O L I V I A   V A L E Z

I thought ambiguity was the only thing that would confuse the hell out of me. But boy, I was so wrong! After Mr. Mate left us with that dark, serious face, I can't seem to find my appetite. I kept on staring in the direction he went off. The steel spoon on my hand felt like it weighed a ton. I was having a hard time lifting it into my mouth. And my mouth appears to have made the decision to form a solid line. 

My dad seems not to mind it. He continued eating like we didn't witness the sudden change in Atlas Mate's expression. It was like someone pressed his switch, and he flipped. Wait nga! Bakit ba ako masyadong affected?  Ano naman ngayon kung biglang nagbago ang mood niya? Ano naman sa akin 'yon 'di ba?

I suddenly feel irritated. May kabigatan ang pagsandok ko ng aking pagkain, pati na rin ang  pagsubo ko. Eating dinner suddenly felt like years. Dad and I strike some small conversation, but it didn't last long. We both focused on eating. Atlas didn't come back even after we finished eating dinner. I don't know why, but I'm kind of feeling heavy. The steps I took were heavy and slow. I was almost dragging behind my feet, and I can't help myself but keep looking back.  

Where is he? He's not finished eating yet. 

My thoughts were interrupted when my phone rang, and it flashed Prima Donovan's name. What does she need? Wala pang twenty-four hours kaming hindi nagkikita. I just went home from them three hours ago. 

 "Yes?" I answered with a sigh.

"Woah, that was long!"

"Do you already miss me?"

"No, Bitch."

"Then why are you calling me?"

I heard her laugh, "I'm just kidding! Why so serious? Parang kanina lang ang saya-saya mo pa nanonood ng porn!"

I instantly felt my blood crawling up to my head. This girl! "No way! Kung mayroong masaya sa ating dalawa habag nanonood, ikaw 'yon!"

O, my god! Mukha ba akong masaya habang nanonood? I'm definitely sure I wasn't.

"Are you sure?" Prim asked in a teasing tone.

"Yes!" I said defensively. 

She laughed loudly and take note! Take note that she was directly laughing on the phone, and mine was on my ears. She didn't even bother putting away her phone. Kaya ako na lang ang naglayo ng phone ko para hindi ako mabingi.

Nang matapos siyang tumawa ay nagsalita ulit siya, "Kidding aside, Desmond is throwing a party."

"So?"

"What do you mean by so?" ginaya pa niya ang tono nang pagkasasabi ko ng 'so'. "Of course, we are going to that party!"

"What?!" Napalakas ang pagkasasabi ko no'n, kaya agad akong napalingon sa paligid. Thanks god at walang tao kahit isa. Umakyat na ako papuntang kwarto habang kinakausap si Prim. "Aren't you grounded?"

"Yes, so?"

"What do you mean by yes, so? " this time ako naman ang gumaya sa tono niya "Prim, you are grounded!"

"Like that ever stopped me from going to parties."

I scratched my forehead because she was right! That never stopped Prima Donovan. Kahit ano yatang parusa ang ibigay ng magulang niya ay hindi tumatalab. 

"I can't go, Prim. You know why."

I heard her groaned, "Come on, Oly! You always reject my invitations. I'll get upset this time for real." pagbabanta niya sa akin.

Simula nang maging kaibigan namin siya ng Liberty, ay lagi niya kaming niyayaya sa mga parties. I never accepted the invitation because I know my dad won't let me. In addition, I'm an honor student. If someone caught me going to parties, I'd be saying goodbye to my medals. Liberty was game into partying, but when their family problem emerged, she stopped going. 

"Hindi ako papayagan." I said in a small voice.

"Have you ever tried asking for permission? O, never mind! Tumakas kana lang diyan."

"What?!"

"Stop saying what every time, Oly. Akong bahala sayo, and I promise to bring you home before midnight! Err, no... before one in the morning rather or... two? Basta iuuwi kita!"

Okay, that doesn't sound convincing. And knowing Prim, she tends to forget the things she said. But, I'm curious about teen's party! I mean, I may be into studying, but I want to experience partying too! I really want to go, but I'm also afraid. 

My heart started beating hard. I gulped and bit my lip a little too hard. I closed my eyes tightly. I shouldn't think. I want this. I shouldn't think. I want this. Those words kept on repeating on my head over and over again as I weight my decision.  Be a troublemaker once in your life, Olivia! Be brave! Don't think! Just do it.

