Fault Beneath the Stars (Stray #1)

Chapter One

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Trigger Warning: This chapter includes harsh language and explores themes of homophobia, which may be painful for some readers. Please proceed with caution.

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(unedited)

Chapter One

Ever since that day with Paul, I can't seem to shake him from my thoughts. The encounter left an imprint on me, and now he's always there, lingering in the back of my mind, no matter how much I try to focus on other things. Para iyong pinako hanggang sa kailaliman ng utak ko. I never imagined that something like that would ever occur in my life. It was the kind of moment you only read about or see in movies, never thinking it could happen to me.

Nang gabing iyon ay hinatid niya rin ako pauwi gamit ang itim na NMAX niya. I never realized he had that side to him. It was surprising to see such a different aspect of his personality, something I hadn't noticed before. Dahil sa buong buhay ko ay kinasusuklaman ko siya.

His show of care towards me that night made me believe that things might change between us.

"We're having a debate, class," anunsyo ni miss Julie, teacher ko sa Philippine Politics and Governance.

Sabay-sabay na napasinghap ang mga kaklase ko nang marinig nila iyon. As a quiet smile played on my lips, this moment became my favorite in PPG. Yet, I always find myself on the losing end against Paul.

"Awit! Last sub na nga, may debate pa, Miss!"

"Sabaw na utak ko!"

"May utak ka pala?"

"Madali lang naman ito, class." Mahina itong tumawa dahil sa pagmamaktol ng mga kaklase ko.

Sinulyapan ko si Paul sa upuan niya, at hindi na ako nagulat nang nakatingin din ito sa akin. Inayos ko ang suot kong salamin bago ko muling ituon ang paningin sa harapan.

Paniguradong magtatalo na naman kaming dalawa. But perhaps this time, he will finally admit defeat.

Sana.

"So, hahatiin ko kayo sa dalawang grupo," paliwanag nito. Tumingin ito sa dalawang row sa kaliwang bahagi kung saan nakaupo sa Paul. "Itong dalawang row sa left side, kayo ang magka-grupo."

Sunod namang tiningnan nito ay ang dalawang row sa right side, kung saan ako nakaupo. "Kayong nasa right side naman ang magka-grupo."

"Inang 'yan, awit sa mga ka-grupo!" reklamo ng isang kaklase ko.

"Luh?"

"Bubuhatin na naman tayo ni Paul!"

"Magsasagutan na naman 'yan sila."

"Dedma lang sa inyo."

"Teh, may liptint ka?"

Miss Julie turned away from us, reaching across the desk for a piece of paper. The room fell still, each breath and rustle magnified in the nervous expectancy.

"This is democracy versus authoritarianism," sabi nito. "Pumunta na lang dito sa harapan iyong leader ng bawat grupo para bumunot ng magiging stand niyo."

I wasn't surprised when Paul and I simultaneously stood up from our seats. As we walked to the front of the classroom, I could feel the tension building between us, the unspoken rivalry palpable with each step.

Hindi ko siya tinapunan ng tingin. Dahil bukod sa nahihiya ako sa nangyari sa pagitan naming dalawa nang gabing iyon, iba ang klima niya ngayon.

Inilahad ni Miss Julie ang kamay sa harapan naming dalawa at mayroong itong dalawang papel na nakalulon upang hindi makita ang nakasulat sa loob nito. But despite the paper being tightly rolled, the boldness of the writing revealed the letter D on one sheet. Instantly, I recognized it as symbolizing democracy.