Over The Rainbows, Sydney (España Series #1)

Chapter 8

Carrie Thompson.

She's a sweet person. Thoughtful. Maeffort.

We've been going out, as friends, together for two weeks now. And I must admit, she really is nice and beautiful inside and out, too.

Wala akong balak na pumayag sa pakikipagkaibigan kay Carrie because I also do not want to give her false hopes. Pero tinawagan ako ng Mommy at sinabi nito sa akin na hindi ko dapat i-turn down ang friendship na inooffer ni Carrie dahil possible silang business partner. Hindi ko alam pero parang wala akong magawa. Siguro kasi ngayon ko lang naramdaman yung ganitong sense of belongingness. Yung pakiramdam na may kailangan sa akin ang mommy ko.

Because of that I agreed with Carrie's friendship. And she was delighted about it. Kaya ngayon kahit paminsan kaming lumalabas ay malinaw kung ano kami: friends. After all yun lang naman ang gusto ko.

Tonight we're in a bar with Iñigo and our friends. Carrie is beside me with a vodka in her left hand. Her right is around my waist, occupying my personal space. She's really fond of putting her arms around someone beside her, I know that by now. Noong una kasi akala ko chinachansingan niya lang ako. But everyone who's beside her always gets to be wrapped in her arms kaya naintindihan ko din.

She's clingy. And touchy.

Iñigo's heavy stare caught my attention. I raised a brow at him and he shifted his look on Carrie's hands on my side.

He looked at me again before uttering the words that made Carrie look at him too.

"Have you seen Sydney?" Iñigo asked me seriously.

Nagulat naman ako sa inasta ni Iñigo. This isn't the first time that I brought Carrie with us. That's why I see no problem with it.

"No." Simple kong sagot.

Well, baka busy sa ex niya. I sneered at that thought.

"What's funny?" He asked me with brows furrowed.

Umiling nalang ako at nagkibit balikat bago dumating ang hinahanap ni Iñigo.

I heard him even whisper the word "great..." Before she reached our table.

Napatingin ako sa kararating lang na si Sydney. Nakita ko ang pag-atras niya ng bahagya nang makita si Carrie.

Pansamantala siyang napako sa kinatatayuan niya. Ramdam ko ang pagdadalawang isip niyang lumapit, yun nga lang ay tinawag siya agad nila Onin. She didn't have a choice but to come near us. She looked at me and I smiled at her, but I didn't get a response.

"Hi!" Bati ng ilang kaibigan namin kay Sydney.

She greeted them back before seating next to Onin.

Colorful lights illuminated her face. Making me remember the times when I can still look at her face closely unlike now. Pakiramdam ko nagnanakaw ako ng tingin sa kanya. Kasi we're different people. Parang hindi magkakilala. And that's what I'm angry about. Ang sakit lang na biglang isang araw di na kami nag-uusap. Para kaming ibang tao.

Her protruding eyes looked at the hands wrapped on my waist. I can sense her irritability upon seeing Carrie's hands on me. Why act like that when you didn't even smiled back at me?

"Excuse me." Sabi ko nang hindi na mapigilan ang nararamdamang inis at sakit.

Dire-diretso ang lakad ko hanggang makarating sa parking lot. Uuwi nalang ako. Kesa doon. I'll just text Carrie that I'm not feeling well.

When I got home, I checked my phone. I saw a text from Iñigo, Cyreen and... Sydney.

Nauna iyong kay Iñigo at Cyreen na dumating pero mas inuna ko pa ring buksan ang kay Sydney.