"Tagal naman—"

I cut Prima off, "Yes!" I agreed without putting too much thought into it. 

I heard her squealed in joy and mumbled, "Yes, yes, yes!" making rolled my eyes heavenly ward.

"What should I wear?"

As I've said, I never went to a party hosted by a teenager nor by an adult. I got ideas, but movies and reality are different from each other. I don't certainly want to look stupid at the first party I will be on. I don't want to look like a loser nor a first-timer, even though I am. 

"Well, just wear something cool or appealing for our age, and make sure it's suited for an escape plan." then she laughed evilly. 

Then she said our escape plan from our mansion and hell! I was so surprised that she knows the blind spot from our CCTV cameras, and the perfect wall to climb in and out. How the hell does she know all of that? Even the time I need to execute my little sweet adventure, she even knew that! Hindi kaya nagbabalak itong si Prim na pasukin ang bahay namin? I must interrogate her later about how she got her information. 

I decided to wear my marmalade-colored low-waist flared pants with built-up ribbon. I knotted it perfectly on my back to create an illusion that it has a designed hole— that emphasizes one's hips into perfection. I paired it up with a simple black cropped top, so I would be comfortable climbing our wall later. And to make my little sweet adventure easier, I decided to wear my black and white chunks. Now, my problem is the things I should have with me. 

What are the necessities for attending parties? I don't have any ounce of an idea. 

I think the phone is one of those necessities. Hmm, lipstick and gloss? Err... for retouch, right? Yes, yes, yes. I should put these in my bag. Of course, wallet and cash for emergency purposes. Should I bring some bottled water? Duh, I don't want to be dehydrated. Nakapapangit ng skin iyon. But if we are going to Desmond's party siguro naman ay mag tubig doon? Whatever! I'm fine with these things I have with me.

Nahagip ng aking mga mata ang orasan, at nang laki ang aking mga mata nang makitang malapit na sa pinag-usapang oras ang pagtakas ko. My heart started thumping fucking hard from fear of disobeying and excitement. God, these feelings were all new to me. I don't know if I like it or not, but it does make me feel somehow alive. I was feeling hot, and then it would turn to coldness. I don't know how to explain this shit properly, but the only thing I knew is it will be a remarkable night for me. And I must do it. No matter what. I need to experience this.

My hands were trembling as I gripped my doorknob, and the coldness of the steel isn't helping me feel less nervous. I deeply breathe first before finally twisting the knob and walked out of the room. My eyes kept looking from left to right. I stayed vigilant from my surrounding. Mahirap ng mahuli ano. As I walked silently, as much as I can, I was also praying that my dad would be too busy in his office here in our mansion. And that I would not cross my path with Mr. Atlas Mate or anyone here. 

I trusted all the things Prima said, and she was right! Ni isang tao ay wala akong nakasalubong. At ngayon nga ay kaharap ko na ang mataas naming pader. Itinali ko muna ang aking buhok para hindi ito haharang sa king pag-akyat. The night is still young, and even though it's summer season, the wind kept whispering from time to time. The chill of the breeze crawled into my spine as  I gazed at the towering wall in front of me. 

Suddenly, I felt like someone was watching me from afar. I instinctively turn my head in the direction I felt the gaze. But no one was there, and then suddenly the air whispered again. I bit my lips. I'm starting to get nervous, but for a different reason. I anxiously looked around, but no one was in there. I shouted in surprise when Prima's face suddenly popped on the top of the wall.

"Shh," she put her finger to her lips, signaling me to stay quiet. Prima forced herself up and sat on the wall. "Gimme your hand."

I instantly reached her, offering hands, and propped myself up. Hindi ko naramdaman ang hirap habang umaakyat, dahil sa kabang aking nararamdaman ngayon. Hindi ko alam kung dahil ba sa takot kong mahuli, o dahil sa naramdaman ko kanina. Siguro parehas lang. Nagulat ako ng makitang may nag-aabang sa aming sasakyan na puno ng mga ka-schoolmate namin. Sila 'yung ibang kaibigan ni Prima na kasama niya lagi sa kalokohan bukod sa amin ni Liberty. Hindi ako close sa kanila, but we are all cool with each other. 

