TONY

I HOPE something bizarre would happen tonight.

Don't get me wrong though. Gusto kong may mangyaring kakaiba, pero hindi 'yong tipong magkakaroon ng sunog tapos magkaka-stampede habang nag-uunahan kaming lumabas ng venue. Definitely not on that level!

I had two purposes why I was here: To enjoy the party and to write about it. There's no problem with the first because I like the party, the people and the music. Could have been better, but this would suffice. But the second? That's my concern. Nothing worthy of being written was happening here. Just students getting wasted and enjoying the time of their lives.

"Are you enjoying the night, Tony?"

My eyes were absently staring at the crowd and the dancing lights when that voice caught my attention. Agad na nanumbalik ang consciousness ko. I was lazily seated on a barstool, my face resting on one hand while the other was shaking whatever's left of my cocktail. Umayos ako nang upo at itinuwid ang necktie ko.

A woman, whose dark brown hair tied in a bun, was smiling at me. Her crimson lips matched the color of her one-shoulder dress. She quickly cut her glance toward the reflection on her compact mirror.

She looked... stunning? Wait, that sounded like an understatement. Was that even the right adjective? I know words—a bunch of them!—but I couldn't seem to find the perfect one to describe her appearance tonight.

"Y-Yeah, I am!" I cleared my throat and tightened my necktie. My hand holding my cocktail motioned to the crowd. "I'm enjoying... this! How about you, Cleo? Nag-e-enjoy ka rin ba?"

"Ano pa bang dapat gawin sa party kundi enjoy-in, 'di ba?" Lalong lumawak ang ngiti sa kanyang mga labi. Humarap siya sa akin at itinuro ang kanyang labi. "Do my lips still look good? Or do I need to retouch them na?"

I stared at her lips long enough that I almost forgot she's asking me a question.

"T-They still look perfect."

"Really?" She shut her compact mirror. "Thanks, Tony! Hey, why don't you dance with us? Come on! Hindi 'yong nakamukmok ka lang diyan sa sulok. It's party time, you know!"

"I'll be w-with you in a bit."

She waved her right hand and bade me farewell before returning to the dance floor.

I don't normally talk this way. I only stammer when talking to people who I admire so much. Cleo Petrarch happened to be one of them. Aside from being my classmate in my course, she's also the Cleo of Clark University. She's probably the most popular varsity player in the campus and the volleyball team captain of the Clark Crowned Cranes.

How do I describe her in the best way possible? She's like the sun. She's literally and figuratively out of my reach, but she still manages to brighten my day.

Do I like her? You do know that question sounds stupid, right? Yeah, she's gorgeous—for the lack of a better word. She's cute—that much was already obvious. She's athletic—judging by how much effort she allots for her training. If you've reached this part, you should have forgotten about the question already.

My eyes intently followed her. Bumalik ako sa pangangalumbaba habang pinapanood ang pagsayaw niya kasama ang iba pa naming classmates.

Click!

A camera shutter clicked and a blinding flash of light welcomed my eyes. Isinalag ko ang aking mga kamay mula sa liwanag kasabay ng paulit-ulit na pagbukas-sara ng mga mata ko. I had to squeeze my eyes shut to protect them.

Who in his right mind would be playing with the camera flash?!

When my vision slowly returned, an image of a boy appeared before me. Unti-unting luminaw ang paningin ko at luminaw rin ang itsura ng lalaking nasa harapan ko. His hair has curls and a bunch of strands serves as fringes. He donned a suit so white, you wouldn't not notice him in the party, even in the dark. A digital camera and a media ID hung around his neck.

"Baka sa katitingin mo sa kanya, malusaw siya."

"Mind your own business, Emilio." My hand shoved him out of the way. Ang ganda-ganda ng view ko tapos sinisira niya. "May balak ka bang bulagin ako?"

"Wala naman." He grinned. Mabilis niyang itinutok sa mukha ko ang kanyang camera, pinindot ang shutter at muling naglabas ng halos nakabubulag na flash. If he thought this was funny, this wasn't!

