You're Blooming the Wrong Way

Chapter Nine

I left.

I couldn't stand it anymore.

I spent my entire life being isolated from people due to my violent nature. I was friendless. I had no one except my twin brother, Lars. But, when he got himself into an accident, I finally found a friend. I met someone who was willing to befriend me despite the rotten bitch that I was. For the first time, someone accepted me.

Or so, I thought.

"I wanna cry right now." bulong ko sa aking sarili. I've been walking aimlessly for half an hour. Bago ko iwan si Hana, sinabi ko sa kanya na tatawagan ko na lamang siya kapag gusto ko nang umuwi. I'm just thankful that he didn't insist on following me. Baka hindi ko mapigilan ang aking sarili at masapak ko siya ngayon.

I saw a bench nearby. It was occupied by someone, but who cares? May nakaupo na sa iba at masakit na ang paa ko. I'm so tired. I just wanna sleep right now. Just listening to Hana as he admitted his scheme was taxing enough.

Tahimik akong umupo sa bakanteng pwesto. Napalingon sa akin iyong lalaking tinabihan ko pero hindi ko na lang siya pinansin. I swallowed the lump on my throat. This is bad. It feels as though something is stuck on my throat. I really feel like... crying.

It feels like I'm about to lose a friend. It sucks.

"Keep your shit together, Lucy." I whispered to the wind. Sinimulan kong paypayan ang sarili ko dahil sa pag-init ng aking mga mata. I've been through the worst. Why am I crying over something like this? What's so bad about being used, anyway?

At first, I wasn't expecting anything from Hana. After all, we didn't have similarities or common interests. He was nothing but a wimpy nerd who frequently visits my brother. Pero, umasa ako. A little part of me hoped. When Lars went into a comatose state, I felt so lonely. For the first time, I longed to have a friend. I was happy when he took interest on someone like me.

Still, I never expected him to have a manipulative side like that. He's willing to use others for his own convenience. I feel so stupid. Dalang dala ako sa mga kabaitang ipinapakita niya sa akin at mas pinili kong isantabi ang kutob ko. He was so nice to me. I didn't even think of him as a two-faced bastard.

"Ah, fuck. It hurts." I muttered then bit my lower lip. Mas lalong uminit ang mga mata ko nang malasahan ko ang dugo mula sa aking mga labi. Ang sakit. Sobrang sakit talaga.

I was on the verge of crying... but I got distracted.

Why do I get the feeling that I'm being watched?

I tilted my head to the right, only to find a strange yet handsome guy. Maliit ang mukha niya at medyo maliit ang matangos niyang ilong. He had a lollipop on his mouth which was slightly open. Since I came to sit beside him, he's been openly staring at my face.

I frowned. "What are you looking at, dumbass?"

"Ah?" He gaped. "Nothing. It's just that... you smell nice."

My jaw dropped as I stared at him in disbelief. Tila umurong ang luha ko sa sinabi niya. Is it even normal to tell a stranger that she smells nice? It sounds so perverted no matter how I think of it!

"Uhm, thank you?" I hesitantly replied.

I blinked twice when he removed the lollipop from his mouth. He smiled to me then licked his lips. "Why, you're welcome."

Well, damn if that wasn't attractive.

We stared awkwardly at each other. He was boldly staring at my face. I feel intimidated, but there's no way I'd back down!