Elisha's POV

Living with my boyfriend feels a lot better than having to deal with my Mom who apparently does drugs and smokes.

How unfortunate, right?

"What are you doing?" Bruce asked me. I was studying at the breakfast table, drinking coffee. "You're studying? Why? Wala naman kayong pasok for the next two days because of a retreat that your Profs. are going to attend right?"

I nodded before turning to him, "Is it wrong to study? Para wala na akong poproblemahin the following days." I told him and he sighed before picking me up at nagulat naman ako doon before laughing.

"Put me down! Isa!"

He kissed me on top of my head before looking at me, "Wala munang magaaral. Relax ka muna, baby time dapat ngayon." He said and pouted and I laughed before nodding as he dropped me in bed.

We made out on the bed for a long time until we both cuddled each other. Iniisip ko kung ano ang gagawin ko sa ilang araw na walang pasok.

I could go out on a date with Bruce but he has classes and I don't want him to skip class for me.

"Pumasok ka na bukas ah, hindi ka pwedeng bumagsak sa klase." I told him and he just scoffed before hugging me tighter.

"I won't fail, baby. I'll stay here muna until you return to school again." He said at wala naman akong magagawa doon. Kapag nagdesisyon siya hindi na 'yon mababago. I sighed before nodding.

As I was cooking lunch may tumawag sa cellphone naming dalawa ni Bruce. It was a video call from our group chat. Kinuha niya naman ang phone niya at lumapit sa akin para kita din ako ng mga kaibigan namin.

"Bakit kayo tumawag?" Tanong ni Bruce.

"Tumawag na kami dahil hindi kayo tumitingin sa mga cellphone niyo," Damon said and we both just laughed. Kapag nandito lang si Damon binatukan ko na sana siya.

"Mag asawa na talag kayo 'no? I mean, parang mag asawa. Akalain niyo, live in!" Sambit ni Gwen and I just shook my head. We aren't planning on marrying each other yet. Marami pa kaming plano sa buhay namin.

We haven't even graduated yet!

"Pack your things, we're going to La Union. My parents booked us a private villa with a pool and close to a beach." Maddie said and we all screamed because of joy. Finally! A get away from stress and all the shit here in Manila.

"We'll leave later at 3:30 am, so pack quickly." Maddie informed us. "Also, we'll take the van to go that four hour drive so come at my house at 3 am." She said bago ibaba ang tawag.

Ginawa naman namin ang mga pinagawa ni Maddie. We packed our things and I even cooked baked mac for the road with them. Alam kong mabilis magutom ang mga kaibigan ko kaya kailangan may dala akong pagkain para sa kanila.

"Aren't you going to bring a lingerie?" Bruce teased and I just rolled my eyes before putting the red lingerie that he bought for me.

It was 10 pm and I told him that we should rest muna kahit plano naming matulog lang buong drive papunta sa La Union. I did the research na sobrang init daw doon so I didn't bring any shirts, I packed tank tops and tube tops.

Wala namang paki si Bruce sa suot ko eh, support pa nga siya sa pagiging hubadera ko eh. Minsan nga siya pa ang magsasabi sa akin to show a little bit of skin. That's what I love about him, hindi strict, cool with everything I do.

My alarm rang and it was 2:45 am. "Bruce wake up," I said in a sleepy voice. Humigpit lang ang yakap niya sa aking bewang and I sighed before pushing him off the bed.

"What the fuck baby?" He sounded pissed and I just laughed at him before I stood up to change into a high waisted shorts and white tank top.

Mabilis lang din naman nag ayos si Bruce. He carried our bags to his car and we had coffee on the go.

When we arrived at Maddie's house nandoon na si Damon at Gwen. Si Christopher na lang ang hinihintay namin.

"Sino pala magdadrive ng van?" Tanong ni Gwen.

"Gusto mo ikaw," Maddie answered sarcasrically.

After a few more minutes dumating na si Christopher na may mga sugat pero nung tinanong namin kung ano nangyari hindi niya lang kami singaot. That is so weird of him.