I groaned as I covered my eyes again. Pagmulat ko, may maitim na bilog akong nakikita sa gitna. Kahit ilang beses kong ibukas-sara ang mga mata ko, nandoon pa rin. Damn Emilio and his camera!

"Sorry, I'm just testing the new camera provided by the Clarion." But he did not look or sound apologetic at all for torturing my eyes. If he was truly sorry, he wouldn't have done it for a second time. One time was enough!

"Is this your way of boasting that your publication has better equipment than mine?" I asked. He went through the trouble of saying "we've got something new!" by trying to blind me. "Why don't you test your camera on the crowd? Marami kang magagandang shots na makukuha sa kanila!"

"I forgot to turn off the flash while taking some photos earlier," he replied. "They told me to, excuse the language, f-off. Their words, not mine! Akala yata nila, paparazzi ako na pasikreto silang kinukunan ng picture."

Really? I would pay to hear them tell Emilio to f-off.

Emilio Letran is not a paparazzi. He's a photojournalist of the Clark Clarion, our university student publication. You would always see him with his camera, randomly taking pictures of students and events. When off-duty, he's using secret spy cameras to take photos of unwitting individuals and their suspicious transactions. I wouldn't be surprised if one day, someone sues him for invasion of privacy.

"So..." Umakbay siya sa akin na parang close na close talaga kami. Sinubukan kong alisin ang kamay niya sa balikat ko pero paulit-ulit niyang ibinabalik. "You like the queen of the Crowned Cranes, huh?"

"What?" My eyebrows knitted. My cheeks must be blushing, I hope he didn't notice. Well, I could blame it on the cocktail. Everyone's cheeks was as red as tomatoes anyway.

"Don't deny it, Tony." He smirked, nudging me with his elbow. "Kitang-kita sa ebidensya na may gusto ka sa kanya."

"Ebidensya?"

He directed my attention to the screen of his camera where a video was playing. I initially had no idea what he's trying to show me until I recognize the bar, the barstool, the black coat I was wearing, and the crimson dress that someone else was wearing.

My eyes went wide. "You took a video of my chat with Cleo?"

"And pictures, too!" Emilio swiped the screen to the left. "Kuhang-kuha sa camera ang pagkautal mo at kitang-kita sa photo kung paano ka nag-blush. Come on, Tony! Will you still deny it? Huling-huli ka na sa camera ko. This is concrete proof, you know."

"Fine!" I raised my hands in surrender. I wasn't in the mood to argue. Wala rin namang harm kung malalaman. Ano'ng gagawin niya ngayong alam niya? Ipagkakalat niya? The info was not worth anything. "You got me. Happy now?"

"Not really." Emilio frowned, clicking his tongue repeatedly. "I'm happy to know that you like someone. But I'm sad at the same time because that someone's already taken. You do know that she's in a relationship with Damon, right?"

"Of course. It's not as if they're keeping their relationship a secret."

Everyone in campus who's paying attention already knew.

Emilio patted me on the shoulder. "But don't lose hope, my friend. Mag-boyfriend-girlfriend lang sila. Hindi pa sila kasal. You still have a chance! Malay mo mag-break sila tonight. O kaya may mangyaring masama kay Damon. Abangers ka lang diyan kasi baka dumating na ang chance mo to swoop in!"

I rolled my eyes. I'm not that cheap.

"Sa totoo niyan, mas bet kita para kay Cleo," he went on even if I didn't ask. Kung 'yon ang kanyang pampalubag-loob, walang epekto sa akin. "'Di hamak na mas pogi ka ro'n! Lamang lang siya sa 'yo kasi may pangalan siya dito sa campus. Kung same standing kayong dalawa, malamang ikaw na ang pipiliin ni Cleo."

Umiling ako sabay lagok sa natitirang cocktail sa baso ko. The bitter taste lingered in my mouth. "There's no way to find out, is there?"

