Monster's Pet (Phoenix #2)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 - Charlotte

I still don't know where the monster is taking me. Sitting on Mikasa's shotgun, with my eyes closed as the cold night breeze caress my face from the open window beside me, I don't honestly care about our destination.

This is so not me, but as long as I'm with him, I know it will be fine. The silence between us is so comfortable, it's making me sleepy.

But I don't want to sleep.

I don't want this night to end.

Ilang oras din siyang nag-drive. I can't help but think if he's taking me away from the metro.

And he does.

When we finally halt, agad na nanlaki ang mga mata ko. "Why are we here?"

Nasa tapat lang naman kami ng naglalakihang gates ng Langston High School.

Sumner smiles, "Someone told me this is your favorite place."

That someone for sure, is either Alisson or Loise.

"Are we sneaking in?" nae-excite na tanong ko.

But he doesn't answer, bumusina lang siya ng tatlong beses at maya-maya pa, bumukas na ang malaking front gate.

What the?

He smiles at guards too, bago muling pinaandar ang sasakyan papasok sa Langston.

How did he even...?

Well, he's Sumner Spring Falle after all, hindi na dapat ako magtaka.

"It'll be much cooler if we sneaked in..." I am a bit disappointed, but when I look at my gown... The image of us sneaking inside flashes in my mind's eye... paano ako makaka-akyat sa gates sa bigat at haba nitong suot ko? It's impossible. Hindi ko naman 'to pwedeng putulin at iklian. The gown is too beautiful... and my fairy god best friend will end me kapag sinira ko 'tong gown. So I sigh and give up, "Never mind."

Ngumiti lang ulit ang halimaw, like he knows what I'm thinking.

Nag-park siya sa harap ng paboritong kong building, and a sudden wave of nostalgia sweeps over me.

How I've missed this place.

Sumner gets off the car, I'm about to do the same when he walks toward my side and opens the door for me. He takes the shoes resting on my lap and puts it in my feet himself.

"Have I told you how pretty you are?" He says as he looks up.

"Are you seriously saying that now?" Hulas na ang makeup ko kakaiyak kanina. Pasalamat na lang talaga ako at waterproof ang mascara at eye liner na ginamit sa'kin ni Xandra. Wala na ang smoky eyes ko, hindi na pantay pantay ang foundation ko, at ang lipstick kong kita pa rin ang pagka-smudge kahit nude. And he tells me I'm pretty? Kung fresh pa rin ako, I'll demand to be called beautiful. Pero sa itsura ko ngayon, mas tamang description sa'kin ang zombie.

Sumner nods convincingly, offers me his hand that I willingly take. Muli niyang hinawakan ang tuktok ng ulo ko para hindi ako mauntog sa car ceiling. Dumiretso kami sa lift paakyat sa rooftop; and it still looks the same, clean and refreshing as ever. Para bang abot na abot mo ang mga stars mula dito.

Naglakad ako papunta sa favorite corner namin, humawak sa malamig na railings at dumungaw pababa. Nakasunod lang sa'kin ang halimaw.

"I almost died here." I mutter naturally. I don't really like talking or even just thinking about the past. Gusto kong ibaon sa limot ang lahat ng mapait na ala-ala. It won't do me any good anyway, kaya bakit ko pa aalalahanin 'di ba?