Wednesday. 2 days before Battle of the bands.

I am in my room doing my projects to be passed tomorrow. I decided to call Gilbert because I am bored and I don't want to do the project. Nakakawalang gana.

" Hey!" I said. Sounds tired. I heard drums from the background.

[ Hey! Hey!] He shouted because of the noise. [ S-sorry, darling. We are practicing for the competition this Friday]

" Uh, Yea! Okay."

[ Where are you?]

" House," I answered. I heard a girl singing too! It was kinda crazy and weird because I've never heard a band performing before. " How about you?"

[ Taya's]

I am going to ask who was Taya, but I remember she was the girl that we saw in the canteen. And she was also the girl who gave the paintbrushes to him.

" O-okay. Just do your best. Bye," I ended the call. I don't want to be jealous more. Why was he there? Sino-sino mga band mates niya? UGH! I hate this.

Thursday. A day before BOTB.

" Morning, Sis!" Ashley greeted me. She looked sleepy.

" Did you sleep?" I asked her. I held her face and opened her eyes. Weird.

" Of course!" She laughed.

" What is happening?" I asked. " Did I miss something?"

I was gonna call my other friends, but they were kinda busy. Zophiya was holding the papers for the projects, I think she was finishing it doing some final touches. Meanwhile, Leigh was talking to her phone and Emma was sleeping.

I was gonna reach Ashley again, but our MAPEH teacher already came in.

Recess came and as usual, I always joined my friends to buy their food in the canteen. We're walking outside and I had a glimpse of the Grade 8 STEs sitting, talking, some are on their phones.

We were now walking inside the court because it was hot outside.

" Sis!" Ashley tapped my elbow. " Sila Gilbert ata 'yon?"

I had a glimpse of the person sitting on the blue bench inside the court.

" Nando'n din si Vincent!" Ashley suddenly replied. She held my hand going to Gilbert's place. " Agh! Follow me."

" Aba! Aba! Saan kayo pupunta?" Emma stopped us.

Ashley pointed out " There! Boyfies namin may kasamang babae."

Emma smalled her eyes

" Is that--?" Emma suddenly stopped when she figured out who we're talking about.

" Let's just go to the canteen." I answered them in a monotone voice. " Or maybe I will just gonna go back in the room." I lost my appetite! UGH!

" Ay's ka lang, bieh?" Leigh asked. I think she was kinda worried.

I nodded " I am always!" I chuckled

I joined them to buy in the canteen and went back to our classroom.

" Look for yourself, Sis." Ashley flashed her phone in my face.

From: Vincent

.

Nakita ko kayo kanina hindi mo manlang ako ninotice :(

" So? Why are you showing your text?" I asked her.

She looked at the screen " Ay! Pakshet. Sorry mali."

I immediately laughed.

" This!" She showed again.

From: Vincent

Si Taya lang yung kasama naming babae. Vocalist namin siya sa banda kasi. See you sa Friday.

" Diba! Why so jealous?" She asked.

I am not! If you just knew, Sis.

I just shook my head and went back to my chair. If only my voice was that super great, I can replace Taya. UGH!

I am at home already, In the kitchen talking with my Mum and Dad. It was like a long time no see and no talks with them, especially with my Dad.

" Sweetie, Why you're not taking the wings?" My Mum wondered. Because the wing is my favorite part in the chicken, next with thighs.

" I just want to try different, Mum!" I answered. Looking in the utensils.

" Is there any problem, Natasha?" My Dad asked. His arms were in gripped, standing on the table.

I shook my head " How do you meet Mum?" I changed the question. I don't want to talk about it.

They let out a laugh, and my mom give me a serious glimpse. Oh! I remember that Dad didn't know about Gilbert! UGH!

" Do you have a crush?" My Dad suddenly asked me that made me shock. Why were they were interested?!

" No-nothing!" I immediately replied. Playing with the spoon and fork. " I just want to ask, you know!"

My Dad held my Mum's hand and kissed it. " Our love is magical, Natasha. Your Mum's side doesn't want me so as my side too."

" It's because, sweetie." My Mum looked at me "Hindi kinuha ng Dad mo 'yung gusto ng parents niya. Until we, the family had a clash."

" I want to fight for our love, Lynne!" My dad chuckled. He looked serious. " That's why I took Business Ad. with you."

