Saving Harper

Mine

I bit the insides of my cheek sa ginawa nya. Gross ba pag hindi ako naligo kasi hinalikan nya yung buhok ko? Buti nalang he was holding me to his side, baka nalaglag ako.

Pero hindi pa ba?

"Cute." He chuckled when he saw my reaction to what he did, bago sya nakipag kwentuhan ulit sa mga pinsan ko.

Wala na. Wala nakong control sa nararamdaman ko. Siguro kasi pinigilan ko pa kaya it came crashing down on me so hard.

Oh, this is going to end badly.

Gusto kong umiyak. It's as if I'm here reading this story about me and Xavier, and later when we part ways, it will all end. Babalik ako sa realidad ko. As tragic as 'effin Cinderella. And wala akong maiiwan na glass slipper.

What to do Harper?

Stop this? Fake breakup? Mas okay ba na masaktan ng maaga kesa pag hulog na hulog ka na?

"Girl andyan na ate mo." Jem's words pulled me out of my thoughts. 

Like the feeling-princess that she is, inannounce pa nung dj yung presence nya. I rolled my eyes. I wasn't surprised when it was also announced na iikot daw muna sya to have picture-taking with the guests before serving dinner. Bida sya e.

I can't believe I have to endure this night.

Holly was wearing a fitted Barbie-pink, short, sleeveless dress with matching pink heels. She wore her long hair straight and syempre, full make-up sya.

"Di ko alam na debut pala." Jem whispered to me. "Hello. Si Holly yan. Dapat yun na yung naisip mo pag labas mo palang sa likod ng bahay na to." I said in a low voice. Ang hirap bumulong kay Jem kasi di ako binibitawan ni Xavier. Feeling ko wala ng space sa pagitan namin.

Ayokong marinig nya yung pinagsasasabi ko about my sister kasi ayoko naman pangunahan ng opinyon ko what he'll think about her pag nakilala na nya.

It's like reading a book. Let people give their own opinion about it and don't feed them your own.

Looking down at my now empty champagne glass, I fucking need another drink, I helplessly thought nung nagsisimula ng batiin ng kapatid ko yung mga bisita nya. This will be a long night.

I glanced at Holly who was talking excitedly with her friends. She's actually like Xavier. Madaming kilala and talks to everyone. I know madami akong masasabi kay Holly na nakakairatang ugali nya, pero this one I'll give to her—she knows how to work a crowd. Kaya madami syang friends at popular sya nung high school kami. Everyone liked her, well until she screws them over.

Hinablot ko kay Jem yung baso nyang kalahati pa yung laman and I gave her mine.

Nakita ni Xavier yung ginawa ko kahit kausap parin nya si kuya Terrence, and he pursed his lips. He dropped his hand from my waist. I reluctantly returned Jem's glass and got back mine. Nagtaka lang si Jem why I changed my mind.

Ang daling bumigay kay Xavier. Well, tama din naman sya na later nako uminom pag naka kain na kami. Ayoko din naman malasing sa harap ng mga kaibigan ng kapatid ko. Mamaya ano pang masabi ko.

"Bibigay ko lahat ng vodka na gusto mo mamaya. Kumain ka lang muna please?" He turned to me. I nodded and smiled at him guiltily.

"Actually, I'm more of a Jack Daniels girl."