Gleaming Part

....06

This chapter is quite triggering.
WARNING: There are scenes that can be triggering for you. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Chapter 6

"Good morning!" Grace greeted me and I smiled.

She spread her arms for a hug but I politely shook my head that made her smile and nodded.

"How was your day yesterday?" Tanong niya na ikinatigil ko.

Tumingin ako sakaniya at ngumiti. "It was okay. Nag pahinga lang."

She didn't ask further questions but I know she wanted to.

Napasigaw ako nang biglang may umakbay sa'kin. Napatingin ako kaagad kung sino iyon at nakitang si Thomas iyon.

Nanlabo ang mata ko at nag simulang manginig. Lumayo siya sa'kin at nakita ko sa mga mata niya na nagaalala.

"C-Cadie." He looked at me worriedly, he looked at my whole being and noticed I was wearing a hoodie.

He looked up back at my face and caressed my cheek that made me flinch. He sighed and looked at his thumb knowing I was wearing make up. He gritted his teeth.

"Thomas! Bakit mo ginulat si Cadie! Alam mo naman magugulatin iyan!" Grace shouted that made him look at her.

"Yeah, I know, Grace. That's why I'm apologizing to my cousin." He was about to touch me but immediately put his hands on his pocket.

"We'll talk later, okay?" I nodded and he moved his head to go near to Grace.

"Pinaiyak mo pa." Naiinis na pinalo ni Grace si Thomas. Ngumiwi si Thomas at sinamaan ng tingin si Grace.

We waited for our other friends to arrive, these two keeps on shouting. Wala akong magawa kundi matulala. I can't help it.

"Bye Tita, Tito." I politely bowed my head a little and smiled at them.

Tita Claire was looking at me intently and Tito Kline wondered why she isn't moving or looking at anyone else.

"Claire, let's go." Tito Kline gave her a nudge that made Tita Claire looked at him. She smiled but I saw something in her eyes.

Tumalikod na sila at pumasok na sa kotse. 

When they went out of the gate, I immediately felt that my dad is dragging me upstairs.

"Papa, hindi mo kailangan gawin 'to!" I shouted as he was struggling to pull me upstairs.

He didn't say anything, he grabbed me and carried me like a sack.

I tried hitting his back but he didn't even flinched. "Papa, please! Maawa ka na sa'kin!"

I tried everything to get away, but he didn't even budge.

"Cadie..." Nawala ako sa pagiisip nang nakita ko si Eugene sa harapan ko.

"Hey, kanina pa kita tinatawag. Pero parang ang lalim ng iniisip mo." I didn't answer and just looked at him.

Is this the time to tell him?

"What's wrong, Cadie?" Umiling ako at ngumiti.

"Hi." I said almost a whisper.

"What's wrong?" His face softened a bit.

Umiling kaagad ako at napatawa. "Nothing, Eugene."

He looked frustrated but he closed his eyes to calm down, "I'm here, you can count on me, like I can count on you.... like 1,2,3." I laughed.

"Did you just—" Inirapan niya ako at tinuro si Cameron na nakikipagtawanan sa mga kaibigan namin.

"I got those lines from him." I scoffed and bit my lip to stop myself from smiling. This guy talaga.

Napatingin sa'min si Cameron at mas lalong lumawak ang ngiti niya.

"Cadie! Halika!" He was doing the hand thingy to make me come closer.

Lumapit naman ako at dahan-dahan niya akong inakbayan.

"You okay?" He whispered.

Nawala ang ngiti namin at halatang nag seryoso. I looked at my friends and smiled at them.

"Guys, wait lang. Papasama muna ako kay Cameron bibili lang kami McDo!" We were about to go when Eugene spoke.

"Ako na lang ang sasama." Umiling naman kaagad ako.

"May need din siyang kuhain na homework sa'kin." I lied. Umiling naman si Eugene at tumingin kay Cameron.

"If you need help with your homework. Ako na ang kausapin mo sa susunod."

Hinila ko naman kaagad si Cameron palayo sakanila, kumindat naman si Cameron sakanila at sumaludo, "Opo, bro!"

Habang naglalakad, hinila ko kaagad siya para tumigil.

"Ikaw?" I asked.

He looked down and shook his head like a kid.

"I might go to study abroad, Cadie. After Senior High School, I might leave you guys." He looked at me and I saw sadness in his eyes.

I smiled, "Our group has it's own motto right? Nakuha pa natin sa pinanood natin na "The Originals." Ano iyon ulit, Cameron?"

He sighed, "Always and Forever."

I smiled wider, "Always and Forever, Cameron. Kahit maging long distance pa tayo, mamahalin ka pa rin namin at walang magbabago roon." Kinurot ko ang tagiliran niya kaya siya natawa ng unti.

"Hindi lang iyon ang gusto ko sabihin." I looked at him and signaled him to continue.

Hindi siya nag salita, nanatili siyang nakatingin sa'kin.

He slowly lifted up the sleeves of my hoodie and it exposed some dark bruises and scratches. He lifted my chin up and wiped the concealer that revealed red marks.

"Alam ko kung ano ang ginagawa ng tatay mo..."

"Here's your food!" Maligayang sigaw ni Cameron na ikinakunot nila ng noo.

"Sana all may energy sa umaga." Komento ni Greg habang kinukuha ang pagkain nila Grace.

We do this everyday, we go to school like really early and eat breakfast together.

Napatingin ako kay Cameron habang namimigay siya ng pagkain, he looked back at me and smiled, he leaned closer.

"Huwag ka na tumingin sa'kin masyado, nagseselos na si loverboy."

Binatukan ko kaagad siya at lumapit kay Eugene at inilahad ang pagkain niya.

He slightly smiled and accepted it. I sat beside him and leaned my head on his shoulder.

"Did you get enough rest? It doesn't show that you did get rest." I looked up at him and saw him fixing our food.

Umupo ako ng maayos, "Drained pa siguro. Don't worry about me Eugene."

He nodded and slowly wrapped his arms around my waist.

"Matagal bang nakauwi sina mommy sainyo kagabi?" Umiling naman kaagad ako.

"It's fine though. I love your mom's company noh!" He chuckled and carefully hugged me tighter.

He placed his chin on my shoulder and felt his breath on my neck. I don't feel comfortable. Nanginginig nanaman ako.

He sighed and sat properly, inilahad niya na sa'kin ang utensils at itinusok na niya ang straw sa iced coffee ko.

"No matter what your problem is, always remember that I am here for you. Hindi kita iiwan. I value you, Cadie... too much." He kissed my forehead and brushed my hair.