"Ilang beses ko na siyang nakatrabaho sa photoshoot para sa Crowned Cranes. She's really nice inside and outside the court."

I wouldn't be surprised. She's also nice in class. May one time na naging magka-group kami. She was responsible. She didn't let her varsity duties get in the way of our schoolwork. Kung ibang tao lang 'yan, ginawa nang excuse ang mga practice at game nila.

"Meron akong photos ni Cleo na hindi ipinost sa Clarion website. I have access sa kanilang training at games, remember? I got the perfect angle and the perfect shot. If you know what I mean. I can sell them to you at a friendly price. Deal?"

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. Now he's acting like a paparazzi. "And what am I supposed to do with those photos?"

"Souvenir, maybe?" he shrugged. "Baka gusto mong ipa-print at pagawan ng tarpaulin. You can print them on your bedsheet."

I gently pushed him away from me. "Ang mabuti pa, maging ready ka at kumuha ng pictures ng event. Baka may mangyari tapos hindi mo agad makunan ng litrato. Maunahan ka pa ng citizen journalists natin dito."

"Good idea!" Emilio said, patting me on the shoulder. "And you should enjoy the party! Narinig mo ang sinabi ni Cleo kanina, 'di ba? Dance with them! Dance with her! Kahit hindi maging kayo, at least nakasayaw mo siya."

"Just shut up and do your job," I told him off. "Kailangan ko pang mag-isip ng angle para sa news article ko."

"Article?" natatawang ulit ni Emilio. "Sus, 'yang palusot mo, napaka-lame! Maiwan na nga kita riyan. Enjoy the view. Kung wala kang gagawin, hanggang tingin ka na lang talaga. If I were you, I'd make a move by now. Wala namang mawawala sa 'yo."

That wasn't a lame excuse though. I'm writing for the official student publication of the College of Arts and Sciences, The Clark CAScade. Get it? CAS-cade! Covering events wasn't my cup of tea, but due to lack of manpower, I had to do the job. Bilang sa daliri ang mga staff ng aming college paper kaya kailangang mag-extra effort ang ilan sa amin. I want to write investigative news articles and expose the corruption in the college—if there's any. I'm not saying there is.

When I was given the assignment, I almost thought of resigning. Hindi ko masabi kung pinagti-trip-an ba ako ng editor-in-chief namin sa pag-assign sa akin na mag-cover ng event na 'to. Every staffer would see this as a blessing because the University Night is a big deal, but I only saw it as a curse, a nuissance. Susubukan ko sanang makipag-swap ng assignment, pero narinig ni Chief at hinila ang tenga ko.

Nothing's happening here, so what should I write for tomorrow? University Night, a success? I can't help myself but groan at the possible headlines and angles for this piece. Sana'y may mangyaring kakaiba rito para may worth it akong i-cover.

Nagawi ang tingin ko kay Cleo na malawak ang ngiti habang paindak-indak sa dance floor. She's enjoying the event. And I was enjoying the event because of her. She's the only consolation for my attendance tonight.

Maybe Emilio was right? Maybe I could ask her to dance with me? Wala namang masama kung isasayaw ko siya, 'di ba? No harm there. It's not like I was gonna steal her away from her boyfriend.

Ibinaba ko na ang baso sa counter, tumayo at inayos ang lapel ng aking itim na coat.

Let's do this—

Nakakailang hakbang pa lang ako palayo sa bar nang may makabangga akong babae. That was totally fine, until I felt something wet on my chest. My eyes looked down and saw a purple stain on my white shirt.

"Oh, sorry!" Mabilis na pinunasan ng babae ang mantsa sa damit ko.

"No, it's okay!" Even if it wasn't. But I had to be a gentleman so... "Ako nang bahala rito."

"T-Talaga? Pasensya ka na, ha? Hindi kasi kita kaagad napansin.

"Don't worry about it."

Kung sanang hindi ka busy sa pagte-text habang naglalakad at may hawak-hawak na baso ng wine, baka napansin mo ako.

