Monsterstruck

XVI: Rivalries

            A radiant smile flitted across Vylet’s face as she snuggled her pillow. She had a blast on this day, with Craig. Suddenly, she received a text from an unknown number.

        From 0916*******

        Message : Hey goth! I just want 2 say that I had fun today. And if u might wondering why I’m still here in Tagaytay .No,I didn’t bail out.I moved the plan at the end of this month. I hope u could come with us. NightJ

        Right. It was Craig. He must had gotten her number when she was asleep.

          She texted back.

        V: Talk about your stealth deed u scumbag. Why did u steal my #?

         Then she hit send.

         C: Friends must have each other’s # so that doesn’t count as stealing. So are u gonna come with us? Yes or absolutely yes?

        She chuckled at his reply. It had been a month since they stopped hating and bickering each other and yet, it was just this time they got each other’s number.

         V: Like I said at your party, I’m not keen in water. I can’t swim! So how about absolutely not? J

         C: That’s not stated in the choices. And u don’t have to swim at the beach. U could just go sunbathing or whatever you want to do at the beach. Anyway, I’ll give you time to think about it. I really wanted u to hang out with us. They already like u.

        What? They already like me?  I’d just talked to them once.

        V: They like me? How come? Your childhood sweetheart doesn’t like me as far as I know.

        C: Vygnet might be intimidating sometimes but she’s nice. My bandmates like you for me, as a matter of fact. :P

        Okay. It was getting awkward. She could feel the butterflies fluttering wildly in her stomach. She even imagined him saying the latter phrase of his text, just like how he said at his party that he likes her.

        “I like that Vylet. I like that when you get mad. I like that when you’re being tough, steadfast, snooty and bitchy at the same time!”

        She glanced over her shoulders. She cracked a smile and so did her heart.

        “Most of all I like this feeling. Getting closer to you.”

        “Something about you is enthralling. Dare may I say this, I was captivated the first time I met you.”

        “And lately in the car, you do this overrated thing called laughing.  And that was the first time I’ve seen you laughed, it was the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard”

        She found herself lost in every wonderful word he said about her.  Then her phone indicated that she had two unread messages already.

              C: Hey? Are u okay?

            C: Vylet, are u still awake?

             They like me for him. How the hell I’m going to reply to that?

        Then another message popped up.

            C: Did I say something wrong? Sorry for my persistence

        V: Sorry, I just went 2 the bathroom. What made u move the plan at the end of this month btw?

        Okay that was a relief as she pressed send. She had to lie for not texting back for almost three minutes. She did her best to divert the topic, and besides she also wanted to ask about what made him change his plan.

        C: Oh, that was a relief. Hmmm… nothing I just want to move it. So I did and they’re fine with it.

        V: Ah. K…

         But she hit backspace.

        V: Ok. I’ll think about it, thief :)

        C: Hooray for that! & how dare u to call me a thief?:P

        V: For getting my no. w/o my consent!

        C: You won’t give it though even if I ask for it ryt?

            V: Idk. Maybe. But nevertheless you’re still a thief :x

        C: And where would you hear of a thief who asks permission of the proprietor of a thing he wants 2 steal? Lyk he’ll come up to the owner of that thing and say “Hey may I steal ur wallet? It’s cute and I saw a thick wad of cash inside it.

        This cracked her up.  He had a point though.

        V: LOL

            C: See? This thief has a point. And yeah, I’m not goin to say sorry 4 gettng ur # w/o ur consent. Just think of it as a payback gift 4 rushing u 2 Dr. Bautista’s clinic and hey, we have the same ringtone J

        V: K you won. And I’m not going 2 say sorry either 4 calling u a thief. :x

        C: Call it quits ;)

        V: I’m already sleepy. Goodnight thief :x btw tnx 4 rushing me 2 the clinic

        She could feel Morpheus creeping into her head saying she should sleep now.

        C: No worries. Goodnight. Sleep well and sweetdreams as u dream of me!