" And that's our love story." They jinxed.

They laughed again. " You all are weird. I will go now upstairs."

" And! I will be late tomorrow." I told them about walking. " It's just the school will be having a foundation day!" I shouted.

I'm in my room. I went to the window looking at the stars and moon. I chuckled when I remember the moment with me and Gilbert in the sea. I can't forget how he confessed his love to me. I even tried to say a pun, but in the end, he won.

I want to call him saying the greetings or maybe how are you, but instead, I only texted him because I think they were practicing for the battle of the bands for tomorrow. I don't want to bother them.

I have my trust in him.

"Welcome to the battle of the bands, Novaleños!" The Lady Emcee mentioned with a smile.

She was so very happy. I mean, I am too because Gilbert's band will perform.

We were stuck in the stupid jail booth. Because the President of the school told to catch all the STE students. UGH!

" Tanginumin! Palabasin niyo na kami." Leigh told to the Student Guard. He was looking at the students walking, doesn't give a fck!

" Ah! Baka gusto mo isumbong kita kay pres." Leigh warned the SG because I think he snubbed her.

" Yuh!" Zophiya agreed " It is getting hot na girls!"

I'm still sitting on the ground. Worst fucking foundation day ever!

" Sis, aabot pa ba tayo?" Ashley asked me, worried.

I shrugged. I didn't know too.

" Hoy!" Leigh shouted again.

" Hindi talaga napapaos kaibigan niyo 'no?" Emma asked to us. joking.

" Palabasin mo na kami rito, President Chaste!" He told to a guy who just came. I saw the President was now talking to the Student Guard and Leigh talked to the Chaste.

" Girls!" Leigh faced to us. " Labas na! HAHA!"

Pinagpagan ko kaagad yung skirt ko that I'm wearing. And I got my makeup to lightly fucking re-touch my face.

" Luh? Mars, nakalabas yung estudyante. Sunod na tayo." I heard the girl who was in jail booth to.

They were following us until...

" Sila lang po." The Student Guard replied to them. Sungit!

" Tangina! Ikaw kaya dito sa loob?" The Girl cursed. I can feel her though.

" Let her go out," Zophiya said. She was getting something in her purse. " Here's the money. Take this."

" Hala! Thank you po, ate!" The Girls chuckled.

" Pwede po bang magpa-pic? Kayo po yung lumalaban sa mga modeling diba po?" The other girl asked to her.

" Mga bieh? Ano na?" Leigh asked us. " Zophiya! Mamaya na fan service!"

" A second, Leigh." She mentioned.

We were now walking inside the court.

" Excuse me!" Zophiya politely ordered the students so they can pave the way.

We went to the court late. We were on the side of the blue bench. My friends were now shouting so as Novaleños. They're cheering the contestants!

To: Gilbert

I wish you a good luck!

The last thing I texted to him this morning.

" BiEh! Tama na kakatili!" Emma tapped Leigh's arms.

" AAAAA! Ang cute no'n!" Leigh pointed out to a boy with a red handkerchief on his head.

" Yuck!" Zophiya mentioned.

" Let's just enjoy this." I smiled at them.

" That was fire!" The Lady Emcee mentioned. She was holding a paper maybe that was the list of the performers.

" True! Partner." The other emcee replied.

" So are you ready Novaleños for our next band?" She put the head of the mic in our direction. Weird.

" Tanginumin! Ilabas niyo naaaaa!" Leigh screamed.

Emma spanked Leigh's head " Taena mo! Ikalma mo nga 'yang vocal chords mo!"

I looked to Ashley and she just shook her head.

" The next performer named their band as TFL WRO!" The Lady Emcee shouted. And the crowd went wild.

" Omyghod! Vincent's band." Ashley told to me.

" Is Taya belong to their group?" I asked her. Because their band name was TFL WRO! And that was the name of their circle of friends.

" I don't know." She said looking at them. Taya was having a mike test, I saw Vincent was tuning his guitar and Lance having a test using his drumstick.

I had a glimpse of Gilbert. He looked cool. He wore a grunge tee tucked in his denim jeans partnered with a denim jacket and white sneakers. I saw he had a metal pendant on his neck.

He looked at me. I raised a brow. He gave me a flying kiss.

" What the fuck!" I slowly whispered.

