Faux Pas Girls 1: Game On, Master (Monique)

Chapter 3: Cheap tricks

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It didn't take long for us to find Callan, lalo na dahil kadikit niya si Alberta. The girl's outfit was offensive to the pool. It stood out, too. Habang napapaligiran ng mga babaeng naka-swimsuit, lalaking naka-board shorts o short shorts, at abs ni Callan na oh, so wet... unfriendly si Berta sa tubig with her long sleeves and jeggings. Even her hair, ayos na ayos. Nakapusod at nakatirintas.

Mabilis akong nakita ni Callan. I gave him my best smile, kahit na simangot ang isinagot sa 'kin. When he's done giving me a once-over, I winked at him.

Sumipol at nag-ingay ang mga lalaki nang makita kami. There's new excitement in the pool area just because we're there. I could feel Rel rolling her eyes and her pempem cursing. Rel doesn't like attention. Ewan ko lang kung same distaste kapag galing kay Kylo. Amber and Zia, on the other hand, were used to all kinds of cat calls and compliments.

"Hello, guys," I said over the sound. "I heard we're welcome to your party."

Lumapit sa amin si Kylo na nakakamiseta pa, board shorts, at flip-flops. "Welcome, girls." Bumaling siya kay Zia. "I thought you said you were not interested?"

"Well... Callan's here," ani ko at inginuso si Callan na ni hindi sumusulyap sa gawi namin. Mukhang mesmerized siya sa tirintas ni Berta, habang namumula naman 'yong isa.

Oh, just you wait. I'm going to tear you apart in no time.

Mahinang tumawa si Kylo bago mailing. "You're still on to him?"

"Of course. Everyone sa university knows that he rejected me. And I know there may be bets being placed kung sino sa amin ang magpapasuko sa isa't isa," ani ko. "Kawawa naman 'yong mga pupusta sa 'kin."

"Yeah. Meron nga," magaang sabi ni Kylo.

"See? You're all bastards," ani ko. "Lucky you, I'm cool with bets and all that. I'll help everyone who bet on me to win dirty money."

May pakiramdam na 'ko no'ng nakaraan na may grupo o mga grupo na nagpupustahan sa university dahil sa amin ni Callan. 'Cause when I'd lose interest in following him around, may magme-message sa 'kin o sa girls ng whereabouts niya o ng schedule niya. Then, I'd pester him again and he'd ignore me. Unless supportive ang mga nagme-message sa rejection ko, there'd be no reason for them to tail Callan or waste their time reporting him to me.

"What do you expect to happen here? Nandito ang swim team at basketball team. Hindi ka makakasingit mangulit kay Callan unless..."

Nagtagpo ang mga mata namin ni Kylo. Sabay kuminang sa idea na malamang ay pareho naming naisip.

"Unless there are games with certain prizes," sabi ko.

"You okay for a kissing spree?" tanong niya.

Kumalabit nang ilang ulit si Amber sa 'kin.

"Why, Ambs?" baling ko sa kanya.

"Don't kiss Kylo," bulong niya. "Nandito si Rel."

"Relax. He's not asking me for a kissing spree with him..." paliwanag ko.

"Then... is he actually asking me?" kunot ang noong tanong niya. She licked her lips in preparation. "O si Rel? It's weird kung si Zia! Yikes."

Malakas kaming tumawa. Kahit si Rel, hindi nakapagpigil. Nagkatinginan sila ni Kylo and she blushed a little. Nag-wet na siguro ang gaga sa tinginan lang.

"Zia, paki-decode kay Ambs 'yong sinasabi ni Kylo," ani ko.

Zia hooked her arms with Amber. Hinila niya nang kaunti palayo at nagbulungan sila. Mukhang magtatagal sa diskusyon. Naiwan si Rel sa tabi ko.