trigger warning: harassment

[Uhm! Sis, where na you?] Ashley called me.

"Coming in a few minutes, I'm already in Bayan." I replied.

[Okay, sis. Ikaw na lang kasi hinihintay namin. Ingat]

The phone call ended. It's the month of Science. We need to prepare a big project for the exhibit. Ashley is one of my project mates that I'm close with and we're having an overnight in their house.

"Thanks for dropping off Kuya Roland," I mentioned to him, waving my hands.

I called Ashley.

"Ashley, is this your house? The one with JAYCE's tarpaulin?" I asked.

[Yes! You're here na. Wait, I'm coming outside]

"Please be fast, too many kids" I ended the call.

"Hi, Natasha! Ganito talaga dito madaming mga bata," she said, laughing.

I nodded.

"Is this your business?" I asked looking at the washing machines.

"Yeah, Si Mommy 'yung responsible for that. Pero minsan tumutulong na rin ako." She replied.

"Hello, guys!" I greeted my project mates.

"Anong hello ka riyan? Late ka na, oy." Gie, one of my classmates replied.

I raised him a brow. He just laughed.

"So, what are your plans?" I asked to them.

"May idea na 'yan si Jan kanina pa. Hindi niya raw sasabihin, sis - hanggang wala ka pa. Inarte diba?" Ashley mentioned while giving me a glass of water.

"Thanks for this,"

"What are your plans? Jan," I asked him.

"Oy, Pota. Nag-blublush," Gie teased him.

"Whatever. Keep it to yourself, then." I mentioned.

"U-uhm," He's fixing his glasses, "Let's make planets?"

"Maganda," Ashley nodded.

"Made of?" I asked.

"Styro balls," he answered.

"Sige! Magaling naman na ako riyan. Ako na bahala. Kailangan din ng mga paints, ano?" Gie asked.

Jan nodded.

"Let's buy materials?" I encouraged them to buy.

"Sama ako," Jan insisted.

"'Wag ka na, boi." Gie replied to him.

"Luh? Natasha ka?!" Jan arrogantly questioned.

"Bakit? Yabang nito" Gie fired back.

"Sino ka ba, ha?" Jan asked.

"Uhm, Ashley. I think you better go with me na lang," I whispered to her.

"Nice idea, sis. Nakolekta ko na rin naman yung mga ambag nila," Ashley replied.

We sneaked out to them. Unlimited quarrels.

"Any news about you, sis?" Ashley asked me, walking.

"News? Like what?"

"Between you and your hunny bunch sugar plum!" Ashley mentioned while giggling.

"Yuck! What callsign was that?" I disgustingly replied.

"Ha? So it means wala pa kayong callsign?" She asked.

I nodded.

"Okay! Ayan 'yung mas yuck. Baka wala pa kayong label diyan, ha?"

"We're legal on her mom's side so, please. If you wouldn't mind." I said.

"Omg, Ang bongga naman pala! May pa-legal ang sissy." She clapped.

I rolled my eyes.

"Sungit. Pero sana all, huh," She laughed.

"Nandito na tayo," She pointed out the store.

While Ashley's buying the materials for our project I saw Leigh walking in the street so I came to her.

"Ashley! Wait for me. I'm going to Leigh." I said, maybe she didn't hear me because of the people here. So loud.

I ran to Leigh and I saw a boy, he's a darker shade of fine brown. I just can't describe him.

"Hello, Leigh!" I waved to her and gave them a curious smile. 

"Hala! BiEh! Ba't ka nandito?" She asked and I saw a guy beside him. 

"For a project in Science," I replied, "Who's this?"

"S-Si Chaste." She named with doubt. 

Chaste suddenly nodded at me. I saw a newspaper he was holding. Such an old guy for that! The people I'm only seeing who read that said paper were Ate Lita and Kuya Roland every morning with pair of a coffee. 

"Chaste? What happened with you and--?" I asked Leigh and suddenly stopped.

