Chapter 1: Trash

"Kurt's here," Marga whispered.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't want to talk to him."

"Okay—"

"Audrey!" Kurt approached me.

We're currently at the infirmary because I got into a fight with some girls earlier saying that I stole her boyfriend but the truth was— her boyfriend was the first made a move to me and honestly speaking, I don't even like her ugly boyfriend.

Isaksak niya pa sa baga niya.

"I told you! Huwag mo akong ipinapagtanggol!" I yelled.

"Can you please lower your pride sometimes, Audrey? Lagi ka na lang napapasok sa gulo—"

"And you are scolding me now? Who are you? My father?"

He massaged the bridge of his nose frustratingly. I can't deny the fact that Kurt is attractive in different ways, but I only see him as a friend. Nothing less, nothing more. And me, being Persian Audrey, is not numb to not feel his feelings toward me. I know he treats me more than just a friend and I hate it. It annoys the hell out of me.

"Can you leave us for a moment, please?" Kurt said.

Marga glanced at me.

I sighed.

"I was just worried at you... thinking that this might get to your parents again."

I blankly stared at him. "What is it to you, Kurt? You're just a friend, don't act like a boyfriend—"

"Yeah, I don't wanna hear that. I'm worried as a friend. Kailangan ko bang ipaalala na lahat ng ginagawa ko sa 'yo ay walang malisya? You always misunderstand me."

"Yeah, you should. Baka masyado akong nag-a-assume rito," I sarcastically said. Bumangon ako at inayos ang uniform bago siya iniwang tulala roon.

I'm not a fool. A friend doesn't do that kind of stuff always unless he likes you romantically.

"Oh, ano? Pinamukha mo na naman ba kay Kurt na hindi mo siya gusto?" Rhiane asked when I got into them.

I shrugged.

"Alam mo, Audrey. Okay naman si Kurt, bakit ayaw mo sa kaniya?" Si Marga na naman ang nagtanong.

I sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you? He's not my type. I don't have some feelings for him. He's just my friend since I was a kid. I don't know why I have to explain myself always." I glared at them. "You guys are annoying."

Rhiane nervously chuckled. "Chill, gets ko na nga, 'di ba? Ito naman."

"Anyway, there's a party at my boyfriend's house. Wanna join?" pag-iiba ng usapan ni Marga.

I boredly stared at her. "Why don't you just break up with your boyfriend?" I rolled my eyes, so she did.

"What's wrong with you? I am in a serious relationship now, Audrey.  Hindi porke't hindi ka nagseseryoso ay idadamay mo 'ko."

"Yeah, tama," pag-singit naman ni Rhiane.

"Whatever. Okay, I'll go." I don't wanna be at home this early. It will just make my head ache.

"Deal."

"But, I need to change first. I'll go shopping."

"Kaka-shopping lang natin kahapon, ah? Ba't bibili ka na naman ng damit?" Rhiane asked.

"It's none of your business."

"Gosh, Rhiane. Hindi ka pa ba nasanay sa kaniya?" ani Marga.

"Oh, right! She's the hot chic of Angeles University."

"Are you mocking me?"

"What? Of course not."

"Whatever."

It started two years ago. Ako, si Marga at Rhiane ay parehong magkakalaban sa pageant dito sa university namin.

"Hi, what's your name?"

A girl with her red gown approached me. It was the final walk we had to do, so we're all wearing a gown.

I ignored her and just continue putting some moisturizer on my skin.

"How snob," she muttered and walked away.

Since I was a kid, I wasn't fond of people. I don't have any friends or playmates, except Kurt and my sister.

When the final walk started, I saw the girl who approached me earlier whispering to the girl she's with while glancing at me.

I glared at her direction.

She immediately looked away and got ready for her walk.

Sana matapilok siya.

I evilly smiled when she did stumble on her way back.

"Serves you right," ani ko nang nagkasalubong kami pagbalik niya.

It was my turn so I did my not so best smile and started to walk.

I was wearing an elegant black halter gown with my diamond heels. I paused the moment I reached the center.

I fiercely eyed the audience before I slowly showed my smile. I heard claps and noises from the crowd.

"And the queen for this year in Angeles University... is no other than..."  The crowd started to cheer, clap, and whistle. "Miss Persian Audrey Valderama!"