Briarly—one of Prima's friends, was waiting for us below. He helped Prima safely come down, and when it was my turn, he stretched out his hands to guide me to safely jumped down. Before I finally went down, I turned my head in that direction again, and I saw some smoke coming from there. Prima told me to move faster, so I did. I said my thank you to Briarly when I made it. Masayang nagtatawanan ang mga sakay ng sasakyan. Maingay rin ang tugtugin sa loob nito. 

Prima put her around my shoulder, "What a bad girl you are, Olivia Valez." she said as she shakes her head with a smirk on her lips.

I just laugh at what she said. Prima was wearing black shorts over a fishnet and a black spaghetti strap top. She paired it up with a red haori or commonly known as a kimono jacket. 

The night is still young when we got to the party. It was held in Desmond's mansion. The blaring pop music can be heard from the entrance. Even the neon LED lights can be seen across the dark sky. As I walked with Prima and the others, I can feel the ground slightly shaking as we near the mansion, probably because of the loud music over the big speakers and bass. There is some scattered confetti on the grass on their mown grass. 

I almost got deaf when we entered the mansion. If the music was loud enough to be heard outside, then on the inside, it's deafening. Fucking deafening, but I like it so far. Everyone was holding a red cup while dancing and chit-chatting. How the hell can they talk over this loud music? That must be a talent. I keep looking around with amusement dancing in my eyes. This is way better than I thought a party should be. 

Desmond—one of the most popular and elite guys in our school, went to us while holding two red cups. His eyes were staring directly at me as he made his way to us. He has his loopish, boyish grin plastered on his face. 

"Look who's on the house!" he shouted, but it appears like a normal talking tone.

I smiled at what he said, and then he offered me the drink in his hands. I was hesitant to take it because I'm a hundred percent sure that it's not juice nor water inside that cup. But it would be rude to reject the party's host, right? So I laughed to masked my hesitation and took the drink. I smelled it, and I didn't like what I inhaled. Someone is actually drinking this kind of drink? Gosh, how could they? 

Desmond was watching me smell the liquor, and he surely saw my unpleasant reaction to it. He laughed and held his stomach.

"O, jeez, man! I expect no less from an honor student." then he continued laughing his ass off.

I don't know if that's a compliment or not, but if it were, it doesn't sound like one. Desmond patted my shoulder and mentioned the drink into my mouth. He was holding the bottom of it to my mouth. 

"Come on, Olivia! Taste it!" 

I looked at Prima beside me to ask for help, but she was so busy talking. She probably overlooked Desmond, who approached us earlier. So, now I don't have a choice but to deal with Desmond alone. Since I'm the prim and proper Olivia Valez, who gets along with everyone, I sweetly smiled at Desmond and did his bidding. I hold my breath so I won't be able to smell it. When the liquor slid from my lips to my tongue and then to my throat, it felt like fire crept into my skin. It felt burning and tasted awful. 

Parang gusto isuka ang ininom ko, pero pinapanood ako ni Desmond ng may ngiti sa labi. So I cannot do it. Labag sa loob kong nilunok ang inuming ito. I exhale shakily, and I tried to compose myself fastly. Mukha namang na satisfied sa ginawa ko si Desmond. Ininom din niya nag kaniyang inunim at nag-friendly hug sa akin.

He then whispered to me as his arms stayed on my shoulders, "Welcome to the party, Olivia!" and then he shouted something like a howl so loudly that it got everyone's attention, and they cheered with him while holding their cup in the air.

A giddy smile formed on my lips, and I whispered to myself, "Let's say goodbye to prim and proper Olivia for a while, shall we?" then I laughed and put my cup into the air like everyone else.

I walked my way in like I was a whole new person, towards the living room where a big disco light was hanging on the ceiling.  The mansion was full of my schoolmates and other students from nearby elite schools. As I walked on the corridor, people who knew me greeted me with a surprised look but with a smile on their lips. Hindi siguro nila inakalang nandito ako ngayon. Well, it's summer, and I'm an upcoming freshman. I should probably try things kind of things, and there's always a first time to everything.

Nang makapunta ako sa kitchen kung na saan ang drinks at finger foods ay nakasalubong ko si Felix Valez. He was Liberty's half-brother, and we are acquaintance since maayos naman ang tungo niya kay Liberty as a sister. He smiled at me and bumped his cup to mine, and drank it. And I think I was supposed to drink with him, so I did. 

Nagtaka siya nang makita ang expression ko nang malunok ko ang inumin. 

"What's with your drink?"

"I don't know. "I said honestly, and then I looked at my empty cup. "Desmond gave it to me."

