Paper Memories

Chapter 23-II

Chapter 23-II

          "Ellie's little brother..."

My bestfriend youngest brother gave me a scowl when he recognize me. If I remember right, he's Ezekiel. Nilipatan ko dahil naghihinatay sa labas ng campus gates kahit na tirik na tirik ang araw. A highschooler like him shouldn't be here." Papasok ka pa lang? Nakita mo na ba si Ate?"

"May kinausap lang ako sa labas. Pero kaninang umaga nakausap ko pa lang si El. " Malumanay kong sabi sa bunsong kapatid ng best friend ko.I first met him when he was in elementar, he grew too fast. Mas matangkad na siya sa akin." Do you want to see her? The guard would let you in if you're with me

"Never mind, I just want to know."

"Why are you not on school? Dala mo ba kotse mo?"

Ezekiel look at funnily." Isa lang ang family car namin."

Ah, so he didn't drive to get in here. That made me more confuse. Malayo ang school niya dito at kung nag-abala siyang pumunta dito ay dapat daanan niya na din ang Ate niya." If you don't need anything, you could just atleast dropped by and say hi to her. Vacant niya naman kasi lunchtime na."

"Bola lang na naman ang hawak nun."

"Sure, but she can spare time for you."

"Hindi na. I just drop by because I'm being pathetic." Ezekiel grunted, which made me think I don't really understand teenages kids. Pero baka dahil naramdaman niya ang displeasure ko ay inayos na ang pananalita niya. Maybe he have hard feelings for me for snitching him last time." I'm just worried about something, I mean. Kahit hindi naman dapat."

I felt sick on my gut hearing that, he might be in trouble. Yun na lang ang iniisip ko dahil sa paglingon-lingon niya sa paligid."...Saka nga pala, sorry nung isa. Alam kong napagalitan ka dahil sa akin, pero huwag ka na tatakas ng bahay pag di ka pinayagan, ha? You owe it your sister to at least not make her worried."

"Yeah, yeah whatever. "Ate" Sheena." Ezekiel spat.

But even before Ezekiel turn his back from me and left me with his rude reply, I grabbed his arm. He look at me weirdly, and almost anxiously." But if you need help...You can ask me."

But I let him leave, realizing he won't tell me anything.

He look so much like Ellie, I must see my bestfriend in him. My bestfriend's face and the hardship she had for her brothers. Nagiging madilim ang takbo ng utak ko habang pinapanood ko siya makalayo at sumabay sa agos ng mga estudyante. Sana naman, wala siyang kalohang pinapasok.

I breathe in, keeping my thoughts to me----babalik pa ako sa theater arts.

"Magaling si Ricos, hindi ba? Even in acting. We won't mind keeping him forever here. But he's shy about his burns." Statement ni Kiera ang bumunggad sa akin, she was leaning on the entrance door as she watch her crew."But this genius boy was pick on earlier, kaya ngayon balot na balot ng lumang cloak sa wardrobe."

I followed her gaze."I didn't know he had bullies..."

"And I didn't know you had friend, Clio. San ka galing?"

"There you go again with humor, Kiera..."

Something from what I said made her chuckle, making me earn her twisted tongue. Her eyes are glued on the stage, she didn't even spare me a glance. " Sorry, sorry. I'm just thinking you could help Ricos like you do with others, Miss Heroine. Yung gusto mo sila tulungan pero dahil sayo mas napahamak pa sila. Pwede."

"That's how you viewed me?"

"Please don't treat yourself as a karmic force I pray, Clio."

Mabait palang siya sa akin nung isa, pero ngayon ganto na siya. I try to sort my thoughts as I clench my fist." I just try my best to help people, I'm sorry if I'm disappointment."