        V: Wow dude u got balls huh. Nyt scumbag thief. :x Sleepwell

        Vylet woke up with beads of sweat trickling down on her forehead. She immediately got up and dutifully fixed her bed and went to the bathroom. After her bathroom ceremony, she pulled out a Nirvana tank top and distressed denim short in acid blue. She threw up a red flannel shirt and wrapped it around her waist for a grunge touch. She mused at herself over the mirror as she brushed her curly purple hair. It had been four years since she owned this androgynous hair color. After she graduated from high school, she dyed it purple, not because it was her favorite color but because she wanted to stand out. And soon enough, her schoolmates in college kept throwing her a dirty look and mumbling “freak” everytime she’d pass by the rumbling hall. But she couldn’t care less, she was there to study, nevertheless some people at school remarked that it suited to her edgy rock n’roll personality. She had no friends there, not until she met Blaze. Blaze was the biggest dork way back in college. He had this thick rimmed glasses and pile of books stuffed in his scrawny hands. He was the most klutzy person she had ever met in school. He had this long slick black hair that fell over his shoulders, before he cropped it into a clean cut when they graduated in college.

        “Hi.” Vylet chimed in while Blaze was reading Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

        “Were you seriously talking to me?” Blaze gawked as he adjusted his thick rimmed eyeglass.

        “Yeah, who else?” She rolled her eyes to suggest innocence.

        “Okay. What do you want?” He fretted.

        “Nothing. Can I sit with you?” Vylet prompted.

        “That’s the first time someone asked me that question,” he answered and motioned her to take a seat.

        “Thanks.” Vylet said with a smile and started to stuff her books.

            “I find this funny.” Blaze snorted.

            “What?” She asked quizzically.

            “This. The two biggest losers at school sits together,” he countered.

            Vylet smirked. “Yeah. I don’t mind.”

            Then she saw the wallpaper of his phone. It was her favorite band Slayer.

            “Whoa! You also listen to Slayer?” She deadpanned.

            “Uh yeah they’re my brothers.” Blaze said brazenly.

            “Cool. I don’t even know that you’re a metal head,”

            “I guess. Why? Do you also like them?” He asked bubbling with enthusiasm.

                “Postmortem, Raining Blood, Hate Worldwide, South of Heaven…” Blaze cut him off.

            “Angel of Death, Black Magic, Human Disease.” He continued as his eyes lit up and started to rave about their albums.

            “Yeah. You’re the bomb!” She chortled.

            “Blaze Atienza, BS Human Resource and Development Management Major in Operation Management,” he said delightfully as he extended his hands.

            She gladfully shook it. “Vylet Amarillo, BS Development Communication.”

            From then on, they were intact, and they never failed to be together in music gigs. People at school always mistaken them as couples. But they were not. They were just duo losers who choose to be friends with each other.

            She sighed as she thought of him. She received a text from him saying he was so sorry and he’d drop by their house at eleven am. Thank heavens, her mom had gone to the market. Mrs. Amarillo still had a bad blood for Blaze for what happened to her yesterday.

            “Here’s your bike. I took it to Gribb’s and they overhauled it.” Blaze said in preamble.

            “Thanks,” she said as she pulled it towards the lawn.

            “Vylet. I’m sorry. I felt bad.”

            “For what? For defending your point?” She asked sarcastically.

            “I just don’t want to get you into trouble. I care about you. You’re my friend.”

            “I’m a grown-up Blaze. I know what I’m doing. I’m on my very sane mind. Stop treating me like a baby sister.” She said, annoyed.

            “Alright, Sorry for caring too much,” he said in an acerbic tone.

        Vylet heaved a sigh. Of course, he just cared about her. The only guy who cared about her would be him.

        “Fine. I’m sorry too.” She said looking into his eyes.

            A radiant smile slowly flitted across his face.

            “But please Blaze, I don’t want you interfering and saying what I can do and can’t do. Like I said, I just want to help out Craig.” She said in a calm voice and hopped onto her bike.

            “Okay.” He curtsied.

            “Race?” She piped up.

            “Sure. You can’t beat me this time,” he said with a wide grin and hopped onto his bike.

            “Wait, are you okay now?”  He asked worriedly.

            “It’s just gashes and sprain. But screw this, I’ll beat this out!” She cackled brazenly.

            “I’m just concerned.”

            “Don’t worry. I’m not telling mom that I rode my bike,”

            “Reckless and stupid,” he chuckled at the thought. Then they both pedaled up towards their racing spot.

*************************************************************

            “Dude, are you courting Vylet?” Cameron asked as he tuned his guitar.

            “Hmm well, it seems like the Bora plan was moved because he’s hoping that she’ll come with us.” Alex countered knowingly.

            “Yeah, I do concur with you man,” Jake acquiesced.