He raised his brows up and down repeatedly.

" Bassist and subvocal role ng honey bunch sugar plum mo riyan." Ashley said to me. Such a teaser!

" Who the fuck cares?" I asked her.

" Ay! Calm, Sis."

Until I heard the drum started the song.

It was Elesi by Rivermaya. It was kinda a Punk Rocky version.

I shook my head " The crowd gone wild again." I whispered to myself.

" BiEh! Nababaliw na ata lead vocal nila." Leigh pointed out Taya because she was banging her hair in the air.

" She's just feeling it." I mentioned looking at them.

" May pupuntahan ba kayo later?" Emma suddenly asked. She was shouting because of the beat that was so loud.

" Nothing." We shouted back.

" Wala naman, biEh!" Leigh replied. She was still staring at the band.

"Ika'y magtiwala sapagka't ngayong gabi

Ako ang mahiwagang elesi."

Gilbert was too focused to his bass guitar. I am looking in Lance, he was too great in drumming! Until I glimpsed again to Gilbert. He made a wink!

" Fuck!" I whispered to myself.

I am looking in the crowd. They were jumping back and forth. Gan'to ba talaga kapag may nag-peperform na band? UGH!

The First song was already done.

" So, Uhh." I heard Gilbert's voice. He sounds nervous. "For the next song, I dedicated this for my darling who's in the crowd."

" She is standing on the bench." He pointed out. " Listen, my darling."

I looked around in the court. The students were looking at me. The awkwardness.

" Omyghod, Sis!" Ashley shook my body " You're a winner!"

" Aba! May pa-special mentioning." Leigh looked surprised... kinda.

Emma coughed " Sana all, Beh." She tapped my elbow " Sana all."

It started with a strum of his guitar.

" Lift your head, baby, don't be scared."

His voice was getting nervous. And also I remember that he sang this to me last time.

" Of the things that could go wrong along the way"

He stared at me.

" You'll get by with a smile."

I suddenly felt electricity in my body and butterflies in my stomach.

" He is good in singing, Sis, huh!" Ashley told to me while vibing in the song.

" He is great." I corrected her.

" Okay! Okay." She said, calmly.

" Shoot with that note, babe!" I heard a girl mentioned on my right side. She was on the bench, standing. She was also capturing some pictures.

I shook my head. " Angel." I whispered to myself.

" You can't win at everything but you can try."

I heard soft drumming. Gilbert! UGH!

"Baby, you don't have to worry

'Cause there ain't no need to hurry

No one ever said that there's an easy way

When they're closing all their doors

They don't want you anymore

This sounds funny but I'll say it anyway."

With that lyric, He felt me like we were only the lovers standing inside the court. If only he can hear the sounds of my heartbeat.

" Kasama ba sa kanta yung paghawak sa braso, biEh?" Leigh asked me. I suddenly wiped my eyes. Taya!

" For the next song. Taya, please lead."

" Nakita kita sa isang magasin

Dilaw ang 'yong suot at buhok mo'y green."

Taya's tune was very different from Gilbert's. Can he sing the song na lang ba? UGH!

"Naaalala mo pa ba

No'ng tayo pang dalawa?

'Di ko inakalang sisikat ka

Tinawanan pa kita."

She was looking for someone in our circle. Girl, just focus on singing. She was holding Gilbert's arms 

while he was strumming the bass. Such a touchy!

"Tinawag mo akong walang hiya

Eh medyo pangit ka pa no'n."

She emphasized

" Luh! Sumosobra na 'to, ha." Leigh shouted forming a punching hand.

" We should go now, I think?" I said to them. Still shouting.

" Totoo 'yan. 'Lika na." Leigh held my hand. " Medyo nakakabwiset. Panira ng mood."

" Wait lang!" Ashley replied back. " Vincent was there."

We looked seriously at Ashley. " 'kay, Fine girls. I can text him naman."

And she took her cellphone.

" Picture muna tayo!" She said.

We had a selfie and the backdrop was their band. I want to leave early because i'm getting mad at her, Taya. And also I don't want to stay.

We were now in Honeymoon Avenue. Because Emma called it that way, that's why I called it like that too. It was like a field. Grasses everywhere. Houses are few. She came to her house with Leigh getting stuffs.

