Avenues of the Diamond (University Series #4)

19

tw: self-harm

"May plans ka sa birthday mo, Sam? Like last time, club ulit?" 

My chewing slowed down after Luna asked the question. It was another Saturday, and we were eating along España because I didn't want to eat alone. Clyden went out to a coffee shop today to study with his friends the whole day. Unti-unti na siyang mas nagiging busy habang palapit nang palapit ang December. 

I almost forgot about my birthday. These past few weeks, I had been focusing more on my studies and also on my new relationship with Clyden. If Luna didn't remind me about it, I would have just let it pass. 

"I think so. Wala naman akong ibang way to celebrate but to be with my friends. Yanna can't go, though," I said with a hint of loneliness in my voice. I knew Yanna wouldn't go even if i-invite ko siya because there would be so many people, and she didn't want to be found. Maybe we'll just celebrate my birthday on another day.

"Sam, baka hindi ako makapunta. UAAP season, e. Training," Sevi said as he was typing on his phone. He didn't even look at us. Kanina pa siya text nang text at minsan natatawa pa. Hindi ko alam kung nagtitingin siya ng memes or what. 

"It's okay. Fight well!" I gave him a smile though he didn't see it because he didn't even give me back a single glance. Luna stared at Sevi for a moment before smirking and rolling her eyes. 

"Sam, please don't invite him," Luna suddenly begged after realizing that I was also friends with her ex. "Please! Please!" 

"Luna, kapag nalaman niyang invited ka, I think he won't go," I told her honestly. Kalix was always like that. 

Upon mentioning Luna's name, he would automatically say no to my invites. Sometimes, he would ask if Luna was invited beforehand bago siya pumunta and I didn't want to lie, even though I really wanted them to finally see each other. There was too much avoiding on both sides. I didn't know how long they could go. They were both so good at avoiding. These bitter people, really. 

"Sino'ng pipiliin mo? Ako o siya? 'Di ba ako?! I'm your friend since high school! Ako dapat ang a-attend sa birthday mo at hindi siya so huwag mo siyang i-invite or else hindi ako pupunta!" Luna sounded like a kid. 

"Bitter mo naman." Kierra laughed at her before taking a bite of her pizza. 

"Porket kasi ikaw..." Luna glanced at Kierra and suddenly stopped talking. The side of her lips slowly formed a devilish smile before taking a sip of her juice like she was holding so much power against her cousin. 

"Via, where's Arkin?" I asked her when I noticed that she was extra quiet today. She was staring at her plate for too long, but when I asked her about her best friend, her head shot up to look at me with wide eyes. 

"Shooting," maikling sagot niya. "Ata," she added. "Hindi ko alam. Si Sevi ang tanungin mo." 

"Hala, bakit ako?" Sevi held his chest like he was attacked by the tone of Via's remark. "Bakit parang galit ka sa 'kin, Avianna? Last na kita ko roon, noong nag-gym kami!"