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"We're here na," Kailey said, hitting the brake and unfastening her seat belt. "Welcome to my uncle's home."

I gazed up the view of the large suburban house in front of me. It was white, dirty white, and gray. And it was a beautiful house, and it was a house that could inspire you into working hard. Kailan ko kaya mabibigyan ng ganitong bahay sina Mama at Papa? I asked myself, unaware of Preppy and her sad face. Nakakapagod naman isiping maaabot ko agad lahat ng pangarap ko.

Hindi ko maipagkakaila na nalungkot ako nang makita ko ang bahay na 'yon. Hindi 'yon sobrang grande, pero 'yon kasi ang napi-picture kong dream house. Nakakalula lang na makita na ang ibang tao, mayroon na no'n, pero ako, nandito pa rin.

Give yourself consideration, Preppy mumbled, but I paid no attention. You're still young.

And I wanted to be young and successful. I always wanted to be both.

"Glenn," Kailey said and lent me a hand. "Nakatulala ka." She chuckled.

I shook my head, quite missing it since I had been aware and okay for days. I had not felt lutang for days. Ngayon lang ulit, and I am never wishing for it.

"S-sorry," I said, unconsciously taking Kailey's hand, but I realized it as soon as I got to my feet and out of the car. It made my cheeks feel heat again, burning its way up to my ears.

"My uncle is my favorite family member," Kailey said, smiling at me. "He's one of my best friends, in fact."

"Ang cool," I giggled.

"So sagot ko na ang gown mo," she smiled as she led the way towards the gate of the house, making me realize that she held my hand longer than I expected.

"E-eh?"

" 'Wag kang mahiya, duh," Kailey said. "You can't change my mind. I will be in charge of your gown no matter what you say."

Napatahimik ako nang sabihin ni Kailey 'yon, at para bang ikinagulat ko 'yon nang lubos. Kaya naman nang pinindot ni Kailey ang door bell na nasa gilid ng gate (gate bell if you ask me, Preppy whispered), napatulala lang ako sa kanya. I asked her, "Why?"

She shot me an immediate look. "What do you mean?"

"B-bakit mo ginagawa 'to?" I giggled awkwardly, rubbing my palm against my nape.

"Ang ano?"

"Ito," I replied. "Bakit mo sinasagot 'yong gown ko? Wala ka naman utang or something sa'kin, e." I looked down.

"Ano ka ba, babe," she chuckled. "Of course, we're friends."

"Gulo mo, babe," I mumbled, hoping that she won't hear it.

"Are you saying something?"

"W-wala, ah," I giggled, hoping that her uncle will come to let us in already. Nahihiya na ako sa usapang 'to, I imaginarily whispered to Preppy.

Kailey pressed the button again, sighing out, "You called me 'babe,' too. . . babe."

Then, she let out a belly laugh. Ilang "hindi" pa sa utak ko ay natawa na rin ako. Nakakaloka 'tong babaeng 'to.

"Hello there, Kailey, my gorgeous niece!" a bright voice exclaimed in an also bright tone. "I just saw your message!"

Napatingin ako through the gaps of the modern gate's horizontal bars, eager to see Kailey's uncle. And when I could finally see him, he said, "Mag-isa ka lang, my niece?"

Kailey looked down on me, and I immediately remember that my height wasn't that noticeable since nasa likod kami ng gate. But hey, my height is pretty noticeable when I stand between tall ones! And no, I don't like it. Partly.

"May kasama po ako," Kailey laughed.

"Hello po," ang sabi ko at ngumiti sa uncle ni Kailey na nakahawak sa kakabukas lang na gate. He smiled at me, too, brightly and genuinely. Something tells me that he is a happy person. His clothes were quick to tell me that he is a fashion designer. Around his neck, he wore a yellow scarf. Naka-polo shirt din siya na pastel orange, and he did look good even if they say that no one looks good in orange. And his pants were white and textured—absolutely fabulous. And of course, he wore his bright smile the best.

"Glenn," Kailey smiled, releasing my hand to place her hand on my shoulder, "this is Uncle Bright. Uncle Bright, she is Glenn."

"Hello, Glenn," he waved like a child and held out his hand.

I gladly shook it, saying, "Hello po."

"Come in, girls," he smiled as Kailey held my hand again and led the way, while her Uncle Bright was closing the gate. "Feel at home, ha."

Kailey opened the door widely, making us enter the pretty doorway of her uncle's house. As soon as we entered, I felt so light—I mean, happy. The house's interior was well lit, and the walls were painted with pastel colors. Kailey's uncle did have a reason for being named "Bright" and vice versa.

