after [7]

[7]

First na first day, late ako. 12 ang start ng klase tapos nasa kalagitnaan pa ako ng kalye dahil traffic. Leche naman! Kanina pa 'tong mga truck na 'to pero hindi pa rin gumagalaw!!! Nakakainis talaga!

Sumilip ako sa may bintana ng sasakyan ko. Grabe. Sayang talaga gasoline ko dito. Well, in case you're wondering why the hell I got a car all of a sudden it's because my dad's here. He was the one who insisted on shipping my car here para hindi ko na kailangan pang mag commute at makipagsiksikan daw sa LRT 2. Eh no use naman yung bilis ng sasakyan ko dito sa Pinas. Sobrang traffic talaga!

Pinindot ko ulit ang busina ko dahil sa pagkawala ko ng pasensya. Then my phone suddenly rang. I put my earphones on and pressed answer. "Yeah?" Bungad ko.

"Where are you?" said Kirsten.

"Still stuck here. Jeez, Kirsten! I should've taken the other road before I got here! Late na ako sa klase ko!" I half-screamed.

"Where are you exactly? Tumatakbo na ako papunta sa building niyo. Ano ba unang subject mo?" She asked.

Pinindot ko ulit yung busina ko. "Psych! Room 503!" I replied quickly.

"WHAT?! ROOM 5 FUCKING 03?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

"DID I STUTTER? NO! What are you going to do anyway?"

"Well, Ms. Einstein, I'm going to check if may professor na kayo. Dahil adjustment period pa lang naman 'til next week. Does that answer your question?"

Oh.

"Yeah. It did. Let's not shout at each other again. Your voice is so annoying." I jokingly said.

"Fuck off. Anyway, I'll text you the updates. Wala pa naman akong klase eh. Hey, before you go to school, buy me some lunch! Drive-thru please!" Angal nya.

"No. Dyan na tayo sa canteen kumain. Arte mo talaga kahit kailan! Late na ako, remember?" I reminded her. Ang stubborn nya talaga kahit kailan!

I ended the call then finally, gumalaw na rin yung mga sasakyan na nasa harapan ko.

THANK YOU LORD!

"Finally! You're here! I'm starving, man. Let's go!" Kirsten welcomed me after I finished parking my car and while getting my things. "What? Wait! Hellooo? Art student here?" I said as I wave my hand in frustration. Without any complains, she helped me with my things and we went to the canteen to eat, of course. Duh.

"So, what's up?" Kirsten asked as we grab our food. I looked at her, tilting my head to the right, "What do you mean 'what's up'? We were talking on the phone yesterday, Kirsten! What are you talking about?" She just shrugged and I laughed then ordered mac 'n' cheese with spaghetti on the side and it also comes with crab salad. I don't know what Kirsten ordered. But as for our drinks, we both ordered coffee. Nasty combination for you but, I don't want to drink coke today. I was going for tea but they don't serve it here. So I choose coffee.

We waited for our food then went back to our table. My blockmate just texted me that our professor for our first subject will be absent for today because he's teaching at his "alma mater". Ugh. Professors and their dedication for teaching. How did she get my number? Well, 2 days ago, someone added me on f******k. I accepted her request and added me to our block's f******k group. Maybe our class master list is already final. She posted there, asking for our number so I gave mine. I sighed as I remember Lucas' text last night. And how the hell did he get my number? I was too sleepy last night when I read his message. My vision was blurry then I blacked out. It was only before I was stuck in traffic when I read his message thoroughly.

From: Lucas

Hey. Look, I'm sorry if I come across as creepy to you. I just want to get to know you more.

Kirsten didn't mind me. She just continued eating so I fished out my phone, made my reply to Lucas, and pressed send.

To: Lucas

Apology accepted. Anong kailangan mo?

I went back on eating. I still have 10 minutes to finish everything or leave the food here or simply give the food back and tell them it's for take-out instead. Hmm. The last option is better. Kirsten looked at me with brows meeting together while she's chewing her food "The fuck you talking about?" I questioned her, "Huh?" "You said 'the last option is better', what option?" OH. Shit. I've been talking to myself again. "Oh. Uhm. It's nothing. Just planning." I said as I awkwardly drink my coffee.

"You and your choleric self. You're weird, you know? But as your friend, I don't mind at all," She said cheekily. "Just don't freak me out like that again, okay?" She added. I laughed. I looked at my food and the spaghetti and salad are haven't been touched so they're good for later. Merienda ko na 'to. I'll just finish this mac 'n' cheese and ipapa take-out ko na 'tong mga 'to.

