Skin Deep

Chapter 18

Luna's POV

As we walk along the seaside, we would usually stop to play a game or two, or watch live bands.Nagsimula ng sumakit ang paa ko dahil halos dalawang oras na kaming naglalakad.Tumigil muna kami sa isang portable toilet stall dahil magreretouch muna daw si Kacey.

"May gusto ka bang inumin Luna?I can buy for you." Presinta saakin ni Ryle.

"Water, please." I said while breathing a little faster compared to my normal breathing pattern.Kaming dalawa ni Zander ang naiwan dito.Minsan ay tinitignan ko siya sa aking peripheral vision.I noticed how pointed his nose is and how his face is chiseled to perfection.Tumingin naman siya sa gawi ko at lumapit saakin.I was shocked when he grabbed the jacket that's been sitting between my arms and hand then placed it over me.Tinignan ko lang siya habang ginagawa niya iyon.He leaned closer to my ears.

"Some guys are giving you some lascivious looks and I don't like it." He said almost to a whisper.

Tumingin siya sa likod ko at ganoon din ako.Tila natakot ang mga lalaki na iyon at umalis.Bumalik naman ang tingin ko kay Zander.Wala akong masabi sakanya.Lumabas narin si Kacey na hanggang ngayon mataas parin ang energy.Sabay din na dumating si Ryle na may dala dalang tubig.Inabot niya iyon saakin at kinuha ko naman iyon.I gave him a smile as my thank you and he got that.

Naglakad pa ulit kami hanggang sa makarating kami sa main entrance.Sa wakas ay pagod na si Kacey at sigurado lahat kami pagod na rin.

"Wow!That was so fun!" Sabi ni Kacey.I nodded my head then smiled.Ganoon din si Ryle sa tabi ko.

"I have to go now.May pinapagawa pa ang parents ko." Sabi ni Ryle at nagpaalam saamin.He is surprisingly quiet today and I don't know if I like it or not.Nagtungo na si Ryle at kami lang tatlo ang naiwan dito.Naisipan ko na rin na umalis na.

"Kailangan ko na ring umalis." Sabi ko sakanilang dalawa.Sumimangot naman si Kacey at biglaan niya akong niyakap.Napairap ako.Hindi ba niya gets na ayaw kong niyayakap ako?Jeez this woman!

"Sana maulit ito.Me and Zander really had a good time today." Sabi nii Kacey.Speaking of Zander, tumingin ako sa gawi niya.It seems like he doesn't wanna hear my good bye so I just gave him a slight smile.Nagsimula na akong maglakad palayo.My car isn't that far kaya hindi na ako nagreklamo.Nasa tapat na ako sa kotse ko makarinig ako ng yabag.Tumalikod ako at nakita ko si Zander.

"Sinusundan mo ako?" Tanong ko sakanya.

"Ngayon mo lang narealize?" Sarkastiko niyang tanong.I rolled my eyes then chuckled a little bit.Then I remembered something.

"Wait lang." Sabi ko sakanya.Binuksan ko ang kotse ko ang kinuha ang isang rectangular na box.Sabi kasi ni Frida magbigay daw ako ng regalo kahit papaano.Nakakahiya naman daw dahil si Zander lang ang nagbigay.Sign daw na okay ako sa relationship nila.I don't have to but atleast, a sign that I am here for him as his friend whenever he needs me.

"Here." Inabot ko sakanya ang box.Kinuha niya iyon at binuksan.It revealed two silver bracelets.One with the other piece of heart and one on the other bracelet.Zander looked confused while looking at the bracelet.

"Couple bracelet iyan.Gift ko sainyo ni Kacey.I thought I should give something for, you know, the jacket that you gave me." Sabi ko at tinuro ang jacket na suot suot ko.Hindi siya kumibo o gumalaw.The small smile I had on my face is now gone.

"Bakit?Hindi mo ba gusto?I can find a differe---" 

"No.It's okay.I-I'll give this to her." Sabi niya at pilit na ngumiti.Sinarado niya narin ang box at binaba ang kamay niya.Hinawakan ko ang braso niya at hinaplos iyon.

"It's good to finally see you take relationships seriously, Zander.Alam ko hindi mo kailangan ng approval ko but I think, Kacey's a nice girl.Give her a shot.Open your heart to her.Siguro masyado lang siyang excited o maingay palagi but I think you two together would be great." I said then gave him an assuring smile.Binaba ko ang kamay ko at binuksan na ang pintuan ng kotse ko.I rolled down my windows to bid adieu.