"Feel at home, feel at home, gals," Kailey's uncle said. "By the way, Glenn, you can also call me 'Uncle Bright' or Bright, whatever." And he giggled.

"Okay po," I smiled, and we obeyed as Uncle Bright motioned us to sit on the couch behind us. As I felt my thighs sink in the softness of the neon green—yes, neon—couch, Uncle Bright hurriedly went to somewhere, a part of his beautiful home that I have no knowledge of. Soon, he went back, holding a tray of three cups. Uncle Bright held out the tray, letting us get one.

Nang kumuha ako ng isang tasa, na-realize ko na ang kaharap ko ang isang Brighton Fallon. Damn, I never knew that the fashion designer that I always see on the news is Kailey's uncle.

"H-hala," I uttered, ashamed that I realized it just then. "K-kayo po si Brighton Fallon. Hala, pwede po pa-picture mamaya?"

Uncle Bright chuckled, waving his hand. "Nako, don't ask at all; 'sure' is the answer."

"Ngayon ko lang po na-realize," I scratched my nape. "Kaloka, sorry po."

"Luh, ba't ka nagso-sorry?" ang natatawang tanong ni Uncle Bright.

Kailey laughed out loud and messed with my hair. "So adorable."

Dahil sa sinabi ni Kailey, lalo pa akong nahiya. Napatungo na lang ako in hopes na mawawala ang init ng mga pisngi ko. Sana malipat agad ang topic.

"Oo nga pala," Uncle Bright said, making me instantly thankful inside my head because he chose to drive the topic away from what Kailey just said. "Girl, Kailey, congratulations for finally coming out."

"What do you mean?" Kailey asked, grinning shyly. For the first time ever, Preppy whispered even before I could. "Come out? Who told you? N-no."

"I presumed. . . y-you are couples," Uncle Bright grinned brightly, his tone interrogative. "S-sorry, gals. My heart shipped you two at first sight."

"N-no, it's alright," Kailey smiled, chuckling. "I call her 'babe' sometimes."

I rolled my eyes cautiously, careful not to send a diverse vibe to the conversation.

"Nakakaloka po 'yan," I giggled. "Mapang-asar."

Kailey placed her arm around my shoulder and twirled my hair around her fingers, curling it more as if it's not shoulder-short already.

"True, nakakaloka talaga 'yang pamangkin ko," Uncle Bright pouted. "Baliw 'yan. Seriously, aakalain mo masungit or masyadong seryoso, but no."

Uncle Bright cackled, letting me hear his loud laugh for the first time.

"Loka-loka 'yan, sa totoo lang," he giggled and took a sip from the cup, making me do the same as well. It was a choco drink. I love it because I don't really drink coffee. Not much.

"She's my favorite niece," Uncle Bright smiled and sighed, looking from me to Kailey. "I know her struggles a lot. She always tells me when something is wrong. We're best friends—has she told you that yet?"

"Opo," I smiled.

"Duh, we're both fab, 'di ba?" Uncle Bright giggled. "Pero kaloka naman kasi 'yang ball niyo, ang biglaan."

"Yes, Uncle, biglaan," Kailey sighed. "Imagine, one week prep. That's crazy! Pero we will enjoy it for sure."

"Aba, dapat lang, I will design and make your dresses!" Uncle Bright said and clapped once. "Let's start na! I am so excited to do it. I will be hands-on, including sa making of the gowns." He giggled.

"Ano ba ang gagawin, Uncle?" Kailey asked, placing her then empty cup on the glassy center table, making a slight cling sound.

"I will have to get your measurements for the four-seasons-whatever-themed gowns," Uncle Bright said, standing up and taking the cups we just emptied down. "I already have sketches of the theme—four seasons, right? And you know what? I already know what's perfect for the both of you!"

"P-po?" I uttered lowly, fully aware that he hadn't heard it. Not even by a bit.

And oh, it was the first time I had heard the theme of the ball.

"We have to get your measurements, girls, okay?" Uncle Bright said. "Naaalala mo pa naman 'yong tinuro ko sa'yo, 'di ba, Kailey?"

Uncle Bright hurriedly half-walked, half-ran to go somewhere, bringing the tray of three cups in his hands. Agad kong tiningnan si Kailey, but I immediately looked away as soon as I realized na kami lang ang nandito sa living room. In a few more seconds, after we stood up, Uncle Bright was back gently pushing some strands of his hair back that moved from the style caused by him, half-walking and half-running.