Pagpasok namin sa van si Damon ang magdadrive tas kalagitnaan ay magpapalit sila ni Maddie. Nakita ko naman na naglabas si Gwen ng alak sa kanyang bag at agad kami umiling. "Ang aga aga alak agad ang gusto mo?" I asked her and she just scoffed.

"Come on, it's not like we're not drinking at this hour noon." She rolled her eyes before giving us a bottle of beer. Isa lang ang tinanggap namin ni Bruce dahil magsshare na lang kami. I just had coffee and they are not a good combination.

Baka mamaya masuka ako sa kotse ng wala sa oras.

While we were half way in the drive, we stopped at a gasoline station with a few fast foods. We decided to eat breakfast there.

It was currently 5 am and we have 2 more hours left. Excited na ako ulit makatapak sa buhangin!

We cuddled at the back until I felt something hitting my eyes. Nakatigil na kami sa isang parking area sa harap ng malaking villa.

Nagunat ako bago bumaba to feel the fresh air. Sumunod naman din si Bruce at dinala na sa loob yung mga gamit namin.

Bruce picked our room at may balcony iyon na may view sa back yard.

Malaki ang villa na nirenta ng Mom ni Maddie. May volleyball net sa private beach tapos malaki din ang pool. There is even a swing perfect for taking pictures.

"Oh baby, mamaya ka na mag picture. Ligo ka muna, asim mo na," Bruce teased as he sniffed my neck at binatukan ko namam siya.

Sumunod naman ako sa kanya at naligo. I wore a pastel purple one piece bikini and a denim shorts.

We chilled at the living room first dahil nagluluto pa ng pagkain si Damon. Niyaya ko di Bruce na picturan ako doon sa swing and we also took some cute selfies to post in our feed.

Nag enjoy naman ako, medyo mahina nga lang signal kaya kaunti lang ang ma-IG story ko.

We swam in the beach, muntikan pa nga kami malunod dahil nag high tide eh.

After that, we stayed under the beach umbrella para hindi ako masyado ma-tan. Morena naman na ako, hindi ko kailangan ng tan pa.

After watching the sunset, we ate dinner that my boyfriend cooked and it was so good! Pwede ko na pakasalan.

Pagkatapos kumain ay nasa pool kaming anim and we all were drinking beer, talking about shits we experienced in life.

Magaan lang sa pakiramdam na kahit nawalan kami ng isa, we still enjoy each other's company.

"Who would've thought that letters would bring back our bond?" Damon asked and I just smiled. I regained my friends back if it wasn't for Jayce's letter.

But wherever he is or who he is with right now would remain unknown to us.

"Do you guys remember how we all met and how our friendship started?" Tanong ni Maddie and we all nodded.

"Of course, those are the times where our lives weren't as fucked up as it is right now," Christoph chuckled.

---

Flashback

It's my first day as a senior high student here. Wala naman atang magbabago, I'd still be an invisible nerd without friends.

I was always alone, minsan nga kumakain pa ako sa loob ng CR dahil wala akong kakilala sa school na pwedeng makatabi sa cafeteria.

I was always afraid to reach out and go out there to see the whole world. I never even got a fun childhood, because I would always stay indoors when my Mom forces me to go outside.

In my perspective, being invisible and out of any drama is the way to survive high school. I have two more years left and I am very excited to go to college.

Gusto ko na kasi makatulong sa mga magulang ko. Tatlo kasi kaming magkakapatid pero yung tatay namin iniwan kami nung ipinanganak si Louise, ang bunso namin.

Ang unfair nga din minsan eh, kasi ang tatay namin ay ako lang ang pinapadalhan at hindi si Mom pati si Ellie.

Pero ang dahilan ni Dad ay ako ang panganay at ang makikinabang, para daw pag nag tapos ako sa pag aaral, ako naman ang magpapatapos sa dalawa kong kapatid.

Mahirap maging panganay, dahil akala nila malakas ka at maasahan ka. Nasa akin lahat ng bigay dahil I always force myself to be the best for them. I don't want to disappoint any of my family so I strive hard just to be on top.

"Ms. Solace, can you answer the question on the board?" The teacher called my attention. Hindi naman ako kinabahan na natawag ako dahil alam ko naman ang sagot.

