The Uptight Brat (EDITING)

Chapter Five

I survived the first day with crutches. Exhausting is an understatement. Halos late na ako sa mga afternoon classes ko dahil ang lalayo ng building at hirap na hirap akong maglakad mag-isa. Hindi ko na kasi kasama si Gaea at Eca.

Alas cinco na ng hapon at naglalakad na ako papunta sa may main gate para hinatyin si Mang Kiko nang makita ko si Eca na tumatakbo. Tumigil lang siya nang makita niya ako.

"Oy, uuwi ka na?" tanong niya sa'kin.

"Oo. Ikaw ba, saan ka? Ba't ka nagmamadali?" ngumisi lang siya at tinuro ang gym.

"Punta ako ro'n. Pasensya ka na ha, 'di na kita matutulungan maglakad papunta sa gate. Nagmamadali na talaga ako." Tumango ako at ngumiti at kumaway naman siya bago tumakbo ulit.

Naasar ako dahil sobra akong nababagalan sa paglakad ko, and I hate the fact that I can do nothing about it.

Damn it.

"Tulungan na kita. Tsk." Napalingon ako sa nagsalita at nakita kong si Reese 'yon. 

Reese is a freshman at PU, but she's been studying at this institution since high school. And it looks like maraming nakakakilala sa kanya based on the number of people stopping by to look at her and wave.

"No need, kaya ko na. You can go first." Umirap lang siya, at tinulungan pa rin ako.

"You obviously need help." Hinayaan ko na lang dahil totoo naman.

Nakarating kami sa main gate at sakto din na dumating na si Mang Kiko kaya di na kami nag antay ng matagal.

The living room was a mess when we got home. Ang daming bisita! I was taken aback dahil sumigaw si Reese and is suddenly running toward them. There are seven of them, four guys and three girls.

Wala akong balak makipag-usap sa kanila, so I quietly walk to the guest room, my temporary room kasi nasa first floor lang ito, pero pinigilan ako ng isa sa kanila.

"Ikaw 'yong panganay na anak ni Tita Teresa diba? Andito kami para makita at makilala ka, ako nga pala si Austin, this is Clementine, girlfriend ko." Turo niya sa babaeng nasa gilid niya, mahinhin itong kumaway sa akin kaya nginitian ko na rin siya. 

Austin is 25 and filthy rich. He manages their Airline company, and his girlfriend, Clementine, who is 24, is a Hotel Heiress.

Roman, graduating na sa Business Ad this year matangkad at maputi and he has this charming and welcoming aura, varsity player daw siya at model ng isang sikat na clothing line. He is 21 and very much single.

Si Charles naman, he is still 18 years old. Austin's younger brother. He is studying at a music school kasi he is into music, he plays the piano and the violin, and he can play guitar as well. He is competing in a nationwide contest this coming July.

Next is Preston, medyo mahangin at hobby niya ata ang magbuhat ng sariling bangko. According to him, girls literally drool over him. Tambay kasi raw ito sa negosyo niyang gym at yung mga babae pupunta lang doon para ma kita siya. Infairness to him, he is well built at hindi OA ang laki ng katawan niya. But his arrogance is leaving a bitter taste in my tongue. 

Si Scarlet and Violet naman are a 20-year-old twin. They're both into fashion and have their own clothing line for teens, the S & V.

Aparently, pinsan ko raw silang lahat maliban kay Clementine.

"Uhh. I'm Shae, nice to meet you all." Ngumiti ako pero alam kong 'di ito umabot sa mga mata ko.

"Ano ba 'yan Shae! Share something deep." Kanchaw ni Preston kaya napairap ako. Pinaupo ako ni kuya Austin sa tabi ni Preston at inakbayan naman niya ako agad. Feeling close lang.