Ngumiti ang mga kasamahan ko, but I didn't smile back. Tipid lang akong tumango at nagtungo sa gitna para sa awards.

"Congratulations, Valderama. You won without exerting so much effort," said by one of my professor.

"Thanks." I received a bouquet of flowers, crown, sash, certificates and more.

Nang bumalik ako sa backstage ay may mga regalong nakalagay sa puwesto ko.

I ignored it and just sat back to rest for a minute.

"What are you staring at?"

Napansin kong nakatitig sa 'di kalayuan ang kasama no'ng babaeng lumapit sa akin kanina.

I got confused when she stood and pulled her friend's arm towards me.

"Hi, congrats, Audrey. You're the queen of this university, so you're popular enough..."

"What are you trying to say?"

"My point is... yeah, you're popular but I see you don't have any friends..."  She wandered her eyes around before looking at me again. "Pwedeng kami na lang?"

I scoffed. Akala ko magwawala siya sa harapan dahil sa pagiging suplada ko.

"E, kung ayaw ko?"

"Hindi ka naman namin pinipilit," sabat no'ng isa.

"I'm not interested," I said and turned my back to them.

"Wait." The girl stopped me when I reached the exit door.

"What?"

"We just wanna be friends with you. Bawal ba?" The long-haired girl crossed her arms and gave me her smile.

"Whatever." Tuluyan na akong lumabas habang nagsasalita pa siya.

"Congrats, hija." Niyakap ako ni Daddy pagkalabas ko.

"Thanks," I answered.

"You really are used to it, huh?"

"Yeah, I think so." I wandered my eyes around, looking for someone.

"Hija, your mom isn't with me. She went out with your sister," Daddy said.

I nodded. "Okay. Are you busy, Dad?"

Dad took a glance at his watch. "I still have an hour before my operation starts. Shall we celebrate my daughter's victory a bit, then?"

I smiled bitterly.

"You shouldn't have went here, Dad. Nagpahinga ka na lang sana. I am okay, I'll just go with my friends."

"Are you sure, hija? I am sorry." He once took a look on his watch. "Please, don't go home late. Take care," he said and hugged me for the last time before he turned his back.

He didn't even hesitate to leave me here alone. My father's really not paying some attention. He doesn't know that I don't have a friends.

I sighed and stood up. "Wala pa rin namang pinagkaiba. You are used to it, Audrey." I am not a crybaby. I just put a blank face, so people wouldn't able to read my expression.

"Hi, Audrey. Do you still remember us?" The long-haired girl asked.

Kinabukasan ay nasa bathroom ako nang pumasok ang dalawang babae na nakausap ko kahapon.

"I do. Why?"

"Can you join us? We're going to celebrate."

"Celebrate what?"

"The pageant? Wala lang, since you won naman kaya we're here to invite you," ngiti niya.

"What are your names?" I didn't know why I asked.

"Oh, right! I forgot. I am Margaret," she said.

"I am Rhiane," sabi naman no'ng isa na lumapit sa akin kahapon, at sinabihan ako na 'snob'.

I don't know what has gotten into me, but I didn't hesitate to agree.

After that celebration, there was something in me that I didn't feel before, so I decided to hang out with them again until we made a friendship together.

It wasn't bad like I was expecting.

I wore a short black backless dress and a pair of stiletto. I didn't inform my driver dahil baka pagalitan na naman ako ni Daddy kapag nalaman niya na umalis ako.

When we arrived there, some girls were already glaring at me while the others gave me a nervous smile. What's wrong with these people?

"Oh, is that Audrey from Angeles? She's darn hot, dude."

I glanced and rolled my eyes.

"Hi."

A guy sat beside me.

"Yeah?" I replied. I was just sitting on the empty sofa, while my friends were having fun somewhere.

"I am Jorge."

"I didn't ask."

I heard him chuckle. "Who were you with?"

"With friends."

"Wanna have some fun?"

I glanced at him. "What fun do you mean?"

He leaned closer. "Two minutes?"

I cringed. "What do you mean two minutes?"

"This." He then came closer and was about to kiss me when I pushed his face away from me.

He smirked and leaned again.

"Stop it."

He didn't stop, so I sighed. "You jerk." I  pulled his shirt to make him close to me. I then sucked his lower lip.

"My time's too precious. I could only spend one minute for you." Kaagad akong tumayo at nagtungo sa kabilang direksyon.