I forced a smile and excused myself. Dumiretso ako sa men's comfort room para doon ma-assess ang perwisong idinulot niya sa akin.

"Where's that person? Why is—"

'Yon agad ang narinig ko pagbukas ko sa pinto ng washroom. I found a boy in a white coat pacing back and forth inside. He had a phone placed near his ear. Our eyes met through the mirror as I walked inside. He lowered his voice as well as his eyes to the ID hanging around my neck. He looked up and smiled at me. I couldn't help but notice the golden crane pin on his lapel.

He must have recognized me as a member of the campus press kaya gano'n ang reaksyon niya. I recognized him as Damon Dominic, one of the popular students in the university. More importantly, he's the boyfriend of Cleo.

I was amazed at how quickly he changed his tone from being agitated to calm.

Bago pa tuluyang sumara ang pinto, lumabas na siya ng washroom at iniwan akong mag-isa. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I ran my fingers through my undercut and slicked my hair back again. Wait, I wasn't here to fix my hair! Madali akong kumuha ng paper towel mula sa dispenser at pinunasan ang namantsahang bahagi ng damit ko. Pinagtinginan ako ng iba pang estudyanteng pumasok sa washroom. Was this their first time seeing someone who had a wine stain on his dress?

When I exited the washroom, the crowd had calmed down and the dancing seemed to have stopped. May isang babaeng nasa stage at may hawak-hawak na cue card. Ah, was it about time to announce who's the best looking among the attendees?

Inilabas ko ang aking phone at in-open ang Notes app. I might need to write down those names for my article. Hindi ko tuloy naiwasang mapabuntong-hininga nang sumagi sa isip ko kung paano ko isusulat ito.

"Our male and female stars of the night are..."

The lights in the venue dimmed as two spotlights began roaming around. May isa o dalawang beses na dumaan sa akin ang liwanag. Well, I was not hoping to win that useless award, lalo na ngayong namantsahan ang damit ko. If I won the awards and the judges were to see me right now, they'd pick someone else as the winner.

Then the spotlights stopped. Coincidentally, magkatabi lang ang mga estudyanteng inilawan.

"Congratulations, Cleo and Damon!"

The crowd erupted in applause as the two made their way to the stage. Without looking at my phone since I was watching them make the climb, my fingers quickly typed their names. They were given a sash and a crown, and everyone cheered for them.

Some would say that the two were destined for each other, that they are the powerhouse couple. Cleo is a varsity player. Damon is an academic achiever. They're perfect! A match made in heaven!

Do I share the same view? Jury's still out, I'd say.

"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"

"Mukhang may request ang crowd para sa ating Faces of the Night! Isang kiss daw naman diyan!"

Nagkatinginan muna ang dalawa bago tumingin sa amin. Muling bumalik sa isa't isa ang kanilang tingin. Their faces and lips moved for a kiss. And that wasn't just a quick kiss. Tumigil nang pitong segundo. Yeah, I counted. They must be drunk that they didn't care showing off a passionate kiss in front of everyone.

Was I hurt? I had already accepted it, so it doesn't hurt at all.

The hall erupted in applause as the lips of the king and queen of the night parted from each other. Muling bumalik ang maingay na music at nagsayawan na naman ang iba't ibang kulay. Everyone went back to their groove and danced as if they owned the floor.

I might need to interview Cleo tomorrow for the article.

Bumalik ako sa bar skung saan halos wala nang nakatambay roon, maliban sa isang matangkad na lalaking nakabagsak ang bangs at may suot na horn-rimmed na salamin. He easily stood out from the rest of us. How? Because he's wearing our damn blazer uniform while everyone's in their formal and semi-formal attire. His fingers were typing on a tablet PC.

"Hey, Octavio." I took the barstool beside him and slumped on the countertop. "Mukhang naubusan ka ng coat na mapag-aarkilahan, ah? Kaya ba uniform ang sinuot mo?"

