Chase and Courage (Youth Series #1)

07

#CAC07

The next day, I woke up earlier than usual. I couldn't sleep last night thinking about my friend, Sabrina if she's alright. I'm still a bit sleepy. I wanted to drink coffee to wake me up but unfortunately, caffeine is not for me. The last time I drank coffee, I palpitated and it scared the shit out of me.

"Goodmorning!"

I looked up almost half awake and saw Mark who's cheerful as always. Sana lahat nakatulog ng maayos kagabi at fresh early in the morning.

"Morning," I simply said and looked away

Hinanap niya ang mata ko pero panay ang iwas ko.

"Wow, you look like you didn't sleep last night," he said

"I barely slept," I said my eyes a bit sleepy.

"Here, want some candy?" he offered.

Tinignan ko siya at nakita kong may kinuha siyang candy sa bulsa. Tinanggap ko naman iyon.

"Thanks," I muttered and opened the candy wrapper.

I put it inside my mouth and I can already taste the menthol on my tongue.

"Kung hindi ka pa magising niyan, meron pa ko dito."

I was surprised when he took out different menthol candies like max, ice breakers, halls, snow bears and whatnots.

"Ang dami naman niya," I chuckled and tried to count them

He just shrugged and put the candies back to his pocket. "Well, it helps me keep awake especially in school hours when the teachers are discussing. Aside from coffee, mas makakamura ka pa dito."

Mahina naman akong tumawa sa sinabi niya. Malapit ng maubos ang candy sa bibig ko pero hindi pa ako gaanong nagigising.

Narinig ko namang tumikhim si Mark. "Pinagalitan ka ba...kagabi?"

Biglang bumagsak ang tingin ko sa sahig. I sighed and shook my head.

"Hindi, tinanong lang ako kung saan ako galing pero hindi naman ako pinagalitan," I looked at him and gave him a small smile.

He seems skeptical but later on, he nodded.

I know I lied because I don't want him to get worried. Knowing him, he would ask more questions if I said yes and I don't want to explain everything. It wasn't a big deal anyway.

Ilang sandali ay narinig akong may tumawag sa pangalan ko.

"Talliah!" lumingon ako at nakitang si Inna iyon.

"Oh hey, Mark." she said when she saw the both of us

"Sup?" si Mark

"What is it Inna?" I said and saw she was holding some papers on her hands.

"So nagkaroon ng meeting ang student council and our first project that we decided was have a fund donations for students na walang pambili ng school supplies. Para makatulong din tayo sa kanila na hindi makapag-aral ng maayos dahil kapos sa pera ganun."

Binigyan niya kami ng papel ni Mark at agad ko iyong tinignan.

"Let your parents sign din para mainform din sila. Wala namang specific amount, basta kung ano lang yung kaya niyong ibigay, makakatulong nayun." she explained

"Tsaka hindi siya limited dito lang sa school. Pwede din kung may friends kayo or kakilala na pwedeng magdonate, mas maganda," she added and smiled sweetly.

Tumango naman ako at tipid na ngumiti kay Inna.

She smiled widely at me. "Yay! Thanks guys," she squealed