TIED (COMPLETE UNREVISED VERSION)

Four

Caroline Elora  

With my earphones on,and my hoodie up, I started walking towards the basketball stadium. Naiimagine ko na ngayon ang mukha ni Marj habang nag iisip ng kung anong itatawag niya sakin pag nalaman niyang magiging water girl ako ng Wolverines.

Ang alam lang kasi niya eh na detention nanaman ako.

I was holding onto my camera and saw Marj practicing.

She was on top of the pyramid, with her fake cheerful smile. Ayos talaga ang acting skills nitong bestfriend ko, I know iritang irita na 'to dahil kanina pa sila nag papractice. I've tried spending my time with her t**t minions, pero hindi ko talaga kaya makipag usap sakanila, they were like--not to be rude, hindi ko alam kung andito ba talaga sila sa school para mag aral o magpacute. 

Kinuhanan ko siya ng picture para pakita sakanya yung reaction niya mamaya.

"Cara! Baba niyo ako, now na. Break muna kayo 10 mins then last round na, I'm so freaking tired." Marj yelled, ordering her minions to get her down.

She was all smiles sprinting towards me (not the fake one though), and I just know a big hug is about to happen.

She's so sweet.

"Hey Marj, kakagaling ko lang sa study hall." I hugged her back and kissed her cheek.

"Boo! Ikaw na ang rebelde." She giggled, pulling down my hoodie.

"Uhhh..papunta din akong gym.. Apparently Principal Seymour is determined to destroy my life by assigning me on water duty and other janitorial tasks for a month." I smiled sarcastically.

Pinanlakihan siya ng mata na parang hindi makapaniwala.

"No s**t?" Her mouth fell open, then followed by an uncontrollable laughter.

"Geez..Thanks for being a doting best friend. Bibigyan kita ng trophy dahil diyan. Salamat sa simpatya ha.." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh my God Cara, I swear I'm gonna die laughing." She wiped the imaginary tears from her eyes and dragged me towards the gym.

"Bwisit ka, ituro mo na lang sakin saan yung mga water jugs ng matapos ko na. Ilang araw ko na din kasing dine delay kaso yung panot nating principal na corner ako kanina. Kung hindi lang yun pupunta dito mamaya para i check ako, hindi ko talaga 'to gagawin." Nakabusangot kong kwento.

I looped my arm on hers and she's still laughing.

"You can always tell your dad about this. I'm sure he'll make it go away. Saka hello, do you even know how to clean?Besides, you hate crowds remember?" She suggested and pointed out.

"Oh please, and let him keep on babying me? I'm not a bloody kid anymore. I got this Marj. I'm a big girl now." I pressed her arm and smiled reassuringly--haha sino ba ang niloloko ko?

"If you say so, but he's going to be hysterical once he finds out about this." She giggled.

Malamang.

Pag nalaman ni Richard Galvez na nagbuhat ng waterjug ang kaisa isa niyang prinsesa, baka ipagiba niya yung library na pinapagawa niya dito sa school.

Or worse, papalitan niya ang mga prof at principal dito.

I know my dad and how far he could go pag hindi niya gusto ang nangyayari.

And that's what I don't like about him--he's too controlling, too protective na isang maliit na galos lang ang makita niya sakin sinesesante niya agad ang kung sino mang naka bantay sakin.

Which is so absurd and ridiculous.

I rolled my eyes then followed Marj towards the water jugs.

"Hey boys, listen up." Nakangiting bati ni Marj sa ilang varsity players na umiinom doon.

Nakatuon naman agad ang pansin ng mga ito sakanya at nakangiti din--but ofcourse, she's the queenbee after all.

"For some bizarre reason, this lady over here will be your water girl for a month. Ngayon, kung may malaman lang akong tsinansingan niyo siya o kaya naman ay binastos, gigilitan ko mga leeg niyo. Maliwanag?" Kalmado niyang pahayag habang naka ngiti.

Pambihira talaga tong babaeng to. Kawawa naman tong mga players, I can see them gulp, lalo na nung nakita nilang palapit si Sebastian.

"What has gotten my girl all worked up?" Hinapit niya ang bewang ni Marj at hinalikan siya sa pisngi.

"Nothing hun, we're just talking here..kasama kasi sa detention punishment ni Cara ang pagiging watergirl niyo for a month..kaya naman binigyan ko sila ng reminders." She gave him a sheepish smile. "Right boys?"

"Y-yes." halos sabay sabay nilang sagot.

Sebastian just looked at us and alam kong hindi siya kumbinsido.

"Let's go make out in your car hun.." Hinila siya ni Marj at automatic itong ngumiti dahil sa narinig.

Ugghh sila na ang couple of the year.

I rolled my eyes once more then started collecting the used paper cups.

-----

Simon Cloud

"Dude, pag sineswerte nga naman tayo.." Narinig ko ang pagsipol nina Preston at Sam. "Mukhang gaganahan tayo lagi mag practice nito. Finally Principal Seymour has done something right in his life at ginawa niyang watergirl si her royal hotness."

