You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter One

The cringe is real.

I never would've imagined being in such an embarrassing position. I don't know how things turned out like this. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit ako nakasalampak sa sahig ngayon, nakakapit sa slacks ng isang lalaki, at nakatitig sa flower-printed niyang boxer shorts.

Now, this is really embarrassing.

Nang magkaharap kami ni Hana, namutla siya. I swear, his face blanched to the point that I thought he was gonna collapse in front of me. What caught me off guard is the fact that he attempted to dash and run away from me (probably to spare himself from the humiliation, since I heard his creepy love for my brother).

Sinubukan niyang tumakbo kaya nabangga niya ako at natumba ako sa sahig. With the intention of talking to him earnestly, I called out his name, but to no avail. At dahil hindi ako papayag na basta-basta na lang siyang umalis nang hindi humihingi ng pasensya sa akin, buong pwersa kong hinila ang kanyang pantalon.

Then, to my horror, I heard a faint crack. At halos himatayin ako sa hiya dahil aksidente ko siyang nahubaran. Everyone within ten meters away from the proximity was astounded just as I was. May mga babaeng napatili, may mga lalaking nandiri, at may mga matatandang nagsabing masyado raw mapusok ang mga kabataan ngayon.

"Shit," I blurted out, my hands shaking in guilt. "Hey, I'm sorry. Hindi ko sinasadya--" Hindi ko na natapos ang sinasabi ko dahil biglang naluha si Hana sa harapan ko.

That's right. The wimp cried! I made him cry!

Sumisinghot niyang itinaas ang kanyang pantalon bago siya tuluyang tumakbo paalis. I was too shocked to say anything.

Damn, I'm aware how embarrassing that must be! I accidentally pulled his pants down. Nahubaran siya sa harap ng mga tao. To make things worse, he was wearing a pair of flower-printed boxer shorts! May mas nakakahiya pa ba sa nangyari sa kanya?!

Para akong lumulutang sa ere at hindi ko nakuhang tumayo agad. Wala sa sariling napasapo ako sa aking noo. I'm a violent person and I beat up bad people, but I don't shame people for no reason! I feel so horrible!

"Fuck," I muttered to myself. Nakatulala akong pumasok sa silid ng aking kakambal. "Lars, I'm sorry. I totally fucked up. I swear, hindi ko sinasadya!" mangiyak-ngiyak kong sabi nang maalala ko ang umiiyak na mukha ni Hana. He looked like a kid, alright, but I never thought he would actually cry in front of me! Kinakain na ako ng konsensya ko!

Oh, what have I done?

The next day, I was reluctant to go to school. I was thinking of the worst. What if I actually bump into that nerd? Hindi ko alam ang dapat gawin. Did I mention that I have a soft spot for good boys because they remind me of my dear brother?

"Damn, whore! You blind or something?!" A lanky boy fumed when I accidentally tripped on his foot. Nilabasan niya ako ng pangil.

"Pasensya na, ang laki mong harang eh." I stared daggers at him. Wala talaga ako sa huwisyo para makipag-away ngayon pero dahil ang sakit sa tenga ng boses niya, pagbibigyan ko siya.

"Why are you glaring at me, huh? Naghahanap ka ng away?" He arrogantly pushed me by the shoulder but I remained unfazed.

Mas lalo ko siyang tinignan nang masama. He seemed displeased by my glares, but I still kept my eyes ablaze to provoke him.

"Ano, suntukan tayo? Wala akong pakialam kung babae ka!"

"You talk too much." I calmly remarked. "Sigurado ka bang ako ang hinahamon mo ng suntukan? Just so you know, my brother's not here, so I don't need to hold back, you garbage." I warned.