Away From the Current

PROLOGUE

"I don't know if I can come tonight, Dani. I'm way too behind sa readings ko," Sitti said with a sigh, which Dani mirrored on the other line.

"But Sitti, you promised! Ngayon na nga lang ako nangungulit eh," Dani countered with a pout, even though Sitti can't see it. "Please? Di ka na nga nakasama sa reunion ng council last month, pati ba naman sa birthday ko, wala ka?"

Sitti's bottom lip jutted out as she weighed her options, her eyes on the textbooks on her table with the day's lecture presentation open on her iPad. Yes, it wasn't fair to bail on her best friend again, but considering that their second bimonthly was in two weeks' time, she can't just easily slack off. She bit her lip, closing her eyes as an internal argument ensued in her.

"It's not like di macocomplete party mo if di ako makakapunta, right? You know how much of a Debbie Downer I am. Mabobored ka lang," she said as she sat on the edge of her bed. "Ma-ruin ko pa party mo."

"You won't! I was just really looking forward to this one, partly because it's gonna be a hugeass party," Dani started, breathing in deeply before slowly letting it out. "And mostly because I really, really wanted to see you again. Miss na miss ko na best friend ko."

Sitti internally groaned; Dani just had to use her secret weapon, and even after almost seven years of best-friendship with the girl, she can't will herself to say no when she uses that tone with her.

"Fine. But only because I promised to be there," she agreed, a small chuckle escaping her lips when Dani squealed at her response. "But I can't stay out too late, okay? Super lapit na ng bimonthlies and I don't want you to have a failure of a bestfriend."

"Ang OA mo talaga forever, Fuentes. You failing is like me turning down a Jägerbomb.".

"A Jäger-what?"

"Basta," Dani said with a roll of her eyes, although her lips were still curved into a huge smile. "But thank you for making time for me, Sitti, ha? I know I can count on you."

"Yeah, yeah. And besides, I think I need a short break rin. Feeling ko I'm gonna explode if I study some more tonight," Sitti said as she closed her books and opened her closet, deciding what to wear for the impromptu night-out.

"OMG, is that you making payag na lasingin kita tonight? Because that's a Dani Guarantee!"

"Asa pa more," Sitti said with a roll of her eyes, pulling out a black glittery sleeveless mini dress. "You know I never get drunk."

"Oh no, I'm gonna take that as a challenge, Felicity. And I can't wait to prove you wrong."

"Oo na, sige na, I need to wash up at amoy UST pa ako. See you in a bit, birthday girl."

"Yes naman! Can't wait!" Dani said but before Sitti could hang up, she added, "Also, I'm gonna apologize in advance, okay? Just remember that mahal kita and you're the bestest friend in the world." And before Sitti could ask her what she meant, Dani hung up, leaving Sitti confused and ... nervous.

"God, Dani, ano na naman plano mo?" she said to herself before walking to the bathroom with a sigh, readying herself for a long night.

* * *

The party was already in full swing when Sitti finally arrived at Seventh High. Her bestfriend rented out the whole place just for her 24th birthday, and if that doesn't show just how they're polar opposites of each other, she doesn't know what would. She bumped into several people before finally seeing Dani who, as she guessed correctly, was already chugging down shots after shots by the counter. She hugged her from behind, and before Dani could berate whoever made her spill her drink, she screamed in delight and hugged Sitti back.