Monarch High: War of the Brats

CHAPTER 17

The 2nd day of Foundation Day was starting. Everyone was hyped just like the first day. Battle of Talents was held on the gymnasium, and we invited some professional singer, dancer, artist, and actor to be the judges for the said contest. While everyone was cheering for their favorites, I was silently looking for Jason since I hadn't seen him today. He's not even with Cal, Pip, or Wynd.

"Sino ba bet mo? Ako 'yung singer! Ganda ng boses!" Mae suddenly commented.

"Uh... I'll go for the artist since his painting is superb," I told her just to answer her question. Hindi ko talaga nakita masyado iyong ipininta noong lalaki because I was focused on searching for Jason.

"Same, Mae. Singer din! Pati iyong dancer, galing din. Parang walang buto kung sumayaw, eh," komento naman ni Hurricane.

Lumapit ako sa pwesto nila Cal. They were also enjoying the hype. Nang makakuha ako ng tyempo kung kailan hindi sila nag-uusap nila Pip. I plucked Cal's shoulder gently, the reason why he turned to my direction.

As carefree as he was, he grinned. "Oh, Gina! Bakit?"

"Where's Jason?" I asked him.

His grin suddenly disappeared. He narrowed his eyes a bit, and I couldn't help but pursue my lips because of his reaction. Nang makita nyang napaatras ako ay humalakhak sya bago kinalabit sila Pip at Wynd.

"Nasaan si Jason?! Hinahanap ng girlfriend nya!"

Kaagad na tumingin sa akin si Pip at Wynd. They all looked at me with their fishy stares. Cal roared more in laughter. Mabuti na lang at maingay dito sa loob ng gym kaya natatabunan lang ang lakas ng boses nya.

"Hindi ba nagpaalam sayo?" tanong ni Pip. "He's just probably somewhere, Gina. Don't worry."

Tumango ako. Hindi parin nila inaalis 'yung kakaibang titig nila kaya nginitian ko na lang sila. They all grimaced and looked in front. Doon ko na rin ibinuhos ang buong atensyon ko.

Maya-maya lang ay nagyaya silang lumabas ng gym kaya lumabas kami ay pumunta sa kung saang-saang booth. Habang iniisa-isa nila 'yung booth sa campus, hinahanap ko naman si Jason. Seriously, kaninang umaga ko lang sya nakita tapos hindi nawala na naman kaagad sya.

"Uy! May videoke booth doon sa isang classroom! Tara!"

Sumunod kaming lahat kay Mae. Nasa hulihan kami ni Hurricane kaya nagtanong ako sa kanya. Mukha kasing sya iyong matinong sasagot sa akin. Sila ni Cal, Pip at Wynd parang tangang nakangisi, eh.

"Si Jason? Nakita mo?" pasimple kong tanong sa kanya.

Umiling sya. "Hindi, eh. Kasama natin kanina 'yun, diba?"

I nodded. He's just probably somewhere. I am not used to not seeing him around me. If he doesn't want me to lose around his sight, so am I to him.

Mabuti na lang at walang taong nakaupa sa videoke booth kaya nakapasok kami. Kaagad na namili sila Mae ng kakantahin habang kinalikot ko muna sandali ang cellphone ko. I'm contemplating if I'll text Jason or not. It feels weird not having him around here.

"Kakanta ka, Yuri?" tanong ni Mae.

Umiling si Hurricane. "Ayoko."

"Sige na! Maganda namang boses mo!" tulak pa ni Mae sa kanya at binigay 'yung mic. Marahas na umiling si Hurricane at ibinalik ang mic kay Mae.

"Bahala ka. Kami na lang kakanta!" sigaw ni Mae at dahil nakatutok sa bibig nya ang mic sabay kaming napatakip ng tenga dahil sa lakas ng boses nya.

Maya-maya lang ay pumili na sila ng mga kanta. They all pushed Wynd to sing dahil maganda din daw ang boses nito, but just like Hurricane, he just wanted to stay quiet on the corner. Si Pip at Pink naman iyong nagbubulungan lang sa gilid at tinatawanan sila ni Cal at Mae na nag-aagawan ng mikropono.