TIED (COMPLETE UNREVISED VERSION)

Three

Simon Cloud

_______________________

From: Eponine

Saturday night

10:30 pm

Same place

_______________________

Napangiti ako ng mabasa ko ang text ni Eponine.

I placed my hand on the stick shift and pushed my foot on the gas pedal.

Nothing beats the smell of burnt tires and the roar of my Lt2 Camaro.

When I'm driving this baby, I feel dauntless.

I feel..

Free.

Parang hindi ako nakatali.

I am driving along the streets of Sunny Boulevard on the way to our school's exhibition game.

Scouts are expected to be there, and the Wolverines are expected to be on their A game.

I am extra pumped because my father is going to be there--for the first time.

Not that it matters if I get scouted or not, but still, I don't want to disappoint my father.

Siya kasi ang role model ko--my dad is the epitome of a humble ruthless businessman.

Witness ako sa kung paano niya mag isang itinaguyod ang simpleng security firm niya hanggang sa maging isa na itong multi-trillion company--The Armory.

_____

Caroline Elora  

_______________________

From: Eponine

Saturday night

10:30 pm

Same place

_______________________

"Finally!" I giggled upon reading the text message.

I was on my way to Third's exhibition game, (because apparently, I can't resist his charms)

I could really use a distraction right now and thank goodness Eponine texted.

Isa siya  sa mga kasamahan ko lagi sa detention class at isa sa mga handler's ng underground racing sa Bicol.

Nakatabi ko kasi siya minsan sa study hall last year nung pang tatlo atang nahuli akong kumokopya kay Victoria during our Trigo exam-- kasabay niya yung mga kaibigan niyang addict sa adrenaline rush na laging sumasali sa mga triathlon at kung ano ano pang races.

Hindi ko naman maiwasang marinig ang usapan nila tungkol sa inoorganize nilang underground racing, kaya hindi ko napigilang magtanong.

And I guess, being a Galvez has its perks kaya sinabit nila ako--only condition was for me to only do what I really intend to do in the first place, and that is to capture images and no faces should be exposed. 

Na share ko kasi sa kanila na may online photography blog ako regarding avant garde imagery, na nagustuhan din nila, but they explicitly warned me to hide my IP address and what nots para hindi ma trace kung sino may ari nun, since underground racing is prohibited, plus the fact that most of us are still minors.

Syempre, maning mani sakin yang pag tago ng IP address, kaya nag suggest na din ako sakanila na gagawa na lang ako ng online database ng mga invites--parang e-vites lang, para isang click na lang nina Eponine okay na.

They were impressed, and for the fist time gusto ko magyabang, kaso hindi ko magawa. Yung mga natutunan ko kasi sa laboratory ni dad are all confidential matters, kaya sabi ko na lang sakanila natutunan ko yun sa Youtube. They bought it naman, kaya hindi na na raise yung topic.

The first time I arrived at the event which was held at an abandoned World War II era shipyard owned by Trenton Lumineer VI (Eponine's grandpa) , I had this rush, this invigorating drive to point and shoot.

Oh, and did I mention that Eponine is the daughter of our congresswoman?

Now, you know.

Halos lahat ng nandun sa event ay kabilang sa mga discreet na estudyante ng Andrade Prep, some were clearly from Claywort Academy dahil naka uniforms pa sila.

But of course, the 'popular kids' from our school were there too.

Sebastian was there with his 1970 Dodge Challenger, alongside his muse, my beautiful bestfriend Marj, and I believe kaka first monthsary pa lang nila 'non and Sebastian was too proud to parade his lady na feel na feel naman ng babaita.

Andun din si..Cloud with his Lt2 Camaro, with two arm candies around him.

Silang dalawa ng bestfriend niya ang magkalaban sa 3rd race, and the price up for grabs was a Colt Model 1862 Richards-Mason Caliber 38 pistol.

You got that right, walang perang involved sa event nina Eponine, they just wanted everyone to let loose, to have clean pure fun brought by the adrenaline rush and it somehow became a safeground for both Andrade Prep and Claywort Academy students dahil matagal ng rivals ang schools namin.

Yung Claywort kasi, situated sa city mismo, and since hindi naman tumatanggap ng hindi taga Imperial Grande ang Andrade Prep, eh doon nag eenrol ang mga may kayang pamilya sa Albay, kaya hindi maiiwasan ang rivalry,discrimination, insults and what nots.

Ang nakaisip daw nitong event ay si Trenton Lumineer VIII, or Trent na current SSG President ng Claywort at kapatid ni Eponine. I have never met him in person pa, since di naman ako bumababa sa pwesto ko sa taas ng trailers na si Eponine mismo ang nag turo sakin while the race is going on, but I have a few shots of him--specifically his 1964 plymouth valiant convertible in action.

Lagi na lang kasing nag iinitan ang mga estudyante ng dalawang schools, kaya naisip nilang daanin sa drag race, which is actually effective dahil in the end, they not only quench their need for adrenaline rush, but their issues against each other.