"I actually thought of peeling off and wearing the human skin of whoever calls me by my full name," he said, giving me a sideways look. "Tell me, 'Tonio: won't your hide look better than my cream blazer?"

I grimaced at him, making me feel the shivers down my spine. I was hoping to burn him with my comment, but he pulled out a flamethrower and aimed it at me.

"How many times must I tell you to not call me by that name?" He returned his gaze at the partying people. His eyes seemed uninterested yet he kept on looking at them. Patuloy ang pagta-type niya habang nakamasid doon at nakikipag-usap sa akin. What a skill! "The next time you do that name, you will fall off your ass."

"Octavio naman! Parang hindi tayo house—"

I held onto my chest as I gasped and felt a mini-heart attack. Octavio kicked my barstool, making me slide down from the countertop. Pasalamat ako dahil mabilis ang aking reflexes. Kundi baka nahulog na ako sa sahig, una ang pwet, at pinagtawanan ng mga nasa paligid namin. Luckily, people around us were minding their own business.

"Parang hindi ka mabiro, ah?" Umayos ako ng tayo at in-adjust ang aking necktie. "Napakaseryoso mo talagang tao. Dapat nag-e-enjoy ka sa party. You look like someone who got rejected after making a confession. Well, I doubt you ever had the courage to confess to someone."

"Says someone who can't get himself to confess his feelings to the girl in the scarlet dress." He chuckled, taking a pause from typing. "By the way, I already had three girlfriends."

"T-Three? You serious?" Kumurap ako sa kanya. This man who doesn't seem like he had any time for romance had not only one, but three girlfriends? "You're lying! Sinasabi mo lang 'yan para magyabang sa 'kin."

"We're the same, you and I. We're journalists. It's a sin to spread fake news," Octavio said, and I nodded. That's a fact that I couldn't argue with. "Oh, wait. We're not the same at all. I write for fifteen thousand readers while you write for only seven hundred."

Ouch. He really had to rub in my face that he belongs to a bigger publication than I do.

Like that camera trigger-happy Emilio, Octavio Agustin is a staffer of the Clark Clarion. Hanggang college lang ang sakop ng paper namin, habang siya, buong campus ang readership. Some would say that he is God's gift to campus journalism. I'd say that's an exaggeration.

As I've already demonstrated, he doesn't like to be called "Octavio" because it's too old-fashioned. He prefers "Vio," but I still call him by his full given name, because why not? I enjoy annoying him. He shouldn't be angry at me. He should be angry at his parents for naming him as such.

"If you want to verify my statement, I can give you the address and contact number of my ex-girlfriends." Octavio swiped on the tablet screen before shooting me with another sideway glance. "I'm a hundred percent sure that they'll corroborate with what I told you. Wanna bet on it?"

He could be bluffing, but I don't wanna waste any of my time. Umiling ako't ibinalik ang barstool na kinauupuan ko.

"They now call you the Godslayer, don't they?" I asked. What a cool nickname, by the way. Probably the only coolest thing about him. "Who's the next false god on your list? Are you gonna go after a college dean or a university official?"

"I'm currently on a break," he replied, his head resting on his palm. "My editor assigned me to cover this event. A palate cleanser, he said. Why else would I be here in the first place?"

Halata nga sa outfit niya ngayon na hindi niya masyadong pinaghandaan at hindi siya naglo-look forward sa party na 'to. For all I know, he could have been staying in the apartment at this hour, writing articles that were due one week from today.

Octavio's name may be ancient for his age, but it has become synonymous to "expose" in the campus. He's known for his investigative reporting and hard-hitting articles that shook the university to the core. Last week, his revelation on the president of the University Student Council forced the latter to resign.

Why do people call him the Godslayer? The USC president's name happened to be Zeus, and Octavio somewhat slew him through the power of his words. He also managed to have a faculty member named Mars Marasigan fired from his job. He exposed the secret dealings between that professor and the students whom he had asked for sexual favors in exchange for passing grades.

