Morning Blushes

chapter thirty-three

The genius has fallen. That's the rumor.

I came to school getting slapped by those stares and gossips. Para akong tinatangay ng alon sa lahat ng naririnig ko. It is like hell. Lahat ng mata nasa akin. I was like being struck by a pair of lightning, multiplied by the possible number. It is like I am imprisoned in the most crucial way. 

I don't know how else I'm gonna bear this if it wasn't for Navi. Nagulat ako kaninang umaga, pagbaba ko, he's waiting inside while having a chat with Manang. Hindi ko ma-imagine paano pa ako makakapasok ngayon.

The class continued without anyone speaking to me directly about it. But all of them are aware that my ranking for this one dropped to somewhere I have no idea. I'm trying to ignore it as much as possible. I'm avoiding the bulletin board, trying to look unbothered by it. 

I pretended to be fine about it and I am grateful to have Lily beside me. I felt like I am still breathing and alive because of her. I know she's trying and I appreciate that. And, this is what I didn't believe the most. We're all together in our lunch break. Even Navi is with us which I thought would be weird and awkward but they surprisingly get along just fine. 

Now, I am where I wanted to be the most. I'm on my way home. 

"Hey, Avyanna."

Napatalon ako sa biglang pagtigil ng skateboard ni Navi sa tabi ko. Pakiramdam ko lagi akong titilapon sa gulat. Hindi na siya natuto!

"Saan ka galing? Maaga kang lumabas sa classroom." I told him.

"I'm so sleepy. I just went for a ride."

I glared at him to death.

"Tsk. Alam mo? Matalino ka sana. You're just some sort of Aladdin." I rolled my eyes.

"Akala ko ba si Spider-Man ako? Ngayon naman si Aladdin? I'm not a thief and most importantly, I do not sing." he grimaced. 

I laughed at him. He looks ridiculous. But it's really cute when he's wearing a cap and locks of his hair are poking out stubbornly.

"Anyway, how did your day go?" tanong niya at sinabayan na ako sa paglalakad.

 "I don't know. It's not fine but... I managed to get out alive. The teachers are giving me looks like what have I done to my life. Well, I'm not even an actress to deserve controversy. Not even popular to start with." I breathed out the heavy crystals forming in my heart.

"Ako na lang kunyari boyfriend mo talaga." He gave me his dashing little smile and he even wiggled his eyebrows.

"Sige. Tapos totohanin natin."

His head tilted, producing a confused expression.

"What?" he asked like a puzzled audience of a magician. "You mean--"

"Yeah, why? I'm serious. Totohanin natin yung plan mo. Kunyari boyfriend kita. I think that serves more hunger to our audiences." I giggled. "Ayaw mo no'n, sisikat ka."

"Ah."

"Besides, we look like a couple kasi masyado kang dikit nang dikit—" my explanation was interrupted by his violent reaction.

"Talaga? Ako? Dikit nang dikit?"

"Yes. You do not even know personal space! As in, you're just gonna barge in and that makes me so startled and nervous and worried and it is always unexpected since the first time we crossed fate... You're just gonna jump out of somewhere."

He grinned. "It's making you worry?"

"What? No. I mean you could've hurt yourself. I... yeah." My cheeks heated up. "It's normal, okay? Who wouldn't get worried when someone from some roof of a building jumps down like it's nothing?"