Monsterstruck

CHAPTER IX: LONG NIGHT

        Crazed, Vylet stood fixated at her spot and felt the butterflies in her stomach finally took on their wings. Is this real? Sparks fly everywhere. She blinked, knocking herself into her senses.

              “You must be drunk or insane,” Vylet curtsied and fumbled.

              He gradually leaned his face closer to her. Craig’s action was met with collective hoots from his bandmates.

              Vylet made a face towards them and unnervingly tilted her head to face his beautiful features.

              “Something about you is enthralling. Dare may I say this, I was captivated the first time I met you,” he mumbled under his breath, looking into her hazel eyes.  She didn’t know what to say—she was beyond dazed. It took eons for her to absorb what was happening.

              “Excuse me,” she mouthed as she excused herself to get a drink. But Craig caught her arm beforehand.

              “Vylet, I meant what I said. I’m not drunk. I’m in my very sane mind!”

              “Craig, I need to go,” she insisted, exasperated.

              Suddenly, a silky voice broke off.

              “Craig!!!”  called Vygnet animatedly and gingerly hollered at him.

              “Sorry, if I’m late. Congratulations, I’m really happy for you,” Vygnet floundered and kissed him on his cheeks.  Her gaze suddenly swept to Vylet. She acknowledged the presence of Vylet by flashing a warm smile.

              “Hi,” Vygnet greeted cordially.

              Smiling tentatively, Vylet said hello. She remembered that this was the girl she saw with Craig at the CD bar.

              “Uhmm, Vygnet. She’s Vylet Amarillo, my...friend.”

              “Hi, pleased to meet you,” Vylet said as she extended her hand. She realized that Vygnet was prettier up close. She wasn’t wearing any make-up, yet her features were still striking. She has a divided chin. She also has a silky jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders and she was clad in a red body-hugging dress that flattered her curves. Physically, Vygnet was the type of girl who would make all the girls in the room took a hit on their self-esteem.

              Wow she’s all that. Vylet sighed in astonishment, and disappointment for herself.

              “I’m Vygnet Ferrer, Craig’s childhood sweetheart,” Vygnet said feistily.

Does she really need to introduce herself in such territorial-possessive or God knows what first name basis? Vylet didn’t want to assume, but she felt like she was being seen as a threat.

              “I see,” Vylet managed to smile as she slid a gaze at Craig whose gaze shifted uneasily between them.

              “I didn’t know that you have another girl friend beside me. I mean… another female friend,” Vygnet countered to Craig. Vylet felt that she was being appraised by Craig’s feisty childhood sweetheart.

              “I mean we were really that intact, right Craig?” Vygnet clipped, flashing a smug smile.

              That confirmed her inkling that she was being seen as a threat. She had never been in a helluva awkward situation like this. She wished that she could teleport somewhere away from this woman whose name strangely sounded like hers.

              “Of course,” Craig replied smilingly at Vygnet.

              “I guess I gotta go,” Vylet managed to say. I’m outta here.

              “Wait, I just got here. So, by that means, the party is only about to start!” Vygnet squealed.

              No, you’re too late. Your childhood prince just had a dance with me. It’s way over.

              “Uh...but I’ve got lot of stuffs to do back home. I still have this article which is due tomorrow.” Vylet bluffed.

              “She’s right Vylet, stay.” Craig coaxed.

              Vygnet’s gaze shifted furtively between Craig and Vylet. Something about them was implicit; between their stares and the way he looked at Vylet, there was more to it. Suddenly recalling the incident that had transpired last time when Craig saved Vylet from them, jealousy started to swamp all over her.  But then, she quickly dislodged that thought because there was no other person at that time around the vicinity, except for him. Knowing Craig’s heroic trait, sure as hell he would save anyone around him who was in dire need of help.

              Unknown to Vylet, Vygnet knew her for quite a long time since Blaze became one of them.  He was all over Vylet, although she doesn’t know if the feeling was mutual.

              “But,” Vylet hesitated at first but gradually gave in to their pleas.

               As they talked, Vylet feigned her interest as Vygnet started to jabber on how he met Craig and how their friendship started. Momentarily, she would shoot a quick glance at Craig. Craig’s eyes flickered to their direction, but his eyes were only fixated on this sullen, purple haired chic that he just had a dance with.