They also set up security details and protocols to make sure of our safety.

My lenses played with the lights and I felt like I was part of the race, part of the hype. 

I have always been fascinated by photography but that was the first time I have ever felt like I really connected with my subject. Activating the heat sensor in my lenses, nakitang kong nag spike ang adrenaline ng drivers. Para ngang yun na ang nag overtake ng katawan nila eh.

In the end, Sebastian won at hindi mapunit punit ang ngiti sa mga labi nila ni Marj.

I even captured their first public kiss and my best friend's reaction was priceless.

Ahhh, young love.

I was satisfied with the results and had looked forward since then for drag races.

-----

Naglalakad na ako ngayon papunta sa field which is now fully packed with people.

I scanned the bleachers for an empty spot while I hold my camera. Syempre, walang kupas ang aking 'Third Radar' dahil nahagip agad siya ng lens ng Mark II ko. Suot niya yung number 12 niyang jersey kasama yung kabatch niyang si kuya Clifford (pinsan niya) at napapalibutan sila nina Sebastian.

Uggh. How come he's so handsome?

I bit my lip and adjusted my glasses.

"Hey Lois!" I snorted upon hearing Marj. Liningon ko siya at sinimangutan.

Kasama niya yung mga minions niyang nuknukan ng arte.They were stretching and some are practicing some flips for their cheer thingy--yeah wala talaga akong interes sa ginagawa nila, minsan nga tinanong ko si Marj kung anong nakukuha niya sa pag sigaw sigaw at pag lipad sa ere maliban sa sakit ng katawan eh.

Tanging sagot niya lang ay--'I'm having fun'.

Yeah right.

She lunged herself at me and kissed my cheek.

"You are so busted. Akala ko ba hindi ka aattend?" She giggled.

"Ugghh. I know. I can't resist not going. I should probably start adopting cats from now on.Kasi naman bakit ang gwapo ni Third, ang hirap mag move on huhu." I adjusted my glasses and sighed heavily.

"Gaga! Huhu ka diyan, ayun oh, look at that bruhilda, she's got my foolish brother wrapped around her fugly french tipped nails." Pinaharap niya ako sa bleachers at napasimangot ako nung makita kong nakaupo nga doon yung bruha.

I admit maganda siya, sexy at matalino din daw--pero alam naming tatlo nina Marj at Victoria na malandi siya dahil nakita namin siya dati sa sinehan na may kasamang ibang lalake, and worse yung sinasabi niyang pinsan niya daw na si Jake Hernandez yun at naghahalikan sila.

Sinumbong namin yun kay Third, pero kami pa ang napagalitan dahil magpinsan daw yung dalawa, kaya kahit ilang beses pa namin siya mahuli, wala rin naman saysay kung magsumbong pa kami.

Kahit pa alam naman ng lahat na adopted si Marnie at hindi niya talaga pinsan yung Jake.

Ang landi niya talaga ang sarap sabunutan o kalbuhin grrr.

"Alam mo, gusto ko din yang nasa isip mo." Siniko ako ni Marj dahil nakita niya yata yung nalukot kong mukha sa sobrang asar.

"Gusto mo din siyang sabunutan at kalbuhin?" Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

She laughed evilly.

"Worse babe, gusto ko siyang buhusan ng mainit na tubig." Binigyan niya ako ng malademonyitang tingin.

"I like that!" Pareho kaming pumalakpak.

"Pero di nga, I think you should start dating. I'll set you up. What do you think?" I can see the glimmer in her eyes and her smile is scheming.

"No thanks. Don't worry about it Marj. As the great Charlotte Bronte once wrote: The trouble is not that I am single and likely to stay single, but that I am lonely and likely to stay lonely. Kung hindi si Third, wag na lang."

"Oh god you nerd. I thought Victoria was the nerd? You really got it bad sister." She tap the tip of my nose to tease me.

"Tse. Asan pala yun? Tabi na lang kami since pareho kaming allergic sa tao." I tried to look around to see if I can spot her.

"Ayun sa taas kasama nina mom. Alam mo naman yun, number one fan ni kuya, buti na lang hindi dun tumabi yung bruha, dahil kung hindi sigurado nanaman akong nakabusangot yun si ate." Turo niya sakin sa taas ng bleachers.

Ate kasi ang tawag niya kay Victoria minsan dahil matanda ito ng isang minuto sakanya.

"Okay, oh punta muna ako doon ha? Goodluck sa performance. Love you!" I kissed her cheeks then sped through the bleachers.

_____

Simon Cloud

I can't believe coach Stanton benched me.

Sa lahat pa ng oras at pagkakataon ngayon pa.

"Serves you right, asshole." Ryan smirked as he passed by me.

I clenched my fist and tried to calm myself.

I closed my eyes and count to 50.

Tang ina.

Watching my teammates haul ass and get pumped up with adrenaline somehow made me regret my choices.

