SEVEN AND ARROW (Montana Series 2 | BXB)

17: Phosphenes

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The Salvacion Bridge became a break-free place for Arrow and me. We became more open to each other, which made me feel more comfortable living in their house.

"Seven," said Tita Meryl while having our lunch. "Nasabi mo ba kay Arrow ang tungkol sa art center?"

Sabay naman kaming napatingin ni Arrow sa kanyang ina. "Hindi pa po, Tita," sagot ko.

"What art center?" Arrow asked.

"There's a new art center near the City Hall," Tita Meryl answered. "I registered you and Seven. They offer art lesson every Sunday afternoon."

"You know I don't like doing those stuffs," Arrow said flatly.

"No you don't," she contradicted. "I know you love arts more than anything."

Arrow seemed didn't agree with his mom's statement, and I could feel a different mood was brewing in his eyes.

"Let's try it," I jumped out to cut the tension. "I always wanted to indulge myself with arts."

No, Seven. You lied! You're a bad liar!

Hindi ako mahilig sa mga ganoong bagay, marahil dahil habang lumalaki ako ay nakatuon ako kung paano lalagpasan ang hamon ng buhay. I wasn't able to involve in any other things apart from thinking how my family would survive another day.

"Try it, Arrow," Tita Meryl demanded. "They offer sessions like painting, sculpture, calligraphy and many more."

"When will be the painting session?" Arrow asked, which surprised both his mother and me.

Tita Meryl paused for a moment, and then she began answering his son's query. "There will be painting session this month, next month will be sculpture, the following month will be calligraphy. On their second semester, they will offer performing arts like theater, dance and music. I know you love music so if you'll continue attending the art center, you'll definitely experience their first recital. I can also cook for you and Seven every Sunday and bring it to the center. Just tell me what you like and I'll cook it for you."

Tita Meryl looked like an excited mom ready to send her son to the moon. Nakakatuwa siyang pagmasdan, ngunit si Arrow ay nanatiling nakatingin sa kanyang pagkain.

"Okay," said Arrow. "But we can't attend today."

Her mom's eyebrows knitted. "But why?"

Arrow turned his head to me. "We need to attend a birthday party tonight, so we need to prepare."

"Birthday party?" I asked, then Maureen popped into my head. I recalled it's her birthday and she invited us along with my friends.

"I see," said Tita Meryl. "Then I'll just inform the art center. May mga isusuot na ba kayo para sa party?"

"Meron na," sagot ni Arrow.

I wanted to say I had nothing good to wear in my cabinet, but I knew Tita Meryl would volunteer to buy me something to wear. Nagisip na lamang ako ng ibang paraan upang maging presentable sa party.

Matapos kumain ng tanghalian ay nagtungo na ako sa aking kwarto upang maghanap ng aking susuotin. I already flipped my whole room, but I couldn't find anything nice to wear. Hindi naman ako pwedeng pumunta sa party ng naka-jeans at T-shirt dahil siguradong pagtatawanan ako lalo na ng mga kaibigan ni Maureen.

They're the icon of fashion in our school, so going to Maureen's party wearing cheap outfit would be a total suicide. Habang naliligo ay iniisip ko pa rin kung saan ako kukuha ng aking susuotin. While focusing my eyes to the shower, someone knocked my door. Daglian naman akong kumuha ng towel at itinapis ito sa aking bewang. When I opened the door, I saw Arrow's face.