May biglang nag click sa utak ko sa pagkakasabi ni Preston nung last part.

"I bet what's underneath the hoodie she's wearing will not disappoint." Cole agreed, my head immediately c*****g to the water station.

Tang ina.

Cara.

I stood up, questioning why I'm suddenly irritated and affected by their comments. I raked my hair in frustration as I found myself approaching the water station.

Ano ba tong nagyayari sakin? Para siyang magnet at ako naman ay bakal na pag nasa malapit siya,kahit wala siyang ginagawa, kusa akong nagpapahila patungo sakanya.

Holy f**k.

"What are you doing here?" She was on her back arranging the paper cups, and was startled.

"Bloody hell! Bakit ka ba nanggugulat??" She turned around, holding her chest.

God, she's beautiful.

Wait, what?

"I'm sorry."Hindi ko mapigilang mas lumapit pa at ngumiti sakanya.

"It's okay."Cara adjusted her glasses and took one of the paper cups, filled it with water and drank it. "This is part of my punishment." Sagot niya ng makabawi.

"Punishment?" I took the paper cup from her hand, filled it with water and drank it too.

Nararamdaman ko ang mata mata niyang nakatitig sakin na para bang binubusisi niya ako, at alam ko ding alam niyang ganun din ang ginagawa ko sakanya.

She's blushing and she doesn't know how beautiful it is.

And I feel f*****g awesome knowing that I'm the one making her blush like that.

"Yes." Ipinatong niya ang kanyang mga kamay sa bewang at nagmasid sa palibot ng gym.

"Care to share why you're being punished?" Tanong ko ulit sakanya.

"Nope." Ouch, her rejection actually stung a bit. "What time will you stop drinking water anyway?"

Natawa ako sakanya, she's impatient.

"Depends on Coach. I think 6pm? Tops." I crossed my arms and followed her gaze around the gym.

"Okay. Noted." Cara smiled that smile again and my mind is instantly drawn into trance.

Okay, ngayon lang ako nakaramdaman ng para bang na starstruck--at sa ngiti niya pa lang yan ah.

Tang ina, sa kinatagal tagal ko ng nakasanayang laging may mga babaeng nag ooffer ng sarili nila sakin, na bigla na lang may maghuhubad sa harap ko o di kaya'y sandamakmak na indecent proposals, iisipin kong para ako ngayong first timer na pinansin ng crush niya.

-----

Caroline Elora  

For the first time in my life, I've never been so self conscious.

Simon Cloud Sylvestre is staring at me without shame--na para bang gusto niyang i memorize lahat ng parte ng buong pagkatao ko--wow lalim.

And I could only imagine how I look right now.

"Pwede ba, nakakailang yang mga titig mo." Hindi ko alam kung pabulong ba yun oh ano, nakakailang kasi yung titig niya talaga.

I tried to divert my attention to the innocent paper cups at inayos yung mga yun kahit hindi naman magulo.

"I can't help it.." His smoky voice was beginning to sound 'bedroomy'.

Bloody hell.

"Ano bang mga sinasabi mo diyan ha?" I turned to face him and was dumbfounded to find him staring at my lips.

Oh my god.

"Do you want me to chase you Cara?" Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggagaling ang mga sinasabi niya sakin,but I can see that flicker in his eyes again, and it feels like it'll turn into flames if I don't make him extinguish it immediately.

"Ilang beses ko ba sasabihin sayo na may boyfriend na ako." Pilit kong pinatatag ang boses ko at pinakitang hindi ako apektado ng mga pinagsasasabi niya.

Bigla siyang tumingin sa likod ko at inilibot ang mga mata sa paligid ng gym.

"I don't see him anywhere now, do I? Now, answer me Cara. Do you want me to chase you?" He came closer and I knew I was trapped when my butt touched the edge of the table, his hand propped alongside the edges, caging me in.

I felt my heartbeat quicken, and I tried my best to calm my hormones down--yup hormones not nerves.

Shit.

There nagmura na ako sa utak ko, pambihirang lalakeng to.

Bakit ganito ang epekto niya sakin?

"No." halos pabulong kong sagot sakanya.

He did not speak for a moment, rather let his eyes do the talking as it looked into mine.

No matter how I tried to look away, I couldn't. His blue eyes are pinning mine down.

Pambihira bakit ganito ang pakiramdam ko?

Bloody hell, this is intense!

"Tell me, Cara." He asked again, this time his finger tucked the hair that fell on my cheeks to my ear, and goodness, his touch is electric.

Para akong napapaso na hindi ko maintindihan.

I gathered all the courage that I could to resist him.

Slowly, I placed my hand on his chest.

Kahit pa nakasuot siya ng jersey niya, ramdam ko ang init ng balat niya sa loob.

Oh my God, he is ripped.

I saw his jaw ticked when I touched him.

Ako lang ba o ganun din yung epekto nun sakanya?

Nababaliw na yata ako at kailangan ko ng putulin tong kahibangan na 'to.

