Between the Rainbow (Strawberries and Cigarettes Series #1)

Chapter 10

Gusto

The first day of school was pretty chaotic. Naglalakad pa lang ako sa hallway, ang dami nang bumabati.

I would always find Shiloh's rolling eyes, as if he's so done with the attention I was getting coz it doesn't end.

"Pag tatakbo kang presidente baka manalo ka," he commented.

I put my arm around his shoulder and poked his cheek with my pointed finger.

"You'd be coming home with me all the time. I have your scheds. And one more thing, Verena is a second-year art student like you. Keep your distance from my girl," I reminded.

He was about to say something, but the group of students passed us and greeted me. I nodded and smiled. Ilang minuto pang nag-usap bago ko natakasan.

The first day wasn't really a serious one. Some professors won't even show up, and some will just introduce the lessons for the whole semester. I would boredly listen to it and glance at my other pretty classmates to at least inspire me for a minute.

Kung kaklase ko lang si Verena baka segu-segundo akong inspired? Or I might be the top student in the class. Baka kahit walang assignment o activity manghihingi ako ng kusa sa sobrang ganado kong mag-aral.

Buti nalang hindi kami magkaklase. Coz that would be damn stressful.

I would join my group as usual. Minsan sa cafeteria kami, o minsan lalabas sa malapit na Restaurant para doon tumambay. Shiloh was pretty close now to my circles. Ang lakas nang humagalpak. Minsan, nakukuryoso nalang ako kung anong pinagtatawanan nila dahil nawawala na ang kanyang mga mata kakatawa.

He's now far from the boy who seems distant and aloof. Marunong na siyang mag-ingay, at madalas na na ring nakakasabay sa biruan. Nangunguna pa minsan ang malakas na tawa niya kaya mas lalo akong ganadong hayaan nalang siya sa mga girls.

I should let him do it at his own pace. I am willing to invade his privacy, but maybe just in the condo? But in public, I would always let him bond instead of sticking beside him, so he could have friends on his own without me.

"Baka may lumipat ha! Sa ibang kuwarto ang mga boys! Bawal kayo sa girls!" Banta ni Angela nang sa Sabadong iyon, pagkatapos ng isang linggong klase ay nagkayayaan nang ituloy ang sleepover.

Angela's house was like a mansion since her parents were filthy rich. I mean, most of my circles were born with a silver spoon in their mouth.

"Isali natin si Shiloh!" Marine suggested with a grin.

I rolled my eyes and put my arm around his shoulder.

"He's ours," mungkahi ko.

But the girls were so annoying that they started pulling Shiloh's green hoodie. Tumawa siya at parang nagpapahila pa kaya umangat ang aking kilay at marahas na hinila ang kanyang braso hanggang malipat siya sa aming mga lalake.

"Aray, Brent!" the girls whined when they almost shoved each other on the floor.

I smirked at them. "Sa amin siya."

The boys cheered and started crowding Shiloh as if they were welcoming him. Ginulo ang buhok at pinagtutulungang buhatin habang nagsisiirapan ang mga girls sa amin.

We settled down in the living room and decided to drink. There were GSM Blue and Jose Cuervo for our liquors. Marami iyon lalo na't nasa halos bente kami. Hindi pa nga sumama ang iba sa amin. Nagkalat rin ang malalaking box ng pizza at donut na ginawang midnight snack ng mga girls, habang nachos at fried chicken naman sa amin.