Kirsten and I parted ways because her building's really far from mine and also to the canteen. It's also the same with my building so we both have to walk. Our estimated time on walking is 20 minutes so we're both on time for our classes and we'll see each other later so there's no need for the both of us to be THAT clingy to each other. That's just... yuck.

My phone buzzed in my pocket so I took it out while waiting for the elevator (Yes, we do have an elevator there's no surprise in that) I saw Lucas' reply so I opened it.

From: Lucas

Wala naman, anong building ka?

I gingerly thought of going or not but there's nothing to be so afraid of, right? We're just only going to talk, ask me a few questions then I can go home.

To: Lucas

CFA. U?

The elevator dinged as a sign that it's already at the ground floor. I waited for it to open and there were a couple of students went out and I went in. I pressed 5. I'm the only passenger for this one so the elevator closed and slowly went up.

The ride made me sleepy... maybe it's because of the mac 'n' cheese. I'm so full and I'm drinking coffee. I need to stay awake for this class because from what I've heard, after our psych class, our professor after that subject savagely fails students. I don't know if it's a he or a she. They didn't told us who so, whatever. I'm just going to exert maximum effort so I have no worries for that subject.

"Hey, Clary!" Justine waved at me and pointed out the seat next to her. I went there, put down my materials, and fixed myself. "Haggard ko na ba?" I said while facing her.

She looked at me then to my hair, uniform, pants and shoes then to my face. "Nah. You look good. Why'd you ask?" I looked at her then sighed, "Well, this day is just so stressful for me. I was stuck in traffic. I really thought I was going to be late for psych but then Emelie texted me saying that our prof won't come today. Then I ate with my friend at the cafeteria, walked here, and waited for the elevator... that made me sleepy good thing I ordered coffee. I half-ran here. Akala ko kasi nandito na yung prof! Kaloka!" I huffed and went to my phone and heard her laugh.

"Clary, hindi naman ganun ka-terror yung prof natin!" She paused looking at the left side of the room I glanced her then went back to playing 2048 "I hope..." She added. I stopped playing then looked at place where she's looking at. I heard the class murmured something and some of us actually squealed in kilig only to find out that they were looking at Lucas. Why is he here? Is he an art major too? Or just taking the same class with me? Wow, that's rational thinking, Clary. Rational. I shook my head then went back to playing. I'm so close to getting the 2048 tile!! Al.most.there!!!!

"Hey. Is this seat taken?" I heard him talk.

1,024 tile na! Need. To. Make. Another. Set.

"Clary?" I swiped the 256th tile downwards, ruining my technique. Fuck! FUCK!!!

I annoyingly looked at him, "There isn't any bag that's lying around there now is it?" I said to Mr. Dumbass here who's smiling at me thinking he can use his charm to me like to everyone else. Before he replies I said, "None, right? Now could you sit down and don't ruin my day any longer, please. It would be a big help." I rolled my eyes at him, went back to my phone, and pressed restart.

I felt his presence sit down on the chair that he was referring to. This dumbass obviously know that no one has sat on that chair yet but he still asked me. Trying to get my attention now, buddy? Anyway, we're obviously waiting for our professor to arrive. God, I'm really sleepy.

Okay, it seems that Mr. Dumbass finally stopped his staring stint at me and minded his own business. All right, let me just close my eyes and rest for a while because our prof is not y-

"Good afternoon." I heard a grown up voice and the room suddenly became silent. As I channel my inner Flash and as everyone stood up to greet our professor, I quickly stood up from a heads down position acted so relaxed and not obvious. We bid her good afternoon back and sat on our chairs.

This is going to be a looooong day.

-x-

"So," Lucas said. I looked at him with a confused look and said "So?" I don't get him. My mind's too pre-occupied from absorbing too much information for the whole day. "Bakit ang sungit mo?" He asked. "Ikaw kasi! Obvious naman na empty yung seat tatanungin mo pa ako. I was so close to getting the 2048th tile kanina tsk" I said, grabbing my things and went out our room. Our last subject was exhausting!! It's only our first day then our professor gave us too many requirements to finish for the whole semester. This is torture!!!!

TORTURE!!!!

I pressed the down button as we arrived in front of the elevator, waiting for the elevator door to open. I don't want to use the stairs even though it's easy to use it when going down. Maghihintay na lang ako na dumating kesa bumaba ako sa stairs, bigla naman dadating yung elevator. Ka-stress di'ba? Although for the others, it's really not that very tiring and you may say that I'm such a lazy bum pero, nakakapagod talaga. I swear. This day's just really stressful.