I always get called in recitations because I was always quiet. I never talk to anyone in class because I don't have any reason to do so.

"Hey can you help me with this? I don't understand it," A guy asked me. He was familiar sa akin. Kaklase ko ata siya back in junior high school.

I explained to him what our lesson was and he understood it.

"Thanks, I'm Jayce by the way. Magkaklase tayo noong 8th grade," He smiled and I nodded. I think it was my first time actually talking to someone, and I think he's going to be my first official friend in high school.

After class me and Jayce were talking. He offered to walk me home so I nodded, takot rin naman ako na mag lakad mag isa kahit sanay na ako.

While we were walking by the pavement, nag uusap kami tungkol sa amin at sa mga sarili naming pamilya.

I never opened my family's situation to anyone, Jayce was a first.

I also heard that his Dad abuses him. Only child siya at mayaman ang magulang niya kaya kailangan sundin niya lahat ng utos ng kanyang magulang. Well, mostly his father.

There was never a time daw na hindi siya susuntukin or paduduguin ang labi ng ama niya. He tries to be the perfect son pero wala eh, he's still a disappointment to his father's eyes.

Malapit na kami sa bahay ko at may nadaanan kaming maliit na bar at may nagaaway sa harap no'n.

Lima sila doon and they were also highschool students because of their uniforms. Sila ata ang iba naming kaklase eh. Hindi ko naman kasi masyadong binibigyan ng pansin ang nga kaklase ko kasi wala rin naman silang pake sa akin pero alam kong hindi ako nagkakamali. Kaklase ko sila sa ibang period.

"Just admit it, you flirted with my boyfriend!" Sigaw nung isang babae sa kapwa babae niya. I think her name was Maddie and she was talking to Gwyneth. "You're such a whore, you know that?"

Sinampal naman nito ang babae. Nagsabunutan naman na sila, lumingon naman kami sa kabilang side at yung tatlong lalaki ay nagsusuntukan.

Actually dalawa lang, lasing lang kasi 'yung isa at pumapagitna sa dalawa 'yon.

"Bro, kung duwag ka sabihin mo lang. Why do you have to tell the fucking bouncer that I was a high schooler when you know to your god damn self that you are too?" Galit na sambit nito bago suntukin ulit yung isang lalaki. That was Bruce, galit siya sa lahat. Kaya nga minsan takot ako pumasok sa klase ko na kaklase ko siya dahil mamaya baka madamay ako sa isang away niya.

Pagkalingon ko ulit sa kabila ay nasa sahig na ang dalawang babae at may sugat na sila. I sighed, dapat ba akong ma involve sa kanila?

My life might change if I interfere with whatever is happening right now.

They are the individuals that the school hated the most, and I don't have any plans on being one of them.

Nakita kong kinuha ni Bruce ang bote ng beer at binasag 'yon bago itapat sa pulsuhan nung Damon guy. Sinugatan niya 'yon at dumaing naman ito.

I was about to turn to Jayce to tell him na we should leave but when I looked at my side he eas already gone. I looked back at the people who were fighting at pumagitna siya sa tatlong lakaki.

I shrugged before helping them, tinayo ko ang dalawang babae and their hair was a mess.

"Ayusin niyo buhok niyo, your hair looks like a bird's nest." I said in a monotone at kahit nagtataka sila ay sinunod naman nila ako.

Nakita ko rin na napa kalma na ni Jayce 'yung tatlo kaya tahimik na din doon.

Hinila ko naman ang dalawang babae papunta doon sa boys and they all were confused.

"Magpakilala kayo isa isa," Utos ko and their forehead creased.

"Hi! I'm Christopher, you can call me Christoph. Kaklase mo 'ko sa biology, english and chemistry." The drunk dude told us and we all nodded.

"I'm Bruce." Tipid na sabi nung lalaking muntik ng makapatay ng tao. Umiling na lang ako.

"Gwyneth, call me Gwen." Sambit nito sa amin bago umirap. Ang taray din, halatang maldita.

