PEAK

ONE

Melissa's POV

"Drink some more!" Johnson handed me the chaser with expensive wine. In the blink of an eye, I immediately picked up the glass and quickly gulped down the wine.

Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko pa rin alam kung paano nila ako naisama sa mamahaling bar na ito. Ang huling natatandaan ko lang ay sinabi nila sa akin na papayag lang silang maging parte ako ng grupo nila kapag sumama ako sa kanila at pumayag na gawin kung ano man ang iutos nila.

"Ano ba 'yan, Melissa. Pati ba naman sa pag-inom, maarte ka pa rin?" naiinis na tanong ni Alex sa akin na ngayon ay humihithit ng sigarilyo.

Tumingin lang ako sa kanya at binalik na rin ang tingin sa mesa kung saan nakalapag ang mga alak. Kanina pa ako hilong-hilo, pero pinipilit ko na lang ang sarili ko. Pagkatapos naman nito, sigurado akong magiging kabilang na ako sa grupo nila. Magkakaroon na rin ako kahit papaano ng kaibigan. Hindi na rin maayos ang paningin ko kaya sinubukan kong alugin ang ulo ko, baka sakali mabawasan ang pagka-tipsy ko.

Kahit nahihilo na ako ay malinaw pa rin sa akin ang ginagawang pang-aabuso ni Mark kay Adisson. Parang natural lang ito kay Addison, kaya ang kamay ni Mark ay patuloy na gumagapang sa p********e niya.

"Kaya mo pa ba?" tanong ni Addison, kaya lumihis ang tingin ko sa kanya.

Tumango lang ako at ngumiti bilang sagot.

Hindi ko na rin gaanong marinig ang sinasabi ni Johnson kay Laurenz kahit katabi ko lang sila. Ganito ba talaga sa bar? Kapag lumalalim na ang gabi, palakas na nang palakas ang tugtugan? Ang weird. Pati ang disco ball ay nasa tapat na rin namin. Nakakarita. Dagdag pa ang mga babaeng kulang na lamang ay maghubad habang sinasayawan ang mga lalaki sa harapan nila. I looked around. I can't do this anymore. It was the first time I had tasted the wine, but I didn't think Johnson had been giving me five bottles since early.

"Inom pa!" I looked back when Johnson, who was in front of me, exclaimed again. His smile is strange now.

Again, I was shaken and tried to pick up the chaser he had filled with alcohol, but something stopped my hand before I could even get it.

"Akin na 'to." Inagaw kaagad ni Laurenz ang inaalok sa aking alak ni Johnson. Sa sobrang pait ay napangiwi siya kaya uminom kaagad siya ng tubig.

"Nako, mukhang ibang tama ang dumadapo kay Laurenz ah?" pang-aasar ni Mark.

I just smiled a little while the others laughed. Even though I was dizzy, I could still see Mark's hands crawling behind Addison. I also can't understand why Addison let Mark do that because, looking at it, she's not drunk yet.

Suddenly, my head fell into a state of drunkenness. Fortunately, Laurenz's hands were swift as he quickly touched my forehead, which almost bumped into the ice on the plate. I just let myself fall asleep in Laurenz's palm. Even though I was so embarrassed, I couldn’t help it.

"I need to send her home," Laurenz said to them.

Johnson teased Laurenz as he slowly handed me ​​up. I didn't even listen to what others said when he lifted me on his back.

—

Direct sunlight coming from the window freed me from a deep sleep. When I woke up, I tried to lift my head up. It was so heavy, and I feel the pain shooting into my head. I slowly sat up in my bed and stretched my sleeping veins. When I looked at the time on the wall clock, it was only seven o'clock in the morning. Besides, it’s Sunday. I can lie on bed all day today.

When I conditioned myself, I walked towards the opposite mirror, which I used to do every day. As I was fixing my messy hair, I suddenly stared into the mirror and was stunned.

"Santisima!" I slapped my face when I remembered what I did last night.

"Jusko, Melissa! Anong ginawa mo? Nakakahiya!!!" I repeat. I pulled up my small chair and looked in the mirror again. I suddenly softened when I remembered what I did last night to Laurenz before sending me home.

Flashback

When we got into the parking area, Laurenz dropped me off in front of his car. As he dug for the key, I suddenly touched his face. I have known Laurenz for a long time, but only now I appreciate his good looks. His nose is very pointed. His eyelashes are curly and long. His eyes were round grey. His lips are red like an apple. Also, he had a one-sided haircut that matched his astonished face.

"Ang pogi mo 'no? " I squeezed his soft cheek.

He didn't say a word.

"Siguro bakla ka?" natatawa kong sabi. "Kahit kasi ang pogi mo, pero wala ka pa ring girlfriend. Sayang kaya ang lahi," I said intermittently.

Tumawa lang siya ng bahagya.

"Am I gay?" He asked with his manly voice. Even the voice is gorgeous. The scent of his breath too.