So if there's anyone you shouldn't mess with in the campus, it's Octavio. Luckily, I could still tease him from time to time. Wala naman siyang mae-expose tungkol sa akin—Teka, meron yata? Petty stuff, but he could still use them against me.

"Not drinking?" I asked.

He shook his head as his fingers flew over his tablet screen. I craned my neck and peered over his shoulder to see what he's typing. He already had seven paragraphs written! "I never liked alcohol... or parties. And I still have an article to submit. I can't let myself be drunk or have hangover by tomorrow."

Compared to me who could still enjoy two days before I submit the article to my editor. Mas mahigpit at mas maaga ang deadline sa mga staffer ng Clarion. Dapat daw as soon as matapos ang event na kino-cover, matapos na ang article. They had to post it on their website and print it the next day.

"What's your angle?"

"No copying."

"Come on! Parang hindi tayo house—"

"KYAAAH!"

The world seemed to have stopped as that scream echoed in the hall. Tumigil ang pagtugtog ng music, pati ang paggalaw ng mga tao at ilaw sa paligid.

Octavio quickly got to his feet and rushed to the crowd of curious onlookers. I instinctively followed him. We squeezed ourselves through people, saying "Excuse me!" to anyone in the way. We reached the area near the stage where students huddled around a student who's lying on the floor. His face was swollen and he was loosening his tie.

Hey, that's Damon Dominic! That means...

Cleo knelt beside him, holding his hand firmly and whispering words in his ear. "You're gonna be okay. Help is on the way! Stay with me, Damon."

"Ano'ng nangyari sa kanya?"

"Bakit ganyan ang itsura niya?"

I was stunned by the sight of Damon. Moments ago in the washroom, I saw him on the phone, agitated but still perfectly fine. Now he collapsed on the floor, struggling for his dear life.

"He's having an allergic reaction!" Cleo yelled. Nagpatuloy ang mga bulungan sa paligid namin.

Allergies?

"Wala ba siyang anti-allergy medicine o kung ano?" tanong ko. Kung ako ang may allergy, lagi akong magdadala ng gamot.

Umiling si Cleo, halos hindi na maipinta ang mukha sa sobrang pagkabahala. She was sparkling when we had that small talk earlier. But her sparkle had dulled now.

"There's an epinephrine auto-injector in the clinic," Octavio said. "You might want to get one and inject it in him."

Everyone was so shocked to move an inch. Wala ni isang nag-volunteer na tumakbo sa clinic at kunin ang epinephrine na kailangan ni Damon. Maybe they did not know what an epinephrine auto-injector was or what it looked like.

"Pakibantayan muna si Damon, okay?" habilin ni Cleo sa mga katabi niya at saka tumayo. May dalawang estudyante na umupo sa tabi ni Damon at chineck kung kumusta ang lagay niya. She squeezed herself through the crowd and disappeared from my eyeshot.

She would have a hard time going to the clinic by her dress and her heels!

Without giving it any careful thought, my legs began to move. Sumunod ako sa kanya, nakipagsiksikan sa mga nakikiusyosong estudyante at sinabayan siyang tumakbo. Bakit ba kasi hindi sila tumabi sa gilid? If they didn't know what happened, they'd think that I got rejected and I was chasing the popular varsity player to persuade her to change her mind.

She almost lost her balance on the way out of the Grand Hall. Luckily I was there to catch her from falling.

"T-Thank you, Tony," she said. Our faces were just a few inches away from each other. Heto na yata ang pinaka-close na distance namin sa isa't isa. Determination and desperation shone in her eyes. They were on fire—not literally though.

Umayos ako ng posture at inalalayan siyang tumayo. I cleared my throat and mustered my strength. "Tulungan na kitang kumuha ng epinephrine auto-injector sa clinic. Baka matapilok ka pa riyan sa heels—"

What she did next left me stunned. Tinanggal niya ang kanyang heels at tumakbo nang nakayapak. Malamig ang sahig. Matigas. Marumi. Posible pa ngang may maliliit at matutulis na bagay na pwedeng makasugat sa paa niya. Pero wala siyang pakialam.

