindi kaaya-aya sa akin. I always trusted my gut instincts lalo na't alam ko naman talaga na may kinalaman sa kanya ang magiging bad luck ko. Hay naku. Paano ba kasi humantong dito yung lahat?

Cleint and I had not always been like this. We used to be the epitome of puppy love: two sweet, young people who thought of each other as our other half. Ang cliçhe nga ng story namin dahil nagsimula kami sa pagkakaibigan. We're bestfriends. We used to describe each other's crush, but never revealing their names until one day, we found out we both like each other naman pala. It felt like I found my own prince charming. It was enchanting. Special. Magical even.

Sabagay, masyado pa kaming mga bata noon. We haven't even turned thirteen yet at that time! I was naive to think it would last forever. My perfect fairytale was soon shattered, and when it did, I didn't know what was real anymore. I was wrapped around his finger and his spell on me was so hard to break. It didn't last long, but it was enough to break my heart. My world revolved around him and his promises, and suddenly I was sent out from his axis. I got lost. At first I didn't know my way, but I managed on my own after some time. I became okay. I didn't have to live in fantasies anymore.

I broke free from the chain that kept me from moving on, and now what? He's gonna try and ruin the life I built for myself? I won't let that happen. Hindi ako patitinag.

I'm unbreakable and I'm gonna prove that.

Taas-noo akong naglakad papasok sa aming classroom, heels clicking on the floor. Agad naningkit ang aking mga mata nang makita kong nagkukumpulan halos lahat ng mga kaklase ko sa likod, pinapalibutan ang walang iba kung di ang magaling na si Cleint. Tsk. Pabida talaga 'to. Kunwari nahihiya, but I know deep inside he's liking the girls' attention.

Chickboy eh. 

"Cleint, saang school ka ba nag-aaral dati?" pa-tweetums na tanong ng kaklase kong si Precious. She was twirling her hair at halatang nagpapa-cute. Tss. Flirt. Yung iba naman, tutok na tutok ang mga mata sa bagong kaklase namin. Ngi-ngiti naman ang g*go, kasi syempre, nagfi-feeling gwapo na naman.

"Sa St. Bernard Academy," sagot nito, nakangiti pa rin at kitang-kita ang dimple niya sa kanang bahagi ng kanyang pisngi. It was his charm and  I once fell for that, pero ngayon kina-iinisan ko na talaga ang mga ngiti niya.

And look, he's already fooling them with his smiles.

"Hindi ba't nag-aral din dun si Misty? Kilala mo ba siya?" pahamak na tanong ni Hans. Langyang baklang 'to. Baka ano pang masabi ni Cleint. I don't want to be linked to him in any way.

Agad kong inilapag sa ang mga gamit ko sa aking upuan saka nagtungo sa likod.

"Actually she's-"

"Parang narinig ko yata ang pangalan ko. Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?" singit ko, flashing a smile. All eyes turned to me. Mukhang ngayon nga lang talaga nila napansin na nandito na ako kahit na medyo kanina pa ako nakikinig sa pang-iinterogate nila sa lalaking ito. Wow lang.

"Misty, si Cleint pala. Bagong kaklase natin," pagpapakilala ni Precious nang may mga ningning sa kanyang mga mata.

Ew. Ang dali naman nilang magpauto sa jerk na 'to. He kept flashing smiles and he already got them wrapped around his finger just like what he did to me years ago, pero ngayon? Hindi na ako tatablan niyan.

"I know him, alright. Magkaklase kami dati," nakangiting sabi ko naman nang may bahid na kaplastikan. Nakatingin ako sa kanya at para bang inaabangan niya ang mga susunod kong sasabihin.