Why I Have To

Chapter 4

September 7, 2015

Jade's POV

With trembling hands, I flipped to the next page of the notebook. A piece of candy wrapper fell from it, I picked it up and noticed that it is an old wrapper of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. My favorite. I stared at the Polaroid picture pasted on the page which was taken during the night of the Halloween party. I smiled as I realized how young and carefree we once were. My arms were wrapped around Althea's shoulders while I was grinning goofily while my lips were covered with chocolate while Althea was looking at my face with her mouth wide open, laughing. It was our first picture together and I felt a stab in my heart as I reminisced that first night we spent together.

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FLASHBACK (Jade's POV)

"Mmmm. Super favorite ko talaga 'tong Reese's." I said as I popped a piece in my mouth. Kanina pa kami nagiilot sa village para mag Trick or Treat kaya bumalik na kami sa park kung saan ginaganap ang party at nagpahinga sa isang bench. Nakakahiya nga dahil puro bata ang nandoon, iilan lang kaming mga teenagers. Pero nag-enjoy naman kami dahil puro kami tawanan ni Althea.

"Ako din eh! Ang galing, pareho nanaman tayo. We have so much in common na, we both order the same kind of coffee, we both worship The Beatles, and now we both have the same favorite chocolate. Weird. Haha." She told me habang hinihiwalay niya lahat ng Reese's from the other candies na nakuha niya from Trick or Treating.

"Yeah it's weird. Baka ikaw ang long lost sister ko! Or better yet, baka we're soul sisters!" Sabi ko naman as I unwrapped another piece of Reese's.

"Kalma. Baka dito lang sa mga bagay na ito meron tayong something in common, baka sa ibang bagay wala na."

"We'll see, but I can feel na kahit na we don't have that much in common we'll still get along just fine." I smiled at her habang siya ay ngumiti lang din at patuloy na hinihiwalay ang candies niya.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Hinihiwalay ko lang yung favorite ko, huli ko kasing kakainin 'yan eh. Save the best for last. Haha." She said as I continued eating my chocolates.

"Hi, can I take a picture of you guys? Maganda kasi costume niyo eh." Said a good looking guy who's wearing a football player costume.

"I'm David, by the way. I'm one of the organizers sa party." Dagdag niya while reaching out for a handshake.

"Sure! I'm Jade and this is Althea." I said as I stood up for a handshake. Ganun din naman ang ginawa ni Althea.

"Okay guys, get ready for the camera!" Sabi ni David na nakangiti sa akin.

I wrapped my arms around Althea's shoulders ng bigla siyang lumingon sakin at tumawa.

"1...2...3!" Sabi ni David.

"Ay ano ba yan di ako nakatingin." Said Althea na tumatawa parin.

"Here's your picture guys. See you around, Jade... Althea." He smiled and walked away.

"Bakit ka ba tawa ng tawa diyan?" I said habang pinapatuyo ko ang Polaroid picture namin.

"Ang dungis dungis kasi ng mukha mo oh! Puro chocolate! Para kang bata kung kumain!" She said as she reached out her hand and wiped the chocolate on the side of my lips. Natigilan naman ako dahil di ko ine-expect na gagawin niya yun. I can't explain it but I felt a surge of electricity run down my spine as her hands gently touched my lips. Parang pati siya ang nagulat din sa ginawa niya.

"David's checking you out." She smirked.

"Baliw! Hindi 'no!" Nahihiya ko namang sabi.

"Jade, if you don't mind me asking... Do you have a boyfriend?" Tanong ni Althea na ikinagulat ko naman.