Visions of the Sea

Chapter 10

*** Party ***

(TW: This chapter mentions the use of date rape drugs. Please proceed with caution.)

"How bad do you think Jimmy will kill me if I don't show up again?"

Valerian picked me up and we arrived to school together. Naglalakad kami ngayon papunta sa stage na nilagay sa gitna ng field para sa preliminaries mamayang gabi. And my heart is racing so fast because I'm flipping nervous.

"Ten thousand times more than what he was feeling the first time," I supply.

He has been going on and on about not showing up to today's rehearsals and I had to threaten him to make him come. He doesn't seem to be the type who doesn't honor his commitments but boy, he was willing to try it for the first time. I had to remind him of his principles.

"You're the president of Creon's student council. You should set yourself as an example or a role model to the students to take responsibility and never bail on it. I thought you're better than that?"

His forehead creases a little. "I am better than that."

"Fine. Then do it," hamon ko sa kanya and as expected, kumagat siya.

"Is that a challenge?" his eyes narrow; his voice turns a little bit suspicious.

I bite the inside of my cheeks to not laugh. "It doesn't have to be."

"You're cheeks turn red so easily," he puts his cap on my head as we move towards the field.

We reach the monstrous stage and there's already people waiting and preparing. Marami na rin yung tao sa school in general.

"Thylane!" tawag ni Rachel sa akin kasama sina Matthias at Ramon mula sa stage.

Kumaway ako at ngumiti bago lumapit sa kanila. I put my bag on one corner with all the other belongings before Rachel hugs me. Dumiretso ang tingin nilang tatlo sa lalaking nakasunod sa likuran ko.

Pinandilatan niya ako ng mata at ngumisi.

"Good morning, Pres!" masiglang bati ni Matthias at Rachel.

Nilingon ko siya at marahan niya itong tinanguan.

"Diba yung Koreano yung partner mo?" si Ramon.

"Oo. Siya yung partner ni Stella. Hindi ako."

Nagkatitigan silang tatlo at mukhang gulat sa sinabi ko. Yeah, it's pretty shocking too. Who knew this guy would join pageants, right? Clearly not his area of expertise.

"Hindi namin alam na sasali ka pala, Ramiel. Hindi ka kasi namin nakikita sa meetings para rito, eh," Matthais unconsciously fesses up and I look at Ramiel with dismay.

"See? What'd I tell ya?" I give him an I-told-you-so tone.

"Huli ka pero hindi kulong," natatawang sabi ni Rachel.

Masungit niya akong tinitigan at binalingan si Matthias na nalilito.

"Hey, don't come for him. Binuking ka lang niya. Mang-away pa talaga," saway ko sa kanya.

"I apologize for not attending. I have things to take care of at school in preparation for the Sportsfest as well. I hope you don't mind," pormal niyang utas at tumango silang tatlo para ipahayag na hindi 'yon big deal.

"Hindi rin ako a-attend kung siya yung ka partner ko, Pres. Naiintindihan kita," Matthias sympathetically replies to him and points low-key at Stella with Jimmy and her friends coming over to us.