Amethyst: Game Start

VIII - Day 3: Soul

“Austin,”

“Scarlett,”

Austin and I remained still looking at each other as if he was eager to know my answer to his question. Austin irritably looks behind to see the one who called our names, but his expression immediately changes into a constipated one.

The other Zodiacs were surrounding us with suspicions lingering in their eyes. Hinihiling ko na lang sana na hindi nila narinig ang tinanong sa ‘kin ni Austin. Nakatingin sila sa amin at nagpapalit-palit pa sila ng tingin hanggang sa tumikhim si Thalia at umupo sa tabi ko.

“You should have informed Logan that you are going on a date,” Thalia meaningfully said. Both Austin and I twisted our lips in response, and because of her voice, I somehow knew where this conversation is going.

The other Zodiacs joined us, still looking at us suspiciously.

Kakasabi lang sa akin ni Austin na tampo sila at hindi naman ako tanga para hindi mahalata na gumaganti sa akin si Thalia upang paringgan ako. Tangina nito, antayin mo ako’t sasakalin kita.

Bago sila umalis upang umorder ng pagkain ay minata muna nila kami. Ang sarap talagang dukutin ng mga mata nila, promise.

Austin once again leaned towards me. The closer he gets, the more I was able to feel the warmth of his breath. His lips were trembling as his eyes look at me worriedly.

“Tangina. Sa’yo dapat sila galit pero bakit ako ang tinitingnan ng masama?” Iritang tanong sa ‘kin, hindi ko naman napigilan ang matawa sa reaksyon niya.

Nang bumalik sila ay umayos na rin kami ni Austin ng puwesto, hindi rin kami kumikibo at ang mga mata namin ay nakatingin lamang sa aming pagkain. Ang maunang umimik tanga.

“So, what’s the catch?” Maddie asked while looking at me. Ah, tanga! Nagkibit-balikat lamang ako sa kanya saka sila nag-palitan ni Thalia ng makahulugan na mga tingin.

I avoided my gaze at them. They are so irritating. And when I was about to take a spoonful amount of food, my body felt a sudden pang. It was coursing through my brain as well as my veins, the pain was indescribable, but my body won’t move.

“Scarlett-chan?” Zach called. I unconsciously dropped the spoon, and afterward, the pain subsides.

“You look paler,” Austin mumbled. All of a sudden, he leaned forward and touches my forehead with his right hand, “Are you okay?” He added.

Hindi ko alam kung isang magandang ideya ang ginawa n’ya dahil mas lalo lamang uminit ang mga mata ng mga kasama namin sa kanya. Nang ma-realize n’ya kung anong ginawa niya ay agad siyang bumalik sa kanyang puwesto.

Hindi na rin ako umimik pa at napagpasyahan kong ubusin na lamang ang pagkain ko.

“Let’s go to the park later!”

“Do you think I could marry Hunter in the wedding booth?”

“Omg. The Zodiacs are complete in that table!”

I forcefully shut my eyes. It felt like I’m hallucinating or something. The university canteen isn’t that rowdy, but somehow I could hear them talking, I could listen to every word they utter and it is sickening.