Epicenter Tape #2: Point in Time

#PIT9

#PIT9

Nakatulala ako sa mga nag s-skate sa harapan, nasa park kami ni Loti kasama ang iba pang kaibigan ni Barbara habang naghihintay sa oras ng susunod na klase. They're having fun talking and laughing loudly, Barbara borrowed my board that made me sit down quietly.

"Ugh! So boring!" Loti muttered while chomping soundly, she has a lot of junk foods and assorted breads in her Balenciaga Hello Kitty handbag.

My eyes softened as I remember the last talk with Tanner two days ago, simula noon ay hindi na ako nagpupunta sa court ng village namin dahil siguradong naroon siya o sila ni Ajax. Nag t-text din siya kasi siya tuwing nandoon sila kaya iniiwasan ko na lang.

It doesn't sit right for me; I didn't like the heaviness I was feeling in my chest that time because of the fact that he has a girlfriend. Parang hindi tamang maramdaman, parang ayaw ko iyong maramdaman ulit kaya kailangan umiwas sa taong nagpaparamdam ng ganoon sa akin.

We're friends, I shouldn't feel something bitter hearing him talking to his girlfriend, right?

"Ano palang plano mo sa debut mo? Wala ka pa rin bang napipiling eighteenth rose mo?"

I shrugged and crossed my legs on the grassy ground.

"Baka si Emil na lang o si Daddy."

Wala naman akong ibang maisip, e. Ayaw kong imbitahin si Tanner gaya noong pustahan namin, that was just a bait because I didn't think he was gonna let me win.

"That's no fun! Mamili ka sa schoolmates at invite mo para mas unforgettable, papayag naman iyon kung sasabihin mong escort sa debut kahit hindi mo close masyado!" tawa niya. "Ang dami-dami, Kiya!"

"Dad will be my first dance then EJ, the last!" I countered.

I actually don't care about the eighteen roses now, it's just a simple dance with eighteen people. That's all, nothing's so special. I don't even like the idea of dancing with whoever.

She suddenly gasped exaggeratedly and a chip fell from her parted mouth.

"Oh, my God! Don't tell me The Sealed's gonna be on your list of eighteen roses? Oh! My! God! No way, I can't believe you betrayed me!"

I laughed. "Tumigil ka nga, Charlotte! Mukha kang tanga! Hindi sila kasali sa eighteen roses ko!"

"Shit! I don't believe you! EJ will surely invite them if you don't have any!"

I winced, she gasped in amusement.

"Don't take my sama ng loob seriously, it's okay! In fact, I'm so excited to see them dancing than only strumming guitars, drumming and singing! That will be a fucking chance! I'll bring my expensive and special camera to film them! OMG!" tili niya sabay salpak ng chips sa bibig niya. "Nagugutom ako sa kilig!"

Nailing na lang ako sa kahibangan ng kaibigan, Barbara went to us and left my skateboard with Ralph. Umupo siya sa harapan naming at kumuha ng pagkain kay Loti, humihingal siya sa kaka-skate.

"Anong balita rito? Tili nang tili si Loti kaya makikitsismis ako."

"As usual..." I sighed. "The Sealed na naman."

"Hoy! Bakit? Fan girl ako, e! Kaysa naman mga lalaking irrelevant ang tilian ko, such a waste of time!"

"Ha? Ang dami mon gang crush, e!" kontra ko.

"My crushes are relevant, though! Isa sa popular si Aquil, The Sealed members especially Reitius, sino pa ba? Hmm!"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Barbara at tinawanan na lamang siya habang nag-iisip kung ilang ang crush niya.