When I reached the bathroom, I took out my hygiene kit.

"Disgusting jerk," I muttered while putting a cleanser.

"Oh, ba't ka nandito, Audrey?" natatawang ani Marga.

"What do you think?" I asked while looking at the mirror.

"Naglilinis ka na naman. You didn't have fun o boring iyong nakahalikan mo?"

"He's not my type. That disgusting jerk."

"Bakit ba kasi?" tanong niya at nag-hugas ng kamay.

"Can you really imagine that? Pilit pa naman akong halikan!"

She laughed. "Ang saya ko talaga kapag miserable ka, Audrey."

"Shut up."

"Hindi ko alam, bakit ang hina mo sa lalaki —"

"What do you mean?"

"Kung ayaw mo, edi sana tinulak mo kaagad, 'di ba?"

I faced her. "I did, but that jerk couldn't just stop. At gusto mo bang gumawa ng gulo? Of course not. You're still not used to it. Kung ipahahalata mong ayaw mo, they will force you and it can lead to something. So, you better take some seconds to think before excusing yourself."

She clapped her hands. "My adviser of the year! I didn't expect you'd be talkative right now."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Let's go."

"You're late again, Audrey. Did you party again?" Fiona crossed her arms while leaning on the wall.

"Get out of my sight."

"So, that's what you've had learned with your friends?"

Hindi na ako nagsalita at nilagpasan na lang siya para pumasok na ng kuwarto.

"What a tiring day," I muttered and closed my eyes to sleep.

"HOW have you been doing, Audrey?"

Ibinaba ko ang juice at pinunasan ang aking labi bago tumingin kay Mommy. "Fine," I answered.

Himala nga at sabay kaming nag-agahang buong pamilya. It was rare seeing us complete in a one place.

"How about you, Fiona?"

"I am good, mom. Kayo ni Daddy? You should rest often."

I rolled my eyes.

"We're okay, hija. Don't worry."

"Audrey."

"Yes, Dad?" I glanced at him.

"I heard you were at the party last night."

I sighed. I thought it was something, ito na naman pala.

"Yes, I was. Who told you that?" I paused. "Oh, I know who it was no need to answer me." I glanced at Fiona.

"Audrey, can you stop? We're having our breakfast. Table manners, please," Mommy lectured.

I gritted my teeth. Did I do something wrong again?

"When will you learn?" she added.

Kaagad akong nawalan ng gana kaya tumayo ako. "Excuse me."

I heard Daddy calling my name, but I didn't turn my back and just continued to walk. "Kuya, let's go," I told my driver, he then nodded and opened the door for me.

"Ingat po kayo, ma'am," Kuya Henry said.

I nodded without saying anything.

"Hi, Audrey."

Tumigil ako sa paglalakad nang may lalaki ang sumalubong sa akin.

"What do you want?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Can we go out later? By the way, I am Jake." Inilahad niya ang kamay sa akin.

Tumitig ako roon bago ulit sa kaniya.  "We'll just see each other later," I said.

He chuckled and I found it attractive.

"Sure, thanks."

I licked my lower lip before walking away.

"Miss Valderama," someone called.

I looked over my shoulder just to see our school's dean angrily looking at me.

"Yes?" I flipped my hair before bowing a bit.

"How many times do I have to tell you that you should change your uniform to a longer one? It is way too short and revealing, it doesn't suit to our school."

"Sorry to say this, ma'am, but we're in the modern world now. Hindi na uso ang barong at filipiniana nowadays."

Pinasadahan ko ang suot ko. Ang palda ko ay hanggang hita habang ang blouse ko naman ay sakto lang sa akin, but it reveals a bit of my cleavage and belly button.

"I'll call your parents, Miss Valderama. How dare you to disrespect —"

"I didn't do anything. I was just saying what's on my mind. And I don't mind you calling my parents, I would be too happy if they can make it here. Let's see."

I turned my back at her while clenching my jaw.

My parents didn't care at all. Papagalitan lang ako at ayos na.

"Hi, babe." Jason grabbed me by the waist and brought me in a vacant room near to our floor.

I smirked.

Itong lalaki pa lang ang tumatagal sa akin ng dalawang araw. I just found him hot.

"You did not text me yesterday," he whispered to my neck.

"Do I have to inform you every second?" I raised an eyebrow while caressing his jaw.

He sighed. "Not really, I was just worried, you know."