I got a stick. I pointed it on the road. Nakatulala pa rin ako dahil sa ginawa ni Taya kay Gilbert kanina.

" I think we should sit while we are waiting for them." Zophiya ordered habang sinisipa niya yung mga damo.

" It's not fucking dirty ba there?" I asked her.

" Mga BiEh!" Leigh suddenly shouted. They were back now with pillows and also a picnic blanket.

" Ayusin niyo na muna 'to." Turo niya "May bibilhin pa kami." Leigh mentioned. Laughing.

" Meron?" Emma asked

" Meron."

" Ah! HAHA!" Emma laughed back.

" Bye muna mga bIeh!" Emma mentioned.

" Itutuloy pa ba natin?" Emma whispered while they were walking away.

" The air here is nice." Zophiya appreciated. "It's nice here. Good field."

Minutes passed they came back with...

" Bakit may Tanduay?" Ashley asked. What the freak with them? Oh ghod!

" Hindi lang Tanduay." Leigh mentioned and she showed the other plastic. " May San Mig.. Apple flavored. Pili na lang kayo."

" What if a police will come?" I asked them. " I don't want to stay in the jail for a lifetime, Girls!" UGH!

" DSWD muna, biEh!" Leigh said. She looked to Emma " Atsaka wala naman masyadong dumadaan dito, bIeh?"

I saw Emma nod.

" My Mom is a teacher, Girls. I'm scared." Zophiya replied. She looked nervous.

" Hindi pa talaga kayo nakakatikim?" She asked.

Minutes passed.

" CHUG! CHUG! CHUG!" They cheering me to drink a glass of San Mig.

" Okay! Girls." I mentioned. My tummy was on fire. UGH!

" Sunset! So pretty." Leigh pointed out.

" HAHA! English." Emma replied back. " Chug pa! HAHA."

" I think we should stop." Zophiya was only the sober here.

" No!" Leigh laughed. She drank again to the Tanduay.

" Cheers!" Leigh cried. " Tangina!"

We laughed at her. " What is happening?" I asked. I'm kinda crazy right now.

" Wala lang." Leigh fake cried. " Gusto ko lang sabihin kay Taya kanina pa 'yon."

I remember they were having a fight because of that someone! HAHA!

" Maghanap ka nalang ulit, bebe!" Emma laughed while resting her body in the blanket. Looking at the skies.

" Gabi na. We should go home." Zophiya asked us.

" Wait!" Ashley was capturing the scene. " For IG purposes." She winked. Her face was turning red now.

Minutes passed. We heard the chirps in the grasses and the only source of our light was the full moon and the lights coming from the houses and also the wind was slapping our faces.

" Is Taya much better than me?" I asked them. Holding the San Mig with one hand while the other hand was holding my head.

" Siyempre." Leigh answered. " .. Hindi."

I suddenly sob. " It's kinda unfair!"

" Omyghod, Sis! Don't tell me you're crying." Ashley brought down her beverage to tapped my back.

" Ano bang nangyayari?" Emma asked " Ang gulo! HAHA!"

" I think Gilbert's having a crush on Taya." I replied to her. Looking to the moon. " I think."

" Hays! Try to ask him, Sis." Ashley asked. " Wag kang mag-tamang hinala."

All I know that my body was getting weak now. I want to sleep!

" HAHA! Tangina talaga ng mga lalaki 'no?" Leigh laughed back. Holding her hair. " Woo!"

I stand in the road. Turning around like a kid dancing in the rain even tho it was not raining. I don't care what was happening right now. All I want is to forget everything that happened.

" The world is turning so fast." I laughed.

" Matutumba ka."

" I already fall to someone who didn't catch me." I shouted, chuckled still turning.

" That's enough."

" Go!!!" Ashley was shouting. I stopped turning around. And I almost fell in the freaking ground!

" Look, I caught you." He looked, worried. He was now in front of my face. Holding my waist. I can hear his heartbeat. " I will bring you home, now."

" Why are you here?" Punching his chest. " Go back to your Taya and forget me."

He lifted me up like a wedding bride. And he placed me in a cold vehicle.

" What's your problem?" He questioned. Looking in the front mirror.

" Figure it out by yourself!" I laughed.

I glanced at him and I saw he scratched his head.

" How are you with your new girlfriend?" I asked him.

" She's not my girlfriend or what." He suddenly answered.

