Coldest War (War Series #2)

Chapter 14

#war2wp

Chapter 14

Smile

I was in my sophomore year in high school, 10th grade in Massachusetts when I started getting interested in modeling. Influenced by one of my newest friends that time---Jourdaine, who was half-Filipino, I started watching videos on how I could start my modeling career and I began practicing my walk at home.

"Ah, here comes my part," ani Jourdaine at napatawa ako. "I can still remember clearly how friendly you were with me."

It was a nightmare for Jourdaine because different from me, during that time, she didn't really like making friends. Dahil gustong-gusto ko ang personality n'ya, I exerted effort to be closer to her. 'Yon nga lang, I must have been really aggressive and eager that it scared her a bit.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal, naging magkaibigan pa rin kaming dalawa.

Jourdaine was the one who told me that I should choose what kind of model I wanted to be. Hindi ko pa sigurado noong mga panahong 'yon kung ano ba talaga ang gusto ko kaya ginaya ko si Jourdaine at sa huli, tinahak ang daan sa pagiging runway model.

It didn't take long for us to be scouted. I wasn't that tall compared to the other models. I was standing at 5'6" and most of them were 6-foot tall. Because we were fit to the strict standards scouts are looking for, it didn't take long for me and Jourdaine to get our first-ever runway show.

I also started establishing my presence online. I became one of the brand ambassadresses of a couple of small Filipino brands trying to make a name overseas. I did a couple of photoshoots for a couple of clothing and make-up brands for teens. I've continued gaining more followers on social media.

 "I'm really excited!" Ngiting-ngiting sabi ko kay Hiel na nasa kabilang linya ng Skype call.

He's smiling timidly at me as he continues listening to my stories about modeling and my new friend Jourdaine.

Umaga sa Pilipinas noon at gabi naman sa Massachusetts. He's at their house, spending his weekend in leisure. 

Nakasuot s'ya ng puting round neck shirt at bagsak ang buhok n'ya at walang ayos. Still, he looked charming.

"Jourdaine...?" Hiel asked from the other line. 

He pursed his lips a little. Hinintay n'yang sabihin ko kung sino si Jourdaine.

"Yes! She's my new friend. We met at a party of a common friend," I said.

Tumango si Hiel at ngumiti ulit nang kaunti. 

"Ikaw? How's everything for you?"

Hiel didn't talk much about himself. Ang sinabi n'ya lang tungkol sa sarili n'ya ay sumali ulit s'ya sa chess team ng Torrero University at sumasali na ulit sa mga competitions. Mas madalas n'yang naikuwento ang mga kaibigan n'yang sina Hanani.

Ida Mishal has started making vlogs she post on the internet. Si Asiel, sumasali na sa mga banda. 

They go to different places and different restaurants too whenever they have time. Dahil bata pa, hindi pa madalas kung payagan si Hanani sa kung saan-saan kaya ang madalas na magkakasama ay silang apat na lalaki---Adonijah, Asiel, at Jadon. Kung minsan, kapag pumapayag si Ida Mishal ay sumasama rin ito kahit wala si Hanani.

Dahil din sa parehong dahilan, kung kasama nilang aalis si Hanani, dapat ay may kasama silang guardian---a driver or a nanny. It's different from me. Pinapayagan na ako ni Mommy na magpunta kung saan-saan no'ng ka-edad ko sina Hiel---which was two years ago.