Pambihira brain, ang lalim ng hugot ko ah.

"Cloud.." Bulong ko dito habang dahan dahan siyang tiningala.

Oh my gooddd I feel like I am channelling my inner Brooke Davis right now.

"Yes, sweetie?" A grin is slowly forming on his face.

Okay, kahit normal lang sakin ang sweetie dahil yun ang petname sakin nina Marj at Third..still..bakit parang kakaiba yun?

Bloody hell.

Malala na itey.

I gripped his shirt and looked around the gym if Dumb and Dumber are around,then back to his eyes when I couldn't find them.

Ang ganda ng mga mata niya, yung kilay niyang makapal na unang kakikitaan mo ng reaction niya, at yung pilikmata niyang lalong nagpapapungay don----wait what the hell?

Malala na talaga.

"I have a boyfriend."I whispered. Then painfully pushed his body away from me.

Shit, parang pinagsisihan ko yun ah.

Pero no, I will not falter!

Malandi ang lalakeng ito, at isa lang akong hormonal teen kaya ganyan talaga ang epekto.

"Now please, we can be friends, or nothing at all." I said calmly.

Magaling, magaling pwede na akong best actress.

I did not miss the sudden frustration that registered on his face which he quickly masked with a smug smile.

"Okay.." He took a couple of steps back then placed his hands on his pockets.

No, come back please--again what the hell..

"Friends." He smiled then turned his back to go back to their bench.

Napapikit ako ng mariin lalo na nung napansin ko yung likod niyang parang ang sarap yakapin--whaaaaatttt??

"See you at detention tomorrow." I heard him shout.

Pinagalitan ko ang aking sarili dahil sa kung ano anong tumatakbo sa isip ko.

My gosh I need to make iwas.

-------

And iwas I failed.

"Are you a math nerd or something?" Cloud startled me when he spoke.

Napahawak pa ako sa dibdib at hinilot hilot ito.

I was experimenting, I read online that the more you read about something that you don't understand repeatedly, you'll eventually get the hang of it.

Kaya ito, kahit wala talaga akong ma absorb, paulit ulit kong binabasa yung latest chapter ng syllabus namin.

Well, whoever said that should not give any advice in the future because I'm still dumb at math.

Kahit siguro i brainwash ako na maging isang math whiz, parang napaka imposible nung mangyari.

"I wish." Natawa na lang ako sa sarili ko.

I couldn't help but drink in his appearance as he sat down beside me. His buzz cut hair looks like he just got out of the shower and I could smell his shampoo--which I now realize I find alluring to my senses.

I discreetly checked out his face--the face of a heartbreaker indeed. More reason kung bakit kailangan kong iwasan ang gwapong lalake na to.

His eyebrows are thick enough to make him appear brooding, his nose perfect for snuggling under my neck--yup ayaw magpaawat ng imahinasyon ko ngayon, his eyes--oh his eyes are the perfect shade of blue.

I bet they glimmer under the moonlight.

And his lips? Oh, it's swollen.

"Anong nangyari diyan?" I unconsciously reached and touched the cut on his lower lip, which I immediately removed when I felt electricity shot through my fingers.

Ganun pa rin, hindi pa rin nawala yung chemistry between us--masyado yatang madami ang pheromones na inilalabas ng katawan namin kaya ganito na lang ka intense ang effect.

Wow ha, tingnan mo nga naman ang stock knowledge ko, lumalabas pag landian na ang topic.

I adjusted my glasses and cleared my throat.

"Cloud?" He was frozen. Tama ba yung iniisip ko dati na ganun din yung nararamdaman niya sa tuwing magkakadikit kami?

"Uhh.." He shook his head. "Wala 'to, it's healing anyways. Hindi mo ba ito nakita last time? Sinuntok kasi ako ni Evora akala niya kasi nilalandi ko yung girlfriend niya."

"Ahh okay.. that figures.." I mumbled, I don't know why suddenly irritated about him flirting.

Crap, why does this feel like it's Third all over again?

Naalala ko nung 8 years old ako and Third brought home his girlfriend I mean nung inuwi niya yung bruha, I cried my heart out in front of them and begged him to break up with her.

Nakakahiya yung araw na yun kasi hindi ako tinantanan ng tukso nina Third at Marj dahil sa pag profess ko ng undying love ko nung araw na yun. Buti na lang pinagalitan ni Victoria yung dalawa.

After that I started to keep my crush on him to myself.

Ni hindi ko na nga muna masyadong pinansin si Third dahil baka paghinalaan niya ako na patay na patay pa din sakanya kahit totoo naman talaga.

"For the record, I did not flirt with her.." He placed his hand on top of mine again.

Bakit parang ang sarap sa pakiramdam pag hawak niya ang kamay ko?

Pero no, hormones lang ito.

Wag kang papadala Cara!

"You don't have to be defensive about it. I don't care." I countered removing my hand from his.

Well, at least he was honest.

"Cara.."

"Let's not just talk about it."

"If you say so."

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