Forewords | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

"So wala ka talagang pera?" tanong sa akin ni Kyla the very next day matapos kong iabot sa kanya yung hiniram kong sapatos.

"Wala nga besh," I replied at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad papunta sa first period namin.

"Wala?"

"Sa Divisoria ko ito binili," I lied, talking about my new shoes. Nahihiya kasi ako na after kong lait laitin si number 29 eh suot-suot ko ngayon itong sapatos na binili niya.

"Hoy Daniella iniignorante mo ba ako? Don't insult my knowledge girl. Halatang hindi yan galing sa DV! Isa pa, nakalimutan mong tanggalin yung nakadikit na tag price," Kyla rolled her eyes at me, sticking the tag price on my forehead.

"Dan!" I heard someone call my name. I stiffened, not knowing whether to turn or not.

"Oooh. You seem to have gotten closer with number 29! Kilala ka pala niya besh. Ihingi mo naman ako ng autograph. Or better yet, sabihin mo gusto ko ng selfie!" Kyla gushed, rubbing her cheeks with both hands. She always did that when she's excited or anxious.

Di ako nagsalita. Number 29 jogged his way towards us.

"Hey there! Oh you're for sale?" he laughed, unsticking the tag price from my forehead. Tiningnan niya ito and chuckled lightly.

"This is cheap for someone like you. I bet lots of guys would line up to get you," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Including you?" Kyla butted in. She was grinning like crazy, watching the two of us with malice in her eyes. I squinted my eyes at her. Iniinsulto na ang best friend niya pero wala man lang siyang ginawa to aid me! Number 29 didn't answer. He just chuckled. I turned my attention to him.

"What a way to ruin the day," I said, looking up at him. It's a wonder how he could look so striking with just a plain white tee, faded jeans and... I felt my cheeks heating up. He was wearing the shoes he had bought last night! The one that matched mine!

"Hey I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I just came over to say hi," Number 29 said.

Grabe ha. Sinabi niyang cheap ako. Sinabi niya yun habang tumatawa. And he expected me not to get offended? Really?

"Then here's your hello with a wave of my hand," I said and put my words into action. I waved at him and turned to go, dragging a grinning Kyla with me towards our classroom.

"It looks great on you!" he called after our retreating backs. "See you later!"

I snorted. What was his deal? Feeling close yung mokong ah. Bakit parang ibang tao na siya. Dati super suplado tapos ngayon super cheerful. Bipolar ba siya? Now that's a possibility.

"Ahem besh." Kyla interrupted my train of thoughts. I looked at her inquiringly.

"Luwagan mo naman hawak sa kamay ko. Pahigpit ng pahigpit eh," she said, still grinning her annoying grin.

"Bakit ba tuwang tuwa ka? Ininsulto nung idol mo itong bestfried mo. You didn't even come to my rescue!" sumbat ko sa kanya.

She laughed at me, "Nakakatawa ang expression mo girl! Bakit ba ganyan ka kung makareact? Honestly, super minor lang naman nung kasalanan sa'yo ni Kirby but you despise him a lot. Be careful girl. It will make people suspicious." She winked at me.

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" I asked.

Nagkibit balikat siya, "I meant it the way I said it." She walked ahead of me towards our classroom.

"Nga pala. Nice couple shoes," she teased. I cried my indignation. Kinilabutan ako sa sinabi niya. I reached out para sabunutan siya but I caught air as she dashed towards the open door of our classroom.

Now this is getting worse. I muttered to myself.





I leaned back against the chair, wanting to relax my back. Pres called for a meeting to discuss a few things; the upcoming first aid training for the athletes being the primary concern.

And being the secretary, I had to operate the recorder that I would have to transcribe into the minutes of our meeting.

I turned my attention to the window. Madilim na sa labas. Lagi na lang akong gabi umuuwi. Mapapagalitan nananaman ako nito ni mama. I sighed. Kahit ilang beses akong pagalitan ni mama, hindi ko magawang pabayaan ang responsibilities ko dito sa org. Iba talaga when you love what you do.

