Luna's POV
Ilang oras akong humiga sa sofa namin sa sala para pag-isipan kung pupunta pa ba ako sa birthday ni Ryle.I wanted to go for him, but knowing that he is Zander's best friend, I am having second thoughts.Finally, after spending a few good hours, tinext ko na sila Kacey at Frida.
Me - What do you think about this?Sabay tayong pumunta sa party ni Ryle later?
Kacey - *thumbs up sign*
Frida - Yes!Let's use my car!Pick you guys up at 6:30.
Me - Okay.See you later.
Tumayo na ako at napag-isipan ko na umakyat na para magprepare.I was walking to go to my room when I noticed my parent's office is open.Akmang sisilip ako duon ng bigla itong bumukas at lumabas mula sa loob ang parents ni Zander.
"Luna?Hi!We missed you!" Sabi ni Tita at bineso ako.Same as Zander's father.
"How are you?" Tanong saakin ni Tito.
"I'm good." I said then pursed my lips.They were smiling at me and all I gave them is an awkward smile.
"W-What are you doing in my parent's office?" I asked.
"Nag catch up lang naman kami ng parents mo.You know, We might be partners soon." She smiled sweetly and cupped my cheeks.
"Zander told us about you.He likes you very much." I awkwardly smiled at them.She then rubbed her thumb on my cheeks.
"You're flustered!" Masayang sabi ni Tita.Agad ko namang hinawakan ang pisngi ko.They're warmer than usual and I bet they are really red right now.
"As much as I want to hear about you and Zander, I believe we have an appointment to go onto.See you again Luna." Bineso ulit nila ako at umalis na sila.I slowly removed my hand from my cheeks and from the open door of their office, I saw them talking about the Villafuente's.
"We could give them a chance." Sabi ni Mama kay Papa at hinimas ang likod niya.My father shrugged, removing the hand from his back.
"I don't trust them.Okay?" Iritadong sabi ni Papa kay Mama.He then sat on his swivel chair.
"But they are a big deal.Makakatulong iyon sa atin!"
"We don't need them. And they probably need us more than we need them."
Hindi ko sinasadyang masandal ang sarili sa pinto.It caused a loud oak woody sound.Napatingin silang pareho sa gawi ko.
"Luna." Sabi ni Mama na para bang nagulat siyang nanduon ako.
"Is something wrong?" Dugtong ni Mama.
"I, uhm, M-Mamaya na kasi iyong party.I'm just here to ask permission." I lied.Tinignan nila ang isa't isa.Naglakad naman si Mama papunta saakin.
"Of course.As long as you stay safe." She said as she caressed my cheeks and hair.
"Only until 11 pm.Is that good?" Singit naman ni Papa.A corner of my lip raised then nodded at him.
"Come here." Niyakap ako ni Mama.Unti unti kong binalot ang kamay ko sa beywang niya.Agad akong humiwalay sakanya.
"I'm gonna uh, prepare now." Sabi ko at umakyat na sa kuwarto ko.I took a bath, quite long and relaxing one.Pagkatapos ay nagbihis na ako at naglagay ng kaunting makeup.I did use some techniques my mother taught me a few days ago.Tinext ako ni Frida at sinabing nasa labas na siya ng bahay namin.Lumabas na ako at sumakay sa front seat habang si Kacey naman ay nasa likod.
"Ang ganda naman ng dress mo!" Sabi ni Frida.
"Thanks" Frida started driving and we blasted some tunes.Convertible din ang car ni Frida kaya malaya kaming iwagayway ang kamay namin sa hangin.I raised my hand up in the air and screamed.Hanggang sa kaming tatlo ay ginagawa iyon.
Frida parked in front of Ryle's house along with other people's cars.Ranging from an SUV to a convertible.Pumasok na kami sa bahay ni Ryle at halos sumabog na ang tenga ko dahil sa sobrang lakas ng music.There are people on the pool while the rest are dancing.It's like an ocean of people here.
