Flickered By Innocence (Crossing The Line Series 4) ✅

F.B.I-19

"Grabe, sobrang hirap naman ng exams! Makakapasa kaya ako?" Kyle massaged his temple, feeling anxious.

"Makakapasa? Ikaw pa ba, Kyle? Eh, ikaw kaya yung highest last time." Ezra caressed Kyle's back.

Pinaghiwalay ko naman silang dalawa at pumagitna. "Don't be too stressed. Let's go to our resort and rest there!"

"Nandito na yung mga asungot. Basta talaga gala at libre, mabilis silang makaramdam." Ezra pointed at Gellian and his friends who were walking towards our direction.

Bahagyang lumayo sina Kyle nung kunin ni Gellian ang aking bag at bigla akong akbayan. Hindi ko naman siya pinigilan at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Napangiti naman ako agad nung makitang papalapit si Levi kasama si Roque. Mukhang napatino nga ni Levi si Roque simula nung maging sila dahil wala na kaming nabalitaan na may babae ito.

"Zein, sure ka ba na pwede akong sumama? Pinapapasok ba yung hampas-lupa sa resort niyo?" ani ni Levi nang makasakay kaming lahat sa aming van.

I shook my head in a snap after hearing that from him. "No, don't say that, Levi. I really wanted to invite all of you, but we are all busy before the finals, right Mang Noel?"

Mang Noel took a glance at us in the rear-view mirror. "Naghanap ka pa ng kakampi, Baby Zein. Binibiro ka lang naman ng kaibigan mo."

"Minsan talaga, Zein, may pagka-slow ka. Tama ba ako Gellian at... Aaron?" Kyle asked in a mocking tone.

Aaron and Gellian swiftly cast their glances at Kyle. They both seemed nervous, so I asked both of them. I just pouted when they said they were fine, which I highly doubt. I can't fathom the emotions in their eyes though.

"Good afternoon, Zein!" sabay-sabay na bati sa akin ng mga staffs ng resort nung makababa kami ng van.

Napakatagal na rin pala simula nung huli kong bisita sa sarili naming resort at mukhang bago na ang mga empleyado. Marahil ay hindi na bumalik ang mga dating katiwala sa pag-aakalang tuluyan na itong magsasara noon kung hindi lang nagawan ng paraan nila Dad.

"Oh, my baby's friends are finally here!" My mom exaggeratedly said before giving my friends a hug.

My dad went out of his office and happily greeted my friends too. I can't explain how I felt when I noticed they were not minding the presence of Gellian, who was beside me. They seem to be avoiding him for some unknown reason.

Pinaalalahanan ko sila mom na darating kami ngayon ng mga friends ko kaya siguro walang mga tao sa buong resort maliban sa mga staffs. Matapos naming kumain ng tanghalian ay nagtampisaw kaming magkakaibigan sa exclusive pool. Our feet were stroking the water as we sat on the tiled edge. Being with my friends after a tiring day makes my stress fade away. I wish they were always with me so I wouldn't feel alone.

"Anong balak niyo paglaki?" Gabriel broke silence.

Leonard chuckled. "Malaki ka naman na, pre, ah? Ilang beses na naming nakita pero mas malaki pa rin ako syempre."

All of them laugh, which makes me laugh too. I don't know why they laugh, but they might find me weird if I have no reaction. I admit that I'm very slow sometimes, or should I say, most of the time.