Hinawakan niya ang panga ko at inilapit sa kaniya. He then kissed my jaw until it reached my neck. But, we stopped when someone entered the room.

"Audrey!"

Kaagad akong hinila ni Kurt na hinihingal pa at galit na nakatingin kay Jason.

"What the heck, dude?!" Jason blurted out.

"What did you do to her?"

Akmang susugod si Kurt nang ako mismo ang humawi sa kamay niyang nasa braso ko.

"Why are you here, Kurt?" I hissed.

"Audrey..."

"What's the meaning of this Audrey? Is he your boyfriend?" Jason glared at me.

I scoffed. "Are you mad now?"

"How would you explain this?"

"What? Do I have to explain?"

"Of course —"

"Leave," Kurt cut him off.

"Audrey." Lumapit si Jason sa akin at agresibo akong hinila sa braso.

"What the hell?!" sigaw ko nang nasaktan sa ginawa niya.

"Will you please get your hands off me?!"

Hinila ko ang braso pero mas malakas ang paghila niya, kinuwelyuan naman kaagad siya ni Kurt.

"Get off or you'll die?"

Jason laughed and didn't think twice to punch Kurt on his face.

My lips parted before glaring at Jason. "Why the hell did you do that?!"

"That punk's getting on my nerves," aniya at tumalikod.

"Bullshit," I whispered.

Nilapitan ko si Kurt na ngayon ay nasa sahig habang hawak-hawak ang panga.

"This is what you get. Bakit ka ba kasi nangingialam?!" sigaw ko sa kaniya at hinampas siya sa braso.

"Hindi mo ba ako pasasalamatan?"

I closed my eyes. "What the fvck are you talking about? You started this! Kung hindi ka pakialamero, hindi ka masasaktan. Stupid."

Hinila ko siya papatayo. "Go to clinic and treat yourself alone."

"Ouch."

I rolled my eyes. "Wala akong pake kung masakit man 'yan o hindi. What's wrong with you, Kurt?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with me?"

Isinandal niya ang sarili sa pader at tumingala. Masama naman ang tingin ko habang naghihintay sa kaniya.

"Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako pumunta rito. What did you do to me?" He then glanced at me.

I glared at him. "I didn't do anything, so don't ask me."

He sighed and nodded. "Nevermind, let's go. Hatid na kita sa room niyo."

I glared at him. "You don't have to."

He chuckled. "Parang dati iiyak ka pa kapag hindi kita ihatid sa room niyo kasi hindi naman tayo classmates?"

His eyes were emotional when he remembered our childhood memories.

It somehow hurt me. Back then, it felt like everything was fine. We don't have a problems to think and solve. We just play until we get tired, we only think of ourselves rather than thinking of problems. But now, it changed. I feel so problematic and sad.

Hindi ko man aminin, at hindi man halata. I am not happy with this life I am living.

"Dati 'yon, Kurt. We're not the same person anymore."

Hindi ko na siya hinintay at nauna nang lumabas.

"You're late, Miss Valderama."

"I know," I answered and went to my seat.

Kinalabit ako ni Rhiane sa gilid.
"Audrey, saan ka galing?"

"Somewhere," sagot ko habang sumusulat ng kung ano-ano sa notebook ko.

"Valderama."

"Yes?"

"What is Hematology?"

I sighed and looked somewhere to think.

"She only knows how to flirt." I heard someone whisper somewhere.

I flicked my tongue. "Study of blood," I answered and stood. "I only know how to flirt? Excuse you. I know everything you don't know." I wandered my eyes when it landed at Rea. "You trash," I added.

"Stop it, Valderama."

Bumalik ako sa upuan at umayos.

"That's my girl," Rhiane said.

We were at the cafeteria when I saw Rea near us with her friends.

"Sa'n ka?" Marga asked.

"Give me a minute," ani ko at tumayo dala-dala ang shake na hawak.

I heard noises when they saw what I did.

I acted shock and covered my mouth when I poured my drink on Rea's head. "Oh! I thought it was a trash bin, didn't know that it was a you."

"You bitch —"

But before her palm land on me, I already held her hand.

"Don't you dare lay your dirty hands on me." Gigil kong hinawakan ang kamay niya at inikot iyon.

"Ouch!"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Someone pushed me that made me fall.

My lips parted in shock. Did just someone push me?