My father always taught me to take responsibilities for my actions, but  lately, I've been craving for the hype.

I don't know if this is because of my raging hormones--well technically it could be since I am still on the puberty stage.

But still, it feels like I'm not doing something right--with this in mind, I realized I somehow screwed things over and I am right now sitting here, instead of being out there on the field.

Pag minamalas ka nga naman.

Fuck, the first time my dad watches my game and I am benched.

Napamura ako sa inis ng magsimula ng magsalita si coach sa harap namin, reminding everyone to be on their A game.

Ryan f*****g Evora was smirking at me like the son of a b***h that he is.

I clenched my fists and looked away--or else I might just have to rearrange his face using my knuckles.

I looked at the bleachers to see if my dad has finally came, but his seat was still empty.

Bumuntong hininga ako at nagdasal na sana wag ng pumunta si Dad.

I was about to check in with coach and convince him to let me play when someone caught my eye.

There she was..a rose among the thorns.

Kausap niya si Marj at nagbubuhlungan sila habang nagtatawanan.

She looked odd because she's the only one who's not wearing a cheerleader's uniform.

But hot damn, those legs..

I shook my head and averted my gaze.

I shouldn't fantasize about her.

I just shouldn't.

Tang ina.

____

Caroline Elora  

I was pretending to study my Calculus lesson when the creep beside me poked my arm.

Ano ba yan, hindi man lang maka gets na ayaw ko nga makipag usap, pero masyadong papansin.

"What?" I scowled removing my earphones.

What is up with him? I mean I was glad that he didn't bother me for the past couple of days.

What changed?

"You're doing it all wrong." He smiled pointing at my notepad.

Bloody hell, kelan lang yung dimples niyang yan?

Bakit ngayon ko lang yan napansin?

"Oh, don't worry about this, I'm just pretending to solve it so you won't disturb me. Thanks anyway." I gave him a full smile.

Tumigil ka na please.

Nakakabanas talaga ang lalakeng 'to ang kulit.

"Wow. You have a pretty smile." His face was literally in awe and I felt my cheeks blush.

Oh no, not him Cara.

Don't you dare develop a crush on this fuckboy!

Oo, kilala ko siya, maliban dun sa drag race, binalaan na din ako ni Marj dati pa.

Lahat naman yata sa school aware kung gaano siya ka babaero, halos lahat nga daw ng babae sa cheering squad ay na link sakanya, except kay Marj dahil kahit di pa man lumilipat si Sebastian galing sa Claywort, eh prodigy na siya ni Third.

Takot niya lang sa loves ko.

Si Third kasi yung nag recruit sa kanya nung sumali ito sa basketball clinic na sponsored ni tito Julio.

"Ganun ba? I'm not buying it. I know I have a pretty smile, and if you don't want this smile to turn into a frown accompanied by my middle finger, stop whatever this is. I'm not interested. I have a boyfriend. At mahal na mahal namin ang isa't isa." I blurted out.

I just hope he can't see the word liar plastered on my face.

"What if I don't care if you have a boyfriend?" His hand landed on top of mine, making my insides squirm.

Oh my gulay.

Bakit ganito na lang ang pakiramdam ko?

I had to fight the urge to throw myself in his arms.

His hands are warm, and mine fit perfectly underneath his.

Bloody freaking hell.

Kalokohan, layuan mo ako please lang.

"You wouldn't dare." I looked away and took my hand off under his.

"Is that a challenge?" he taunted, a smirk formed on his mouth.

"Please don't make me hit your face." Banta ko sakanya.

Ang yabang!

"Fine. Can we start over? I'm sorry for being a creep. I can't help it that you're so f*****g beautiful." He raked his hand on his buzz cut  hair, and my eyes followed his fingers grazing them.

Anong kagagahan to Cara?

"Haaa?" I don't know if I heard it right.

"I said can we start over?" he offered his hand again, not repeating the last part of what he said.

"I'm Simon Cloud Sylvestre." He gave me another smile that should come with a warning label that states: heartbreaker.

Pero dapat naka caps at bold with an underline.

WARNING: HEARTBREAKER!

Ganyan.

Huminga ako ng malalim at umirap sakanya.

"Fine." I said. "Caroline Elora Galvez." I gripped his hand and shook it.

"Kaya pala,Cara." Ngumiti siya sakin at para akong namalikmata, ang gwapo kasi niyang ngumiti.

Oh nonooooo

"Why do I get the feeling that you will be my undoing?" His eyes flickered and his hand pressed mine, not letting it go.

"Ano bang pinagsasasabi mo ha? You're weird." I pulled my hand and chuckled, trying to be unaffected by his words.

Cloud just smiled then propped his arm on the table to support his chin, all the while looking at me.

"You know the shade of your eye darkens when you're uncomfortable." he stated matter of factly, making my heart beat raised frantically.

"You know, you're making me regret starting this over." I raised an eyebrow, trying to calm myself down.

Wrong move Cara.

Wrong move.

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