s i Ni s t e r

Untitled Part 7

TINABIHAN NIYA sa buhangin si Blanche.

"You are out of your mind." Sabi nito.

"Beg your pardon?"

"'yang ginagawa mo. It's so obvious."

"Nagseselos ka lang. Stop bitching, okay?"

Pumihit paharap kay Amber si Blanche, "She looks like her. Everyone can see it."

Tumango si Amber, "It's quite amazing, isn't it?" Ipinaling niya ang tingin sa dagat kahit hindi naman niya nakikita ang tubig dahil pasado alas-otso na ng gabi. Mga ilaw lang mula sa ibang resorts at nearby towns ang natatanaw niya, "Maybe that's the reason I'm drawn to her. Maybe I'm missing my sister so much and Paige reminds me so much of her. Masama ba 'yon?"

"Sean obviously shares the sentiment."

Nilinga ni Amber ang siga. Yeah. Sean was all over Paige. Nagkibit siya ng balikat, "I won't make the same mistake with Sean again. I got it, okay?"

"I really hope so...I'm gonna see Dr. Goco again tomorrow."

"Aw, shit."

"I have to or my mom's gonna place me in that facility again."

"I don't trust him, Blanche. Bakit kase...why do you have to cut yourself?"

"I can't help it. I'm not like you."

Ipinagpag ni Amber ang mga kamay. Dinadakot pala niya ang buhangin, hindi niya namalayan.

"Know what? Get up. Stop being an asshole, let's have fun." Hinila niya ang kamay ni Blanche. Napilitan itong tumayo. Inakbayan niya ito, "I think I better sleepover tonight."

"You will?"

"I know you're worried. Natatakot kay kay Dr. Goco and...he really can't be trusted. We better discuss precautions." Hinapit niya ang balikat ni Blanche, "Don't worry, I got your back."

Magkatabi silang naupo sa pagitan nina Sean at Kim. Naglalaro na ang mga ito. A campfire game called, 'what I don't want to be'. Si Sean ang itinuro ni Papa John.

"I don't want to be..." uminom ng beer si Sean.

Sumabad si Kim, "He doesn't want to be his ninang's boy toy."

"WHAT?" Bulalas nilang lahat.

"Oh, Sean---" natutop ni Amber ang bibig.

Binato ni Sean ng marshmallow si Kim, "Shut up, bitch!"

Humagalpak ng tawa si Kim, sabay kinain ang marshmallow, "Sabihan mo kasi ninang mo. Masyadong madaldal."

Gilalas pa rin si Amber, "When was it, Sean? Is it...on going? Oh, my God, I can't---"

"It's just one time, okay?" Sagot ni Sean. "We got drunk, things got out of hand...and.."

"..into the mouth." Hagalpak pa rin si Kim.

Pinaulanan naman nina Paco ng asar at marshmallow si Sean.

"Actually crush ko ninang mo." Sabi ni Ty, inilingan si Sean, "Tindi mo, bruh."

Nginisian ito ni Sean, "Gusto mo? She's really hot." Sumuyap ito kay Paige, "You're hotter."

"Oh, pleaseeeee---" Ty rolled his eyes.

"Okay next!" sabi ni Ashley. "Corny na ne'to, eh." Itinuro nito si Sean.

Nagtaas ng kamay si Blanche, "My turn."

"Alam na namin ayaw mong mabuhay." Si Papa John, nginasab ang ginawang s'mores.

Itinaas ni Blanche ang isang kamay, "But more than that, I don't want to be friends with a social climber na chimay." Kay Paige ito nakatingin, hindi kumukurap.

Ashley and Kim giggled quietly. The boys were quiet.

"Blanche." Saway ni Amber.

Balewala iyon kay Blanche, hinamon pa si Paige, "What about you?"

Tumayo si Paige, "Uuwi na ako. Ba hinahanap na ako ng amo ko." Idiniin nito ang 'amo'.

Tumingala dito si Sean, "Maglalaba ka pa?" Amber knew he was joking to lighten things up, but it made things worse.

Tumayo rin si Ty, "Ihahatid na kita."

Napanganga si Sean. Na-realize na naungusan ni Ty.