A Close Second

Fourteenth

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"Kanina ka pa namin hinahanap."

I looked up to see Amar sitting in front of me. Mikki was beside him, an eyebrow raised at my direction. I was alone, sitting in the gardens while making a list of the things I needed to do for prom.

I know my usual spot was at the cafeteria, but I did not feel like sitting at the cafeteria just now. I wanted to be alone, really.

I wanted to be alone because I don't even know what I was supposed to do with all that's happening around me.

Kahit si Keith nadamay na sa kalokohang inumpisahan naming dalawa ni Jake.

I gave them a small smile. "Sorry, nagplaplano lang for Prom."
"Prom agad!" Tanong ni Mikki. "Hindi ba pwedeng yung dance competition ninyo muna?"

Napatingin na ako sa kanila saka natigil sa pagsusulat. She was right. The dance competition was happening this Sunday, whereas prom goes on the Friday after that.

"Oh, right. This sunday na nga pala yun no? Yung dance competition. " Sabi ko, closing my notebook and placing it neatly aside. "Paano ko nakalimutan yun?"
"Bakit nalang sa lahat ng mapipili mong kalimutan, yung dance competition pa na matagal mo nang pinagprapractisan?"Mikki."Anong nangyari ba kagabi at ganyan ka ha?"

That statement just made me think back to what happened last night, matapos akong saluhin ni Keith. I had to admit, I did not expect him to do that.

Andrei stared at the both of us. Keith stood firmly sa tabi ko. My eyes were wide, surprised but not as surprised as I was when I felt Keith's finger trail over my cheek, making me look at him with wide eyes as well.

He picks a stray hair strand on it, giving me a small smile while his eyes bore into my soul

"Anong ibig sabihin nito, Andrew?"

The younger Medrano looks at him, breaking eye contact with me. I was just there, paralyzed, realizing that Keith had an arm around my waist, which was good because I don't know how long my knees could have me propped up.

I couldn't say anything but Keith seemed to have the control over the situation.

"Kuya, wag kang magalit kay Beatrice." He says in a clear smooth voice. "Ako ang dahilan kung bakit nila nagawa yun." Sabi nito.

Andrei doesn't say anything and this time I look at him, his expression a mix of confusion, betrayal and surprise. Keith doesn't budge as well, basta tuloy tuloy lang siya habang hinapit pa ako papalapit sa katawan niya.

His next words surprised me more.

"Natatakot lang naman siyang magalit ka sa akin kapag na nalaman mong kaming dalawa."

What? What was he doing? He was taking the fall for us? What the hell?

Hindi ako nakapagsalita sa gulat. My brain stopped working as I just watched the scene unfold.

"Ako ang nakiusap kay Jake na magpanggap para sa akin." Keith tells his brother. "Kung may kagagalitan ka ngayon, ako yun hindi si Beatrice."

His words rang inside my head, as if it were echoing in a cave. Wala akong masabi but realizing what he was doing made my heart hurt. Tears were forming under my eyes, threatening to fall.

Mukhang napansin naman ito ni Keith kaya hinapit niya ako lalo, burying me in his chest.

"Come on, baby." Sabi nito sa akin. "Hindi mo kasalanan ito."
"But...."
Tinignan ulit nito ang kapatid."Sakin ka magalit. Walang ibang gusto si Beatrice kundi ang ikakaayos ng lahat."