Things have been quite bearable for Alyssa now, she takes her pills so that she wouldn't feel anxious everytime. Since its summer, her dad was trying to convince her to go to psychotherapy but she refuses to. Den also tried, but she just came once and never went back again. So, her bestfriend now is her pills.
"Ly, jamming tayo?" Kief said. They're now at the backyard of the Valdezes. Its been an unspoken agreement to make their house the tambayan 'cause Alyssa thinks that its not safe to go out everytime.
"Uhm, am I gonna sing or am I gonna play the guitar--play the guitar--play the guitar?" Ly asked. If they were in the first week after the diagnosis, they would've laughed at how she stupidly repeats the words she say, but no, they've gotten used to it.
"Ikaw bahala. Whatever you want. Ano, g?" Kief said.
"Sure. I'll just get my guitar." Ly said and stood up but Den stopped her by holding her hand. Alyssa looked at their intertwined hands in horror. "B-babe.." She said, still looking at their hands.
"You go wash your hands with me and Kim's gonna get your guitar, okay? We don't want you taking hours again before coming back." Den said. "Is that okay with you?"
"I think it is." Ly said. Den stood up, at the same time Kim did. Kim went inside to get Alyssa's guitar in her room while Den and Ly, went to the faucet near the pool to wash Ly's hands. "Is Kim gonna go back quickly?"
"Yes, she will. Quicker than you'd know." Den answered as she watch Ly wash her hands.
"Eto na! Game, jam na!" Kim said and went back to the kubo they're staying at. Ly looked at her and smiled.
"I told you." Den said.
"She's quicker than I am." Ly said while smiling.
"Yes, she is. Kaya, tara na. Kakanta na kayo oh." Den said and pointed their friends who are all looking at them.
"Wait, its just my third time. Last one, promise." Ly said.
"Last na daw, guys!" Den said and chuckled. Their friends put their thumbs up and smiled at them. "Done?" She asked Ly.
"Yup. Wait, I don't have my towel here with me." Ly said and she quickly, in just a snap, panicked. "Shit, where did I put it? Oh my gosh!" She said, looking around, trying to find the towel she always use. Its the towel she lent Den before. Its not necessarily her favorite, but it makes her feel safe whenever she uses it. And besides, its color blue. Blue is her happy and safe color.
Den went to her and hugged her, "Its in there. You left it in the table."
"I did?" Ly asked. "No, I didn't! I lost it! I lost it!" She said and looked around again to find her towel.
"Ly, eto ba? Naiwan mo dito oh!" Mika said. Alyssa ran to her and got her towel.
"Thank you so much, Miks!" Ly said and tinuyo na yung kamay niya sa towel.
"Are we gonna sing na?" Thirdy asked.
"Ly?" Kief asked her as well.
"Uhm, yeah sure. But, I don't wanna sing. I feel like I'm gonna mess up there. Maybe, I can play the guitar." Ly said.
"Okay. Kanta na lang tayo lahat tas si Ly na lang mag-gigitara." Sabi ni Kief.
"Game game!" Gretch said.
"Ate Ly oh." Bea said and handed the guitar to Alyssa. Tinanggap naman niya yun but binitawan din agad sa ibabaw ng table.
"What's the matter, babe?" Den asked.
"No, I'm not gonna play the guitar--the guitar--the guitar. No, I won't play anymore!" Ly said. "I-its not c-clean." She said and pointed the stain on the guitar. Ketchup again 'cause they're eating fries.
