Escape of Sweet Cinnamon

CHAPTER FOUR

Miguel was right sa mga sinabi niya about the activities na gagawin today. I told him to leave na dahil natagalan ang program ko. This was kinda fun. Kahit papaano ay na-eenjoy ko naman. May ilang taga ibang program akong nakausap. Pumasok din kami sa mga booths at saka may mga business stalls din dito. Mga business minded nga talaga lahat ng tao.

I ended up eating lunch alone, nasa classroom na rin si Miguel base sa sined niyang picture sa akin.

"Hi?" I looked up at the person who approached me. My forehead was creasing a little as I was trying to recognize her.

Health break ulit bago 'yung concert mamayang 3 pm.

"I'm Christea. Deanna, right?" Naka ngiting sabi niya. Hawak niya 'yung untouched food niya galing fast food. Naka tayo siya sa harapan ko. I was just looking at her.

"Can I?" Tanong niya kung pwede ba siyang umupo doon sa bangko. I just nodded. She smiled and thank me.

"It's my first time here and my friends went to different schools. Can we be friends?" She asked, sunod sunod niyang sabi 'yon.

I was taken a back, I did not know how to tell her that she should not ask people if they can be her friends because friendship just happens. Hindi pinipilit o tinatanong. Nginitian ko lang siya. Wala ako sa mood makipag-usap.

It's better this way. I don't want to repeat the same mistake I did in senior high. Back when I was in grade school and junior high, people knew me as someone who's quiet and the academically inclined girl. I do have some friends but not best friends. Well, I did but he transferred in Canada.

So in senior high, I decided to be friendly. It was a huge leap and adjustment but I tried so hard to talk to most people and accommodate them to what they need. Long story short, it was a real bad time. I don't know. When I was in junior high, even though I did not have so many people around me, people are still kind with.. ganon din ako sa kanila.

Pero nung senior years? Hindi ko alam na ganon pala ka toxic ang lahat ng tao. All of a sudden, kung ano ano na lang nangyari. I was just thankful that even though my enemies started out friends, I still have people who believed in me. They believe that I am not some stupid dumb manipulative bitch who ruin other people's reputation for fun and get easily jealous to someone else's achievement.

I am not a boy crazy who ruin my so called friend's reputation just because the boy I like liked my friend. I could name so many bitches name right now.

But, that's already done. I've learned my lesson. They did that to me because I gave them the power to. I let my guard down in senior high school. I won't do it again.

If this girl wants to be my friend, she could be. But we'll know.

I am nice and all but just don't push me to the edge.

When I finished eating, I excused myself and throw the trash before I walk towards the field. Doon daw pala gaganapin. Tahimik lang ako humanap ng pwesto at dahil maaga pa ay nasa may harapan ako.

"Hello! Deanna, right? I'm Sophia, and this is Jasmine, and Lou, and Ethan." Pagpapakilala niya sa kaibigan niya. Wala akong maalala ni isa sa kanila pero alam agad nila pangalan ko. "Sa amin ka napunta kanina, remember?"

Right. Nung nag the boat is sinking ay hinila nila ako sa grupo nila. I nodded.

"Alone?" I was about to answer when I saw Miguel walking few meters away from me. He was looking around, probably looking for me.

I shook my head. "No," I simply replied. And waited until Miguel saw me. Ngumiti naman siya at lumakad papalapit sa akin.

"Hey," bati niya. "Snacks?" Sabi niya sabay abot sa akin ng subway sandwhich. Natigilan din naman siya nang mapansin niya 'yung circle of friends na nasa harapan ko.