Kinuha niya sa akin ang cup ko at inamoy iyon. "This is tequila, Olivia, and if I'm not mistaken, there's something else mixed here." Iiling-iling sabi niya sa akin, at itinapon ang baso ko sa sink.

"What?!"

"Rule number one, Olivia, don't drink if you don't know what kind of beverage it is. Parties can sometimes be dangerous." 

All I could do was to hang my mouth open from all the words he said. Felix chuckled when he saw my reaction. Pumunta siya sa malaking fruit punch at kumuha doon. Inabot niya sa akin nag kinuhang inumin. I looked at him and the cup suspiciously. I have learned my lesson. 

He laughed and said, "Good girl. You learn fast, huh. Don't worry, that's just a fruit punch with vodka. That's much safer than the pure tequila you were drinking awhile ago."

"You sure?" I took the cup and smelled it.

"Yes, My Lady."

Felix and I chuckled at what he said, and then someone from his school called for him. They pointed out a table full of red cups and ping-pong balls bouncing from different directions. Teenagers were also crowding there. After Felix said that he was coming, he looked at me again, and he probably saw the curiosity in my eyes.

"Do you wanna go there?"

I instantly agreed, "Yeah."

The crowd cheered when they saw as walked in na pinanungahan ng mga kaibigan ni Felix. May narinig pa akong sumipol, ang iba naman ay pinag-uusapan kung gaano kagwapo si Felix. And I cannot blame them. Felix is indeed a good-looking man. His hair was cleanly brushed up, and his chinky eyes made him look intimidating. Idagdag mo pa ang manipis at matangos nitong ilong, high cheekbones, and finely shaped jawline. Hindi sila ganoon magkamukha ni Liberty, pero, they both have an intimidating aura around them. Talagang nababagay sa kaniya ang kanilang surname na Kings. They are truly living with it. 

"What's that?" I said as I pointed at the table tennis table full of beer cups in a triangle formation. 

"Well, in parties, everyone likes playing beer pongs."

"Beer pongs?"

He looked at me and nodded, "You need to shoot the ping-pong balls to your opponent's cup by bouncing it on the table."

"Where is the fun?"

"The fun part is that your opponent must drink the cup where you shoot your ball. And the first one who got his ass drunk is the loser. And at parties, drunkards got their videos uploaded first thing in the morning. You surely don't want that happening to you because drunk people always do... stupid things."

I gulped at what Felix said. The last words he said sound like a warning. Uminom ako ng aking inumin para maitago ang kabang naramdaman. And to my surprise, Felix was right! This is way better than what I drunk a while ago. Way, way better. It was like a citrus-flavored juice. Ni hindi ko malasahan ang alak na nakahalo. 

Felix excused himself and went to his friends. Nakipag-high five siya sa mga ito at narinig kong kinakantyawan siya dahil sa akin. Napailing na lamang ako sa aking mag naririnig. Halos maitapon ko ang iniinom nang biglang may umakbay sa akin. Paglingon ko ay si Prim lang pala ito, at may hawak-hawak rin siyang sariling inumin.

"Kanina pa kita hinahanap."

"Congratulations! You have found the treasure." I responded as I laugh.

She looked at me weirdly, and then her gaze went to the cup I was holding. "Are you drunk?"

"No!"

Umiling na lamang siya, "Anyway, do you wanna play that?" inginuso niya ang table tennis.

"I dunno." parang gusto kong i-try kaso nakatatakot. I could still remember what Felix said. 

Magsasalita na sana sino Prim ulit, kaso naghiyawan bigla ang mga tao sa area namin. Ayon pala ay magsisimula na ang laro. Felix is playing with one of his friends. They're playing the beer pong by two's. Kada pasok ng bola ya naghihiyawan ang mga tao, kaya nadadala na rin ako. Nakihihiyaw na rin ako kapag may bolang pumapasok sa beer cup. Halos dalawang cup lang ang nainom ng team nila Felix, samantalang paubos na ang kalabang team nila. 

Muli kaming naghiyawan nang tuluyan nang matalo nila Felix ang kalaban nila. Nagulat ako nang biglang lumuhod sa gilid ang isang sa mga kalaban nila, at sumuka doon. Ang mas kinagulat ko ay ang paglalabas ng mga tao ng kani-kanilang cellphone. O, my god! Totoo nga ang sinabi ni Felix na lahat ng mangyayari sa larong ito ay nakukuhanan. Natawa na lang ako sa mga nangyayari.