I nodded quickly. In an unexpected turn of events, Laurenz's soft lips suddenly touched mine. I almost lost my drunkenness at what he did. My eyes also widened as it gradually entered my mind that.

He stole my first kiss!

In my panic, I suddenly bit his lower lip. He quickly removed it while smiling at me.

"Aww." He touch his lower lip, and he wiped it. A dot of blood stained on his fingertip.

I can't speak. My dizziness disappeared as well. I don’t know what I’m going to do, whether I’m going to run, apologize or repeat the kiss. Pero hindi!

"Bakit mo ninakaw ang first kiss ko?!" I asked him angrily and lightly punched his tummy.

He didn't move, but a smile flashed on his lips, causing both of his dimples to come out. "I'm your first kiss?"

Suddenly my cheek became hot. At these times, I knew I was blushing. I quickly turned around from him and went to the car. When he opened the door at the passenger seat, I stood and moved to the backseat. I wouldn't have a chance to open the door since Laurenz's car is modern, I don't have a choise but to sit beside him.

"Ang cute mo pala," he chuckled.

Suddenly, I bent down and blocked my thick hair on my face. I don't even want Laurenz to see me blush because he might even assume that I like him.

End of flashback

"Melissa! What about now? What if we meet the next day? What should I do?" I rub my face using my palm.

"Pero, teka!" I stopped for a second. "Siya ang unang humalik sa akin. Plus, ninakaw niya pa ang first kiss ko, kaya bakit ako mahihiya?"

Eventually, I just thumped my head on the makeup table.

"Kainis!"

I went out of the room and found grandma Emma in the living room having coffee with her newspaper.

"Gising ka na pala, Melissa," lola said before blowing the hot coffee.

"Opo 'la, medyo nahihilo lang ako," sagot ko naman.

I should just act naturally in front of grandma. I don't want her to recognize what I did last night. I went straight in her direction and pulled out a wooden chair.

Grandma never asked me again since she was busy reading in the newspaper. I took the thermos from the glass table and took out a mug to make a coffee. After I mixed it, I was about to taste the coffee flavor, but I almost spilled it on my grandma when she suddenly asked.

"Saan ka nga pala galing kagabi? Mukhang lasing na lasing ka. Buti na lang hinatid ka nu'ng gwapong binata dito," she said thoughtfully.

I just stared at my grandma. I could no longer speak because if I could talk, I might slip.

"A-ano nga ulit ang pangalan no'n, Melissa?" Binitawan ni lola ang hawak niyang diyaryo at sinuri ako. "Mukha siyang mabait ah? At guwapo."

"Ah." I drank coffee. "Laurenz, po 'la," I replied shyly.

She nodded and adjusted her tempered glass.

"Hindi mo ba boyfriend 'yon?" She asked, and I repeatedly shake my head. "Mabuti naman kung gano'n. Pero swerte ang magiging girlfriend no'n ah?" Sa boses ni lola, parang sinusubukan talaga niya ako kung aamin ako.

My forehead frowned. "Bakit naman?" I sipped coffee

"Sinabi niya kasi na napaaway raw siya kaya mayroon siyang sugat sa ibaba niyang labi. Napansin ko lang 'yun nung pinupunasan niya."

I am shaken. I was thinking was he said to grandma before he left. I almost feel the redness on my face increased.

"Pero okay siya." Grandma held her cane. " Magpupunta muna ako sa garfen. Nakaluto na ako, kumain ka na lang diyan," saad niya at saka naglakad palabas ng sala.

I breathed a sigh of relief after that. I quickly finished my coffee and went straight back to the room. I immediately searched for my phone where I had put it last night. I was so nervous. Maybe Laurenz spread the rumor that he got my first kiss. That would break me.

When I didn't bother to search, I turned my bed upside down, peeked at every layer of the gearbox, but I couldn't find it. I'm going crazy to find it here.

"Kung minamalas ka nga naman, Melissa," I whispered to myself and then sat up in bed. "Kainis!"

While remembering where I had put the cellphone, I suddenly heard a familiar sound. I immediately lifted my fur carpet and boom! Here is where my cellphone hid. I quickly picked up the phone and looked at who was texting me.

Nai-text pa pala ako ni Adisson, pagkatapos no'n. The rest, mga old friends ko na lang na nangungumusta. As I was scrolling through the messenger, my eye caught an unfamiliar group in my chatbox.

I looked at the picture on the messenger, and it was just black. I was curious, so I opened the group chat.

"Si Mel nandito na ba?" Mark asked.

"Yes. I already add her," Adisson said.

"Hi, Mel," Laurenz said.

Suddenly, I could feel my cheeks burning. I just quickly read what they were talking about. Suddenly my messenger rang again when Alex chatted.

"We have a meeting later. Everyone has to attend. Milkyway coffee shop. 7:00 am sharp," she said.

Some of them sent a thumbs up. I was stunned as I thought about what we would meet later. Does that matter? Because if not, I just won't go. Until now, I'm still ashamed of myself.