Beautiful Monster (1st Book of the Project: LOTUS series)

Chapter One

Chapter One

Silhouette

THE THING about life is that, you cannot fit in if you are different.

That is why a lot of people opt to choose to be the common one; afraid to lose everyone and terrified to be the outcast of this society. But you know what?

Being unique is better than faking oneself.

I smirked as I stare at the rising sun. It gives that hopeful feel to everyone. As that rounded orange figure emerged from the peach sky, a new day has begun.

While looking at the rising sun with a glint of amazement in my eyes, I felt my phone suddenly vibrated.

Nanang Calling...

I sighed as I swiped the answer key.

[Arylle! Aba'y nasaan ka nanamang bata ka? Kanina pa kita hinahanap-!]
Nilayo ko mula sa tainga ko ang cellphone because I feel like my eardrums will be broken or something dahil sa lakas ng pagbubunganga ni Nanang.

[Hoy, Arylle! Bata ka! ala eh, nasa'n ka na nga't may pasok ka pa ngayon!]

I sighed bago ko siya sinagot.
"Nanang, I'm here at the cemetery..."

And there was a moment of silence bago sumagot ulit si Nanang.
[A-anong nanamang ginagawa mo r'yang bata ka?]
Mahinang tanong niya.

Inipit ko muna sa leeg ko ang cellphone ko para maayos ko ang motor ko.
"Just d' usual..." I answered in a bored tone.

While starting the engine of my baby black, I heard Nanang sighed. Hmm, maybe because of frustration?

[Arylle, alam mo namang may pasok ka ngayon pero kung saan-saan ka pa nagsusuot...]
Mas kalmado na ang pananalita niya ngayon.

"Hmm, yeah. Pupunta na rin akong school niyan. Need to be early, I hafta fixed somethin' in the school. Gottago! G'bye!" Hindi ko na pinagsalita pa si Nanang at in-end na ang call.

I checked the time on my phone first before returning it smoothly inside my jacket's pocket.

5:00 a.m.

Still early! But just like what I've said to Nanang, I still have to do something.

Pinaandar ko na ang motor ko papuntang school. Para akong nakikipag-race sa araw. I don't know kung sinong mauuna sa amin. Mauuna ba siyang tuluyang sumilay sa kalangitan o mauuna akong makarating sa school?

Hmm, it's not that it's important though.

Dinama ko nalang ang marahas na pagaspas ng hangin sa akin. Kung paano ko sinalubong ang pwersa nito na nagdulot ng pagsabog ng buhok ko na animo'y sumasayaw sa ere.

For me, riding my motorcycle in this kind of situation is like the epitome of freedom. It's like I can go wherever I want, I can speed up or slow down... manoeuvring my life in my own indulgence. It is all up to me, I have the liberty.