Always

Chapter 18

Alex (girl)

Gone were the days where I would run away from what I like. Gone were the days when I would put my feelings in a chest and hide it away from everybody.

I thought to myself as I lie relaxed in my bed. Light is now shinning through my window and I can hear tita already cooking in the kitchen below.

Shara has gone to the mall with her friends. 'Friends' I thought to myself and smile.

I've never smiled this long in the morning. He's slowly changing me.

Alex told me last night na wala na sila ni Maxine. I can't help but blame myself for their break up. Not that I can help. It's just, sad you know.

Alex hasn't texted me yet. Siguro tulog pa siya. I willed myself to go back to sleep but I can't. It's already 7 in the morning. This is the latest hour I've waken up to.

It's cold in here. September na kasi, malapit nanaman pasko. I hate Christmas.

I don't have much memory to say that I had fun on holidays so I suppose I will. This year.

Something 'bout you, makes me feel like a dangerous woman
Somethin 'bout, somethin 'bout you

Ariana's voice startled me singing my new fave song of hers. Dangerous woman.

Kamille's calling.

"Hello, it's me" I sang Adele's hello and Kamie's voice bellowed in laughter on the other line.

"Waddup!" she cheerfully greeted me.

"Istorbo ka sa umaga alam mo yun Kamie?" I faked. But my face is split in half by a grin.

"Yeah yeah shut up" she flipped me off. "So, I called because I wanted to tell you something" she say.

"Me too" I sing song the words, excitement is evident in my voice.

"You first" she urged.

"Well, don't be shocked.

Kami na ni Alex" I gleefully informed her.

She squealed on the other line and I heard a loud thud.

"Huy, ayos ka lang? Ano yun?" I sat up straight.

"Yeah, nahulog lang ako sa kama ko. Really?! Kayo na?! Wow!!!!! I thought Caleb will beat him to you" she yelled on the other line

"Shut it" I complained.

"Tell me the details" she commanded and I happily told her everything. Except for the part where he kissed me. That memory is ours alone to keep.

She squealed louder and louder, laughed and shouted in joy as I tell her the details.

About Maxine, about the incident in Burnham. Caleb and everything.

I don't know how to deal with Caleb pero poproblemahin ko nalang yun pag dumating na yung araw.

"Diba may sasabihin ka din?" I remembered.

"Oh yeah. About that...." she trailed off. What now?

"Tell me this right now Kamie or I'll rip your eyebrows off" I warned but was joking.

"It's a little awkward right now. But I thought you might want to know" she started of.

"I heard Kevin and Allen talking in the studio yesterday. Just when you left. And they were talking about you. Nandun kasi ako sa may bandang likod kaya hindi nila ako nakita. Akala nila dadalawa lang sila. Inaayos nila yung mga upuan and that time I was tying my shoelace so I was out of sight"

Kamille

"Pare, kelan mo sasabihin kay Alex?" tanong ni Allen.

I bent low to hear more. Eavesdropper I know, I know.

Narinig kong binaba ni Kevin yung hawak niyang upuan at umupo doon.

"I don't know. I mean masyado siyang bata if you can see. But, she reminds me of her"

Selena

"Pare naman, matagal ka nang iniwan ni Selena. Matagal na siyang nasa US. Can't you just get over her?" probed Allen.

Kevin sighed.

"I did, I've moved on from her. But when Alex came in, when I saw her at the mall. Everything came flashing back. Parang kahapon lang nangyari. Alam mo yun?" he questioned himself more than to Allen.

Nag-indian sit ako sa likod wanting to hear more.

"Nasa sayo yan kung sino bang nakikita mo sa kanya. She's different Kevin. Don't tell me you like her?" Allen continued interrogating him.

Nasa US si Selena. They've been over for almost a year now. Akala ko ako lang nakakita kay Selena sa personality ni Alex. Mejo hawig pa sila actually but then who am I kidding.

Mas kilala siya ni Kevin.

"Hindi ko alam pare. Pero parang hindi lang like ang nararamdaman ko para sa kanya eh. Iba to eh, did you see the way she looked at me nung nasa Manila tayo? It's like, Selena was the one staring straight at me. Kilala mo ako Allen, what I say is what I really feel. And Alex makes me want to start again" he explained.

Oh

"So what do we do now?" Allen queried.

"I don't know. I just wanted to spend time with her as much as I can" Kevin sighed.

I played that incident in my mind and was debating with myself wether to tell her or not.

Not now na sila na pala ni Alex. This is fucked up. So fucked up.
Gusto kong maging masaya si Alex.

She doesn't need to know about this. Not right now when she's ready to face what she really feels. What she really wanted.

"You still there Kamie? Ano yung pinag-uusapan nila tungkol sa akin?" right, I spaced out on her.

"Yah, sorry about that. Sabi nila magaling ka daw kumanta. Gusto mo daw bang sumali sa banda nila?" I ask. Banda? What the fuck?

"Ahh, hindi muna ngayon Kamie. Madami pa akong gustong ayusin dito. Sa sarili ko, before I venture out to try these things" she consoled.

Relieved, I just nodded but then realized she cannot see me.

"Yah, I understand" I say propping my feet in my headboard.

"Okay Kamie. I need to go" she said on the other line.

We said our good byes and hang up.

I released my breath I've been holding. Just hold on tight Alex. Everything will be fine.

Kamie, I grew to love that nickname she gave me. Only Alex can call me that sweetly.

I laugh as I recall what Alex just told me about Alex and Maxine's break up.

Maxine will be furious about this. Huh, I bet she would even pull Alex's hair out of her scalp.

Not when I'm around.

My sister would be delighted to hear about this. I said to myself as I ran to my sister's bedroom.

**

Kamille's a bit protective I know. Just how I like her character to be. Who's Selena? Yeah, I will talk about her more when I start writing Kevin's poit of view.

Kevin will play a great role in Alex's (girl) life. So, keep reading and you'll know more. Thank you guys.

I love you

ghen❤