Chapter 1 - Her Group
I met Lana way back in elementary school. Lagi kaming seatmates. The first time she sat beside me, her hair was so thick and frizzy, it looked like a black hair ball. Her skin tone was chocolate brown. And her pupils were a very dark black, unlike the average dark brown hue.
She had always worn glasses. Her glasses were big, and up to now, her glasses are still big. But they were not disturbing to see, nor did they steal her beauty away from her face. Her glasses is colorless, so it does not catch much attention.
She was always into dancing. I'll give her that: she is actually a good dancer. Unlike me, I can do cheerdance moves better, but that still does not make me capable of cheering.
Kaya naman kapag may activities na sa school ay lagi akong walang kasama. Lana has been my bestfriend in school. We are inseparable even, but that is mostly because we are seatmates.
One time, hinila niya ang kamay ko. She tried to force me to dance with her.
"Para naman magkasama tayo! Once lang. You got moves. You just don't want to try!"
Of course. This is friendship. The good and the bad. For better of for worse. Basta ba't magkasama. But as usual, I refused, because I am sure of this: I know myself. I've always known myself, and I know that I am not a dancer, nor do I have one percent potential. Unity dance lang ang kaya kong sayawin, and that's it. Community dances don't need the sways and coordination compared to modern dances.
I can sing, but only when I am in the mood. So no, scractch that on the talents list.
I am good at one thing though: writing. I started obsessing over books when I was in the fourth grade. Simple inspiration within me lit up when I found out that Twilight was based on a novel. Simula noon ay nagbasa na ako ng mga makakapal na libro. The things you can do when you love something? Endless.
So I incorporated my talent in my school. Parte rin si Lana ng aming school campus journalists club. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ang enerhiya ni Lana para maging dancer at maging writer at the same time, but good for her. She's blessed.
Nung nakatungtong na kami sa high school ay doon nang nagsimulang maging fangirl si Lana. She started taking interest in singing noong nagka idol siya ng mga banda at singers. Singers, including Slaton. No, right now, she is obsessed with Slaton.
"Punta tayo sa loob. Ang daming tao dito," yaya ni Soren. Halos nakalimutan ko nang kasama ko nga pala siya ngayon.
I kept looking back at the crowd. I can't believe Slaton was actually in front of me. I failed to recognize him, and now I feel like I failed Lana.
Tumunog na naman ang cellphone ko. Lana has been calling but I didn't pick up, not even once. She must have sensed it, so she sent a text.
Lana: omg? You were right! Nasa peak daw si Slaton. Wru right now?
She doesn't know! Should I let her know? I've never seen Lana angry before. We never really get into fights. I just know that she is a person with great persistence, and she does not favor failure at any circumstances. Obsessed siya kay Slaton. If she finds out about what just happened, will she be mad?
Ako: really? Ang lapit ko lang sa peak. Should I go check?
Nilingon ko na si Soren. Kanina pa siyang tahimik na naghihintay. Palinga-linga lang siya sa paligid, not minding the noise and the crowd ahead of us.
"Pasok tayo." Sabi ko, at nauna na akong naglakad. Sumunod naman siya.
We made our way to the entrance door. May mas marami pang mga babaeng nagsisitakbuhan. Mayroon silang mga bitbit na banners at malalaking printed pictures.