"So everything's settled. Any motion to adjourn?" Pres asked, clapping his hands.

Kyla raised the motion, seconded by Karl. They looked so bored that the meeting was dragging too long. They yawned at the same time. I bit back the urge to laugh. Bakit ba inabot kami ng alas otso. Dalawa lang naman ang agenda namin. Yung sa donation cans and yung sa training. I turned off the recorder and began to pack my bags. Just as we were about to leave, we heard hurried footsteps, getting louder. Suddenly, the door to our office burst open, revealing a sweaty lady guard.

"Magandang gabi. May patient sa 5th floor. Closed na kasi ang clinic kaya pwede kayo na muna magbigay ng paunang lunas?"

Kyla immediately grabbed the first aid kit while Karl grabbed the ice container. The others hurried past us, muttering something about they needed to go home because their parents are calling them already. No one expected Pres to stay, for that matter. Everyone knew that the Pres never concerned himself with first aid requests. He was content that he had a team to rule over.

Nilapitan ni Pres yung lady guard, looking sickeningly calm and in control.

"Thank you po for informing us. These are Dan, Kyla and Karl. They will accompany you," he said, then he excused himself and followed the others out of the office.

Nagtinginan kaming tatlo. Kahit kailan wala ka talagang maaasahang hands on na tulong galing sa presidente naming magaling.

We locked our office and followed the lady guard to the 5th floor. Kapag sinabing 5th floor ibig sabihin nun, volleyball court.

Champion ang volleyball team nung nakaraang match. Pero since super competitive ang school varsities namin, hindi sila pumapalya sa training. Gaano man kalayo ang next match, araw araw silang may training.

"Ano po ang nangyari sa patient?" I asked.

"Bigla na lang siyang bumagsak sa court. Yun ang sabi ng guard on duty dun. Napag utusan lang akong sabihan kayo," she said.

Buti na lang may elevator itong school namin. Kasi kung wala at kailangan naming gamitin ang stairs to the 5th floor, baka kami ang mangailangan ng first aid.

We arrived in the 5th floor and scanned the surroundings. I grabbed the ice box from Karl and instructed him to get the wheelchair stationed near the exit from 5th floor. Nauna na kaming nag jog ni Kyla papunta sa pinanggagalingan ng commotion. When we reached them, I froze.

Justice. Damon. Rivera. Is. The. Patient.

Lord. Hustisya! I can't do this! I screamed in my mind.

Kyla nudged me. She went towards Justice and, coming to my senses, I followed her and tried to disperse the crowd. I could hear my heartbeat pounding against my ears.

"Dan. Ice," Kyla said.

I nodded at her. Ano nga ulit sabi niya? I just looked at her blankly, breathing harshly.

"Dan! Ice box!" Kyla snapped at me. I blinked several times before kneeling next to her. I could feel Justice's gaze on me. I opened the ice box clumsily. What's happening to me?

"Nasiko daw siya sa mukha nung team mate niya," Kyla explained to me. I saw a bruise starting to form in his right cheek.

"Nahilo daw siya ng konti after siyang masiko. Hawakan mo nga itong yelo," Kyla ordered, pressing the ice bag against my hand. I tried to argue but she was gone before I know it. She was talking with the coach of the mens volleyball team.

Speechless, I stared at the ice bag in my hand. I gulped and pressed the ice bag gently on Justice's right cheek, trying my best not to catch his eyes.

Ang gwapo talaga niya!

Okay kalma lang Dan. I started to do deep breathing exercises.

Inhale

Exhale.

I heard a chuckle.

And suddenly, my eyes were glued to his mesmerizing ones.

"Are you okay? You're so red. Do you have a fever?" he remarked, bringing his hand up and pressing it to my cheek.

Kung pula ang mukha ko kanina, siguro blue na ngayon. I. Can't. Breath.