"Maddie po." The other girl smiled. Parang 'yung war freak na babae kanina nawala at naging maamo eh. Ang bilis ng transition ah.

"Damon, ouch." Sabi nung lalaki na may sugat sa pulsuhan. Lumapit naman ako sa kanya at kinuha ang water bottle ko bago buhusan ito ng tubig to clean the wound. I reached for Jayce's handkerchief and I put it around his wound tightly para hindi na dumugo.

"You should get that stitched up sa ospital, baka kasi bumuka lang lalo 'yung sugat mo pag pinabayaan mo," I told him at tumango naman siya before thanking me.

"Bakit mo kasi siya sinugatan, bro?" Tanong ni Jayce kay Bruce and the guys raised his brow.

"Bro? Ano ka feeling close? Damon was being an asshole, he deserved that." Bruce rolled his eyes.

"Well too bad, we're all friends starting now." Jayce said at lahat kami nagulat sa sinabi niya. Is he serious? This won't end up being well!

Kapag malaki ang group of friends mo, magkakaroon ng maraming issue and I don't want to complicate my life. Malapit na ako mag college oh.

"Whatever, I'm going home." Sambit ni Gwen and they all agreed. Wait, what the fuck?

Did they just agreed on us being friends? Who would even befriend a fucking nerd? They're crazy!

Nakauwi na kami sa bahay at sinalubong ako ni Mommy. Pinakilala ko naman si Jayce and surprisingly they got along so well. When Jayce had to leave my mother got sad, even my sister!

Ano sila naattach na agad kay Jayce? Miski ako nga unang araw pa lang na kaibigan ko siya pero hindi naman ako attached.

I showered and went to my room and as I was scrolling through Instagram, nagulat ako ng makita ko na may nag add sa akin sa isang group chat.

Christopher added you into the group.

I checked the members of the GC and it was all the people from outside the bar earlier.

They were serious about it?

Hindi pa rin nag sink in sa akin na may mga kaibigan na ako. Ang bilis lang kasi ng pangyayari, first thing I know thay I gained a guy friend and the next thing I knew I have six friends already.

That's so crazy!

The next day it was lunch time and when I was about to go eat in the bathroom like always someone called my name.

"Elisha!" I turned to the direction and I saw the six of them at a table. "Sit with us!"

I sighed before walking towards them ang gave them an awkward smile. "So we all are friends now?" 'Di makapaniwalang tanong ko and they all nodded.

"From here and out you will no longer eat alone or in the bathroom, you got that?" Tanong ni Maddie and I got intimidated so I nodded. "Good."

"We're going to be the most hated and feared group of them all," Damon said before I looked behind me. People were avoiding our gazes like we were some kind of deadly predators.

"Then don't give them death glares, dude." Gwen said and we all chuckled.

It was actually nice having some friends for once. It's like I finally filled the whole in my life, they were the ones who filled it up.

Weeks went by and we all were closer than ever. We even bought our chill space where we put all of our belongings that we don't want other people to see or touch.

We were basically unseprable, we did cool things together, hung out after class, get drunk after class. It was the best feeling ever!

I wished I'd met them sooner. I didn't know that I'll actually enjoy being a real teenager for once.

"Dito niyo lagay 'yung couch. Tapos dito naman 'yung 70 inch TV natin," Christoph ordered Bruce and Jayce. Damon was the one who bought our furniture, mayaman din naman kasi pamilya nila.

Sometimes I envy them to be honest. Kasi lahat sila mayaman while kami ng pamilya ko ay may kaya lang. But I don't care, as long as I have them.

My life did really changed when all of our worlds collided. But it was a good thing.

At least I get to enjoy my teenage years with them while it lasts.

---

Present

Good old times, but sometimes I do wished that I stayed invisible. But I wouldn't be here right now if I did.

I wouldn't be confident with myself and just had a zero percent chance on actually getting in this university.

The next day we enjoyed the beach one last time before we packed our things. As much as we all want to staye here forever, we can't. May mga kailangan pa kaming problemahin sa Manila at syempre may pasok pa kami.

But we're sure that we'll come back here and visit. Or even buy the place. Us six could totally afford this.