"Woah.This.is.a.party." Hindi makapaniwalang sabi ni Frida.Hinanap muna namin si Ryle para batiin siya ng happy birthday.I was also able to buy him a gift.A vintage notebook. Where he can write his delightful words of wisdom.
"Look who came." Sabi ni Ryle at niyakap ako.I almost hugged him back but I pulled away.Kinuha ko ang regalo sa bag ko at inabot iyon sakanya.
"Here's my gift for you." I pursed my lips together.Inobserbahan niya ako at tinignan niya ako na parang bang nanghihinala siya saakin.
"I'm fine, Ryle.Plus, It's your birthday, just enjoy.Huwag kang mag-alala saakin okay?" I said assuring him.
"Alright.You have fun too okay?" I nodded my head and he turned to Frida and Kacey who's behind me.
"Oh, Hey Kacey.Hi Frida." Sabi niya.Bumalik naman ang tingin niya sa akin.
"As much as I want to stay, I have to welcome some guests.Mag-enjoy lang kayo ha?" Sabi ni Ryle.Tumango ako at umalis na siya.Frida slightly nudge my arms.
"Ikaw ah?Winarningan na kita." I smiled, playfully at her.
"Huwag ka ngang bumusangot diyan.Kaibigan ko si Ryle okay?Wala kang dapat ikabahala." I patted her shoulders.
"Why don't we party?" Sabi ni Kacey at ganoon ang ginawa namin.Uminom kami pero sila lang dalawa ang nagsasasayaw sa dance floor.It used to be my thing but now, I'm just over it.Naghanap ako ng mauupuan at nakahanap ako ng bakanteng recliner.Umupo ako duon at pinagmasdan ang mga tao.
"Can I sit next to you?" Napaangat naman ang tingin ko sa nagsalita.Hindi ko siya kilala pero medyo hawig niya si Ryle.Probably his brother or cousin.
"Actually, I don'---" Hindi niya ako inatapos at umupo siya sa tabi ko.Tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay.I don't feel good about this man.
"I'm Franco.Ryle's friend."
"You look like Ryle.You sure magkaibigan lang kayo?" Napahagikhik naman siya.
"I get that a lot.But sadly, no.Kaibigan lang kami ni Ryle." I nodded my head as a response.
"Ikaw?Anong pangalan mo?"
"Luna."
"Luna.Such a nice name.You're beautiful just like her." Sabi niya at tinuro ang buwan na bilog sa kalangitan.Tumingin naman ako duon at napailing.
"Get it?" Hindi ko siya sinagot.
"Because the moon's name is Luna and your na---"
"I know.Diyan ako pinangalan ng mga magulang ko." I said then took a sip from my glass.
"What's your relationship with Ryle?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well.Ikaw yung mga tipo ni Ryle.Demure but exotic." He said almost in a flirty way.
"Doubt that.Magkaibigan lang kami ni Ryle."
"Oh.How about Zander?" Napatingin naman ako sa gawi niya.
"You know about him?"
"Well yeah.We went to the same school noong elementary kami." I slowly nodded my head.
"So how about him?"
"Huh?"
"Kaibigan mo lang ba si Zander?" I swallowed then took a sip from my glass.
"Siguro." I said.
"That is what someone that had a fling with Zander will say.I'm so sorry that you were victim to Zander."
"No that's not the ca---"
"Pero gusto kong malaman mo, I'm not like him.He is a self-centered, egotistical jerk." Kumunot naman ang kilay ko sa sinabi niya.
"Hindi siya ganoon." I told him, with conviction.
"Mas kilala ko si Zander kaysa sayo." I paused.I blinked, once twice, too many times.Then I stood up.Before I could explode in this sea of people.
"I'm gonna use the bathroom." Nilapag ko ang baso ko sa tabi niya at naglakad paalis, searching for the bathroom.
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BINABASA MO ANG
Skin Deep
Teen FictionSkin Deep • Luna Desiree Monticillo and Zander Lee Villafuente - Luna's life has been a train wreck, with nowhere of going back to the normality of life. She has been neglected, reprimanded by her parents to which she does not have a good relationsh...