" I am driving you home, buckle up." He ordered me. All I want was the answer!

" You can dwrive?" I asked him. My body was resting in the seat.

I saw he nod and looked in the front and side mirror.

" Why did you left?" He asked.

" Nothing! HAHA."

" Seatbelt." He ordered.

I can't figure out what he said. Seatbelt? My body was weak!

Until I saw his side jaw in my face.

" I will do it since you can't." And he went back to his seat. UGH!

" In my age like yours now, I remember nasa kwarto lang ako no'n." He mentioned it to me. While he was driving. " Tsk!"

" Don't say to me what I can do and what will I cannot do." My eyes are sleepy that's why I didn't saw the rest.

" I think I will talk to you if you are already sober." He mentioned in a cold voice. " I have water here."

I slowly opened my eyes to get the bottled water.

" Open it for me, please." I chuckled

" I am driving." He mentioned slowly.

" Then I will not."

" Give me the bottle." He ordered me immediately. Massaging the bridge of his nose, frustrated.

" Yes, Daddy!" I replied like a baby. I suddenly thought. What the fuck, Natasha!

I heard he just laughed. Exactly we stopped in Bayan and it has a traffic light with the color of red.

" Drink." He mentioned in a low voice. Giving me the bottle.

" Okay!" I drank the water using my two hands. I heard he was talking to the phone using the Bluetooth of the car that's why I can hear some of it. But in my situation the surrounding was blurry.

" Sige po, Sir." The last thing I heard coming from Gilbert.

" Do you love, Taya?" I suddenly asked him. I wanted to make sure.

I saw his brows furrowed, " What?"

" Yeah! I knew it. HAHA!" I mentioned. " Hope you will be happy."

" god! No, darling." He mentioned. He sounded like a serious guy.

" She was pretty than me, right?" I asked him. " That's why you chose her?"

I heard nothing even my heartbeat.

I laughed. " Just pull off the car. I'll ride a jeep or maybe I'll call Kuya Roland."

He still driving the car and he didn't follow what I said.

" Why did you drink?" He said. Looking in the road.

" Cause our love was fucked up, I guess!" I answered him.

He immediately stopped the car that made me bounced back from my seat.

" Ouch!" Holding my elbow

" Shit!" He said. Looked at my seat " I'm so sorry." He was holding his head, frustrated.

" Fuck it!" I mentioned. I felt angry and numb.

" M-may m-masakit ba?" He asked, stuttered. " I can bring you directly to the hospital." He replied. Panickly.

" So you care?" I let out a laugh.

" I always do."

" It hurts." I mentioned, drowsy.

He opened the lights in the car. " Darling, Where?" He immediately asked me. Worried.

I touched my heart. " Inside." I sob now. My tears suddenly dropped.

He held my face. " I don't care with anyone. If you're jealous with Taya, well, she's only my 'bandmate'." He wiped my tears using his finger " You only matter to me, Natasha."

" Why the fuck it hurts when you're with her?" I asked. I didn't felt this with Angel, but with Taya, yes.

" Why the fuck it hurts when a simple touch makes me angry?"

I was silently hurt and wrecked inside so much that I can't any longer feel anything.

" Fuck!" The only word that I said.

" You don't have trust in me?" He asked more than seriously. His brows met each other and his jaw looked aggressive.

" Just drive the car," I mentioned. All I want was to fucking go home now. And locked me in the room.

All I heard inside the car was the engine. I'm looking outside the window. Thinking why Taya's much better than me.

We arrived at the house. Still dead air. No one was talking and I've never heard silence quite this loud.

" Can I drop you inside?" He asked. Looked frowned. " And I am sorry if I felt you that way. I didn't mean to--"

Gilbert glanced at me. I pursed my lips and looked away. He was holding my hand begging me to stay. Binitawan ko siya and I took a deep breath. I immediately opened the door car. And I didn't even say a single word even tho it was hurting me inside.

I pressed the doorbell. And the car was still not moving.

I saw Kuya Roland opened the gate.

" Ma'am--" I directly went inside passing him. I don't want to say a word right now.

Until I heard a notification coming from my phone.

From: Gilbert

Darling, Can we fix this, right?

And a tear spontaneously fell from my eye.

" Fuck, it really hurts." I slowly whispered.

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♡