"Mahabang istorya, biEh! Oh! Sige una na kami." She faded away in my sight that made my eyes furrow. What's with her?

Chaste. What now?

"Saan ka pumunta, sis?" Ashley asked.

"Didn't you hear what I said earlier? " I threw a question back.

"Ay! Mukha ba? Kaya nga nagtatanong, eh,"

"I saw Leigh with Chaste. His new boy, I guess," I replied.

"Hayaan mo na 'yon. Kahit bata pa si Leigh matanda naman na ata 'yon magisip." She replied, "Chaste?!" She shouted when she suddenly realized the name.

"Yup! Knew him?" I asked.

"Familiar siya, sis. Tanungin na lang natin si Emma. Malapit lang 'yon here," She replied. "Parang na-meet ko na rin ata siya. Pero I don't know where."

"Oh," I nodded and we started to walk.

"Here na ata yung house nila Emma. Sigawan ko lang," She informed.

"That's wrong, Ash. Maybe there's someone sleeping--" I gazed my sight around. Looking at the kalapit houses.

"Emma, baba ka!" She shouted.

"Uh-oh," I stuttered.

" I-It's fine to shout here, sis." She winked as an assurance... I guess.

" Oh! Anong mayroon? Bakit may sigawan?" Emma went downstairs with his house suit.

" Sis, gusto mo tea?" Ashley asked.

" Pucha! Kadiri, pang mayayaman lang 'yan." She denied.

" Bopols! Tea as in hot news." Ashley added.

"Ano 'yun?" Emma nodded.

" You know who is Chaste diba?" Ashley asked.

I saw Emma nodded, again. I am so fucking confused right now.

"Kasama ni Leigh!"

" Ano? Nasaan si Leigh?" Emma asked.

" I saw her walking with him here," I immediately replied.

" Nasa bahay nila 'yon! 'Lika sugurin natin," Emma said.

" Ha? Gagawa pa kami Science. Sa school na lang natin kausapin." Ashley mentioned, raising the materials she bought.

" Hays! Ako nalang pupunta. Ciao!" Emma ran immeiately.

" Why's she running?" I asked to Ashley.

" She loves her friend, so do we naman kaso ngalang may gagawin pa tayo. Let's go." She answered.

We already in their house when I saw them playing Mobile Games.

" Wow! Bati na, ha," Ashley teased.

" Lah! Ihagis mo si Miya sa turret, oh bobo!" Gie cursed.

"Galit," Ashley mentioned, nodded.

"Guys! Please be fast, We have many things to do pa," I told them.

It's already evening. We decided to watch some movies.

"Nood tayo ng Money Heist," Gie mentioned.

"U-uhm! May dala akong USB," Jan replied while fixing his glasses, "Harry Potter?"

" Luma na 'yon, hoi!" Gie answered.

" It's still great even though it's old." He fired back.

" Oh! Okay, guys. The fire is in the house." Ashley interrupted.

" Sis? Any recommend movies?" She asked.

I was going to recommend some movie that isn't tragic but my phone rang.

" Wait, I'll answer this. It's up to you. I'm fine with any movies." I answered.

"Hello?" I greeted.

[Kumusta overnight?] He asked.

"Uh, yeah. Fine. Little stress with my project mates except kay Ashley."

[How come?]

"They're fighting every goddamn seconds"

[Kumain ka na ba?]

"Yeah! Ashley's mom cooked for us"

[That's great]

"How are you?" I asked, worried.

[Fine. Just assignments. Next week pa kami gagawa for exhibit]

"Huh? Next week? We only have 3 weeks"

[Kaya namin 'to, darling. Dalawang araw nga lang namin ginawa yung exhibit namin last year, nag-second pa]

I suddenly froze when he called darling. "C-Cheater. "

[Hays! By the way, anong ginagawa ninyo?]

"Watching movies"

[Do you have snacks?]