              “Do you like Craig?” Vgnet asked out of the blue.

              It felt like a pistol was being pointed at her.

              “Why are you asking me that?” Vylet retorted as she let out a nervous laugh.

              “I just wanted to know,” Vygnet replied nonchalantly.

              “I’m not interested to answer that, I’m sorry.” Vylet replied, feeling the lump in her throat.

              “But you’re interested in the subject, right?” Vygnet fired back as her pretty face twisted into a bitchy expression.

              That was a low blow.

              “I’m sorry?” Vylet asked as she c****d her head in confusion. She felt the double meaning of her question; there was a bite in it.

              “I’m sorry. I must be intimidating you,” Vygnet countered as she laughed merely.

              “You know that I like Craig so much. I mean, ‘like’ would be an understatement for what I feel about him. I love him so much. I don’t want to lose him,” Vygnet added in a guarded voice as she took a shot at her tequila.

              “I’m sorry Vygnet. I don’t usually beat about the bush. I mean, where are these leading to?” Vylet asked, annoyed.

              ‘Hah, don’t play bimbette on me, purple haired monster!’ Vygnet growled mentally.

              Grinning, Vygnet launched into another juicy tidbits about Craig.

              “Craig didn’t have a girlfriend, eversince. Did you know that? It’s funny to think that someone like him is still single by now,” Vygnet countered as she slid a gaze over Craig from the distance.

              Vylet was surprised to hear that. As a matter of fact, she felt strangely elated. She wondered why and she wanted to ask if Craig did date a couple of girls before, but she restrained herself from asking those. After all, she didn’t want to sound interested about the ‘subject’ in the face of this woman whose name rhymed with hers.

              “But you were his childhood sweetheart, right?” Vylet paraphrased her question.

              “Yes, and I do believe that it’ll make sense to him soon, that I’m the one for him,” Vygnet asserted brazenly as she threw her a ‘you-must-back-off-look’.

              “And I do believe that you’re smart enough to take my hint,” Vygnet added brazenly as she took another shot at her tequila.

               Before Vylet could fire back, the Clamor dudes were already treading towards them.  

              “Hi ladies,” Alex greeted.

              “Craig has an announcement,” Jake hooted excitedly as he motioned Craig to break it to the two ladies.

              “We decided to take a vacation trip to Boracay this summer, and I was thinking that maybe you ladies, want to tag along?” Craig deliberated as he pursed his lips.

              “Count me in,” Vygnet squealed, sounding pleased by the announcement.

              “Vylet?” Craig prompted to Vylet, sounding expectant.

              “Err…I don’t think that’s a good idea for me. You guys have fun!” Vylet replied as her eyes darted towards Vygnet— as if her affirmation would make her see red.

              “But why? Don’t shy away from us,” Cameron pressed, flashing a reassuring smile.

              “We’re all good guys, right Craig?”  Jake chimed in. Cameron playfully gave Jake a good whack in the head. With that, Jake groaned.

              “Not to worry, Vylet. It’s my treat. You don’t have to worry about the expenses that you...”

               Vylet cut Craig off in mid-sentence.

              “I’m not keen in water. Sorry guys but I really need to go,” Vylet bid hastily and treaded her way out of the bar. As she made her way out, she could see from her peripheral view that Vygnet was flashing a triumphant smile.

              The guys just exchanged a puzzled look as they watched Vylet bolted out of the room. Craig wanted to run after her but hold back from doing so for he knew how insistent she was lately to head home.

              “What happened to her?” asked Craig to Vygnet. He sensed that something was amiss.

              “Maybe she already took the hint,” Vygnet replied cryptically under her breath.

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              Lolling herself to bed, Vylet sighed, saturated with relief. She thought that she would transform into her monstrous form and scare the hell out of everybody in the bar. Thank Heavens for that didn’t happen.  Suddenly, her thoughts wandered to what had transpired lately. She could still hear Vygnet’s silky voice ringing in her head.

               Craig never had a girlfriend. An involuntary smile crept its way on her lips upon that thought. She could still feel his warm hands entwined with hers, his words were swirling over her head. The dance, Craig’s mom, Vygnet’s feisty attitude and Craig’s invitation— all these thoughts were clouding up her mind.  It was indeed a long night for her.