FLAMES

Chapter One

"Plastic si Desiree, no doubt in that." rinig ko sa labas ng cubicle ko.

"Tama ka dyan, girl." Dadalawa lang ang kilala kong babae sa classroom na may tawagan na girl. "Nakita mo ba when she stared at Gian earlier? Grabe, sarap sigawan." nag-exasperated noise yung isa.

Bakit, sa kanya ba si Gian para maging protective over him?

Sus! Hindi pa nga sila nag-uusap eh. For sure, Gian doesn't know she actually exists.

"Tara na girl, pagusapan natin yung Anti-Plastic Campaign natin after school." Then, I heard the door close.

Nag-vibrate yung phone ko sa pocket. I took it out and answered the call.

"Hi George." Pause. "Narinig ko na."

"Oh my gosh, Des. Nakailang sabi na ko na wag no na akong tawaging George. It's like I'm a boy," she made a disgusted noise. "Oh and narinig mo? Omg where? Ano exact na sinabi nila?" pagtanong niya.

"Later at lunch, ni-record ko sa phone. Let's say meron silang plan of revenge." Lumabas ako ng cubicle then tinignan sarili ko sa mirror. "And Desiree Abueva won't let that happen." sinabi ko na parang nasa scene ng favorite kong show, Stalker.

"And!" pag-interrupt ni George sa acting ko. "Georgina Perez will be with you at all times." ginaya niya yung deep voice ko.

I chuckled. "I can always count on you, George. So, Rein?" nag-squeal siya ng mahina. I rolled my eyes.

Sinong girly-girl ang hindi kikiligin sa name ng ka-MU niya?

I took one last look at myself in the mirror and walked out of the girl's bathroom. "Kanina nagpadala siya ng rose at card na nakalagay Good morning, Princess. Tapos reason kung bakit di siya pumasok. Birthday daw ng niece niya ngayon and kailangan niyang dalhin siya sa Hongkong as a gift, so sweet diba? And-" I stopped on my tracks at binlock young voice ni George nang may nakita akong guy a few feet away from me. Talking to our principal, aka my daddy.

"George– Ge-George I'll call you back." sabi ko as panic got the best of me.