Growing up in a well-known family, Celeste Aragon always lived in unending rules. And among all of the rules, there's one rule she should never violate: Never ever show her special ability to anyone. Her being illusionist should be a secret. But Cel...
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(VALFER)
"ALEX!"
I looked behind me and saw Van running towards me. He's holding the straps of his bag while waving his other hand. I stopped and wait for him.
"Tara, sama ka sa'kin! Labas tayo ng institute."
He's studying in the same school, Fabian Ebreo Elementary School. He's just one year ahead of me. When he discovered where my classroom was, he started showing up every afternoon to play with me or talk to me. He said that's what friends do.
"Pwede bang lumabas 'yong mga nakatira na rito?" I asked him, confused.
"Oo naman! They will just put a tracker on your wrist. Hindi ka pa ba nakakalabas dito? As in... never?"
His elbow was leaning on my shoulder while we're walking towards the gate.
I nodded at him. "Both Nana and my mom said that it's dangerous for me. They said this is not the right time to go outside."
"What?! Bakit ako? Nakakalabas ako?"
"Nakakalabas ka kasi hindi ka naman nakatira rito sa institute."
"What I mean is, bakit dangerous para sa'yo ang lumabas? You just need to wear a tracker on your wrist and everything will be fine."
I looked at him, only to see him confusedly staring at me. He didn't get it. It's dangerous... because I'm dangerous.
"What's your ability?" I suddenly asked.
"I can shapeshift. How about you?"
I stared at him, before giving him a small smile. "I am dangerous."
"What? Why?"
"I can kill people by just staring."
I was expecting his reaction. His eyes widened. He was shocked. I next thought of his reaction will be terror, that he will immediately look away because he's scared. But to my surprise, he didn't. He was just staring at me with mouth agape, maybe can't get over the fact that I have that kind of ability.
I looked away. "See? I'm dangerous."
"Is that... the reason why you don't have closed friends? They're scared of you?"
"I don't know. Maybe."
"What?! Edi ang tanga pala nila!"
"Your mouth," saway ko.
"Hindi! Kasi bakit sila matatakot, hindi mo naman sila ginagawan ng masama! They're too judgemental! Well, I'm not judgemental kaya trust me at sumama ka na lang sa akin."
