Good Girls #1: Finding Rhyme

Kabanata 13

Kabanata 13

Nervous

After we signed at the front desk we directly go to the pool area. Agad naglabas ng sari-sariling cellphone at nagsimulang kumuha ng litrato. I am a bit shy with their full confidence in taking pictures dahil maraming tao sa lugar na ito. It's summer at hindi naman iyon kataka-taka. But somehow, I expected that it will be only the group of us who will occupy this area.

"Tara na at magbihis." Hinigit ako ni Augustina at ang iba naming kaibigan ay sumunod na rin para makapagbihis ng swim wear clothes. I don't have plans on changing, though. I am comfortable wearing this pero dahil hinigit na ako ni Augustina hindi na ako nakapalag. Ayaw ko din namang maiwan doon. Hindi na lang talaga ako magbibihis.

Pumasok silang tatlo sa magkakahelerang cubicle. While I stay there staring at my reflection in the mirror.

Wala ako sa sariling napangiti nang muli kong marinig ang boses ni Eros kanina na tinawag ang aking pangalan. It's been four years since I met him, since the first day I tried to befriend him, but I don't remember him calling me in my name before.

Hindi ko alam bakit gano'n na lang ang kaniyang epekto sa akin. Just a simple word he uttered for me really makes my mood fly into heaven. Every time he would interact with me, I would always get my hopes up. Assuming that finally, my very long-awaited wish will come true.

But all this happiness that I always suddenly feel fades every time the truth will haunt me. Eros doesn't like me as his friend. Why there are still a million of hopes created in my mind is very questionable.

The door creaked kaya napalingon ako roon. May pumasok na pamilyar na mga mukha sa akin kaya nginitian ko sila bago tumabi.

I suddenly feel embarrassed for standing alone here. Sana ay bilisan ng tatlong ito na magbihis.

"Si Stephanie ba anong oras susunod?" I heard the girl asked the other one.

Inabala ko ang aking sarili sa ibang bagay dahil nakaharap na ang dalawa sa salamin. And if I will continue looking at mirror ay mapapansin nila ako.

These girls are Stephanie's friends. I am very familiar with their faces since their group is very popular among us in Junior High. Pero sa kanilang grupo, si Stephanie na pangalan lang ang aking natandaan dahil siya ang aking kaklase. Although they are my batch mates too, I don't memorize people's names who has nothing to do with me.

"On the way na daw siya." The girl with curly natural black short hair answered.

I always wonder why they are so popular in Junior High but now I can say why. They are a group of pretty girls that everyone would love to have as friends.

Ngumuso ako. But not me, I guess. I really don't check someone's appearance to be my friend, just a good heart.

Tumingin sa akin ang maikli ang buhok at nginisian ako.

"Congrats sa pagiging valedictorian." She greeted me.

I smiled and replied a genuine thank you. Ang tagal na noon pero siguro dahil hindi naman kami close kaya ngayon niya ako nabati.

After that, they proceed to enter the other cubicles. At sakto ring paglabas ng tatlo.

"Sabay-sabay talaga?" Tanong ko sa kanila.

Hinigit na ako ni Augustina palabas at nagmamadali pa sa hindi ko malaman na dahilan.

"Sina Katrina ba 'yon?" Tanong niya pagkalayo layo namin kaunti.

"Obviously, Augustina." Singit ni Gelou.

"Edi nandito si Stephanie?" Irritation quickly plastered on her face.