Not until Prima pulled me towards the table. Tinulak niya ang kakampi ng sumusuka na nakatayo pa rin sa may dulo ng tennis table. Unti-unti akong umiling nang mapagtanto ang gustong mangyari ni Prim. O, no, no, no! This is not happening.

"Our turn!" masayang sigaw ni Prima na ikinahiyaw muli ng mga tao sa loob.

Nagtaas ng kilay sa akin si Felix at nakangiting umiling. I bit my lips and pinched Prim's waist. 

"Come on, Olivia. Let's have fun!"

I just rolled my eyes at her. Inayos muli nila ang mga bote, and pinuno ito ng beer. At wala akong idea kung anong inumin 'yon, pero kung iniinom nila ito sa ganitong laro siguro safe iyon. Hindi ba?

Ako ang unang pinaglaro ni Prim because she believes in beginner's luck. But I'm actually quite athletic. I mean, I can do sports, kaya ng ako naging straight-A student sa school namin, e. Halos mabingi ako ng nag-cheer sila dahil unang bola ko pa lamang ay tumalbog na. I also laughed when I saw Felix drinking the beer that I got. As the game went on, hindi ko namalayang puro tawa at ngiti na laging nasa bibig ko. Ni hindi ko napansing naiinitan na pala ko until we are down to our last three cups. I looked at Prim, and she still looked so fine! Akala ko ay hindi kami naglalaro at umiinom. On the other hand, Felix and his friend both looked tipsy.

Isang baso na lang ang natitira sa kabilang kupunan, habang tatlo pa ang sa amin. Ako ngayon ang may hawak ng bola, pero akala ko ba iisa na lang ang cup nila? E, bakit dalawa itong nakikita ko? Saka bakit ang likot nilang lahat? Alam kong may sinasabi sa akin si Prim, pero hindi ko na siya marinig ng maayos. Para silang nasa loob ng kweba, kaya tumango-tango na lang ako at tumawa na akala mo ay naiintindihan siya nang maayos. 

Will the concentration and strength I have summoned, I bounce the ball. And to my surprised, it bounced so hard that it hit the ceiling. I ducked as I laugh so hard, and everyone ducked too. But what shook us the most... the ping-pong ball landed perfectly on their cup, and everyone cheered so wildly! Kahit ang nasa kabilang area ay napasilip sa amin dahil sa lakas ng hiyawan. Prima hugged me tightly, and we jumped as we shout to our heart's content. God, this is really fun.

The night is getting darker, but the party was still so alive. I don't know what was happening anymore.  I just found myself dancing on the dance floor. The big disco ball at the top of my head while the blinding neon light danced with us. The music was too loud, and my heart was thumping too loud. I sway and grind my body while my hand was in the air. Music was like a drug that takes me up even higher till my head is humming with pure bliss. I get the sensation that my soul will radiate so intensely that my skin will begin to sparkle as if my energy will become visible.

The pleasure is like a blast of adrenaline to the heart, closing my eyes, and I'm suddenly dancing, one with the rhythm, one with every other person dancing at this party. I don't know what was happening anymore. All I know was that I was actually able to experience this kind of aliveness for the first time in my life. Like I was dead before this night. Then suddenly, someone grabbed my waist.

I was too drunk from the alcohol and music to think straight. I hooked my arms around that person's neck. And I crane my neck; eyes still closed as I kept feeling the beat of the music and the body of this someone. I felt a soft, wet, and hot thing on my neck, so I decided to open my eyes. But as soon as I cracked my eyes open, his lips were already on mine. Without a thought, I closed my eyes again and kissed him back, even if I don't know-how.

I kissed him back. 

When I opened my eyes after that breath-taking kiss, for a moment, I thought I saw pair of heavenly blue eyes. But damn, I was so wrong. 

They weren't blue.

 They were brown eyes that were reflecting the blue neon party lights. And they were Felix Valez's chinky brown eyes.

Fuck, did I really kissed Felix Kings? My best friend's half-brother?!

~TBC~

As promised! By the way, if you guys are interested in a short story, you can read my story titled Clandestine. I wrote it for a writing competition. It was still a rough draft. Hindi ko pa kasi na e-edit. 

Please, bearing with all the errors because I don't have the time to proofread it.

Feel free to share your thoughts, and keep safe, everyone!

Love lots. :>>