The Royal Series 01: The Royal Agreement

Chapter 38

CLINTON

"Did you two did anything to make your Mom mad?"

I probably look stupid, asking the cats as if they can understand me. But who cares when it's just me and the cats in the room?

Asking Tori herself is not even in the option since she's been a little not like herself lately.

Wala naman akong ginagawang masama o kaiinisan n'ya. Pero pakiramdam ko meron sa ginagawang pag-iwas ni Tori.

"Lalim nang pinanghuhugutan ng buntong hininga mo ah. Anong meron?" Tanong ni Finn sa akin nang makaupo sa katapat na upuan ko.

"Baka nag-away sila."

Sa sinabi Jon, napabuntong hininga na naman ako. Inisip ko tuloy yung mga pinaggagagawa ko nitong mga nakaraang araw. At alam ko naman na hindi ako ganun kababad sa mga papeles na ginagawa ko mapa-Royal duties o academics.

"Trouble in paradise, huh."

Nagsalubong yung kilay ko nang marinig yung boses ni Monique. Saglit ko lang s'yang tiningnan at bumalik sa pagtitingin ng mga kinuha kong photos.

I didn't care at first but Monique got too close that I moved to a different spot. But she kept on following me that even the officers and other members of the Photography Club noticed it. Good thing that the one of the officers of the club, who is also in my class, called me over.

"Ayaw ka talaga tigilan ni Drew ah. Grabe isang taon na."

"Wala ba talagang club member removal criteria?" Tanong ko saka nilapag yung camera. "That girl doesn't even take pictures in the club."

Frankly speaking, Monique Drew only entered the club because of me. Saying stuff like she wants to make sure that no other girl gets close to me or whatsoever.

"Propose ko sa president na ipropose sa Club Facilitator 'yan. Pero mukhang may LQ kayo ni Tori ah."

Nang tiningnan ko s'ya, napaatras s'ya at may paghawak pa sa dibdib kaya kumunot noo ko.

"Ayaw mo talaga pag may ibang lalaki na tumatawag sa kan'ya sa nickname n'ya ano?"

"Sinong may sabi?" Tanong ko.

"Pre, mukha mo."

I didn't know what else to say so I just asked if it really seemed like Tori and I fought. And he said, it does.

Which really made me think if did I really do something wrong that upset her. Tori's not childish so I shouldn't expect that she'll throw some kind of tantrum just because I did something.

The fact that her ex, Ashton Lautner ruined what relationship should really be, must be the reason why Tori's not talking to me.

"I don't like the way she takes my pictures! Mas gusto kong si Clinton na lang kumuha ng pictures ko! Just like the freshman and sophomore year!"

That screechy voice made me look at where it came from and saw Monique stomping in front of a club member with a camera. The club president immediately approached them and just when I thought I can peacefully compare pictures with the other club members...

"No." I immediately declined when the club president asked me if it's okay to change my partner.

I left right after but I swear I felt an ache starting to form in my head when I heard Monique screech my name like a rat that got caught in a trap. Her irritating squeal was so loud that I can't pretend to ignore it. Which is why I looked back.

"Great. Now, why won't you just be my photographer? It's not like you haven't done it before."

"Because I simply don't want to." I told her and turned my back.