Winter Heat

Chapter 2 - A Fuck You Promise

Chapter 2 - A Fuck You Promise

6:30 AM ang morning call sa Camp Mitesco pero lagpas 7:00 AM na ako bumangon no'n. Wala rin namang gumising sa 'kin—which was good for everyone in that camp. If they dared, pare-pareho sana naming pinagsisihan kung bakit kami sumali sa camp na 'yon.

I got down from the upper bunk and my roommate was already gone. I thought, at least, there's something good in that morning. He wasn't in the bathroom too so I was able to do my morning routine in peace—well, except when I noticed a tiny bit of toothpaste on the sink. This is why I don't want roommates! I cleaned that mess.

I just kept my sweatpants on and wore a hoodie over my shirt. I was still tying my shoelaces when I heard a commotion from outside. The noise quickly faded, like those people just passed by the cabin. Curious about what's happening, I went out.

"GOOD MORNING!"

Bakit nagising pa ako—was the question I had in mind when I stepped out the door at the same time that Heat Mendez was passing by.

He beamed at me and, instead of going to wherever he was headed to, he walked towards me. "HOY, WINTER, GOOD MORNING!"

"Fucking morning," nanggigigil na sabi ko sa kaniya. Gusto ko pa sana siyang murahin dahil ang ingay-ingay niya sa umaga pero naagaw ang pansin naming dalawa noong may apat na campers na dumaan sa harapan namin. Halatang nagmamadali sila kaya napakunot ang noo ko. "Anong mayro'n?"

"May nawawala raw," Heat answered which made me look at him again.

"At Day 1?" hindi makapaniwalang sabi ko. "Sino namang tanga 'yon?"

"Ayaw ibigay 'yong pangalan eh. Sinabi lang na babae, tapos 'di ko na naintindihan 'yong iba."

"Napakalaking tulong mo," I told him and dumbass just smiled proudly. He didn't get my sarcasm which annoyed me even more.

"Anak yata ng isa sa mga sponsor—"

One thing about me: I get startled easily.

Another thing about me: when I get startled, I automatically throw punches.

"WINTER!" Heat looked so shocked too as he pulled me away from the little girl with braided hair who suddenly spoke behind us, surprising me and making me punch her—right in the face.

We both looked at her and she just smiled at us, kahit may tumutulong dugo sa ilong niya.

"Sino ka?" tanong ko.

"Hi, I'm Precious!" ngiting-ngiting sabi niya.

"D-Dumudugo ang ilong mo..." mahinang sabi naman ni Heat.

Precious used the back of her hand to wipe the blood off her face. She then smiled at us again... and then blood came out of her nose again.

Heat walked closer to her and held the back of her head. "T-Tumingala ka!"

"Idiot!" I slapped his arm away from her. "Her blood would just run backwards and down her throat."

"A-Anong dapat gawin?" tanong sa 'kin ni Heat, nagpa-panic pa rin. Napangiwi ako sa kaniya. Magbu-bumbero siya niyan?

"Okay lang ako! It's not like it's the first time that someone punched me."