Setting Into The Horizon (Painted Colors Series 1) ON HOLD

Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Setting Into the Horizon

Coffee tables adorn the sun-kissed color of the afternoon. Its ambiance and homey aroma draw my soul. The smell of the freshly baked bread made my stomach growl in hunger.

"Koa,"

As if on cue, the barista finally called my name. I sloppily walked to the counter to get my iced latte and a slice of their famous roll cake.

"Thank you," I muttered after getting the tray.

The wind chime above the door jingled, which made me look at the entrance door. A familiar boy with hands inside his pockets walked in and lined up after me.

West Rymer Villaluz. That's his name.

I would almost drop the tray if it weren't for the lady who's still holding it as her life depends on it. I thanked her again and carefully lifted the tray. Okay, Sorin. It would be best if you did not make any eye contact with that boy.

Ignore him like you always do. 'Yon naman palagi ginagawa ko kapag nagkakasalubong o kahit na sa iisang lugar lang. He is known in our school to be my number one competitor ever since grade school. He is from an all-boys school and I'm from the private. We often meet in competitions outside school and every time it happens, it will always be a fierce one. Hindi nagkakalayo ang scores namin sa isa't isa. Minsan magkakasama kami sa iisang entablado para tumanggap ng medalya. Pero parang wala lang iyon sa kaniya. After he received the award, he would walk downstairs and leave the venue early, he didn't even threw a look at us, the other awardees. My gaze followed his every move until he was finally out of my sight, overwhelmed by the compelling and cold aura around him, and without understanding any of it.

"Sorin," I almost spilled my drink when someone called my name from behind. I was busy with my thoughts. I hissed and looked back. Only to meet eyes with West, sending waves of shivers.

He has this cold aura around him again. In fact, apart from the atmosphere, he is known for, it was a little softer this time. It's the same feeling when you watch the sunsets. It felt warm. Home. Alive.

"Your wallet," Salita nito, sabay turo sa counter. Naiwan ko pala doon na nakapatong ang wallet ko, at kanina pa pala ako tinatawag ng cashier pero hindi ko narinig. Agad akong nag-iwas ng tingin.

Pagkatapos kunin ay nagpasalamat din naman ako sa babae at hindi na nag abalang lingonin pa ulit si West. Diretso akong naupo sa pwesto ko kanina at kinalma ang sarili.

It lasted several minutes before I heard the chimes again. This time, I watch West again as he walks across the road through the window overlooking the busy city with a paper bag in hand.

It didn't take an hour before I decided to go home as well. I'd come to this cafe every time I'm studying for something, and I have an entrance exam tomorrow for the school I chose for my senior high school years.

The caffeine worked; I got to study a lot. But all to no avail, I woke up 30 minutes before the starting time. So I immediately got up from bed and did everything.

Running downstairs, I heard my father called my name to eat breakfast with them. Agad kong inabot ang toast bread at kinain. Suot ang high-waisted maong pants at isang white shirt na pinatungan ng plaided long sleeve, inayos ko ang kwelyo nito at nagpaalam na sa ama ko.

"Eat before you leave!" sabi nito habang palabas na ako ng bahay. I turned around and waved my hands, para sabihing hindi na ako mag b-breakfast. Kagat pa rin ang tinapay ay binigyan ko ng finger heart ang tatay ko at mabilis na tumakbo palabas.