You Just Me (Just Between You and Me)

Chapter 9

"Bakit Miss? Nasaan ba si Mace?" Josh asked Jamie. That made me want to know too. Is he sick? Did something happen? I became curious.

"May sakit kasi ang lola ni Mace. Siya kasi nag-aalaga. Kaya pinahatid niya sa akin ang mga iyan. Lunch mo daw sabi ni Mace." She explained and walked out right after.

Geremey and Xeth opened the lunch boxes and the smell immediately reached our noses. We all stared at the food in front of us. It was grilled barbeque chicken on one of the lunch boxes and buttered vegetables with some kimbap slices on the other. I must admit, it all looked very appetizing.

"Pare, mukhang alagang-alaga ka ni Mace ha? Mukhang masarap, then it should taste delicious too." Xeth complemented.

"Kahit minsan hindi nga ako pinagluto ng girlfriend ko. Ang lucky mo bro." Geremey added while staring at the food.

Josh and I looked at each other. "Well if you want, you can have some." I offered them. I should be impressed, shouldn't I? But a different feeling came to me. I know I asked him to cook but I never expected it to be like this. The effort seemed too much that I feel guilty I asked him to do it. "You can even take everything if you want." I added.

"Seryoso?" Both of them asked. I just nodded and right away, they pulled the lunch boxes closer to them and started digging into the food. Have they been starving themselves? As if it's the end of the world that it only took them a few minutes to finish everything. Both felt full and satisfied. Then that should tell me the food was great.

"I'll go ahead." I said taking the lunch boxes and the envelope with me. The smell of the food was still there so I felt hungry. My stomach was growling. It has been long since the last time my stomach did that. And so I stood up and bought a sandwich for myself instead. As I was heading to the lockers, I remembered the envelope so I opened it and read what was written.

Lance,

Thank you ulit sa paglibre ng lunch namin. Kaya bilang pasasalamat, para sa iyo ang lunch na ito. Sa totoo lang, nag-aalala ako na baka hindi mo magustuhan. Pero sana mapa-smile kita sa niluto ko. 😊

P.S. Sorry kasi naubos ang pera ko kaya hindi ako nakabili ng chopsticks. Sorry din kasi wala akong nahandang drinks.

- Mace

I didn't know what has gotten into me. I crumpled the letter and walked to a nearby trash bin, threw the letter including the lunch boxes and the sandwich. I completely lost my appetite.

What is this feeling?

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I woke up feeling like the room was moving. All of a sudden, it felt so cold. I stood up and felt even more nauseous. Walking towards the bathroom, I stumbled several times. My stomach tightened and started aching as I kept walking. I can't stop the warm feeling rising through my chest. Looking at myself in the bathroom mirror, I thought maybe I'm sick. But why? Then, a warm cream liquid spilled from my mouth. I threw up.

I gargled water to take away that disgusting taste I was feeling in my mouth. My stomach was still aching. I got out of the bathroom and went back to my bed. The pain was almost unbearable, I wanted to scream.

"Hey Lance it's time for breakfast. Bakit hindi ka pa nakabihis?" Malcolm asked when he saw me still lying in bed.

"I don't feel so good Mac. Let Manong Jerry take you to school." I told him.