Chapter 7
382 Words
Ashley pov.
Gustong-gusto ko ‘yung katahimikan sa classroom ngayon.
Noong pumasok si Norlyn, walang energy, walang ngiti, walang glow. Yung dating campus president na palaban at mataray—ngayon parang multo. And I love it.
Perfect timing.
“You’re still coming to the student council meeting?” tanong ko habang kunwaring concerned.
She nodded slowly. “Oo… I have to.”
“Of course, you have to.”
Even if you’re falling apart. 😏
Kristen pov.
Tahimik si Norlyn.
Wala na ‘yung usual kwento, ngiti, o pang-aasar niya kay Theo. Halatang pilit lang siya nagpa-function. Pero may kutob ako.
Mali ang timing ng paligid. At lalo na si Ashley.
Bigla siyang mabait kay Norlyn. Nakakapagtaka, kasi ilang beses na niyang siniraan ‘yon dati.
“Ano na naman ‘tong iniisip ng bruha,” bulong ko kay Theo.
Theo frowned. “Si Ashley? For sure may binabalak ‘yan.”
Ashley (Internal)
Simple lang ang plano ko: Sirain ang tiwala sa kanya, unti-unti.
Una: Kunwari akong savior sa mga council tasks. Papakita ko na mas responsible ako.
Pangalawa: I’ll spread soft lies—small enough na paniwalaan, pero enough para ma-question siya ng iba.
At pangatlo: I’ll bring her down by using… her friends.
Isa-isa.
[Student Council Room – After Class]
Norlyn was quiet the whole meeting. Ako, I volunteered for everything. Sobrang sipag ko. Si Lloyd, mukhang impressed.
“Thanks, Ashley. You’ve really stepped up,” sabi ni Lloyd.
Ngumiti lang ako.
Tiningnan ko si Norlyn.
Nakangiti rin siya. Pero alam kong peke.
That’s step one.
Norlyn (Internal)
Nararamdaman ko na.
May something off kay Ashley.
Yung mga tingin, yung biglang bait, yung volunteering. Alam kong hindi siya ganito. At mas lalong alam kong hindi siya tumutulong ng walang kapalit.
Pero pagod na ‘ko. Wala akong energy para makipaglaban. Wala na si Mama.
Si Papa? Wala rin.
So kahit ramdam kong may mali, I just kept quiet.
For now.
Ashley (Internal)
You know what they say:
The weaker you are, the easier to crush.
At ngayon, Norlyn…
You’re cracking.
And I’m going to make sure everyone sees it.
Piece by piece.
-itsredhook:
🧠 Ashley is in control—for now.
💔 Norlyn is breaking but still pretending she’s okay.
⚠️ Someone needs to notice… before it’s too late.
- Writer
