Special Chapter II

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A time in Girdwood

       Axel's POV

       The Montecillo family sure knows how to piss me off. And they really made me a babysitter this time, huh?

       I never knew I'd like it.

       I admit that the idea of babysitting Arianne at first was quite bothersome. Ano naman kasing mapapala ko sa pagbabantay sa kanya? I don't even give a damn about other people, and now I'm forced to look after one.

        When she first came to Girdwood High, Shawn was particularly curious about her, too, so that added a bit– a lot to my annoyance. Kaya naman para mas mabantayan siya, I was forced to take her in our group. It's like how the old saying goes, "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer".

         Never did I know though that it will backfire on me. You see, Arianne is pretty awesome and comfortable to be around with. When my eyes met hers, it's like all the irritation I felt flew away. Her eyes, it was full of sadness, it was dead and somehow... that strong emotion is something I can relate to.

        That's the eyes of someone who just lost all of her. Someone who just lost someone so important to her.

         Nakakatawa nga kasi grabeng pagbabangayan ang ginawa namin noong una, sa sobrang lala napilitan ng umawat si Shawn... and that says a lot. Kasi kung ako walang pakialam sa iba, mas doble naman ang kawalan ng pake niya. That's why he's my best friend.

        In then at the end of the day, we just found ourselves liking her... understanding her and accepting her. And as time passed by, she's gotten close to my heart. Hanggang sa pakiramdam ko nagkaroon ulit ako ng baby sister sa katauhan niya.

        Arianne reminded me so much of my deceased sister. And I think she found a sibling in Shawn and me as well... and that's okay if we found completeness in each other. Cause most of the time, broken pieces creates a masterpiece, too.

        "I don't care, I'm not asking you to like me." That's the first thing I heard when I got closer to where Arianne is. Pinuntahan ko kasi siya dito sa may school garden para sana ayain kumain, kaso mukhang may umaaligid sa kanya.

        Nakaupo lang siya sa may bench, nakapikit ang mata habang nasa may kalangitan ang direksyon ng ulo niya. She must've been resting when this guy approached him.

        "Then that's a problem, Arianne." Apparently, they still haven't noticed my presence, too, so I just quietly stood behind them, eyebrows raised while listening to this laughing stock of a guy.

         Anong problema pinagsasabi nito?

        Hindi naman sumagot si Arianne sa kanya, at akala ata ng lalaking ito ay ibig sabihin no'n pwede na siyang magsalita ng kung ano ano.

       Why does some people doesn't understand that sometimes silence isn't equals to permission, continuation and yes. Most of the times, silence just means get lost and shut up.

       "You see, I like you." He blurted out with a smirk, acting as if that's the most awesome thing he ever said.

        What a joke.

        Nagulat naman kami pareho nang tumawa bigla si Arianne, nakapikit pa rin ang mata niya at halata ang sarcasm sa tawang iyon, tapos bigla rin siyang tumigil at nagsalita. "Ew, that's the most corny line na narinig ko. Get lost."

        I can't help but finally giggle at that. Nakuha ko tuloy ang atensyon nitong lalaking 'to, kaya bigla siyang napalingon sa akin. A shock suddenly registered on his face before he hurriedly left.

        Napailing na lang ako at umupo na lang sa tabi ni Arianne. Wala pa atang ilang segundo pag-upo ko ay isinandal na agad niya ang ulo niya sa braso ko, kaya pinitik ko ang noo niya.

       "I told you to always be wary of the men around you, and now you're doing this." She really makes me worry. Paano kung hindi pala talaga ako yung tumabi sa kanya, tapos ganito ginawa niya? Men will take advantage of her.

       Arianne scoffed at that.

      "Relax, Axel. I know yours and Shawn's presence so well naman so sa inyo lang ako ganito. Kita mo naman what I told that guy kanina, diba? Did I make sandal to him ba? Hindi naman." She even pouted making me shake my head in disbelief. Hindi siya marunong mag-back out sa diskusyon, napansin ko lang.

       "Pero you know Axel, honestly, I get so confused with Shawn and you sometimes. Di mo ata nanotice pero you act so much like each other, your actions, your preferences. Yung pabango niyo nga lang ang way ko to identify sino sainyo kasama ko, pag I haven't seen you yet. Parang like kanina lang, I knew it was you agad cause of the smell of your perfume." Hindi ko na lang sinagot si Arianne at tumingin na lang din ako sa harap. I always get that a lot, even Samantha said it before.

       I guess I've been too fond of Shawn, that while we were growing up I didn't realize I was already copying all his actions. He was and still is more mature and responsible than me, he's admirable. Hanggang sa ito na, nakalakihan ko na lahat ng mga nagaya ko sa kanya noon. Ayos lang, wala naman akong pinagsisisihan.

       "What are you doing here, by the way?" Tanong ko na lang para madivert ang usapan namin. Balak ko sana siyang ayaing kumain kaso mukhang mas kalmado siya dito, kaya mamaya nalang siguro.

        "I know what you're doing, Axel. Wag mo na ako i-change topic, I know that we both know you're aware of what you're feeling. Maybe that's the reason why unconsciously ay mas super protective ka kay Shawn. And don't even deny that sometimes you get jealous kapag may nagpapansin sa kanya, I see it always."

       "Are you going to tell him?"

       "Why would I? Letting him know about what you feel... ikaw lang may karapatan no'n. I support you, pero hindi ko kayo papakialaman, especially your decisions regarding this. Don't worry."

        Napangiti naman ako sa sinagot niya, kaya sinandal ko na lang din ang ulo ko sa ulo niyang nakapatong pa rin sa balikat ko.

       "You're the best."

       "I know." She giggled. "And by the way pala, my sagot to your question... I'm just here to relax konti."

        Relax? In a middle of chaotic garden? Well, not exactly, but it's not really quiet here since there are a few students around, too.

        "Why here? What's relaxing here?" Napaupo naman ng maayos si Arianne sa tanong ko, at idinilat ang mata niya tapos tumingin sa kalangitan. Nagkibit balikat lang siya bago sumagot.

       "Hmm, I don't know." Iyon lang ang sinabi niya tapos pumikit ulit, at sumandal sa akin.

       I can't help but stare at her before admiring the sky, too.

        Arianne didn't tell us much about her life in Hillwood. We know she doesn't like talking about it, as she is still in so much pain and anger, and we respect that. But, I remember her crying one time when she was asleep.

        Ngayon ko lang narealize... siya rin pala hindi niya alam. Hindi niya lang alam pero kitang kita ko na namimiss pa rin niya ang lalaking iyon.

       Arianne may be in agony right now. She's full of anger, yes, but I can see it– she is still longing for him. She still finds comfort and peace in just a mere remembrance of him. For Arianne, the sky will always be a piece of him. And if she finds relaxation under it, even though she's surrounded by chaos... then that can only mean one thing...

        Arianne Arabella still feels safest under Jarvis Montecillo's sky.