Monarch High: War of the Brats

CHAPTER 16

It's foundation day. Everyone was enjoying. The moment I stepped in the school, dama ko na kaagad ang kasiyahan ng mga estudyante. Booths were scattered everywhere. Loud music from somewhere added the cheerful ambience of Monarch. Gusto ko ding magkisaya pero kailangan ko pang dumiretso sa HOS kasi alam kong nandoon sila Hurricane.

I was kind of late today, and that's why I was eager to go straight to HOS. Mamaya, iniwan na nila ako at nakipagsayahan dito. I didn't see them from the sea of people.

"Gina!" I halted from walking when I heard my name being called by someone. Wait, did I hear it right? "Ginarelle!" Hinanap ko ang pinanggalingan ng boses. I turned around, and I saw Juan Solomon running towards me. Nang makarating sya sa pwesto nya ay yumuko sya, itinukod ang dalawang kamay sa tuhod at hinahapong tumingin sa 'kin. Despite the beads of sweat falling on his forehead, he still looked okay, though.

"Jason? Saan ka galing? Aren't you going on the HOS?" tanong ko.

I waited patiently for his answer because he's panting. Bakit ba kasi sya tumatakbo? "Hindi. Wala sila doon. Nandoon sila sa photo booth."

"Really?"

Hindi man lang nila ako ti-next! E 'di sana dumiretso na ako doon.

"Oo. Nagp-picture! Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay, ah? Bakit ka na-late?"

I shook my head. Something I won't discuss with him. "Wala. Tara na!"

He nodded before holding my hand and pulled me with him. Namataan namin sila Hurricane na nasa isang booth at nagp-picture. I ran to them and joined.

"Kayo naman, Gina! Wala kayong pictures! Ako na magbabayad!" tinulak ni Hurricane kaming dalawa ni Jason sa loob ng booth.

I awkwardly smiled on the camera. Hindi din gumagalaw si Jason sa tabi ko kaya sigaw nang sigaw si Cal.

"Hoy, Jason! Akbayan mo na, tanga! Ang bagal-bagal mo!"

"Gago!" Jason spat back and glared at him. Nagtawanan sila sa labas. Tiningnan ako nya naman ako. "Okay lang na akbayan? 'Di ko alam ip-pose ko."

Tumango ako at ngumiti. "Ako din naman..."

He shrugged before hooking his arms around my shoulder and raised a peace sign, and a single flash almost dazzled my eyes. My eyes circled when I realized that I would probably look so stupid in that photo! Nakatingin lang ako sa kanya doon nang kunan iyon ng litrato kaya palagay ko, mukha akong tanga.

I shrugged off and posed for another shot. Madami yata kaming pictures ni Jason dahil ilang beses kaming nag-pose. I tried pinching Jason's cheek while looking at the camera, I heard him complaining, but my laughter drowned his voice.

Click.

Lalong lumakas ang tawanan sa labas pero nangingibabaw ang boses ni Cal na pinagsasabihan si Jason na umayos habang tumatawa. I suddenly felt so lost. Hindi ko naiintindihan kung bakit sila tumatawa. Were our poses funny? But, it's normal, they're called... wacky, right?

"Tama na 'yan! Tama na 'yan!" pumasok si Yuri sa loob at hinila kami. "Ang dami na! Wala na akong pambayad!" reklamo nya pero tumatawa naman.

"Ako magbabayad, Queen! Hayaan mo na 'yang si Jason!" sigaw ni Cal at tinulak ulit kami sa loob pero pinigilan na ni Jason. "Bilis na, Jason! Ang mang-mang na 'to ang bagal-bagal!"

"Fucker!"

Napasilip ako sa labas at nakita ko ang ilang mga booths doon. My hands flew on my tummy as I took a sight of the siomai booth.

"Are you hungry?" Jason whispered on my ear. Kailangan nyang gawin 'yon dahil ang ingay-ingay nila Cal. Tumango naman ako.

"Bili tayo pagkain," sabi ni Jason sa kanilang lahat. "Gutom na din ako."