"Yes, Uncle," she replied, looking happier than ever. I had never seen this Kailey before. Probably because we were not that close. Before.

"Come to my office," Uncle Bright giggled, briskly leading the way to his office. "Ipapakita ko rin sa inyo ang design ko for your gowns."

In every step I did, all of it came from following Kailey's footsteps, just like how I watched her feet make their way towards her office an hour ago. Or two. I was looking down the whole time, feeling the suffocation again. It quickly jabbed against my happy thoughts. Para bang. . . napapatanong na naman ako sa sarili ko na. . . bakit ka nandito? And it didn't stop. What is your right to step on this house? Are you that close to Kailey?

Oo nga, I thought, my own voice echoing inside my head like it was hollow. Bakit ka nga ba nandito, Glenn?

Hindi ko na napigilan, at makalabit ko si Kailey. She turned to me, giving me a questioning look as I just realized that she wasn't wearing her high heels and a chic dress. She was in a pair of black rubber shoes and casual—really casual—clothes, making her look cool rather than hot as we ascend up Uncle Bright's lit-up stairs.

" 'Wag na lang kaya ako magpasabay," I whispered to her, admiring her high ponytail before leaning forward. "N-nakakahiya k-kasi—"

"Shh," Kailey uttered, giggling. "Ano ka ba, duh. 'Wag kang mahihiya. Ako lang 'to. Kami lang 'to."

"Lang?" I whispered. "Ba't nga ba kasi ako pumayag? Nakakahiya kaya." I pouted.

"Hindi 'yan," Kailey said as we finally reached her uncle's calming office. It was then that I realized how eased I was with Kailey. Those thoughts inside my head, the ones that occasionally (not just annually, duh) press me into a small and insecure creature. . . I had easily whispered it to her. Parang. . . close na nga kami. Somehow if not much.

"Let's start na," Uncle Bright smiled and swung his arms upwards, welcoming us to his beautiful office. "Kailey, long gown measurement, ha. Hope you didn't forget."

"Opo naman, Uncle," she chuckled. "Ako pa ba? Duh."

The lighting of the office caught my attention. The room was lit well, but there were only, like, three visible sources, which amazed me. And those were the desk lamp, a light bulb, and the large window on the wall. There was a desk made of dark wood in the middle, containing some probably finished sketches of gowns and dresses along with a small potted cactus. The floor was sleek, wooden, and light in color, embodying the vibes of the minimalist aesthetic.

After I dumbly roamed my eyes around her uncle's office, Kailey faced me and beamed at me. I could immediately tell that she was excited. Maybe. . . Kailey really was into fashion design. Most likely, Preppy whispered to my left ear from the inside of my skull, if that makes absolute sense.

Within a second, I saw Uncle Bright toss something—that I was not able to see vividly—to Kailey, and within her slim fingers, she caught it skillfully. I swear. How can someone just be this perfect?

". . . straight," Kailey uttered, while I stood still, not able to make most of what she said. I just. . . did not hear it. Lutang, Preppy giggled, and sadly (but not enough), I paid no attention.

"H-ha?" I said, my words not that completely thought. "Ako, straight?"

"Stand still," ang sabi ni Kailey habang nakatingin sa akin at may ipinapakita na medida, "and stand straight. I will measure the gown length."

I nodded and obeyed simply. I put my feet together, and Kailey pressed the end of the pastel-colored—yes, pastel—tape measure on my shoulder. She bent down a bit, reaching for the floor for the measurement. Kailey shot me a look, giggling.

"By the way, you straight?" Kailey asked, and there were no proper adverbs of manner to modify the verb. I was just. . . shocked.

"H-ha?" I uttered again for the nth time.

"Just kidding," Kailey chuckled awkwardly, writing down numbers on a piece of paper. "Sorry. I might have offended you. Forget it. Sorry."

"H-ha? Ano ka ba?" I said, giggling. "Hindi ako na-offend, 'no. Shookt lang. Slight." I held up my hand, showing them the "kaunti" sign.

"Ah," Kailey uttered.

"Nako, Kailey," Uncle Bright said, giggling. " 'Pag mali 'yang order ng measurements na tinuro ko sa'yo, 'di na tayo bati."

"No, no!" Kailey exclaimed. "I'm good at memorizing things."

"Swear?" Uncle Bright said in unison with me.

"Yeah," Kailey giggled and looked at me.

Now what do I do?

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