Throughout high school, Rae has only really liked one person. However, after finding out that he has a girlfriend, she did her best to stay away from him. But can she still ignore it when his presence is just too strong around her? Will she be able...
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There's a swing set covered with green vines along with outdoor furniture set up on the yard. The view here will surely be amazing if the weather is nice. Puro fog na lang kasi ngayon ang nakikita, bukod sa ilang malalapit na mga pine trees.
After talking with my mom and dad informing them specifically where I am and who I'm with, I dialed Ate Rose's number.
"Ingat ka ha? Text mo ako kapag malapit ka na. At oo nga pala, may Neil na dumaan dito kanina at hinahanap ka," sabi ni Ate sa akin.
"Kanina lang ho?"
"Mga thirty minutes ago. Sinabi ko na wala ka pa. He said he'll return tomorrow morning. He's someone you know? Friend mo daw at dito nakatira sa village."
"Ah, opo. Sa Project II siya banda."
"Okay sige. Basta ha, text when you're leaving. Call when you're near."
"Yes, Ate. Thank you."
Ibinaba ko ang tawag.
Shane now knows that I know. For some reason, I'm dreading Monday. Magkaklase pamandin kami at nasa parehong club.
Neil said he likes me because I'm not Shane. That just means that it can be anyone as long as it's not Shane.
"Psst, ginaw dito."
Saktong itinatago ko na ang phone nang lumitaw si Aira. Rinig na rinig dito sa labas ang tawanan sa loob.
"A lot."
Hinila ko siya para maupo kami sa swing. I ended up telling her a short version of what I heard from Neil and Shane earlier. The thing about William, I'll tell her somewhere else.
"Wala na talaga sila pero naghahabol pa rin si Shane? It looks like she just doesn't want to lose. Kasi kamo, siya nakipagbreak at parang nagmamakaawa si Neil na lubayan na siya ni Shane. Does this also mean that Neil seriously likes you?"
"Sa tingin mo?"
"Ewan ko, Rae. Hindi ko kasi kilala 'yong tao. And how he acts around you."
"Kausap ko si Ate Rose kanina lang. Nanggaling daw si Neil sa bahay. Anong gagawin ko? Natatakot ako kay Shane! Paano kapag i-bully niya ako sa school?"
"Wala ka namang ginawang masama. Fight back, Rae!"
"Easy for you to say. Ang lalaki ng muscles mo!" Binelatan ko siya.
"Hindi naman literal! Like for example may ikalat man siyang chismis, negate it! Siyempre, tutulungan din kita. Kapag sosobra siya, ako ang bahala. I'll make a checklist on how we'll take her down!"
"Hoy, OA. Pero, okay, okay. I will not cower, master!"
"That's my girl!" She rumpled my hair.
"Oo nga pala, ipinahanap mo pa talaga ako kay William kanina. Ikaw ha, grabe na yang pang-aasar mo!" patampong sabi ko.
