Wicked Hearts

Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Chaos

"KJ mo tanga," Cams texted me.

I ignored her message again. Mula sa pagkakahiga ay bumangon ako. Nag-inat ako ng katawan. Tumingin ako sa digital clock na nakapatong sa nightstand.

It's Friday night, 8 p.m. Dumiretsong uwi ako agad after school. Sobrang hapo ng pakiramdam ko kanina pero ngayong nasa bahay naman ako ay hindi ako mapakali.

Para malibang ay tinuloy ko na lang 'yung pinapanuod kong vampire series. Naaliw ako sa panunuod. Muntik na nga ako matulog kung hindi lang nag-ring ang cell phone ko. Tumatawag sai Camila.

I bit my bottom lip. To celebrate her success as the leader of their group, she decided to throw a party. I was fine with it at first, pero nung nalaman kong sa bar ito gaganapin ay nag-back out agad ako.

Paano ako makakapasok sa bar? I'm only freaking seventeen! Next month pa ang birthday ko.

"Do you want me to drag your lazy ass out of your room?" pambungad ni Cams sa kabilang linya.

I sat down in bed. "I told you, Cams. Hindi ako papapasukin doon—"

"Kilala si Daddy roon, Rizzie. Sabi ko na sa 'yo, hindi ba? Sagot kitang gaga ka!" iritado niyang sabi.

Bahagya kong nilayo sa tainga ang cell phone. Nabibingi ako sa pagsigaw niya.

"Andoon na si Jessie," aniya pa. "And I'm on my way to pick you up."

My eyes widened.

"I told you—" And she hung up the call.

Ilang sandali akong natulala. Kapag sinabi niyang pupuntahan ako, pupunta talaga siya. Ibig bang sabihin nito ay makakasama na talaga ako?

I smiled, wickedly. Gusto ko rin naman talagang sumama. I want to experience wilding in a bar. Ang inaalala ko lang talaga ay ang age limit ko.

I guess I have nothing to worry about now.

Nakaligo na ako kanina kaya nagpalit na lang ako ng damit. Nag-suot ako ng denim shorts na tinernohan ko lang deep ruby on top. Hindi ko pa naisauli ang shoulder bag ni Ate Sarah. Nilagay ko roon ang cell phone ko at mga per ana bigay ni Arthur.

I stood in front of the mirror as I softly brushed my shoulder-length hair. I may not as tall as the other girls, but I can still compete. I know how to walk because I've once joined a beauty pageant. I didn't win it but who cares? That was a blast.

By the time Camila arrived, I was already cross-legged waiting on the couch. Nagkunwari akong nakasimangot habang nagpapaliwanag siya kay Ate Sarah.

"Sabi ko kasing ayaw ko," sabi ko at mas hinabaan pa ang nguso.

"It's just a simple celebration, Ate Sarah," dinig ko pang paliwanag nito. "Nasabi na rin ba sa 'yo ni Riza na ang taas ng nakuha niya sa exam? Gusto rin namin 'yong i-celebrate!"

Ate Sarah threw a glance at me. She sighed and nodded.

"Huwag lang sumobra ah?" paalala ni Ate Sarah.

I gave her a hug before Camila dragged me into her car. Hindi niya sinabing bar ang pupuntahan namin. But I don't think that makes a difference. It's still a party.

"What if hindi ako papasukin?"

Pinatunog ni Cams ang kanyang kinakain na gum.

"I got you," she assured me.

I looked at my best friend who exhibits immaculate energy even after everything that happened today. She was wearing a leopard crop top and denim pants. She was tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.