Natulala ako sa kanya nang ilang segundo bago umiling at nagpatuloy sa pagsunod.

Teka, bakit ba ako nakasunod sa kanya? Bakit ba ako nandito? Damon was not my friend. He may have not known nor heard of my name, unless Cleo told him about me. Wala akong anumang personal rason para makipag-marathon upang makakuha ng gamot niya.

The answer was obvious. This was for Cleo, not for Damon.

We got to the clinic shortly. This place was supposed to be closed by this hour, but it was probably kept open tonight because of the event. Maybe the organizers expected that something health or medical related might happen.

Dr. Fabrizia, the university physician, greeted us with a smile as we barged in. She tried to ask what she could do for us, but she stopped midway as her eyebrows furrowed. Cleo's face spelled urgency and she did not have time to explain everything. Tinanong namin kung saan ang epinephrine auto-injectors na agad naman niyang itinuro.

"My boyfriend's allergies got triggered!" 'Yon lang ang sinabi ni Cleo. Mukhang naintindihan agad ni doc kasi hindi na siya nagtanong pa.

Cleo went to the box and grabbed the only remaining epinephrine auto-injector. Damon must consider himself lucky! Kung may iba pang sinumpong ang allergies, wala na kaming madadatnang gamot para sa kanya.

"Do you know how to use that?" Dr. Fabrizia asked.

"Yes, ma'am!" Cleo answered. "Sinusumpong din noon ang allergies ng teammate ko sa volleyball. I learned how to inject this thing."

We thanked the school physician and went out the door. Nangingitim na ang talampakan ni Cleo. Hindi ko na masabi kung nasugat ba siya. Basta nagmadali kaming bumalik sa Grand Hall. This time, the students gave way as they cleared the path toward the student still lying on the floor. No one bothered to move him.

Cleo rushed to his side and knelt before him. Tumingin siya sa hawak niyang epinephrine auto-injector. Nanginginig ang kanyang kamay na may hawak nito. Could she do it?

"Don't worry, Damon. Nandito na ako."

Damon was repeatedly shaking his head. He must be convulsing already. Nanginginig din ang mga kamay niya na tila pilit itinataboy ang kamay ni Cleo.

Cleo took a deep breath before stabbing her boyfriend's thigh with the injector. Damon was looking worse, but he's still damn lucky that we made it in time. He groaned as a tear rolled down his left cheek. Nakahinga nang maluwag hindi lamang si Cleo kundi maging ang ibang estudyante sa paligid namin. Even I heaved a sigh of relief.

Damon's face became relaxed. The epinephrine must be kicking in already. Everything must be fine now. Kailangan na lang siyang dalhin sa ospital upang ma-check at ma-monitor ang sitwasyon.

Or maybe not.

He arched his back and his hands clutched on his chest. His eyes were protruding, they looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets. His mouth was gaping so wide, his fist could already fit inside.

What the hell was going on here? Shouldn't he be fine by now?

"A-Anong nangyari?" mangiyak-ngiyak na tanong ni Cleo habang kinakapa ang mukha ni Damon. "Please stay with us, Damon. Please!"

Everyone around me gasped. Saliva dripped out of Damon's mouth. His body then slowly relaxed. His arms went limp, dropping on the floor and making a soft thud. Nakatulala ang kanyang mga mata at patuloy na nakabuka ang kanyang bibig.

"Damon? Damon?" Cleo placed her head on his chest. Her eyes widened. She repeatedly shook the body, hoping that it would respond. "Oh, my God! Damon! DAMON!"

The party that was supposed to end well did not. And I kinda blamed myself for what happened. I wasn't the one who triggered his allergies, but I had wished that something bizarre would happen here tonight.

And something had.

#

And there you have the first chapter! 

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