              “I like her. This is the first time that I felt something you know… spell bounding for a chic,” Craig said in an imploring voice. Then Jake did a drum roll.

            “You got the beat man!” he crowed to Craig.

            “So, you’re not courting her yet?”  Cameron probed.

            “I’ll get to that stage.” Craig beamed.

            “Dude!  You gotta do your moves now, before someone else does!” They all said in unison.

            “Say, you’re going to court her. You have gone to their house, right? And her mom seems to like you as her friend. So, it’s a plus!” Alex assured with a wink.

            “Thanks for being supportive,” he chuckled, and they started to rehearse their new song “Cyanide Smile” which was written by Craig.

            After they rehearsed, he received an MMS message from Vylet..

            V: Hey got my bike back!

             And the photo showed Vylet--circling around the park with her bike.

            What the? What the hell she’s thinking? Does she wanna send herself again to the clinic?

            Craig hurriedly grabbed his things and dashed out the room.

            “Dude why in a hurry?” Jake asked quizzically.

            “I’ll see you guys later,”

            He revved up the motorcycle and sped out.

            The three guys just exchanged a baffled look and shook their heads off.

            “Maybe she’s gonna do his moves now?”  Cameron quipped and they all laughed out.

***********************************************************

         Vylet why do you have to be a brat, you’re getting on my nerves, really. Craig muttered as he was nearing towards the park.

            Then in the corner of his eyes, he spotted her, with some guy.   He clenched his jaw and jumped off and rushed towards her spot. They seemed to be enjoying each other’s company with their bikes.

        “Vylet!” Craig called in a sharp voice.

            Vylet whirled around and stunned to see Craig.

            “Craig?”

        “The hell is this? Do you wanna get sprained again?” Craig taunted as he strode with heavy steps.

            “Hey Dude. Don’t be snappy. You see she’s fine.” Blaze butted in and jumped off to meet him.

            “So, you’re tolerating her? Who are you?” Craig asked in a sharp voice appraising him.

            “I’m Blaze Atienza, her best friend.”

            He emphasized the word “BESTFRIEND” as if to imply “back off”.

            “I see. Is that the role of her best friend? To tolerate her? You do know that she still has sprain and you also do know that she was rushed to the clinic yesterday, don’t you? So why you’ve let her again to damnation?”

            “Hey! Enough!” Vylet came in between them. The air started to vibrate with tension.

        “Craig, I’m fine. I insisted him to race with me. He also doesn’t want me to ride knowing that I had sprained my arms. But it got better the moment I feel the adrenaline surging in my body every time I go biking.” Vylet explained.

        “See dude? You’re not the only one who knows about what she went through.”  Blaze said with a tight grin plastered on his face. It sounded as a double meaning for Craig.

            “Sorry. I’m just concerned.” Craig mumbled tersely.

            “So, what brought you here?” Vylet asked quizzically.

        “The moment I’ve receive your MMS I went here, who knows you might get sprained again,” Craig jested.

            “What are you? A human ambulance?” Blaze snickered with a tinge of sarcasm. Craig just shot him a dark look.

            “You think I’m really that weak huh?” She asked, vexed.

            “Of course! You’ve just got hurt yesterday. Does your mom know about this? I bet she doesn’t.”

            “Yeah. Don’t tell her. Please.” Vylet pled.

            “And you gave in to her pleas?” He turned to Blaze.

            “Well, it’s my peace offering for what I …” Blaze trailed off

            Vylet shot Blaze a panic look.

            “Peace offering?” Craig asked quizzically

            “Never mind.” Blaze said and hopped onto his bike.

            “Vylet, you better go home now. Just sleep or listen to music,” Craig reprimanded.

            “I realize that you guys have both in common,” she countered.

            “What?”

            “Treating me like a child,” Vylet told them matter of factly.

            “Oh please. We’re just concerned.” Craig shot back.

            “I know and I hate to be treated like I can’t even spoon myself or wash my butt after I pooped. It’s horrible you know. Fine, I’m heading home now. Thanks for the concern.” She countered, irked.

“Well, I’m not sorry for being like that. I mean what I do and say Vylet, especially to you…” Craig pressed with such fervor.

            Blaze threw a dagger look at him. Jealousy started to well in his veins.

        So he’s playing a superhero now? No way, this douche not gonna have Vylet for he’s human and she’s not.

            She was only for him, a yoma. They belonged together, not for some scumbag rockstar like him.