"Hey. Why are you avoiding me?" Lucas chimed. I turned to him as the elevator dinged, signaling us that the elevator's on our floor. "I wasn't," I said as I stepped inside the elevator and he followed me. The first minute of us inside were very awkward until I noticed that we weren't coming down, I made him press the G button. I looked at him with curiosity. 

"Where did you grew up?" He suddenly asked. "I was born here. Mom said she gave birth to me at some hospital in Quezon City. But after a few months, we all moved to Los Angeles, California. Then mom decided to move back to here leaving Dad and I in the states. 'Cause she really didn't felt like at home while staying there but it was fine with me." I answered honestly. That's right. There's no harm in saying those things. I don't know what's he going to do with those information which kind of creeps me out but again, he's just killing his curiosity.

"Really? So ngayon ka lang bumalik dito sa 'Pinas?" He said. "Yes. It's kind of new to me, actually... Since, I was born here pero doon na nga ako lumaki sa States. Ang ano lang kasi... you know... I'm a Filipina but I don't know any single thing about our country's history other than our pop culture and the Filipinos who're making their names abroad." I said then the elevator dinged once again and I stepped out. Making my way to the parking lot.

He followed me, of course. I turned around while I'm holding my stuff. It was somewhat heavy knowing that I'm friggin' skinny and parang buto na lang DAW ang nakikita sa akin. Wtf guys. I eat a lot! Blame my metabolism!! Or could someone just donate their fats to me? That would be a great help 👍

"Bakit ka nakasunod hanggang dito?" I asked. As I put down my stuff, opened the back seat, and put them inside. "Hmm... Is it okay for you to stay with me for a while?" He said. I bumped my head inside my car because of that question. "Aaaaah!! Fuck!" I held my head with my right arm as I get out of the car. "Shit. Are you okay?" He asked, panicking a little. He immediately held my head and rubbing it to make the pain go away. I looked at him while he's focused on my head. Damn, he's really gorgeous.

No. No. NO. Clary, Stop. He's a weirdo!! He might kill you while he's alluring his charm to you! You mustn't let your defenses down! Ooohh~ look at those plump reddish pink lips, Clary! It's so — NO. STOP.

Oh god. My thoughts are betraying me.

"Okay. I'm fine now. Thank you by the way." I said as I move my head from his grasp and he took his distance. "I told you to be careful next time, Cee" He immediately said. "Cee?" I asked him. Really now? He didn't budged an answer. "Ugh. Whatever, Lucas. I'm going home." I said as I opened the car door, went in and drove home. Cee? No one calls me that.

-x-

"Hey." Kirsten greeted me with a singsong voice. I dismissively waved back and focused on listening to the audiobook I just downloaded while sleeping. We both don't have classes today so Kirsten went here and just hang out with me. "What music are you listening to?" Kirsten asked as she sat beside at my bed rummaging through my books and some magazines. I took my left earphone off and asked her again.

"Sorry... you were saying?"

"I said what music you're listening to because you're so focused." She answered while skimming through my old vogue magazine. "I'm listening to the High Rise audiobook. I can't find any book of it here. Kahit sa fullybooked wala eh." I answered then paused the audiobook. "Si Tom Hiddleston yung nagbabasa ng audiobook na pinapakinggan ko." I added. We're both fans of Tom Hiddleston and I swear... if he goes here, makikipagsapalaran talaga ako be it a movie premiere or him as a guest in the AsiaPop Comicon, nako! Ia-avail talaga yung passes na magkakaron ako ng picture na kasama nya and autograph and some other stuff!!! I love him so much as an actor and as a human being! Isama mo na yung pagiging gentleman nya sa mga babae!! Oh my gods!!!

Kirsten looked at me with her eyes wide open and jaw dropped. She regained her sanity when I snapped my fingers in front of her. "Midgard to Kirsten!!! Hellooo?" I said then she squealed. Her squeals are tolerable because I find it cute. So cute that I want to kill her by pinching her cheeks. "Oh my god!!! You better pass me that audiobook!!" She said with joy filling her voice and eyes. "You can just actually d******d it online, Kirsten." I said with annoyance. I want to finish the book already!

Kirsten pouted then I went back from listening to the audiobook. I'm currently on chapter five nung pinahinga ko yung likod ko at humiga ako sa bed ko. Kirsten went outside for a bit. She mentioned ordering thai food and that she'll be sleeping here instead. I paused the audiobook and I found myself dozing off while staring at my phone.