"Nothing, pero I'll buy if they want"

[Wait, I'll hang up]

The phone ended. I couldn't even say goodnight to him. Mad. I saw them watching... Harry Potter. I think Jan won. I said earlier that any movies will do naman that's why it's fine.

"Natasha! Good you're here na. Look at Lord Voldemort, he's so cute." Ashley whispered.

"Who is Lord Voldemort? The one with the round glasses?" I replied.

"Gaga! The one with curly hair, he's very cute!" She replied.

"Whatever, I'll watch the first movie on my house na lang." I mentioned.

"Who's that?" Ashley called.

We heard a knock on their gate. I didn't even glimpse outside because I'm busy watching.

"Pasok ka na!" I overheard Ashley whispered.

" Pakibigay na lang sakaniya. Thank you!" 

I don't want to eavesdrop anymore maybe that's an important matter, so I gave my attention to the movie instead.

"Sis! Gilbert came!" Ashley excitedly whispered.

"Really?" I replied, tilted my head slight.

"Pinapabigay niya raw 'tong dalawang plastic lang naman na punong puno ng mga snacks. Sabi ko sa kaniya pumasok siya, pero ayaw daw niya baka ma-istorbo chenelyn." She asked.

I ran to the gate looking for him.

"Natasha! Saan ka pupunta?" Ashley whispered.

"Fuck! Where is he?" I said in the air, sad.

Someone blinded me with the hands.

"You goddamn motherfucke--"

"Oh? Ano? You'll curse me?" Gilbert replied.

"No! I-I was shocked" I hugged him, He's wearing formal and black slacks.

"I-I was looking for you, UGH!" I said and punched her shoulder.

"Weh?" He teased.

I nodded.

"Did you already receive the snacks?" He asked.

"Y-Yeah. Thank you." I nodded.

"How did you know where am I? How did you come here?" I continually asked.

"I texted Ashley she said you're here raw and... uhm... I came here with my bike?" He questionly replied.

"It's too late!" I smacked him.

"Aray ko naman. Jusko ka! Hindi mo ba naapreciate na nandito ako," He said.

"You peasant, You should call me... at least." I rolled my eyes.

I saw he made a sad face.

"Thank you, I appreciate... Sir!" I replied, hoping he'll be happy.

"Welcome... darling," He suddenly mentioned that made me blush again.

"So? You want to go inside?" I questioned.

"Hindi na. We have evening service pa."

"Oh! That is why you're wearing those," I looked at it.

"Yeah, I'll go now, okay?" He said. "But, before that. Ihahatid muna kita sa loob. Ayoko kitang maiwan dito habang tinitingnan mo ako lumayo sa'yo 'no," 

"Drama... drama... drama..." I fired back, smirked.

As he said that quests, I kissed his cheeks saying goodbye. Weeks passed and it's the already Science month awarding. Our project won a special award. Emma and Leigh got the places for Poster making and Sophia got the title again for Binibining Kalikasan.

It's the moment we're waiting for. It's the month of English. I said last year that we will snatch first place as Gilbert's section did.

"Guys! Since buong section naman mag-peperform para sa This is me, any themes? Ideas?" Shana, our Class President asked.

I saw Sian raised his hand.

"Rainbow theme?" He asked. 

"Ginawa na 'yan dati ng Bohr." She replied.

"How about mga cancers?" Denice mentioned.

"Kung cancer sa ML, sali si Mark." Gie teased.

"Bobo! Sinali mo pa ako sa kalokohan mo," Mark defended.

"Ba't defensive?" Gie fired back.

"Pwede na ring mga cancer. Let's schedule our practice na lang." Shana asked. "That would be a great way to remember them."

"Jusq mga bIeh! Practice na naman. Pahirap magpaalam kay mama!" I heard Emma whispered to Leigh.

"BieH! Itatakas kita! Tiwala," She replied.

"May mga reklamo ba tayo?" Shana replied.

We nodded.

I saw Gilbert and his classmates walking outside of their building. Maybe their classes are officially done.

