Dress Me Up Or Dress Me Down

I

Several minutes had passed as I blankly stare at the untouched clean paper in front of me. I always get frustrated whenever I tried to draw something from my imagination but failed to execute it.

I sighed as I slammed my sketchpad shut.

I went out of my room to go drink water in the kitchen.

"Having a hard time?" Cass asked with a can of beer in her hand.

"Yup, I think I'm running out of creative juices," I answered as I took out a bottle of water from the fridge. She offered me a box of cigarette, "You might need this, too, then,"

I shrugged at her suggestion but took the cigarette anyways.

"Thanks," I said before drinking. "I really find it ironic that you offered me cigs, when you're a Science major and all. You do know all the side effects of smoking, right?"

Cass chuckled, "I know, pero what can I do? This is my only stress reliever."

I finished drinking my water and excused myself, "I'll be at the veranda."

I was greeted by the cold breeze of December when I got to the veranda. I lit up my first cigarette stick and blew a puff of smoke in to the air. I checked the time on my phone. It was already 2:52 AM. This type of stress wasn't new to me; I've dealt with so much stress and anxiety even when I was still a freshman. Although, I have had endured some of it, there are still times when I feel tired and worn out from all of it.

Maybe, today is one of those days. And, just like those days, this will end too.

I was about to light up another cigarette when my phone rang. Nang makita ko kung sino ang tumatawag sa ay agad ko itong sinagot.

"Hello? Tori!!! I'm so happy that you called!!!" bati sa akin ni Dianne. Sa tono pa lang ng pananalita niya ay alam ko na kung nasaan siya at kung anong kalagayan niya.

"Tangina, Dianne, don't tell me na magpapasundo ka na naman?!"

"Woah! How'd'ya know that? Do you have a telekinesis power of some sort?" Dianne slurred, obviously wasted.

"Dianne, it's telepathy not telekinesis. Ugh, just stay where you are and please don't do something stupid, okay? I'll be there in 30 minutes."  

Nagmamadali akong pumasok ng kwarto ko para kunin ang bag ko, tinignan ko kung nandoon ang susi ng kotse ko. Mabilis ko ring tinignan ang sarili ko sa salamin bago umalis. Damn, I look like a hot mess. Itinali ko ang buhok ko at nag-lagay ng konting tint sa pisngi at labi. Mabuti na lang at hindi pa ako nakakapagpalit ng pantulog at suot ko pa rin ang black rompers ko. Nagsuot ako ng white platform sneakers at umalis na.

Nang makarating na ako sa Dark Room ay agad kong hinanap si Dianne. Hindi ako nahirapan na hanapin siya dahil alam ko kung nasaan siya ngayon at kung ano ang ginagawa niya. Agad akong nagpunta sa dance floor at nakita ko siya na may mga kasayawang mga lalaki. Mga. Hindi lang isa, kundi tatlong lalaki ang kasayawan niya. They were literally hovering around her and the bitch was way too drunk to care. Nagmamadali akong puntahan siya kaya't pinilit kong makipagsiksikan sa mga lasing na taong nagsasayaw. Hindi ko alam kung ilang tao ang natamaan at nabigwasan ko sa pagmamadali, pero hindi na nila ito pinansin dahil sa kalasingan.

"Dianne, let's go home!" agad kong sambit nang makalapit ako sa kaniya. Hinila ko siya sa kaniyang braso ngunit pinigilan ako ng isa sa mga lalaki.

"Tori! You came for me!!! C'mon let's dance!"

"Hey, babe, don't spoil the fun. You should join us instead," nakangisi niyang sabi sa akin. His breath reeks of alcohol and marijuana. He couldn't even open his eyes properly.