CLOSER NEXT TO YOU (Completed)

Chapter 25

Chapter XXV: ENVIOUS 

That day B1 was back at Vindleton B2 was amazed how everyone missed his brother. Lahat ng nakakasalubong nila bumabati sa kanyang kapatid at nagwi-welcome back. Maski iyong janitor na hindi naman pumapansin sa mga estudyante ay binati rin ito.

B2 wouldn't deny how overwhelmed he was when the whole class cheered for him when he got back, but seeing now how B1 was welcomed, it was nothing in comparison.

Bakit nga ba siya natuwa in the first place? Hindi naman siya dating nagpapaapekto sa mga ganung bagay. He never enjoyed receiving attentions until Chloe entered his life.

For the first time he wanted reaffirmation, he wanted to earn it from someone other than from his family--he wanted Chloe's attention.

Dahil first comeback ni B1 sa Vindleton, nang lunch na iyon ay sinundo sila ng mama nila. Di na silang dalawa magtataka. Ang hindi ni B2 inaasahan ay kung paano pumasok pa sa loob ng campus ang kanilang ina.

"Mom, you don't need to come here," sabi niya. Hindi sila nasa grade 2 ng kambal para sunduin pa ng magulang. "You should have called us and waited at the car instead."

Lahat ng kanilang mga kaklase nakasilip sa bintana at pinanood sila. Pati iyong mga estudyanteng walang klase at nagkakalat sa campus ay natitigilan at sa kanila nakatingin.

But Mrs. Aniston was rather dreamy that she didn't hear what B2 had said. "Hay," sabi nito, "I miss my school days. Ganto rin ako tingnan ng mga estudyante sa amin dati."

Kumaway ang kanilang ina sa mga estudyante na animo'y isang celebrity na dumalaw dun. Bumulong ito kay B1, "Anak, sa akin ba sila nakatingin o sa inyo?"

"Hindi ko alam, ma," sagot ni B1, "pero sa tingin ko po sa inyo."

"I knew it," tugon nito, "kahit sino namang babaeng lalapit at kakausapin ninyong dalawa ay takaw atensyon--"

"My point, mom," putol ni B2. "That's why you shouldn't have come."

And B2 was more pissed when he caught some students taking pictures.

Their mom was enjoying it however. B2 wasn't wrong about girls and attention.

"Magti-trending ba tayo nito mga anak?"

Imbes na sumagot si B2 ay yinaya na niya ang mga ito paalis. "We better get going."

Hindi iyon ang unang beses na pumunta roon ang ginang ng walang pasabi sa kanila. Noong birthday nila noong Valentine's Day, first year sila noon, may surprise program para sa kanila ang ginang at naging laman sila ng social media sites pagkatapos. Simula nang insidenteng iyon hindi na tumigil ang pagdami ng mga 'tagahanga' daw nila.

On their way to the gate naagaw ang atensyon ng kanilang ina ang isang estudyante na makakasalubong nila.

"That girl is pretty," sabi ng ina nila.

B2 gazed at the girl.

Chloe's hair was shining under the sun, spreading like black pearl wings behind her. The sight for was always breathtaking.

"Her hair is every girl's dream," patuloy ng ginang.

B2 just listened to his mom praised Chloe. Seeing her locks flaunted proudly like that, his hands tickled to reach for it and glided them towards their length.

He'd seen Louie brushed Chloe's hair at their house and he was honestly tempted to volunteer but he saved himself from embarassment. He sufficed his want by just watching the act.