Many practices were done. We even borrowed the other classes to practice. We also went to school early, but we landed in 3rd place. It's very sad and brokenhearted because we poured our whole strength and passion into this. Shana also cried for fighting our section for other accuses. We choreographed it. Still happy for Gilbert because they won their piece with the pirate theme. So great! Much better than the last year's theme. Ain't comparing, but I did. Both good. Hoping for the best when we perform that jazz chant next year.

"Hulihin ang mga naka-itim na sapatos" I heard while I'm assisting at the table. 

It's already foundation day. Since I'm part of the English club we have a booth for the readers. Gilbert already went early for their section's booth also. Since I'm wearing pink sandals they'll not fetch me.

"Hello! Pwede bang malaman pangalan mo?" The random guy said.

"No!" I disgustingly shouted.

"Uhm, sorry!" he replied.

"Next!" I mentioned, raised a brow on him. What a disrespectful cunt.

I think that's the 12th guy who asked for my name and cellphone number. So irritating!

"Heiii!" I heard a guy and his voice was loud.

"Is this the booth for English? What kind of booth is this?" Angel rolled her eyes.

"Arte mo naman kung gano'n," Vincent said. " Limang tix nga, boi" 

"Be more respectful, please?" I asked.

"Sis! Ako na nga riyan sa table! Doon ka na lang sa loob mag-assist. Baka maubusan tayo ng costumers niyan," Ashley mentioned while fixing things on the table.

"Okay, then," I agreed.

It's chiller here than outside. That stupid Angel. She's stressing me out!

"Hello! Did you ate--"

"Go away! I'm not fucking interested!" I whispered slowly.

"I-i'm sorry, Gil," I begged when I noticed him.

"Pardon, Natasha?" He raised his brow.

"I-I'm sorry! Some guys are cat-calling me. I'm just shocked!" crying at him and my hands were shaking.

He hugged me for a moment and wiped my tears. "You don't need to be sorry, darling. I'm sorry if I'm not here to protect you." He gave me a tissue and I took it. Loading the words he said to me. I can't focus with those uncultured guys earlier.

"Kumain ka na ba?" He asked me.

"N=Not yet," I replied, stuttering.

"Come! Paalam muna kita. Sino ba adviser nitong booth?" 

"Ma'am Rob" I replied

"Paalam lang kita."

I saw him talking to Ma'am Rob. Done wiping my tears. Next time if someone will cat-call me I'm gonna punch them directly on their balls. Girls don't even deserve that kind of treatment.

We're now on the stall. He bought me bubble tea and a piece of pizza. He's now talking to Vincent. He's in the gate for the movie booth.

"Bro! 'Wag mo sasabihin 'to kay Ma'am," He laughed and even punched his shoulder.

"Dalian niyo na! Baka mamaya may makakita pa. Ang dami pa ng mga nakapila." Vincent whispered.

I saw Gilbert tapped Vincent's shoulder.

"Let's go, Natasha!" He said to me.

We went upstairs. The building we're walking in is not new already because we're having classes in Geometry here. We went inside to AVR. It's cold, huh. Many students are here also. He also said to me that the guys who cat-called me were being fixed by the SSG President that made me less worried.

"The notebook will play now." The teacher said in front.

"The notebook?" I whispered.

"Gusto mo mga romantic diba? Bago nito thriller after naman nito horror pero nag-reserve lang ako for romantic. Tell me if you want to watch horror," He asked.

"Yeah! No thanks, Thank you. " I smiled

"You're always welcome! My Natasha." Gilbert pinched my nose

During the whole time, he was holding my hands. I'm so happy this time. Being with him watching movies. It's like we're only in the AVR. Thank you, my psychopath.

The movie was ended. It's better than midnight sun because I hate tragic movies It ended so great but kinda sad

"I said no tragic movie," I said, punched him on his chest.

"Yeah, it is! Pero if you just feel the hidden messages of it. Trust me, you'll love it"

I nodded.

" I hope we're endgame, Natasha." He whispered.

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