Loosen Us (Loose Trilogy #3)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Trouble

"Ilang taon na rin ulit kayo magkaibigan?" tanong ni Xeandria sa akin habang pinaniningkitan ako ng mata.

Nasa may library kami, habang naghihintay ng next period. We also holding a book to act as if we're reading. Kasama namin ni Xeandria ang iba naming kaibigan from other strands, bale nasa lima kaming magkakasama.

Inipit ko naman ang ilang takas na hibla ng buhok ko sa likod ng tainga ko. My hair is on a clip bun, para presko sa pakiramdam.

"Why you're acting as if you don't know?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Wala lang. I just wanna ask some advice from Kiara the great. Baka sakaling maging BFF premium ko rin si Josaiah." Inilingan ko siya sa kahibangan niya.

"Loko, balita ko gusto no'n si Lissy. Kalat kaya 'yan sa campus," buwelo pa ni Tina. Of course they knew about those kind of chismis, they're also one of the fan girls of Josaiah.

"'Di ba pinopormahan na ni Ethane 'yon?" I can't join to their conversation to the fact that they're both talking about my other friends.

Umayos naman ako ng upo at sinara na ang librong hawak ko. "Hindi pa tayo kumakain, canteen tayo." Tumayo ako, to shift their attention.

Mukhang tumalab naman, dahil sumunod rin sila sa akin. Umatin din kami ng isang klase, this time Aiah and Ethane are here, kaya sila ang nakatabi ko sa upuan. After our class on M.I.L, they stayed here for the meantime. Mukha ngang wala silang balak na umalis. Kahit pa aalis sila, anytime soon.

"Ayusan kita." Saglit kong sinulyapan si Aiah, I can't help but to form a smile on what he had stated. Pumayag naman ako sa kagustuhan.

Sinuklayan naman niya ang buhok kong kanina'y naka-clip bun. He even stood up to his seat, and started braiding some strand of my hair. He just let my hair down, and after he put a white ribbon at the middle for final touch.

"What do you feel for your upcoming pageant? Kinakabahan ka ba?" I slowly nod on his question.

Ilang linggo na lang din kasi at magsisimula na ang contest. Next week, would be the start of my training. Ang problema nga lang, they're still looking for male representative, on the reason that they failed to convince Josaiah.

"Ganda mo." He squinted his nose as he gently tap my cheeks, as soon as he's done retouching my face.

Kinuha ko ang phone ko, to check for myself. I did a pose, and started to take a photo of myself. Sumali naman si Aiah sa litrato, at huminto muna sa pag-aayos ng kaniyang sarili. We both did a duck face on the photo. Hindi ko naman mapigilang mapangiti nang makita ang litrato naming dalawa.

Pasimple kong sinulyapan ang kaibigan, walang pagbabago. My heart still beats insanely because of him.

. . .

Alas cinco pasada nang makauwi ako sa bahay, I got surprised when Mom is already here seating at the couch. Mostly, she coming here at passed 9 PM, so it feels unusual to see her early.

Nanigas naman ako sa kinatatayuan ko nang lumipat ang paningin niya sa akin. Hindi ko maiwasang matakot sa paraan nang pagtingin niya sa akin.

"Ano 'tong nababalitaan ko na sumali ka na naman sa isang pageant?" Nagsalubong ang kilay niya habang mainit ang paninitig sa akin. "Sinabi ko naman sa 'yo na you should avoid spotlight, Kiara!"

I glanced at my Mom who's looking at me with raging eyes. I'm aware on how many times she already dictate this to me, that I shouldn't join pageantries, for her selfish reasons. But she can't just stop me.