A Close Second

Thirty Third

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY JACOB!

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I was Courtney Beatrice Singson.

I hold myself up high because of my name. I was supposed to be a role model. An example of many younger (or older) girls. I was poised, graceful, smart, dignified, and sophisticated.

But that does not mean I wasn't immune to mind-fucks (excuse me for the term.)

Halos tulala ako habang papasok ako sa dining hall ng resort, fresh from the talk that Amar and I currently had. I didn't know how to react anymore with my mind swimming with new information mixed with all the questions and thoughts I had with the previous night.

Soft music was running along with the place, people barely piling up the whole area.

It was our last day and the Maranatha crowd had gone back now, leaving the NVH class behind but we're also supposed to go today anyway.

I see Thea and Keith Andrew in the piano, the former pressing the keys lightly, giving the hall the life of soft music around habang nakatabi naman si Andrew sa kanya, watching fascinatedly. I ignored them, choosing an empty table, and sitting down.

"Good morning, Madam. Sausages?"

Greg comes next to me holding a plate of sausages, smiling. Nakasunod naman sa likod nito si Nico na may hawak na isang tray na puno ng pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, and some fruits. From the number of servings on each plate, he was holding this for sharing.

There was Greg again, making Nico's life as miserable as he could.

Kahit kailan talaga.

"Late ka nanaman atang nagising." Nico says, serving me some orange juice sa isa sa mga nakalapag na pitcher sa table. "Hindi mo tuloy naabutan ang mga taga Maranatha."

I give them a small smile. "I was so tired last night."

"Any of that related kay Medrano na pumasok na sa kwarto namin ng halos alas dos ng umaga?" nakataas na kilay na tanong ni Greg.

Hindi ko nalang siya pinansin, raising an eyebrow at him. He chuckles though, taking a piece of toast and then putting it on my plate.

"Your friend Lloyd dropped by kanina. You missed him saying goodbye." Greg says.

"Oh?"

"Binigay niya pa nga yung number niya."

"Nasan na?"

"Pinunit ng boyfriend mo." Nico laughs, putting bacon on my plate. "Selos ang loko, pagkaalis ni Lloyd, biglang pinunit. He said hindi mo naman daw kailangan."

If I didn't know Andrew, I would've been mad, but hindi ko alam kung kikiligin ako or magagalit ako. Hanggang ngayon lito parin ang utak ko sa mga kaganapan.

"How about you and Aya?" I told Nico.

Natawa naman si Greg ngayon. "This asshole's lucky, I guess."

"So is it safe to assume na nakuha mo ang number niya?"

"With her heart to follow, yes." Nico grins.

Halos batuhin siya ni Greg ng pagkain habang nangiwi naman ako. Flirty Nico was one thing, but cheesy Nico was another thing.

"Yah! ANG LANDI!" Natatawang sabi ko.

Hindi naman nagpatinag si Nico na masayang kumakain ng waffles sa tabi ko. Binato naman siya ni Greg ng table napkin. Natawa nalang ako sa kanilang dalawa and their antics.

"Landian pala ang topic dito?"

Umupo si Mikki sa tabi ko, holding her plate of breakfast for her. Natahimik ako sa biglaan niyang pagdating. Nico and Greg seemed to take a cue from my sudden silence. Parehas silang natahimik din.