Morning Blushes

chapter thirty-eight

I had a week to accomplish my building blocks. I tried talking to my friend again. I thought they're gonna stay mad at me for ignoring them and pushing them away but instead, we had the loudest lunch at the picnic tables in the park. The entire week, I tried to put myself back together. I fought the urge to stay in bed when it's time to prepare for school. I just... I need to keep up with the wave of my life before it's too late. Before I drown.

"Avy, you would never say no to my news this morning," bungad sa'kin ni Jace.

"Just tell."

"Pagdating na ni Calvin." He laughed loudly.

"Anong meron?" Napatingin kami ni Jace sa pintuan. It's Lily.

"Secret." Jace grinned. Lily just rolled her eyes.

"Andyan na si Calvin. Sabihin mo na, Jace," I told him when Calvin stepped into the room.

"Calvin, come here! Dali!" Lily shouted across the room. "May chika si Jace!"

Pagdating ni Calvin, we gathered in a circle. I can feel the tension of impatience in the middle of the circle.

"Bilisan mo na, Jace! Sisipin talaga kita kapag kalokohan lang 'yan," Lily said. 

"I'm wasting my time here," Calvin stated.

"Wait, wait," pigil ni Jace. "We're gonna watch Cats on my birthday. Got the tickets already, pals. VIP."

"Oh my goodness, oh lord, Jace! Is this happening right now?" Lily shrieked.

"No way... Man, you're the best." Calvin looked like he's still hiding his excitement.

Jace looked at me. "No reactions, Avy?"

I shook my head. "I'm thinking if you're serious. You don't have proof."

"Dead serious." He turned on his phone and showed me the details in his mail. 

"So we're gonna go to escape hell for your birthday?" Lily clarified. "Cats the Musical? Oh, heaven."

"Not quite yet. I have conditions as birthday wishes."

"Come on! May gano'n pa?" Lily frowned.

"Of course, Lily. Kung ayaw mo, it's okay."

"What's your stupid condition?" I asked.

Nilingon ako ni Jace. "You're coming with us on Friday."

Then the bell rang.

The whole period, I was thinking about it. Nanghihina talaga ako kapag party ang pinag-uusapan. Every Friday, they're going to the music room to have a party just to set off the stressful week. I don't like it and I have all the excuses not to go. It contains interaction, gossip, and such. I'm not interested. But this is the first time I'll go to a theater with friends. I've never watched live musicals for a long time. 

We don't have classes after lunch. I can go home and sleep for centuries long. I was clearing up my table and organizing my backpack. Kahit anong gawin ko, araw-araw na lang magulo 'yan. I am ready to exit the room when I saw Medina coming in.

"Avy, tawag ka ni Sir Melvin," Medina said.

Surprisingly, she didn't roll her eyes. 

"Saan?"

"Music room."

I nodded and smiled a bit. "Thank you."

I looked at her as she passed by. She went back to her seat and collected her things. Huminga na lang ako nang malalim at saka handa nang umalis pero pagharap ko, palabas na sana ako nang biglang sumalubong si Navi. Napatigil kami pareho. I can't move. Him neither. I forced my mind to stay focused. I forced my body to look like it's nothing, as well as my face. He stepped back so I could make my exit. All of a sudden, my heartbeat resonated with a beating drum in a fast-ticking metronome.