Changed

Twenty-four

-TWENTY-FOUR-

Crap. It really is Aurora.

I did a once-over on her, which I rarely do. She was pretty, okay. Aurora was wearing spiky heels and a black strapless dress which hugged her frame. I know now why Xenon cheated on me.

"Hello," she greeted me and extended her hand. Jeez. This woman's voice is too high for my liking.

Catching her gaze, I stepped forward, smiled, then for the sake of introduction, I barely--by barely I mean, I almost not brush my cheek with hers. She got surprised of course. The woman wasn't expecting me na ibeso-beso siya.

"Hi! I'm Ami," I said after my little surprise.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's party!" Berna said enthusiastically.

Sapilitan niya kaming hinatak papunta sa gitna. She danced like crazy. Tawa siya ng tawa and I can't help but to laugh too but when I will accidentally catch Aurora's gaze, my smile will fade away.

Contented, I slipped to our table. I brought a cocktail with me. It was colorful and sweet.

I sat down, wandering my eyes around the lounge. Models from different countries were here. Some of my friends in modeling were also here. We danced. We laughed. We ate those little pieces of sweets.

It was indeed a fun night, especially hindi ko masyadong nakita si Aurora. I sat on the stool and drank the water. Too bland.

"Amilyte?" I turned my chair around.

"Jc! Hi, long time no see, bro." He smiled and hugged me. Jc is my friend a long time ago. Sa Australia siya naka-base. He looked so good than before.

"I heard you're Vogue's cover?" He wiggled his brows which made my eyes roll.

"Yup. You know my mom's so pushy when it comes to thing like this."

"Auntie Star and her ways," he chuckled. And I had to agree to what he said.

"Ams, you still like dolls, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"I was supposed to call you yesterday but then girl problem, so I'm gonna send you a very pretty doll, okay?"

Ang tagal din naming nag-uusap hanggang sa nalipat kami ng pwesto. Some friends of ours joined. Count Aurora in too.

"Ami, babe, I love your fringe," said Zia. Kung alam lang niya.

"Wait, my feisty girl is calling me," Jc told us, then realization hit me. Bakit hindi ko naisip yun? Crap. Jc was courting Gia Valera during our junior year. Hindi ko alam kung naging sila ba o hindi. They never mention each other.

"Who's your girlfriend by the way?" I asked, hiding my suspicion.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? She is the one and only Gia Valera. I sent you our photo, right?" What? Wala akong matandaan. Despite the confusion, ngumiti ako. He started shouting over the noise to talk to his girl while I'm silently praying Gi won't come. Bakit nakalimutan kong model siya?

"Gia is coming guys," he said with so much anticipation. Pwede bang umalis nalang?

Gia and Aurora in one room? I think I can't make it.

They were playing never had I ever. Hindi ako sumali.

"I have never peed on my pants!" We all laughed because all of them drink.

"Never have I ever dated two boys on one day."

Zia and Aurora drank. Interesting.

But my thought interrupted when she came.