Noong drive pauwi ay si Bruce na ang nag drive ng kotse at kasalitan niya ay si Christoph.

Medyo nalungkot nga ako dahil wala akong katabi at kayakap sa likod. Naging mabilis lang din naman ang biyahe pauwi dahil hindi gaanong traffic.

When we arrived back at his condo, nag ligpit muna ako ng gamit namin bago maligo.

He joined me in the bath tub. "Isha, lagi mong tatandaan na mahal na mahal kita ah."

Kumunot naman noo ko bago hawakan ang kanyang kamay. "Bakit mo naman 'yan sinasabi sa akin? Hindi ka naman mawawala." I chuckled and he stayed silent.

"Wala lang, I feel like I haven't said I love you enough," he shrugged.

"I love you."

Balik kami sa dati, me and Bruce became busy the following days because he had to catch up with school and I had to focus on being good with school.

It was a hectic day and I came home expecting that I had to clean up our condo, pero hindi, malinis na siya. Yes, starting now it's our condo, dito na nga ata ako titira eh.

Ayaw ko na kasi bumalik sa bahay.

"Hey baby, how was school?" Bruce asked as he higged me from behind. Hindi agad ako nakasagot dahil gusto kong nakayakap siya sa akin. "I already cooked dinner, we can eat na po."

We ate dinner and talked about how our day went.

As I was washing the dishes may tumawag sa cellphone ko, "Hey Baby, can you get that?" I shouted across the room. Kinuha niya naman ang cellphone ko at inilagay malapit sa akin.

"It's Maddie," He said before answering the phone and put in on speaker.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked.

"Elisha... Is Bruce with you? Is he still alive?" She asked in a shakey voice, kumunot naman noo ko. Why would she ask that? She seems worried and scared.

"Yes, Maddie. He's with me," I said.

"I'm alive!" Sambit ni Bruce.

"What's wrong? Why'd you call?" I asked her and she took a few seconds before she answered.

"Damon... and Gwen... t-they're dead."

Nalaglag ang pinggan na hawak ko at nabasag iyon. Nabubog ang aking paa pero hindi ko naramdaman ang sakit. My heart was shattered, how could this happen?

Bigla ko naman naalala ang hint galing sa mga sulat niya. He was fucking serious about it? I know Jayce, he couldn't do such a thing! This can't be, kung ginagawa niya 'to... malamang may tumutulong sa kanya o kumokontrol sa kanya kaya nagawa niya ito.

"Their dead bodies were found in front of my house..." Her voice broke as I whimpered louder. Bruce hugged me before he carried me to the sofa to cure my wound.

"Gwen had two bullet wounds... while Damon... had 5 stab wounds."

Hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin. Pero ang alam ko ay galit ako.

"Maddie, call Christopher. Tell him that we'll go to that fucking warehouse and we'll get answers. I'm going to fuck up his life or worse even kill him." I said in a monotone before dropping the call.

Walang pasabi na pumunta ako sa closet at nagpalit ng hoodie at black pants. Tahimik lang din naman si Bruce, I know that he wants to kill him as much as I want to. Kaya better of do it now.

We all met up at outside the place. Everything just got heated because I was mad. Well, we all were. I even brought a sharp knife with me so I can slit his fucking throat just to get revenge for Damon and Gwen.

They didn't deserve to die, none of doesn't deserve to die. Pwede naman siya mag bigay ng warning man lang muna before ending our friend's life! That is so shitty.

"Now or never, am I right?" Christopher said and we all nodded before we kicked the door of the warehouse. Nasira naman ito agad at binalot kami ng alikabok.

We coughed before we fully entered the warehouse. It was dark, because it only had one light on. It was a sign that someone is here.

We heard to voices laughing. They opened all the lights at nasilaw kaming apat.

"Well well well, you four finally decided to show up."

Nanlaki ang nga mata namin ng makita silang dalawa ng aming mga mata. I never thought it was true, until the naked eyes saw that he was indeed alive.

But it was unexpected to see that one person. Why the hell is he here?

"Jayce?! Kevin?! What the fuck?"